Gross external area GEA
The area of a building can be measured in a number of different ways:
- Gross external area (GEA).
- Gross internal area (GIA).
- Net internal area (NIA).
It is very important to be clear about which measure is being used, for example in property sales, planning applications, building regulations applications, lease negotiations, rating valuations and so on.
The UK government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) Code of measuring practice: definitions for rating purposes suggests that ‘gross external area’ refers to the whole area of a building taking each floor into account, including perimeter walls. This includes:
- Perimeter wall thickness and external projections.
- Areas occupied by internal walls (whether structural or not) and partitions.
- Atria and entrance halls, with clear height above, measured at base level only.
- Columns, piers, chimney breasts, stairwells, lift wells, and so on.
- Lift rooms, plant rooms, tank rooms, fuel stores, whether or not above roof level.
- Any area with a headroom of less than 1.5m.
Gross external area excludes:
- Open balconies.
- Open fire escapes.
- Open sided covered ways.
- Open vehicle parking areas, terraces and so on.
- Canopies
- Voids over or under structural, raked or stepped floors
- Greenhouses, garden stores, fuel stores, and the like in residential property
- Any area under the control of service or other external authorities
It suggests that party walls should be measured to their centre lines.
According to NRM1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building work, the gross external area is '...the area of a building measured externally (i.e. to the external face of the perimeter walls) at each floor level.The rules of measurement of gross external floor area are defined in the latest edition of the RICS Code of Measuring Practice.'
The VOA Code of measuring practice is in general agreement with RICS Guidance Note, A guide for Property Professionals, 6th Edition Code of measuring practice 2007, other than, areas with a headroom of less than 1.5m which are excluded from the VOA measurement.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.