Super built up and carpet areas for dummies!

Get the draft? 

There was a lot of commotion at the office today. We were divided into two groups. One bunch believed that the image we created here was enough to give our readers a complete picture. The other bunch made a beeline for all kinds of numeric explanations. So the first group, us, have left after saving that image and are quenching our thirsts. We have no clue what the other blokes are going to write below this to educate you further!

Say you are buying an apartment which is listed on that glossy brochure and in the advertisements as a 1000 Square feet, 2 BHK unit. The builder's agent will tell you that the 1000 Sq ft area is the super built up area. Super built up loading is the extra area that is added on to the actual area of your unit. This is necessary because these days, you have common facilities like grand lobbies, lavish staircases, club houses, gymnasiums, swimming pools, games rooms, badminton courts and what not. All of these common areas, which can be used by you and your neighbours alike are proportionately added to your apartment's area.

Quick Calculation:

Your unit - 1000 Sq ft
Super built up loading - 30%
Your unit's built up area - 700 Sq ft (Built up area would be the whole big box that makes up your unit; walls, balconies, lofts etc.)
Difference between Built up and Carpet area - Generally 10% to 15%
Your unit's carpet area as asked by your mom in law - 600 to 630 Sq ft maximum. [8 out of 10 times, you will be told that the term carpet area is a myth. And it is slowly turning into one for sure]

So, while you are paying for 1000 Sq ft of home, you are actually getting about 600 Sq ft of living space behind closed doors. If you are lucky! But like the bubbly poured into the glass in a tearing hurry, there are so many things that are not correct about Indian real estate. We reckon it could get better, if you, the home buyer stood up and firmly said that you would pay the final instalment for that home you bought, once you had the place measured up by a competent engineer, in font of the builder or his representative. And with all that we have seen, you may very reluctantly be asked not to pay that last bit if you kept mum.

"On the house", they will just stop short of telling you. Try it! You have nothing more to lose.
Cheers!