Every Premier Stone guide in one place. Plain-English answers on benchtop prices, materials, sizes and fireplace hearths, written and reviewed by licensed stonemason Clarrie King.
Prices and costsChoosing a materialSizes and designFireplace hearths and surroundsBuying in Melbourne and Gippsland
Prices and costs
How Much Do Stone Benchtops Cost in Melbourne? (2026 Price Guide)What stone benchtops cost in Melbourne in 2026, by material, thickness and edge. What drives the price and how to keep the quote down.Read the guideHow Much Do Porcelain Benchtops Cost in Melbourne?What porcelain benchtops cost in Melbourne, from slab to install. Brands, thickness, edge and cut-out costs explained by a licensed stonemason.Read the guideAffordable Stone Benchtops: How to Get the Look for LessHow to get stone benchtops for less without cutting corners: cheaper materials, smart layouts and where to save on a Melbourne kitchen.Read the guide
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Choosing a material
The Best Stone Benchtops for Australian Kitchens (2026)The best stone benchtops for Australian kitchens in 2026, ranked on durability, heat, maintenance and cost now engineered stone is banned.Read the guideKitchen Benchtop Materials Compared: A Melbourne Buyer’s GuideKitchen benchtop materials compared for Melbourne buyers: natural stone, porcelain, sintered and mineral surfaces on cost, durability and care.Read the guidePorcelain Benchtops Melbourne: Prices, Pros and ConsPorcelain benchtops in Melbourne cost about $400 to $1,050 per m² installed. Slab prices, typical kitchen costs and brands, plus a free quote.Read the guideNatural Stone Benchtops: Types & How to ChooseNatural stone benchtops explained: granite, marble and quartzite compared on durability, upkeep and cost, plus how to choose the right slab.Read the guideGranite Kitchen Benchtops: A Melbourne Buyer’s GuideGranite kitchen benchtops in Melbourne: popular colours, finishes, costs and care, from a stonemason who templates, cuts and installs in-house.Read the guideBlack Granite Benchtops: Styles, Cost & CareBlack granite benchtops: popular styles and finishes, what they cost, and how to care for them so they stay looking sharp.Read the guideMarble Kitchen Benchtops: Worth the Upkeep?Marble kitchen benchtops look beautiful but need care. Etching, staining, sealing and cost explained, so you can decide if it is worth it.Read the guideMarble vs Granite Benchtops: Which Is Better for Your Kitchen?Marble vs granite benchtops: which is better for your kitchen? Hardness, heat, staining, sealing and cost compared by a licensed stonemason.Read the guideTaj Mahal Quartzite Benchtops: The Marble Look, TougherTaj Mahal quartzite gives you the soft marble look on a much tougher stone. Cost, care and what to know before you choose it.Read the guideQuartzite vs Quartz vs Granite: Which Benchtop Wins?Quartzite vs quartz vs granite: hardness, heat, upkeep and cost compared, plus what changed for quartz after the engineered stone ban.Read the guideDekton Benchtops: Cost, Pros and Cons & Is It Worth It?Dekton benchtops: what they cost, the pros and cons, and whether this ultra-compact surface is worth it for your kitchen.Read the guideEngineered Stone Benchtops After the Ban: What’s Legal in 2026What changed after the engineered stone ban, what is legal in 2026, and what Melbourne kitchens are using instead, including mineral surfaces.Read the guideKitchen Benchtops Melbourne: Stone & Mineral OptionsDiscover Melbourne Kitchen Benchtop options for your project. This article covers the difference between natural and engineered designs.Read the guide
Sizes and design
Standard Kitchen Benchtop Dimensions: Depth, Overhang & ThicknessStandard Australian kitchen benchtop dimensions: 900mm high, 600mm deep, with overhang and thickness explained. Full sizing guide with a diagram.Read the guideWhat Is the Standard Kitchen Benchtop Height in Melbourne?The standard kitchen bench height in Australia is 900mm, with most benches set between 850mm and 950mm. How to pick the right height for your kitchen.Read the guide20mm vs 40mm Stone Benchtops: Which Thickness Should You Choose?20mm or 40mm stone benchtop? How each thickness looks, what it costs, and when a mitred 40mm edge is worth paying for.Read the guideWaterfall Edge Benchtops: Cost & Design IdeasWaterfall edge benchtops: design ideas, how the mitre is made, what one costs, and which stones suit the look.Read the guide
Fireplace hearths and surrounds
Fireplace Hearth Stone: Which Stone Is Best for a Hearth?The best stone for a fireplace hearth, compared on heat, durability, look and cost: granite, marble, porcelain and more.Read the guideHow Much Does a Stone Fireplace Hearth Cost?How much a stone fireplace hearth costs, what drives the price, and how granite, marble and porcelain compare. Advice from a licensed stonemason.Read the guideHow Big Does a Fireplace Hearth Need to Be?How big a fireplace hearth needs to be: standard sizes and clearances for open fires and wood heaters, explained by a Victorian stonemason.Read the guideStone vs Tile Fireplace Hearth: Which Is Better?Stone or tile for your fireplace hearth? Heat resistance, cost, look and upkeep compared, so you can choose the right hearth for your home.Read the guideMarble Fireplace Surrounds & Mantels: A Buyer’s GuideMarble fireplace surrounds and mantels: which marbles suit a fireplace, heat and care, costs and installation. A Melbourne stonemason explains.Read the guide
Buying in Melbourne and Gippsland
Stone Benchtops Melbourne: Prices and Free QuoteWhat stone benchtops cost in Melbourne, recent local work, and how to book a free measure and quote.Read the guideStonemason WarragulStone benchtops for Warragul and West Gippsland, about 15 minutes from our Drouin workshop.Read the guideStone Benchtops Near Me: How to Choose a Melbourne FabricatorLooking for stone benchtops near you in Melbourne? How to choose a fabricator, what to ask, and what a fair quote should include.Read the guideKitchen Benchtop Options for Drouin HomesDiscover the four main kitchen benchtop materials in the Drouin area and what to ask your stonemason before committing to a material choice.Read the guide