How to Compare Stone Supplier Quotes Beyond the Price per Square Metre
Compare stone quotations against the same material, drawing revision and delivery scope. A lower price per square metre is meaningful only when the quantity basis, processing and exclusions are also clear.
For buyers sourcing stone from China, a comparison sheet can reveal differences hidden by a short quotation. Use the process below before choosing an offer; it is a procurement checklist, not a live price list.
1. Fix the specification before comparing prices
Give each supplier one enquiry package: material reference, application, finish, thickness, piece dimensions, quantities and destination. Identify budget dimensions separately from approved production drawings. Start with our stone quotation checklist if you are preparing a first enquiry.
If an alternative material is proposed, place it on a separate line. A similar photograph or commercial name does not establish the same material, batch or appearance.
2. Ask how the payable quantity is calculated
Clarify whether the offer is for whole slabs, purchased slab area or finished pieces. Ask how cutting losses, minimum quantities and any extra slabs are accounted for. A finished surface area and a purchased slab area are not interchangeable quantities.
For example, a 10 m² finished-piece schedule does not establish that exactly 10 m² of slabs can be purchased. Slab dimensions, piece shapes and the approved vein layout affect the cutting plan. Request the proposed calculation instead of assuming a universal waste percentage.
3. Separate material from fabrication
List visible edge lengths, edge profiles, cut-outs, drilled holes, surface treatments and any matched side panels. Ask which operations are included and how changes would be priced. Confirm whether drawings, layout approval and inspection records are part of the agreed scope.
A comparison sheet to send back to suppliers
| Item | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Quantity basis | Whole slabs, slab area or finished pieces? |
| Fabrication | Which edges, openings and finishes are included? |
| Packing and delivery | What is included, excluded and still provisional? |
| Approvals and timing | Which approvals start the production schedule? |
4. Compare the same delivery endpoint
Ask every supplier to identify the delivery endpoint and separately describe packing, transport and unloading arrangements. Confirm with your freight provider which destination services and charges remain outside the offer. Treat unconfirmed freight amounts as provisional when comparing totals.
Keep the currency, quotation validity and quantities visible in your comparison. Avoid comparing an offer for collection at origin with one that includes a different transport scope as though both were delivered prices.
5. Reconfirm the offer after approvals
Record open assumptions, the proposed batch and the drawing revision. Ask whether a change in dimensions, slab choice or layout changes the price or schedule. Confirm the agreed amount and scope in writing before ordering; a catalogue listing is not a stock reservation.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lowest unit price mean the lowest project cost?
Not necessarily. Compare the quantity being charged, included processing and delivery scope. Keep unknown costs visible rather than assigning them a zero value.
Can I compare quotes before final drawings are ready?
Yes, as budget estimates based on the same stated assumptions. Request revised quotations once the production information is approved.
For fabrication background, see Use Natural Stone’s guide to working with fabricators. Our shop drawing checklist explains what to confirm next.
Request a quotation with a clear scope
lede is the stone brand of Xiamen Leide Stone Co., Ltd., based in Xiamen, Fujian, China. Send your material reference, application, drawings, dimensions, finish, quantity and destination through our project enquiry form. Email business@ledestone.com or contact WhatsApp: +86 15980984867. Availability, processing scope, inspection arrangements and timing are confirmed for each project.