What is the difference between net and gross square meters?

Planned Areas Zoning Regulation defines independent section net area, gross area, total gross area and general gross area as separate concepts. This distinction shows why a single square meter figure in an ad may be insufficient to describe the actual usable space inside the house.

Clear area describes the usable part of the independent section that is closed and between the walls. In the gross area of ​​the independent section, there may be areas such as interior walls, columns and connected balconies or terraces that belong only to the section. As add-ons and common area shares are added, the total and general gross areas are reached.

Land registry, approved architectural project, municipality file, valuation report, seller's declaration and on-site measurement may have been prepared for different purposes. Seeing different figures for the same property does not always mean a mistake; First find out which field definition and situation on which date each number belongs.

If there is a difference between the declared value and the project or measurement, do not take an average. Clarify the reason for the difference, such as balcony, extension, common area share, subsequent modification or measurement method.

• What document or measurement is the figure based on?
• On what date and for what purpose was the document prepared?
• Are balconies, terraces, storage rooms and parking included?
• Is the common area share included in the figure?
• Is today's plan consistent with the approved project?

Comparison ruleTwo square meters of unknown origin do not produce a meaningful result by dividing them together.

Before making a unit price comparison, both properties must be based on the same area description and similar document reliability.

Read the external boundary, internal walls, columns, shafts, balconies and extensions separately on the approved or reliable dimensioned plan. Checking the measurements on the plan on site not only helps verify the figure in the ad, but also helps understand furniture placement and renovation needs.

Just collecting room widths and lengths when making on-site measurements does not replace the official area calculation in the legislation. However, it makes real usage boundaries such as door openings, niches, column protrusions and circulation visible. Appropriate documentation and expert measurement should be used for official or contractual conclusion.

• Wall-to-wall dimensions of living rooms and rooms
• Lost space in corridors, entrances and passages
• Columns, shafts, low ceilings and unusable corners
• Access to balcony, terrace and storage
• Compatibility of the plan with the existing wall and wet area locations

A high net area ratio alone does not mean a good plan. Long corridor, narrow room, door overlap or furniture dividing circulation; It can reduce the daily life value of the space that appears usable on paper.

Of two houses with the same net area, one may offer better light, balanced room ratio and adequate storage. Add to the comparison not only the question of how many square meters there are, but also what needs of life that square meter is allocated to.

It is misleading to divide the sales price by the overall gross area and compare it with the net area unit price of another house. First, if possible, verify the net and gross areas of both properties with the same source and method; Then, separately evaluate the differences in location, floor, facade, building quality and maintenance.

Unit price per square meter can be a quick filter, but it is not value on its own. Plan efficiency, light, common area quality, legal situation and intervention budget can change the outcome. Base the decision not on a single rate, but on the entire file prepared with the same definitions.