TMT, tubes, roofing, cement & blocks
Tonnes, pieces and running length
Grades, sizes and the unit each material is priced in.
Answer
How is steel actually bought — by weight or by piece?
Explanation
By weight
TMT and most structural steel. A bar bending schedule converts a piece count to weight, and the calculators do the same arithmetic if you would rather work forwards from pieces.
Detail
By piece
Tubes and sections in standard lengths, blocks, bricks and pavers. What matters is that the piece is fully specified — a piece count without a size means nothing.
Detail
By running length
Ridges, flashings, kerbs and channels. Measure the actual runs, not the area they sit around.
Detail
By area or load
Paving by area, sand and aggregate by load or volume. Both convert from an area or a volume you measure, not from a piece count.
Detail
State the unit you want quoted
If you want a price per tonne, say so. If you want it per piece, say that. Both are possible; guessing which you meant is what produces a quotation that does not answer the question.
Questions
Also asked
Should I order TMT by weight or by piece?
Whichever your schedule uses. Say which, and the quotation will match it. The calculators convert between the two if you need to check.
Next
Ready to specify it?
Calculate the weight, add the lines and send one structured quotation request.