How to compare building stone prices between suppliers
If you ask three suppliers to quote the same stone, you may get three completely different numbers.
The difference does not necessarily mean one is overcharging or underselling.
Two offers with the same name may differ in:
- grade
- thickness
- dimensions
- finish
- surface quality
- packing
- place of delivery
That is why comparing only the price per square metre can lead to the wrong decision.
Rule one: use the same specification
For a real comparison, every supplier must quote against one specification.
For example:
- Khorramdareh granite
- 600 m²
- defined dimensions
- defined thickness
- defined finish
- the required grade
- delivered to Tehran
If one supplier quotes a thinner stone and another a thicker one, the numbers cannot be compared.
The stone name is not enough
The quarry or product name is only a starting point.
Two shipments of the same stone can differ in:
- colour
- grain
- veining
- soundness
- grade
See how to choose the right stone grade for more.
State the grade in your enquiry
If a supplier only writes:
Abbas Abad travertine
you still do not have enough information.
It is better to define:
- the colour range
- the amount of veining
- consistency
- visual quality
Compare thickness
A thinner stone usually costs less.
But if the project needs a specific thickness, a lower price for a different thickness is not a real saving.
Dimensions affect price
Larger pieces need:
- more careful block selection
- more waste
- more careful transport
So the price of small tiles cannot be compared with slabs or large pieces.
Use the same finish
The same stone is priced differently when it is:
- polished
- honed
- flamed
- leathered
- bush-hammered
Ex-works or delivered to site?
This is one of the most important points.
One offer may be:
- EXW (ex-works, at the factory gate)
and another:
- delivered to the project city
So always separate the transport cost.
Packing
Packing costs differ for:
- slabs
- tiles
- export
Check whether the price includes packing.
Project waste
The real purchase is not only the usable area.
If the project is 500 m², you may need to order 530 or 550 m².
How much waste depends on the layout.
Installation cost
Some stones cost more to install.
For a project comparison it is better to look at the total cost.
A simple comparison formula
Real project cost = purchase price + waste + processing + packing + transport + installation + maintenance
This number matters more than the base price.
Example
Supplier A:
- 900,000 Toman per m²
- ex-works
Supplier B:
- 970,000 Toman per m²
- delivered to the project
If transport from supplier A costs 100,000 Toman per m², supplier B may actually be cheaper.
Samples and shipment photos
Before deciding, get:
- full photos of the shipment
- a sample
- a video
- photos of several pieces side by side
Delivery time
A low price that delays the project can end up costing more.
Payment terms
Offers may be:
- cash
- with an advance payment
- in instalments
Payment terms affect the real value of an offer.
Repeat supply
If the project is built in phases, check whether a similar shipment can be supplied later.
A standard pro-forma invoice
It should include:
- product name
- area
- dimensions
- thickness
- finish
- grade
- unit price
- tax, if any
- transport
- delivery time
- payment terms
See the pro-forma invoice checklist for the full list.
Build a comparison table
| Item | Supplier A | Supplier B | Supplier C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone | |||
| Grade | |||
| Thickness | |||
| Finish | |||
| Price per m² | |||
| Packing | |||
| Transport | |||
| Delivery time | |||
| Delivered price |
The lowest price is not always the best
If the price difference comes from a lower grade, less thickness, weaker processing or a delay, the cheaper option is not necessarily the economical one.
Summary
To compare stone prices, first create one specification, then compare the prices.
The number that matters most is the final delivered price for the same specification.
You can browse available stones in the SangeHassan product catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same stone cost different amounts from different suppliers?
Grade, thickness, dimensions, finish, transport and payment terms can all differ.
Is the price per square metre enough?
No, delivery cost and waste must be included too.
What should I put in a price enquiry?
Stone name, area, thickness, dimensions, finish, grade and destination.
Should I choose the cheapest supplier?
Not necessarily; the offers must share the same specification.