Buying stone is not like buying lumber or pavers by the piece. Each pallet of natural stone is a little different, and the pieces vary in size, shape and thickness. That is why stone yards weigh what you buy. This guide explains how weighing works, why our prices are quoted rather than posted, how piece size affects what you get, and why availability changes through the year. Knowing this before you visit makes your trip faster and your quote more accurate.
Sold by weight, less the pallet
With very few exceptions, our natural stone is shipped to us on wooden pallets and sold by weight. When you buy, a Weighmaster records the weight of your purchase and subtracts the weight of the pallet. You pay for stone, not wood.
Weight is a fair way to sell a natural product. Two pallets of the same flagstone can hold different numbers of pieces, but a ton is a ton. Our staff can help you turn your square footage into a weight to order. See how much flagstone do I need for how that works.
The weight is recorded for every purchase, so you know exactly what you took home. If you come back for more of the same stone, bring the stone name and a photo of your finished area so we can look for a close match.
Why we quote prices instead of posting them
We do not publish rock prices because they can change over short periods of time. Freight is the biggest variable, and it moves with the cost of diesel and gasoline. Quarries also adjust their prices as the vein of stone they are working changes.
We buy stone from California, Arizona, Utah, Mexico and across the USA, so freight matters. When you call or visit, we give you a current quote for stone on hand or for a special order.
Piece size changes what you get
Flagstone comes in different piece sizes, and the surface area of each piece is one of the biggest differences between products.
- Stand-up flagstone stands on edge on the pallet. Pieces run about 4 to 12 square feet. These large coverage pieces often come in several thicknesses, and we call them "Select." They suit patios and walkways and are common in shopping plazas and business parks.
- Patio flagstone lies flat on the pallet. Pieces run from about 8 inches to 4 square feet. It works for patios, walkways, water features and veneer.
Availability and big jobs
Availability can be an issue for a particular stone or cut. Many quarries lose access in heavy rain, sometimes all winter. We also fill multi-ton orders that can use up the stock on hand.
If you have a big job and matching stone is important, talk about the whole job with our salespeople up front. That way we can plan for enough of the same stone. If we do not have what you want, we may be able to custom order it. Call to check what is in the yard today.
Getting your stone home
Because flagstone is sold on pallets, it cannot go in a dump truck. It needs a forklift and a flatbed truck. We deliver Monday through Saturday, and our delivery pricing covers our basic costs. Details are on our delivery page. Looking for discounted stone? Ask about our clearance area, where we sell stone we are not restocking.