It hasn't stopped raining here for months, so progress has been slow. Doing all the necessary stuff still, re-stumping, drainage etc. Next project is a laundry and storage room!

Hi Sarah It’s really hard to compare as they don’t give you a price per metre. Just quote the job each time. The stone we used, Spirals in Silk finish is one of the very dearest Aurea do so it was considerably dearer than other more common brands. It has just been installed and I don’t regret the cost for a second. I absolutely love it. What swung us was the fact it was a jumbo slab so no join on our island, the silk finish (feels amazing!!) and the colour/pattern. We felt it was nicer than any other engineered stone. Good luck, get as many quotes from different stonemasons as you can. There was significant differences in prices between the companies we were getting quotes from.

Thanks for that , I couldn't find your Last post? but did find a floorplan I did for a suzieq I would use a flat matt subway tile behind the cooker and perhaps the benchtop along under the window to make that benchtop look bigger. You mentioned overhead cupboard on the fridge but you also need an end panel to build it in to finish it off. Budgets get taken up very quickly as you are finding, perhaps you could consider using Laminated timber benchtops from Bunnings which come in different colours, look great and are extremely affordable

We are planning to use it in the coastal home we are building.