The Usable Area Question: What does One Square Meter equal to?
Have you ever wondered how much space you need to comfortably live, work, or play? The concept of usable area, or the amount of space within a building that can be occupied and utilized, is essential in determining the functionality and livability of a space. One of the most commonly used units of measurement for usable area is the square meter.
So, what exactly does one square meter equal to? In this blog post, we will delve deeper into this topic and explore the different aspects of the square meter as a unit of measurement for usable area. We will discuss its origins, how it compares to other units of measurement, and its practical applications in real estate and interior design. Whether you are a homeowner, a renter, or a professional in the construction or design industry, understanding the concept of usable area and the square meter can help you make informed decisions about the spaces you occupy or create.
Knowing the units and calculation
When buying a residential property, it's important to know the usable area disclosed by the project. The Department of Architecture and City Planning is responsible for overseeing this matter, as well as other related issues. However, understanding the units used in area calculation, such as how many meters are equivalent to one square meter, can also be helpful. This knowledge can enable you to verify whether the usable area in your home matches the disclosed information. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of knowing the usable area of a property, and how understanding area calculation units can be beneficial in making informed decisions about your home.
Understanding the units and calculation
There are two primary units used for measuring usable area, square yard and square meters, both of which are used differently.
- Square Yard: Land size
- Square Meters: Overall usable area size
- Rai, Ngarn: Also used for land size
Comparisons:
- 1 square yard = 4 square meters
- 1 rai = 4 ngarn = 400 square yard
Example
One detached house resides on 60 square yard of land, to convert to square meters we multiply 60 with 4, which results in 240 square meters. If this detached house is a two-storey house, the usable area size could reach up to 480 square meters.
**Actual usable area might not reach 480 sqm because the second floor usable area size may not be as big as the first floor's.
How to measure and calculate
Now that we understand the different units used in area calculation, let's move on to the calculation method. All we need is a tape measure to measure the area and calculate it accurately.
How to measure
- Measure the area's width and length.
- Multiply the width with length (in meters, will result in "square meters").
- The "square meters" result can also be converted to square yards.
Land Size Calculation Example
| Measure the width | 8 meters |
| Measure the length | 25 meters |
| width X length, 8 X 25 | 200 square meters |
| To convert to square yards, divide 200 by 4 (one square yard = 4 square meters) | 50 square yards |
For large plots of land, a measuring tape may not be practical. Most land is not a perfect square or rectangle, so measuring by length and width may not be accurate. It is best to seek the services of a land surveyor or expert who has the necessary tools and software for automatic area calculation.
House Usable Area Calculation Example
A bedroom is 4 meters wide and 5 meters in length, therefore we multiply 4 by 5, which results in 20 square meters.
How do developers use units to determine prices?
The price of horizontally-built houses can usually be found in allocated projects, where the price is typically given as a total price rather than a price per square meter. For example, a two-story detached house with a land area of 50 square yard and a usable area of 165 square meters may cost 3.5 million baht. It's rare to see the price per square meter or per square yard listed, except when buying allocated land for self-building. In this case, the project will typically offer the land at a price per square yard, such as 60,000 baht per square yard, which would be equivalent to 3.6 million baht for a 60 square yard plot.
Don't forget the Common Fees!
In addition to the house price, the common area cost is another expense that should not be forgotten. The project will calculate the cost based on the area of the house we purchased. Both single-story and multi-story houses will differ in cost as follows:
Low-Rise House Common Fees, calculated based on land size
20 baht common fees/square yard/month, 60 square yard in size
60 x 20 = 1200 baht/month common fee
Make sure to calculate common fees before finalizing a house (or condo) purchase, in addition to installment payments.
Condo Common Fees, calculated based on usable area size in square meters
40 baht common fees/square meters/month, unit is 42 square meters
42 x 40 = 1680 baht/month common fee
Conclusion
So there you have it, the answer to the age-old question of how many meters are in a square meter! Now that we've cleared up any confusion, we can confidently measure and convert areas using the correct units. Whether you're a property owner, a real estate agent, or just a math know-it-all, understanding the concept of square meters is crucial in determining the actual usable space of a property. And if you're not comfortable doing the calculations yourself, don't hesitate to seek the help of professionals who specialize in land measurement. So go ahead and measure your space with confidence, and make sure you're getting the square footage you paid for!
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