How to Choose the Best Natural Stone Supplier in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne for your driveway project?
It surely is overwhelming with a “zillion options” in the market, which supplier to pick, how to trust one and what all to keep in mind while choosing the natural stone supplier for your project if you reside in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne area. This guide will help you to figure out the questions in your mind and help you pick the right supplier and, more than that, the right stone for your driveway or pathway project.
The “One-On-One” questions to ask:
If a supplier tells you that a particular stone is $20-25 dollars cheaper in the market and they have a limited quantity, you need to rush to place the order. Run away from that conversation, move beyond the pricing point. The right supplier, like Stone Planet, acts like a consultant to help you achieve your design vision, not a salesperson.
- Can I see the exact batch of stone? Small size samples like 200x200mm can be deceiving at times, not only because a supplier might put a great sample in the display, but also because natural stone has variations and a mere small sample piece might not help you understand the exact quality.
- Is the stone “driveway grade”? A supplier might push you for a slatestone saying, it’s perfect for driveway or you might walk in a warehouse and pick the most beautiful natural stone without asking whether the stone is driveway grade or not. Always ask the question and if the supplier can give you the test details of the stone, nothing will be more perfect than that.
- Do you import the stone directly from the source? Supplier who imports natural stones from the source destination, especially Granite Pavers or Granite Cobblestones (perfect for driveway projects) from China will have better quality control than a supplier who works as a trade (someone who sources the stone locally from the market and supplies you).
Choosing between Granite Pavers and Granite Cobblestones?
It’s important to understand that Granite Pavers or Granite Cobblestones are both the perfect choice for high traffic areas and driveways, whether residential or commercial.
Since Granite Pavers and Cobblestones both come in an exfoliated surface finish, they are ideal for driveway paving where higher friction is needed. What makes them different is the look of the stone in your project space.
Granite Pavers come in standard size of 600x400x30mm and higher with other large format options like 800x400x30mm. This will give you an expansive look at your driveway, which is sleek and modern.
Granite Cobblestones generally come on a mesh for easy installation in two different sizes, a 90x90x30mm and a 100x100x30mm, they offer a traditional look to your project space.
Red Flags To Avoid While Choosing Natural Stone Supplier
- The One-Size-Fits-All-Pitch: If a supplier tells you that a 12mm thick tile will work for your indoors, pool surround and even for a driveway. You must start looking for a different supplier right away. Driveways need more resilient paving option which a 12mm thick tile will be no closer to justifying.
- Vague Stone Origins: If the supplier is uncertain of the stone origin and is trying to play otherwise, you should look for a more reliable supplier who at least knows where the stone is coming from.
- Too Much Hurry: Often you would come across suppliers who will hurry you to close the deal, get the order generated and get the payment settled. The right supplier will have patience as they know choosing a natural stone is a lifetime investment and you might want to take a few samples home to check how it looks on the site.
Conclusion
Choosing the right natural stone supplier in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne is about finding a consultant who will understand your requirement, suggesting products that will suit your purpose and more importantly will have control over the quality of the stone from the country of origin.
Take your time, ask the hard questions, and once you are satisfied than make the purchase.
