How to prepare for a stone countertop estimate

An estimate is only as good as the information behind it. A few minutes of preparation means fewer follow-up questions, a more accurate number, and a clearer sense of what you are actually buying. Here is what helps.

1. Measure the space, roughly

You do not need professional measurements for a first estimate. A tape measure and a notepad are enough.

• Measure the length of each countertop run along the wall, and the depth from wall to the front edge of the cabinets (usually around 25 inches for standard kitchen cabinets).
• For an island or peninsula, note the length and width, and how far you want the stone to overhang for seating.
• Sketch the layout from above, mark where the sink, cooktop and any appliances sit, and label each run with its length.
• For a bathroom vanity, measure the cabinet width and depth, and the wall-to-wall distance if the top is fitted between walls.

Inches are fine. Final templating happens later, from the actual cabinets, so these numbers only need to be close.

2. Photograph the room as it is

Three or four photos from different corners tell us more than a page of description: the cabinet style, the light, the flooring, what the stone will meet at walls and windows. Include a photo of the sink and cooktop if they are staying.

3. Decide the big choices, or decide to ask

You do not have to know everything, but it helps to have thought about:

• Thickness. Most kitchen countertops use 3 cm stone; 2 cm is common for vanities, walls and lighter applications.
• Finish. Polished is glossy and vivid; honed is matte and hides marks; leathered adds a soft texture. The same slab looks quite different in each.
• Edge profile. A simple eased or square edge suits most modern kitchens. Decorative profiles add cost and a traditional look.
• Sink type. Undermount sinks need a polished cut-out; drop-in sinks hide the edge; farmhouse sinks change the cabinet.
• Backsplash. A short stone upstand, tile, or a full-height slab behind the range.

If you are unsure, say so. “Help me decide” is a perfectly good answer.

4. Shortlist materials with the room in mind

Browse the product catalog and pick two or three slabs you like, but read the stone types guide first. A busy family kitchen and a powder-room vanity have very different needs, and a stone that is perfect for one can be a constant worry in the other.

5. Questions worth asking

When you receive an estimate, make sure you understand:

• What is included: material, cut-outs, edge finishing, seams, and any other work.
• Where seams would fall, and how many slabs the job needs.
• Whether you will see and approve the actual slab before it is cut.
• The lead time from approval to the stone being ready.
• What care the chosen material needs, and whether it comes with a manufacturer’s care sheet.

6. Send it over

Put the measurements, photos and shortlist into the inquiry form. The more you include, the more useful our reply will be, and there is no obligation at this stage.