— How to read a stone quote · Bayswater, Melbourne
How to read a stone quote.
Three quotes, three sets of words, and no way to line them up. Here is what a quote usually shows you, what ours shows you, and the words explained. Written to be fair to the whole trade, so send it to anyone.
— 01 · The comparison
We show you before you ask.
Most stonemasons will show you some of this if you ask. All of it is on our quote before you think to. If you only ask one thing anywhere, ask to see your pieces on the slab before they cut.
The slab
A typical quote
A stone name, and a sample to hold.
Ours
The actual slab, photographed, with your pieces laid out on it.
Where your pieces sit
A typical quote
Usually not shown. Decided in the workshop.
Ours
The nesting is on the quote. You can drag the pieces to chase a vein or move a join, and we cut it that way.
What it will look like
A typical quote
A small sample and your imagination.
Ours
A 3D render of your benchtops from your slab.
The joins
A typical quote
Usually not mentioned until install day.
Ours
Marked on the nesting so you know how many and where before we cut.
The cut
A typical quote
Not shown.
Ours
The saw cutting your pieces, simulated from the real cut plan.
What is left over
A typical quote
Usually not shown, you would not know if there was enough left for a shelf or a vanity.
Ours
You see how much stone is left on your slab. If you want a shelf, a vanity top or a splashback from it, you can ask before we cut.
Lead time
A typical quote
A number of days, counted from somewhere.
Ours
Working days counted from acceptance, stated on the quote.
— 02 · The words
What the words mean
Template
The exact measure of the benchtop, taken after the cabinets are in. Nothing is cut before it.
Nesting
How your pieces are laid out on the slab. Good nesting keeps the veins running the right way and wastes less stone.
Mitred
The front edge cut at 45 degrees and joined, so the slab’s face wraps the corner and the veining continues.
Laminated
A strip of the same stone fixed under the front edge to make it thicker. A visible line where the two meet.
Build-up
Making a 20mm slab read as 40mm or more at the edge, by either method above.
Edge profile
The shape of the finished edge: square arris, pencil round, bullnose, bevel, ogee and so on.
Join
Where two pieces of stone meet. Any benchtop longer than a slab has one.
Cutout
A hole for a sink, hob or tap. Polished means the inside edge is finished, which an undermount sink needs.
Waterfall
A benchtop that turns the corner and runs to the floor, usually mitred so the veins continue.
Sealing
A treatment that slows staining on natural stone. Engineered and porcelain generally do not need it.
Supply only
The stone is cut but someone else fits it, and the mason is not responsible for what happens after.
Lead time
Working days to install. Ask what they count from: acceptance, template, or the slab arriving.
More questions in the FAQ →