Baasar Stone Pty Ltd

Marble Cost Price Australia

How Much Does Marble Slab Cost in Australia?

If you’re considering purchasing marble slabs for a home renovation project or other application, one of the key factors to plan for is the cost. Marble is a premium natural stone, which makes its cost significant. However, marble’s elegant look and durability make it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners and designers.

To ensure you can properly budget for your marble needs, it’s helpful to have a solid understanding of current marble pricing and the variables that impact the cost. In this article, we’ll explore typical marble prices, what influences the rates you’ll pay, and tips for maximising your marble budget.

marble_slab

Cost of a slab of marble in Australia

The average price range for marble per square foot in Australia spans a wide range, typically starting from $250 per square meter plus GST and reaching up to $1400 per square meter plus GST.

Contrary to popular belief, the price point doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the marble (i.e. density, strength, colour consistency, veining pattern, etc.) Instead, the primary factors driving these price variations are the exclusivity and uniqueness of individual slabs.

This means that rarer or more distinctive marble pieces often command higher prices, regardless of their inherent quality. When selecting marble, it’s crucial to consider both aesthetic preferences and practical requirements, rather than relying solely on the average price range for marble per square foot as an indicator of value. Let’s look at the practical side.

What are standard slab sizes for marble?

Standard marble slab sizes in Australia typically fall within the following ranges:

  • Length: 2400mm to 3200mm
  • Width: 1200mm to 1800mm
  • Thickness: 20mm to 30mm

This is due to various reasons, including;

  • Transportation constraints: Sizes are often limited by standard shipping container dimensions and weight restrictions for road transport.
  • Processing equipment: The size of cutting and polishing machinery used in fabrication facilities can restrict slab dimensions.
  • Handling and installation: Larger slabs are heavier and more difficult to maneuver, increasing the risk of breakage and complicating installation.
  • Structural integrity: The physical properties of marble limit how large a slab can be while maintaining its strength and stability.
  • Efficiency: Standardised sizes allow more efficient cutting and less waste from larger blocks.
  • Cost considerations: Larger slabs generally cost more to produce, transport, and install, affecting market preferences.

The most expensive type of marble

The most expensive type of marble slab is typically considered to be Calacatta Extra marble. This Italian marble is known for its rarity, striking appearance, and high demand in luxury design projects.

Calacatta Extra marble is characterised by its bright white background with dramatic, bold veining in shades of gold, brown, and sometimes grey. The rarity of this marble, combined with its aesthetic appeal, drives its high price.

However, it’s important to note that the average price range for marble per square foot can fluctuate based on market demand, availability, and specific characteristics of individual slabs.

Bianco-Carrara

The cheapest types of marble

The cheapest types of marble are typically those that are more common and readily available. Some of the more affordable marble options include:

  • Indian Green marble: Known for its green colour with white veins, it’s often one of the least expensive options.
  • Bianco CarraraA common white Italian marble with light grey veining. While some premium grades can be expensive, lower grades are relatively affordable.
  • Crema Marfil: A Spanish marble with a creamy beige colour, often available at lower price points.
  • Emperor Light marble: A light beige marble from China that’s often competitively priced.
  • Turkish Dolomite: While technically a dolomite, it’s often marketed as marble and is generally inexpensive.

While these marbles are generally less expensive, they may still be suitable for many applications and can look quite beautiful when properly selected and installed. The lower price doesn’t necessarily indicate poor quality but often reflects greater abundance or ease of extraction.

The most expensive colour of marble

From an aesthetic point of view, colours of marble that are rarer and more sought-after can be the main factor for higher price points. Subsequently, here are some of the marble colours that typically command higher prices:

  • Pure White: Exceptionally white marbles like high-grade Statuario or Calacatta are often the most expensive due to their rarity and popularity in luxury designs.
  • Blue: Rare blue marbles such as Sodalite are typically very expensive due to their unique colouration.
  • Pure Black: High-quality, deep black marbles like Nero Portoro can be quite costly, especially when they have distinctive gold veining.
  • Gold-Veined White: White marbles with distinctive gold veining, like some varieties of Calacatta Oro, Paonazzo, Calacatta Vagli Oro are highly prized and expensive.
  • Green: Certain green marbles, especially deep or vibrant shades can be very expensive.
  • Red: True red marbles are rare and thus often expensive.

310_Newyork-Marble

The most expensive kinds of everyday marble products

Marble slabs have a variety of uses in many types of construction projects. The most expensive everyday marble products typically include:

  • Kitchen countertops: Large, seamless slabs of high-end marble like Calacatta or Statuario can be extremely expensive, especially for spacious kitchens.
  • Bathroom vanity tops: Custom-cut, bookmatched marble vanities using premium stones can be quite costly.
  • Flooring: Large-scale marble flooring projects, particularly those using rare or high-grade marble, can be very expensive.
  • Fireplaces: Custom marble fireplace surrounds and hearths, especially those with intricate designs or using rare marbles, can be quite pricey.
  • Shower walls: Full marble slab shower enclosures, particularly those using book-matched slabs, can be very expensive.
  • Bathtub surrounds: Custom-cut marble tub surrounds, especially for freestanding tubs, can be quite costly.
  • Large-scale wall cladding: Using marble slabs for entire wall surfaces in living areas or entryways can be extremely expensive.
  • Staircase treads and risers: Solid marble stair components, especially for grand staircases, can be very costly.
  • Custom furniture: Marble-topped dining tables, coffee tables, or other bespoke furniture pieces can command high prices.
  • Outdoor features: Marble used in outdoor kitchens, pool surrounds, or patio surfaces can be expensive due to the need for more durable varieties.

The typical cost of marble countertops

For most cases, the cost of marble countertops usually ranges from $750 to $3,000+ per square metre, installed.

Many factors can affect the cost, such as:

  • Type of marble: Common varieties like Carrara are less expensive, while rare types like Calacatta or Statuario are more costly.
  • Grade of the marble: Higher grades with fewer imperfections and more desirable patterns cost more.
  • Thickness: Standard thicknesses are 20mm or 30mm, with thicker slabs being more expensive.
  • Edge profile: More complex edge treatments increase the cost.
  • Size and layout: Larger countertops or those requiring multiple slabs will be more expensive.
  • Installation complexity: Cutouts for sinks, cooktops, or unusual shapes add to the cost.
  • Finish: Polished finishes are standard, while honed or leathered finishes may cost more.
  • Additional costs: You may need to pay extra to remove old countertops, reinforce existing cabinetry or regular sealing.

Where can I buy high-quality marble products at a reasonable price?

Basaar Stone, established in 2011, has become Melbourne’s premier natural stone product supplier. Our mission extends beyond simply offering high-quality marble and granite benchtops; we focus on delivering premium natural stone products that combine exceptional materials with expert craftsmanship.

Our showroom in Campbellfield offers a wide range of unique natural stone options, including Taj Mahal Quartzite, Super White Dolomite, and Calacatta Marble. Contact us or visit our showroom for a demonstration of the many top-tier natural stone products we offer.