Top 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Stone Benchtop Project (Without Compromising on Quality)

Stone surfaces can elevate any kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor area, but sometimes the dream stone designs we want can blow out budgets. The good news? With smart planning and the right choice, you can potentially cut hundreds (or thousands) from your stone project without sacrificing style or longevity.

In this guide, we reveal 5 proven strategies that homeowners, designers, and builders can use to reduce costs. Plus, we show why sintered stone (specifically Techlam by Asetica) can be smartest financial and design investment for your new project. 

Before you begin - looking for samples of our Techlam Sintered Stone Range? Simply click here to get your samples before they run out - for a limited time only. 

1. Choose Overlay Benchtop Installation Instead of Full Removal

If you have an existing benchtop, then this could actually be a very good thing for savvy renovators. Although not as popular as it once was, kitchen benchtop overlays are a great way to not only save money, but speed up the entire renovation process.

Instead of removing your old benchtop and rebuilding from scratch, Asetica’s 12mm Techlam slabs can be installed directly over your existing surfaces. This overlay method avoids demolition, skip bin hire, and cabinetry changes saving thousands on your total project.

A number of our stonemasons also holding basic plumbing licences. This means if you need to disconnect gas or make minor adjustments to plumbing or taps, it can be handled by your stonemason, rather than going to multiple trades.

This can dramatically decrease your turnaround times, keep everything to a single trade and have your new benchtop installed in a single day. 

• No demolition
• No waste disposal
• Reduced labour time
• Faster install turnaround

Explore our 12mm overlay-compatible range

2. 12mm Slabs for Easy installation and reduced costs

Thinner slabs like our 12mm Techlam range can offer a nice cost saving alternative, against 20mm styles and variants. The great thing about 12mm styles is that you can still have all the same benefits and features as thicker styles, like the same edge profiles, but as a reduced rate. 

Not only this, but being lighter can require less people on site and reduced costs in labour, on top of the already reduced slab rate. 

If you're using our 12mm range for splashbacks behind a gas burner, you don't require the same 200mm clearance as you do with other materials like mineral surfaces or natural stones. 

This means no need to extend backbenches, change plans or make variations from existing benchtops, which you can use in 12mm styles as well. 

• Easier to fabricate
• Lower transportation costs
• Can be used for both benchtops and splashbacks

3. Use Large Format Slabs to Minimise Joins & Fabrication Waste

Techlam slabs measure up to 3.2m x 1.6m. Which are some of the biggest slabs in the class when it comes to European sintered stone designs. That means fewer joins, cleaner aesthetics, and much less material waste. The fewer the cuts, the more material you retain, which directly reduces your cost per slab installed.

It might not sound like much, but that extra sizing could mean the difference between and extra slab, meaning more money in your pocket. 

If you do have offcuts? Ask your stonemason if there is enough to create vanity tops, laundry benches or even some free chopping boards for your home. 

If using large format slabs for vertical surfaces like bathroom walls, this means not only do you have less joins, no grout or the need to constant cleaning, but they can be installed by your stonemason too. 

Less trades = less costs. 

• Lower wastage
• Seamless modern design
• Less time on fabrication = more savings

View full-size slabs in Sydney or Perth →

4. Stick to Simpler Edge Profiles 

Fancy edge profiles and waterfall mitres look great, but they also rack up fabrication costs if not careful. A great way to minimise costs? Stick to simple edge profile designs. 

Not only do these modern edge profiles look great, they're extra strong too. 

If looking at a modern kitchen design, you can do a simple exposed profile. This means no 20mm, 40mm or thickness edge profiles. This not only reduced material requirements and waste, it can dramatically reduce square meter cutting, polishing and gluing costs associated with other edge profiles (IE Mitred, pencil round etc).

• Faster to fabricate
• No mitres or build-outs needed
• Ideal for sleek, modern designs

5. Shop around (Obvious, but overlooked)

It's obvious, but not always at the time. Dealing with multiple stonemasons can be a daunting task. Whether they don't get back to you, you aren't sure if they are the right one of your job, or you simply go with the first option you can.

Based on things like your location, material selection or any of the above, pricing can vary wildly. 

Take your time to do your due diligence and visit your stonemason first, have open conversations about expectations and if choosing a material like sintered stone, ensure they are confident working with the material so they don't overcharge. 

Final Tip: Spend Smart, Not Less

The cheapest stone is rarely the best long-term investment. With sintered stone like Techlam, you’re choosing a material that’s not only budget-smart — it’s scratch-resistant, stain-proof, 100% government approved, and built to last with our 25 year warranty. 

By choosing the right format, installation method, and supplier, you can enjoy a high-end result at a fraction of the typical cost.

Looking to save money and upgrade your benchtops?
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