Comparing two contractor bids for a carpet installation or turf replacement? Contractor A bids $4.50 per square foot, while Contractor B bids $38.00 per square yard. At a quick glance, Contractor A's single-digit rate looks vastly cheaper. But who is actually offering the lower price?
The relationship between cost per square foot and cost per square yard is governed by the 9× Price Rule. Because 1 square yard contains exactly 9 square feet, comparing unit prices requires a simple factor of 9. This guide reveals how retailers exploit this confusion and provides an instant bid comparison tool.
The 9× Price Rule Explained
Because 1 yard = 3 feet, a square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft = 9 square feet.
1 Square Yard Holds 9 Individual Dollar Rates
The Contractor Bid Showdown
Let's revisit our opening dilemma for a 900 sq ft (100 sq yd) living room:
- Contractor A: Quotes $4.50 / sq ft. Multiplied by 9 = $40.50 per square yard. Total = $4,050.
- Contractor B: Quotes $38.00 / sq yd. Divided by 9 = $4.22 per square foot. Total = $3,800.
Contractor B is $250 cheaper, even though their raw number ($38 vs $4.50) looked dramatically higher!
Live Price & Bid Comparison Tool
Bid Comparison & Rate Converter
Quick Price Conversion Lookup Table
| Cost per Square Foot | Cost per Square Yard (9×) | 500 Sq Ft Project | 1,000 Sq Ft Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.50 / ft² | $13.50 / yd² | $750 | $1,500 |
| $2.50 / ft² | $22.50 / yd² | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $3.50 / ft² | $31.50 / yd² | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| $4.50 / ft² | $40.50 / yd² | $2,250 | $4,500 |
| $6.00 / ft² | $54.00 / yd² | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| $8.00 / ft² | $72.00 / yd² | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| $10.00 / ft² | $90.00 / yd² | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Explore More Pricing Calculators
- Price per Unit Calculator — instant bid comparison estimator
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- Flooring Calculator — cartons, waste buffer, and cost
- Asphalt Calculator — driveway tonnage and materials pricing