Benchtops

Thanks for the great advice. I just got a quote from Verna for $200 less that my previous quote. I guess it pays to shop around.

Re the auctions...I have found a site called Graysonline [URL=http://www.graysonline.com.au] that sometimes advertise auctions for building materials. They also have on line auctions but these are mainly for electronics. Worth a visit.

Ailsa,

This isn't within your budget but this is what I used when renovating our kitchen. It might give you some ideas.

Granite Transformations

I built new cupboards etc and they supplied/fitted a 32mm HMR worktop covered in the colour granite we wanted, but normally they just lay it over your existing benchtop. We also did the kickboards and splashbacks in the same colour.

Fantastic product at a fraction of the cost of "solid" granite and without the normal up keep that granite/marble requires.