How to Get a Quote for Stone Polishing: Calculating Square Meters

In short: The first step to getting an accurate polishing quote is giving the company accurate information.

A few good photos showing the approximate square footage of your space, the number of steps, and the condition of the floor will speed up the preliminary assessment and save time during the site visit. In this article, we explain how to measure and what to send.

How Is Square Meterage Calculated?

Rectangular Rooms

Width × length. For example, 4 m × 5 m = 20 m².

L-Shaped or Complex Layouts

Divide the area into rectangles, calculate each one separately, and add them up.

What Is Included?

The square meterage calculation includes all the stone-covered flooring the machine will actually pass over.

• The entire floor area to be polished: The stone-covered area of each room is measured separately and added together; the basis is the surface that will actually be polished, not the title deed or project square meterage.
• Door thresholds and transitions: Door thresholds and transitions between rooms are polished even though they look small; if they are not added to the measurement, the total area will come out lower than it really is.
• Under furniture: If the furniture will be moved, the floor beneath it is also polished and counted; if it will not be moved, those areas are deducted from the measurement.

What Is Listed Separately?

Some areas are priced separately from the main floor because of differences in labor, method, or material.

• Bathroom and kitchen: Listed separately because of the many edges and details; areas such as the base of cabinets and around the toilet and sink are worked by hand tools and take longer.
• Terrace, balcony, and pool surroundings: Listed separately because they are outdoor spaces; a non-slip finish rather than a glossy one is often requested here, and weather conditions also affect the work.
• Garage and parking area: Listed separately because the floor is concrete; concrete polishing requires different machines, abrasives, and hardeners, so it is calculated separately from natural stone.

Not the title deed or project square meterage, the actual stone-covered area is what matters.

Steps and Staircases

Staircases are calculated by the number of steps rather than square meters, because on each step the horizontal surface, the nosing, and the riser (vertical face) are each worked by hand separately. When requesting a quote, state the number of steps, the step width, the number of landings, and their approximate dimensions. Also note whether the risers will be polished and whether there is marble at the baseboards or at the base of the railings. Spiral and curved staircases require more manual labor and should be specified separately.

Countertops, Windowsills, and Special Pieces

Countertops, windowsills, and similar pieces are described not by square meters but by their own dimensions and quantities.

• Countertops: State the length and depth (in meters) and the number of sinks and hobs; since the edge of each cutout is polished by hand, this directly affects the duration.
• Windowsills: State the quantity and approximate length; since windowsills are narrow pieces with edges, each is worked by hand individually.
• Fireplace, columns, baseboards: Stated separately; these vertical or curved surfaces are assessed separately because they are worked with hand tools rather than the floor machine.

Why Does Edge Length Matter?

In a home with many rooms and plenty of corners, the machine works along the edges with hand tools. For the same square meterage, there is a difference in duration between an open-plan living room and an apartment with five small rooms. That is why it helps to state the number of rooms and the layout; if you have one, send a simple floor plan sketch.

Which Photos Should Be Sent?

A few photos taken from the right angles make it possible to largely understand the condition of the floor before the site visit.

1. General view: First, send a photo of each room taken from the doorway; the size of the space, its layout, and the furniture situation can be understood from these shots.
2. Against the light: Then take one toward the window from a low angle near the floor; dullness and scratches become visible this way, and it can be estimated which grit level to start with.
3. Close-up: Next, take close-ups of breaks, cracks, stains, and open pores; points that need repair are added to the quote based on these photos.
4. Slab joints: If there is a level difference, photograph the joints from the side; the height of the lip shows whether rough polishing is needed.
5. Edges: Also photograph the baseboards and transition areas; wear along the edges and material transitions determine how long the hand work will take.
6. Steps: Finally, photograph the nosings and the general view of the staircase; breaks and wear on the nosings show the scope of the step work.

Photos taken in daylight without flash are more realistic.

Prepare an Information Note

When requesting a quote, include the following:

• Stone type: If you know it, state the stone type; marble, granite, travertine, and concrete require different abrasives, durations, and final treatments.
• Square footage and number of steps: The approximate square footage and number of steps form the basis of the preliminary quote; stairs are calculated per step, so they are stated separately.
• Is the home empty or furnished: In a furnished home, the furniture has to be moved and protected and the rooms done one at a time; this changes both the duration and the planning.
• Your expectations: Tell us whether you want a glossy finish, a matte finish, or just stain and repair work; the result you want determines how many grit stages we go through.
• Date constraints: If you have a deadline such as a move, guests, or a particular season, let us know; the work schedule and team planning will be arranged accordingly.
• Floor, elevator, and parking situation: Moving heavy machinery and materials depends on the floor, the elevator, and parking availability; if we know in advance, no time is lost on the first day.

Main Factors Affecting the Quote

Why Is There No Single Price per Square Meter?

Two floors with the same square footage can require completely different work. A slightly dulled, empty, flat living room can be finished in a few stages, whereas a floor with uneven levels, layers of old polish, and hollow tiles starts with coarse grinding and continues with repairs. That is why a single "price per square meter" can be misleading. A preliminary price given from photos is only a range; the final quote is given after an on-site survey and, if necessary, a small test area.

Tips for Measuring

Measuring carefully helps the preliminary price come out close to the real one and means fewer surprises at the survey.

• Use a tape measure or laser measure: Use a tape measure or a laser measure; pacing it off can be misleading, and small errors add up to a big difference across several rooms.
• Note each room separately: Write down the dimensions of each room separately, then add them up; that way, which rooms are polished or left out can easily be changed in the quote.
• Consider built-in cabinets: Take built-in cabinets and kitchen base units into account; since these areas will not be polished, including them in the measurement makes the total area larger than it really is.
• Count the steps one by one: Count the steps one by one and list the landings separately; since stair pricing is calculated by the number of steps, an estimated count can be misleading.
• Give an approximate value if needed: If you are not sure about a measurement, give an approximate value; exact measurements are taken at the survey, and an approximate figure is enough for a preliminary assessment.

Getting a Quote in Alanya

When you contact us in Alanya with photos and approximate measurements, we first make a preliminary assessment and then prepare a final quote after an on-site survey. In our quote, we itemize the areas, grit stages, repairs, impregnation product, and duration. For homeowners living abroad, we can carry out the survey together with local contacts and send the quote with a photo report.