Stonemasons are qualified to design, cut, polish and shape a range of natural and engineered stone materials.

By working with a qualified stonemason you can be sure that you have enlisted the services of an expert tradesman that has the experience to work with a range of natural and engineered stone materials. And who also has the knowledge of the different compositions of stone.

Southeast Stone has a large showroom in Caloundra stocked with samples of the major stone companies such as Caesarstone, Smartstone, Quantum Quartz, Essastone and Silestone.

We can also refer you to one of our preferred suppliers to view natural stone samples.

Generally man-made and natural stone slabs are 20mm thick. Some stone comes in 30mm.

All joins are visible, some more than others – this often depends on the material, stone colour and join location.

Marble is more porous than granite or other natural stone. However, if the marble is sealed and well maintained, it will last a lifetime.

In order for us to provide you with a quote for your project, please supply either a plan or hand drawing of the design that you require, the stone type and colour of your interest, the edge profile required (see options on our products page), the number of cut outs and whether these cut outs will be a standard drop-in (ie a top- mount sink) or polished cut outs for undermount sinks etc.

We don’t price by the square metre rate, we provide you with a total price for your specific project. Please send an email through to quotes@southeaststone.com.au for a free, no obligation quote.

No, at Southeast Stone we provide the complete solution. We can remove and dispose of your existing benchtops, cut, supply and install your new stone tops as well as organising a plumber/electrician to disconnect and reconnect your sink and hotplate appliances.

Natural stone can be used outside and is a great option for the popular outdoor kitchen. Depending on exposure to sunlight and other elements including the care that it receives, it may ‘weather’.

On the other hand, man-made stone is not recommended to be used outside as it can fade and warp overtime. It will also void your manufacturer’s warranty.

Firstly, know what brand and colour of stone top that you have, then simply go to the manufacturer’s website, Caesarstone, Smartstone etc and register your warranty online. You will have to fill in an online warranty form with questions such as your contact details, the stone colour etc.

Natural stone does not come with a warranty.

There is no warranty against cracks from any distributor of natural or man-made stone. Cracks are a rare instance and can be a result of moving house foundations or cabinetry as well as dropping a heavy object or standing on the benchtop. Stone slabs are very resilient surviving overseas shipping, truck movements and fabrication.

Stone benchtops require very little maintenance to keep them looking clean and brand new. For everyday cleaning of the tops, we recommend wiping the tops with a clean soft cloth and warm soapy water (with a mild detergent). You can also use a multi-purpose spray and wipe or glass cleaner spray and a clean cloth. In our showroom, we use glass cleaner on all stone tops and they come up looking great

It is possible that the stone may stain or leave a mark if it is mistreated and is exposed to excessive red wine, oils etc, which are not cleaned well or in a timely manner.

Never use harsh cleaners on stone surfaces.

Sometimes spills occur and dry on the benchtop. For materials that harden as they dry (such as gum, food, grease, nail polish or paint), remove by gently scraping away the excess with a plastic knife.

Permanent markers and inks may adhere to the surface and should be avoided. Clean first with a cloth and warm soapy water or PH neutral / stone safe cleaner. If the stain persists, we recommend using a stone cream cleanser and a ‘3M Scotch-Brite Never Scratch Foam Scrubber’ which can be used with warm water to remove any cleaner residue. Caesarstone and Quantum Quartz sell cream cleanser online via their websites.

No, Southeast Stone do not recommend placing hot items on your stone benchtop. Although stone is heat resistant your benchtops can be damaged by sudden and rapid temperature changes, causing thermal shock.

A simple rule to go by is if the pot/pan is too hot for you to place your hand on, for more than a few seconds, then it will be too hot to sit on your stone bench.

We always recommend placing hot pots/pans, oven trays, electric frypans etc onto a wooden chopping board or trivet.

Granite and man-made stone are highly scratch resistant but not scratch proof. We recommend that you do not cut on your stone tops (you will also blunt your knives). Always use a chopping board. Marbles/Travertines etc are a softer stone and will scratch more easily, so never cut on these surfaces.

Stone is strong and durable however it can chip and scratch if it is mistreated. If required, contact Southeast Stone or a specialist stone repairer.

All natural stone tops need to be sealed. Southeast Stone seals all natural stone on installation with a high quality sealer. For a long-lasting finish, natural stone should be sealed with the appropriate sealants at regular intervals – we recommend approximately every 6-12 months.

Man-made (engineered or reconstituted) stone does not need sealing. The stone is not porous, therefore sealants will not penetrate the surface.

Your stone top is a one of a kind, due to quartz being a natural element, each bench top will be unique and as such there may be a variance in the stone you receive.

Because man-made stone comprises 90-95% quartz, cured with resin, it may show irregular stone particles – this is the beauty of the product. On occasions, you may notice coloured specks in light coloured stone – this is because quartz is mined from the earth and while it is screened and colour graded to remove most of the impurities, it is not possible to remove them all without compromising the integrity of the stone.