For which material is the typical pricing method by linear foot?

The typical pricing method for rebar is calculated by linear foot due to the way this material is utilized in construction projects. Rebar, or reinforcing bar, is used to strengthen and support concrete structures. Because rebar is long and continuous in nature, pricing it by linear foot provides a straightforward way to account for the length required for a specific project. Each reinforcing bar is measured in feet, and the total length needed can be easily determined according to the design specifications of the structural elements.

In contrast, materials like concrete are typically priced by volume (cubic yards or cubic meters), forms are often priced based on surface area or the complexity of the installation, and wire mesh is generally priced by weight or sheet size. Each of these pricing methods is suited to the specific characteristics and applications of the materials involved, but rebar's linear characteristics make per-foot pricing the most practical approach for estimating costs in construction.