I am civil engineer and also studied management, and one mistake I see almost every home buyer make is this: they compare flats using price per sqft quoted by the builder. From an engineering & financial point of view, this is the wrong way to compare property value.
for example:
Flat A
- Super build up area: 1000 sqft
- Carpet area: 670 sqft
- Rate: ₹10,000/sqft
Total price = ₹1 crore (Super build up X Rate )
Real price per usable sqft = 1 crore ÷ 670 = approx ₹15,000/sqft
Flat B
- Super area: 1000 sqft
- Carpet area: 780 sqft
- Rate: ₹11,000/sqft
Total price = ₹1.1 crore (Super build up X Rate)
Real price per usable sqft = 1.1 crore ÷ 780 = ~₹14,000/sqft
So technically: Flat A looked cheaper. Flat B actually gave more usable space for the money. From a management/ROI perspective, Flat B was the smarter purchase.
Why This Happens
Builders sell using super built-up area, which includes:
- Lift lobby share
- Staircase area
- Structural walls thickness
- Service ducts
- Amenities share
All these are necessary for building functionality. But from a buyer’s perspective, you don’t live in those areas. You live only in carpet area. So the real value of a flat should always be judged on usable space, not saleable space.
If you remember just one thing:
- Never compare flats using ₹ per sqft of super area
- Always compare using ₹ per sqft of carpet area
This single calculation can reveal inflated pricing, inefficient layouts, over-marketed luxury projects, and better long-term resale value.