How Much Does Natural Stone Cost vs Other Materials for a Kitchen Benchtop? 【Official Price Guide】

Quick take: A typical mid-size Melbourne kitchen (island + back bench + splashback) usually needs ~3 slabs. Based on current showroom pricing, expect granite from ~$6k for slabs, limestone from ~$6k, marble ~$6–12k, dolomite ~$12k, quartzite ~$12–15k (slab costs only—fabrication/installation are additional).

What counts as a “mid-size kitchen” here?

Most mid-size layouts we see are:

• Island benchtop: ~3.1 × 1.2 m

• Waterfall end: ~0.9 × 1.2 m (book-matched across 2 slabs)

• Back bench: ~600 mm deep run

• Splashbacks: above the back bench

Because standard slabs are commonly around 3.0 × 2.0 m, this layout typically requires ~3 slabs for clean yield, vein flow, and book-matching.

Natural stone price guide (per slab & a 3-slab example)

Prices below reflect slab cost only. You’ll still need fabrication & installation (cutting, edges, joins, cut-outs, sealing, site work). That final figure depends on your stonemason and design details.

Material	Typical look	Approx. price per slab	Example: 3-slab kitchen (slabs only)
Granite	Speckled to gently veined; wide colours	~$2,000	~$6,000
Marble (premium)	Often white base with balanced veins	~$7,000–$14,000+	~$20,000–$60,000+
Marble (regular types)	Often white-based; simple veining	~$2,000–$4,000	~$6,000–$12,000
Quartzite	Wide variety; from dramatic veins to neutral	~$4,000–$5,000	~$12,000–$15,000
Dolomite	Clean, light looks; soft veining	~$4,000	~$12,000
Limestone	Neutral tones with subtle veining	~$2,000	~$6,000

What about fabrication & installation?

This has an even greater variety depending on the exact plans.

How to choose (most common options)

• On a tighter slab budget, but still want natural stone: Granite, simple Marble, or Limestone (from ~$6k for three slabs).

• Love bold veining with high wear resistance: Quartzite (plan $12–15k for three slabs).

• Timeless complete luxury look: Luxury marble or luxury quartzites (~$21k+k for three slabs).

Pro tip: Always hand-select slabs. Check slab lengths for your island, flatness, and sequential/book-matched availability to minimise visible joins and keep vein continuity.

Ways to keep the total project cost under control

• Design for yield: Keep island length within common long-slab sizes to reduce joins and extra slabs.

• Simple edges: Standard polished edges and fewer mitres cost less.

• Consolidate cut-outs: Confirm sink/hob positions early to avoid last-minute changes.

• Choose from in-stock lots: Faster, often sharper pricing than special orders.

Visit & select your slabs (Clayton South)

See full slabs in person, compare colours under real light, and check lengths for your island.

• Address: 9 Eileen Road, Clayton South (Melbourne)

• What to bring: Other samples to match against, and either knowledge of how many slabs you require or your building plans.

• Do I need to book? No! We do walk-ins 

• Compare materials: A full stone comparison is here

FAQs

How many slabs do I really need? This is a question to ask your stonemason but for a rough guide, lay out all of the stone that you'll require assuming 3x2m slabs and see how many are required.

Is quartzite always more expensive than granite? 90% of the time yes, but there are a few outliers for granite which are priced much higher than some quartzites.

Do all natural stones need sealing? Plan to seal granite, quartzite, marble, dolomite, and limestone. Frequency varies—your stonemason or supplier will advise per stone.

Can I put hot pots straight on stone? Natural stone is heat-tolerant, but use trivets to protect the sealer and avoid thermal shock.