If an apartment is listed as 1,500 sq ft, it doesn't always mean you get 1,500 sq ft of living space. In Pakistan, carpet area, covered area, and super area can mean different things. Carpet area is the space you can really use inside the apartment. Covered area typically includes more parts of the building. Super Area may also include a share of common areas like corridors, lifts, stairs, and lobbies.
When comparing prices, ask the seller which area the price is based on. Don't compare two apartments by "square feet" until you recognize what kind of Area each seller is quoting.
What Is Carpet Area?
Carpet area is the space you can truly use inside your apartment. It includes bedrooms, living rooms, the kitchen, bathrooms, and inside passages. In some official definitions, internal walls are not included, while outside walls, service shafts, balconies, and open terraces are not. Shared areas like corridors, lifts, or stairs are also not included.
Bedrooms: Space for sleeping and private use.
Living areas: Space for sitting, eating or relaxing.
Kitchen: The usable space inside the kitchen.
Bathrooms: The space inside the bathrooms.
Internal passages: Walkways and other usable spaces inside the apartment.
Internal walls: These may be included in the carpet area.
Not included: Common corridors, lifts, stairs, outside walls, and service shafts.
Checking the carpet area helps you recognize how much usable private space you are getting for your money.
What Does Covered Area Mean in Pakistan?
Covered Area means the built or covered part of a property. It is typically larger than the carpet area, which is the usable space inside. It can include walls, covered parts of the apartment, and some other areas. The exact meaning can vary across apartment projects in Pakistan.
It may include:
Walls: Inside and outside walls may be included.
Covered space: Built and covered parts of the apartment may be counted.
Balconies or terraces: Some projects may include these.
Structural areas: Some building areas may also be counted.
Other areas: The developer may include other parts based on its calculation technique.
No single formula for covered Area applies to every project. Always question the developer:
"Can you give me the written breakdown of what is included in this covered-area figure?"
Check this info with the floor plan, booking documents, and sale agreement.
This helps avoid mistakes when relating apartments. A 1,200 sq ft apartment in one project may not have the same usable space as a 1,200 sq ft apartment in another project.
What Is Super Area and Why Is It Bigger?
Super Area is a larger size used when selling an apartment. It can include your apartment and some shared building spaces. This additional space is named common-area loading. As a result, the saleable Area can be larger than the space you actually use.
Common-area loading can include:
Corridors: Shared paths outside apartments.
Lobbies: Common spaces near apartment entrances.
Staircases: Stairs used by all residents.
Lift areas: Areas around the elevators.
Other shared spaces: Common entrances and other parts of the building.
For example, an apartment may have 1,150 sq ft of usable space but be sold as 1,500 sq ft. The additional 350 sq ft doesn't mean you have 350 more square feet inside your apartment.
It may include your share of shared building spaces.
So, when it comes to property prices, check how the developer calculates the super Area. This helps you know how much space you are really getting.
Carpet Area vs Covered Area vs Super Area: What's the Difference?
|
Area Type |
What It Means |
Common Areas Included? |
Best Use |
|
Carpet Area |
The space you can use inside the apartment |
No |
To relate to real living space |
|
Covered Area |
The full covered or built part of the apartment |
Typically no shared areas |
To know the built size |
|
Super Area |
Apartment area plus a share of common areas |
Frequently yes |
To recognize the total saleable area |
The key change is what each Area includes. Carpet area is the space you can really use inside your apartment. Covered Area is the bigger built or covered part of the property. Super Area can include your apartment plus a share of common spaces, such as corridors and lobbies.
In Pakistan, developers may use these terms differently. Each time, check the project's written definition of "covered area" and "super area," especially as it relates to property prices.
What Do Property Buyers in Pakistan Actually Pay For?
This matters because different area sizes can affect how buyers determine a property's price.
Buyers finally pay the total rate agreed in the sale documents. But a developer may use a particular area measurement when showing or calculating the rate.
Simple Example
Apartment A
Advertised Area: 1,500 sq ft
Total price: PKR 30 million
The advertised price per square foot is:
PKR 30,000,000 ÷ 1,500 = PKR 20,000 per sq ft
At first, PKR 20,000 per sq ft may look like a good price. Now, suppose only 1,150 sq ft is the real usable space inside the apartment.
The real price based on usable space would be:
PKR 30,000,000 ÷ 1,150 ≈ PKR 26,087 per usable sq ft
The consumer is still paying PKR 30 million. The total rate has not changed.
Only the Area used to calculate the price has changed.
This is why the advertised price per square foot can sometimes be confusing. A lower price centered on a larger super area doesn't always mean you are paying less for the space you can really use.
Why Two "1,500 Sq Ft" Apartments May Not Be the Same?
Imagine you are comparing two apartments in different projects in Pakistan.
Apartment A
Advertised size: 1,500 sq ft
Usable/carpet area: 1,150 sq ft
Price: PKR 30 million
Apartment B
Advertised size: 1,500 sq ft
Usable/carpet area: 1,300 sq ft
Price: PKR 31 million
Apartment B costs more. But when we look at the usable space, the result changes.
Apartment A:
PKR 30,000,000 ÷ 1,150 = about PKR 26,087 per usable sq ft
Apartment B:
PKR 31,000,000 ÷ 1,300 = about PKR 23,846 per usable sq ft
This means that even though Apartment B has a higher total price, it may offer better value for your money because it provides more usable space.
But price per usable sq ft isn't the only thing to consider. Location, floor, view, parking, building quality, facilities, and maintenance charges can also affect the value.
The key point is that different area terms can make property prices look different.
How to Compare Two Apartments Without Being Misled by Area
Before comparing apartment prices, check out these facts:
Total price: Ask for the full purchase price.
Usable Area: Understand the actual space inside the apartment.
Covered Area: Ask what this Area includes.
Super Area: Ask how this larger Area was calculated.
Written details: Get area definitions in writing.
Floor plan: Check room sizes and measurements.
Balcony and terrace: Request whether they are included.
Common areas: Check whether lifts, stairs, halls, and corridors are included.
Parking: Confirm if parking is included or sold separately.
Documents: Check approved plans and sale papers.
Then use:
Usable-space price = Total price ÷ Usable Area
This helps you compare apartments fairly.
What Should You Check Before Paying?
Before you pay a booking amount, do not rely only on the apartment size shown in an advertisement.
Ask for the approved floor plan and check the sizes. Relate them to the booking documents and sale agreement.
Also ask the developer:
- What Area is used to set the rate?
- What is the carpet or usable Area?
- What is the covered Area?
- What is the super or saleable Area?
- Which common areas are included?
- How is the additional Area or loading calculated?
- Are balconies and terraces included?
- Is parking included in the rate?
- Can the final area change later?
Always request these details in writing. Rules and documents can differ by city, project, and approval authority in Pakistan. Check the approved documents for the specific project you're paying for.
The Bottom Line for Pakistani Property Buyers
Carpet area, covered Area, and super Area are different.
Carpet area typically means the space you can really use inside your apartment. Covered Area includes more of the building, while super Area can also include your share of common spaces.
The most important question to ask is:
"Which area is the developer using just to calculate the price?"
A lower price per square foot doesn't always mean a better deal. The price may be based on a larger super area. Another apartment may have a higher rate but give you more usable space for your money.
To stay safe, get the area details in writing. Check out the approved plan and property documents before paying.
Always relate the same kind of Area:
Carpet with carpet, covered with covered, and super with super.
Learn more: What is a studio apartment