Builder Brochure vs Actual Drawings – What Buyers Should Know?

Property brochures are designed to attract attention.

Drawings and approvals are designed to regulate execution.

Confusing the two is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes property buyers make.

Understanding the difference between what is promised and what is approved is essential before committing to any real estate purchase.

What a Builder Brochure Represents?

A brochure is a marketing document.

It typically highlights:

• Lifestyle visuals

• Amenities and finishes

• Sample layouts

• Proposed specifications

  
  

Brochures are meant to communicate intent and vision. They are not regulatory documents and, in most cases, are not legally binding.

This does not mean brochures are misleading by default — but it does mean they should not be treated as factual proof.

What Approved Drawings Represent?

Approved drawings are statutory documents.

They reflect:

• What authorities have formally sanctioned

• Permissible built-up area

• Height, setbacks, and coverage

• Layouts that are legally executable

  
  

These drawings form the basis on which construction is allowed to proceed.

In simple terms:

• Brochure shows what is marketed

• Approved drawings show what is permitted

  
  

Where the Gap Usually Appears?

1. Layout Changes Over Time

Layouts shown in brochures may differ from sanctioned plans due to:

• Regulatory constraints

• Cost considerations

• Design revisions

  
  

Unless buyers verify approved drawings, they may not realise these changes until construction progresses.

2. Amenities Are Often Conceptual

Clubhouses, landscaped areas, and common facilities shown in brochures may be:

• Subject to phase-wise approvals

• Conditional on future permissions

• Altered or reduced during execution

  
  

Without checking sanctioned plans, buyers cannot assess what is actually approved versus what is aspirational.

3. Area Calculations May Differ

Brochures often highlight super built-up or saleable area, while approvals focus on:

• Permissible built-up area

• Floor-wise limits

• Common area regulations

  
  

This difference impacts:

• Value assessment

• Long-term usability

• Resale clarity

  
  

Why This Matters for Buyers?

The consequences of brochure–drawing mismatch often appear later:

• During possession

• During occupancy certification

• During resale or refinancing

  
  

At that stage, buyers have limited leverage to question deviations.

How Buyers Can Protect Themselves?

Before committing:

• Ask for sanctioned drawings and approval letters

• Verify whether marketed layouts match approvals

• Understand which amenities are approved and which are proposed

• Clarify whether changes are permissible under regulations

  
  

This process does not require technical expertise — it requires the right questions to be asked at the right time.

A Disciplined Way to Evaluate Projects

Treat brochures as starting points, not decision tools.

The real evaluation lies in understanding:

• What is legally approved

• What is technically executable

• What deviations may occur over time

  
  

When buyers align expectations with approvals, disputes reduce significantly.

Final Thought

A brochure tells a story.

Approved drawings define reality.

The gap between the two is where most buyer disappointment originates.

Verification before commitment prevents misunderstanding later.

Evaluating a Residential Project?

Understanding approvals early can help you make a confident decision.

Contact Vedic Estates today