What Should I Budget for a Porcelain Benchtop in New Zealand? A 2023 Pricing Guide

2023 beckons just before us, and with it, fresh ideas for a kitchen renovation may have captured your imagination. At Archant, we talk with designers, joiners, and homeowners about kitchen transformation projects every day. Perhaps the number one most asked question is about price.

“How much will a porcelain benchtop cost?” More specifically, what should I budget for a bench in 2023? To get the bottom-line price, we must dig a bit deeper and find out the various specs for your job.

We believe it’s possible to narrow down the cost of your porcelain bench and organise your budget by having the main considerations worked out in advance. In this article, we’ll walk you through the main categories and give you a solid idea of what you can expect to pay for your counter in New Zealand. And while porcelain truly is a world-class surface, you may be surprised at just how reasonably priced it is when compared to other materials.

How do You Envision Size and Shape of Your Layout?

The most logical place to start your calculations is with the desired layout of your kitchen. If you’re working towards a major renovation, this is an ideal time to reimagine how you’d like the space to flow. There are a few common benchtop options to consider. For the simplest configuration, the bench spans just one wall. Alternatively, you can think about a bigger L-Shape design or a more encompassing U-Shape layout. Finally, there is the “Galley” option which has two slabs running parallel to each other.

Of course, the basic layouts that use the least material will be more price effective than those that require more involved joins, and angles. For example, a bench measuring 3000 x 600mm on one wall will be priced far lower than an L-Shape at 3000 x 2000mm.

If you’re opting for the galley layout, be sure to leave at least 1 metre of space around the entire island to prevent a cramped workflow. This will allow enough space for drawers to open properly, and for people to pass through without overcrowding.

What Style and Collection Will You Choose From?

For porcelain surfaces, Archant offers two distinct collections. The “Impressions” range and the “Ultimate” series are both comprised of the highest quality porcelain. While these feature gorgeous options, there are some differences in the patterns that create different price points.

For example, some of the intricate marble-like veining found in the Ultimate series comes at a higher cost than the understated styles found in the Impressions line. This doesn’t make it a higher quality bench, or impact durability, but solely reflects a more involved pattern. With a vast array of choices, porcelain worktops are well within reach for our clients. Depending on the look you’re after, we likely have a style that will be perfect for your space and budget in 2023.

What Slab Thickness Do You Want?

Having options allows our clients to strike a balance between design form, overall functionality, and value. Our entire porcelain collection comes in two different thicknesses of 6 and 12mm. The thicker slabs involve more material and are therefore priced accordingly. While 6mm and 12mm may not sound as thick as some other options on the market, you may be surprised at the benefit they offer.

We’ve found that the 6mm and 12mm options offer more flexibility and are therefore even more durable than 20 and 30mm porcelain slabs. This is backed up by Florim, one of the premiere porcelain manufacturers in the world. They state, “The 6 mm thickness of the large format tiles is the ideal solution for maintaining resistance to breakage (1350N) and to flexion (52N/mm2) similar to traditional porcelain: the reduced thickness does not make the slab more fragile, but more flexible, ensuring the typical resistance of porcelain to perforation, impacts and tractions.”

What this means for you, is a bench that is less brittle, and can stand up to just about any culinary adventure.

Additional Options to Consider

Whether this kitchen is for you, or a client you’re building it for, it’s the little things that can go a long way toward making it feel like home. With a benchtop, there are all kinds of ways to customise the finished product. Waterfall edges that span from the top edge to the floor offer a luxurious finished appeal and are quite on-trend for 2023.

You can also use our unique A&B porcelain slabs to bookmatch and create a matching splashback to protect your walls. These are both stylish add-ons that serve a real purpose. To that extent, you may also want to specify any necessary cut-outs for a hob, sink, tap, or power point. Keep in mind, the more cutting required at fabrication will add to the labour and cost.

What About Your Sink and Tap?

You’ve designed all of the particulars, and are almost done with your benchtop design. The last thing you’ll want to choose is the sink and tap. A few main considerations are our Stainless-Steel sinks with either a single or double bowl, or a more modern EcoGranit bowl which come in several colours. Depending on your chosen items, the price will adjust slightly. You’ll notice models from Franke, Schock, Robiq, and more.

No matter which brands you choose, all of our sinks are built to last, and are made from high-quality materials and well-trusted manufacturers. We also offer a wide variety of taps from the classic gooseneck, flex-spouts, and other convenient options.

Get the Estimated Price for Your Porcelain Benchtop Now

It’s now possible to get an instant price range estimate for your kitchen benchtop (including add-ons) with our Design & Pricing calculator. This pricing calculator is a great planning tool to create estimates for your porcelain bench. Use it to explore the different styles and price points and to review the calculations behind your estimates.

You can use it to help you plan how you spend, find cost-saving opportunities, and make informed decisions when selecting your benchtop. Please note, the final price can vary based on the details and finishing touches of your design.