FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
We believe great projects start with honest advice. That’s why we’ve put together answers to the questions we’re asked most often—from choosing the right material and understanding the fabrication process to caring for your finished project. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you
GETTING STARTED
What happens after I request a quote?
Once you request a quote, we’ll talk through your project and gather any information we need, such as plans, measurements or photos.
If your project moves ahead, we’ll order your materials, then either arrange a site measure or fabricate from your approved plans.
Your project will be manufactured in our Queanbeyan workshop before being made ready for collection or professionally installed.
We’ll keep you informed throughout the process, so you always know what comes next.
Do you provide free quotes?
Absolutely. We provide complimentary, obligation-free quotations for projects of all sizes, from residential renovations through to large commercial fit-outs. Send us your plans, measurements or project details, and we’ll prepare a detailed quotation tailored to your project.
Your first revision is included at no charge. If further revisions are required, a $50 revision fee applies to each additional revision. If you proceed with your project, any revision fees you’ve paid will be deducted from your final invoice.
If we need any additional information to prepare an accurate quotation, we’ll simply get in touch and guide you through what’s needed.
Do you price by the square metre?
Not usually. Every project we fabricate is custom-made, so there’s no such thing as a standard square metre price. Two benchtops can be exactly the same size yet vary significantly in cost depending on the design, edge details, cut-outs, integrated sinks, installation requirements and the time required to fabricate them.
At Capital Solid, every quotation is prepared specifically for your project. As specialist bespoke fabricators, we take the time to understand exactly what you’re trying to achieve, so your quotation reflects your design—not somebody else’s.
How long does the process take?
For most projects, our standard lead time is approximately two weeks from your final site measure or approved drawings, provided all materials are available.
Larger commercial or multi-stage projects naturally take longer, however they can often be manufactured and installed in stages, with each stage typically following a similar two-week turnaround. If your project has specific deadlines, let us know—we’ll always work with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Can I visit your showroom?
Absolutely. Our showroom is open by appointment because we believe choosing materials shouldn’t feel rushed. Booking ahead means we’ll have the time to understand your project, prepare the right samples and give you our full attention. Whether you’re planning a new kitchen, specifying a commercial fit-out or simply exploring your options, we’re here to help.
What areas do you service?
We’re based in Queanbeyan and regularly service Canberra, the South Coast, the Riverina, Southern NSW and Sydney. We also complete projects much further afield, with supply-only work shipped throughout Australia, including Perth and Brisbane, and internationally to destinations such as New Zealand and Singapore.
For supply-only projects, we’re happy to carefully package your completed project for transport. Freight can be arranged by your preferred carrier, or we’re happy to work with your freight provider to ensure everything is ready for a safe journey.
What do you need from me before my project can go into production?
Before we can begin manufacturing, we’ll need your quote accepted, your deposit paid, and all required materials to have arrived at our workshop.
We’ll also need your sink, cooktop and any other items requiring cut-outs to be selected—and, where necessary, supplied to us.
If Capital Solid is installing your project, your site will also need to be clean, clear and ready for installation. Once everything is in place, we’ll schedule your project into production.
CHOOSING SOLID SURFACE
Is solid surface right for my project?
In most cases, yes. Solid surface is one of the most versatile materials available, making it suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, healthcare, commercial spaces and custom joinery. Its seamless appearance, repairability, hygienic properties and design flexibility make it an excellent choice for projects where durability and longevity matter.
Every project is different though, and if we believe another material would better suit your application, we’ll tell you. Our goal is to help you choose the right solution, not just sell you a benchtop.
What brands of solid surface do you work with?
We work with all major solid surface brands and are happy to recommend the product that’s best suited to your project, budget and design goals. If you’ve already chosen a particular brand or colour, we’ll let you know if it’s suitable for your application and source it for you wherever possible.
How long will a solid surface benchtop last?
With normal use and proper care, a quality solid surface benchtop can last for decades. Unlike many other surface materials, solid surface is repairable and renewable, meaning scratches, chips and many signs of everyday wear can often be restored rather than replaced.
In fact, during 2025 we restored a 45-year-old solid surface benchtop with nothing more than a professional sand and polish, and in 2026 we repaired another that was over 30 years old. In our experience, most solid surface benchtops are replaced because the owner wants a new look—not because the material has reached the end of its life.
Can I put hot pots and pans directly on a solid surface benchtop?
We don’t recommend it. While solid surface performs exceptionally well in everyday kitchens, it isn’t designed for direct contact with extremely hot cookware.
Every Capital Solid kitchen includes a matching solid surface chopping board to help protect your benchtop from direct heat. We recommend placing hot pots, pans and oven trays onto the chopping board or a heat mat, rather than directly onto your benchtop.
Like most benchtop materials, solid surface isn’t designed for direct contact with extremely hot cookware. The good news is that if accidental heat damage does occur, it can often be professionally repaired rather than replaced.
Why can heat damage solid surface?
One of the unique advantages of solid surface is that it can be thermoformed into beautiful curves and seamless designs. Those same properties mean the material expands slightly when heated.
Because a benchtop is fixed in place with long seamless joins, excessive or uneven heat can create internal stress that may cause distortion or cracking.
A separate chopping board can expand freely, making it the ideal way to protect your benchtop from direct heat.
Is solid surface suitable for bathrooms, laundries and wet areas?
Yes. Solid surface is perfectly suited to bathrooms, laundries and other wet areas. Because it’s non-porous, it won’t absorb water, and its seamless finish leaves nowhere for moisture, soap residue or grime to collect. The result is a beautiful, easy-to-maintain surface that’s equally at home in residential bathrooms, commercial amenities and healthcare environments.
Can solid surface be used outdoors?
Yes – but choosing the right product is important. Some solid surface materials are specifically designed for outdoor use and offer excellent UV stability, while others are better suited to indoor applications.
If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen, BBQ area or another external project, we’ll recommend the most suitable material based on the amount of sun exposure, your colour selection and how the space will be used, so you can be confident your benchtops will continue to perform and look great for years to come.
Is solid surface hygienic and food safe?
Yes. Solid surface is non-porous, meaning liquids and food particles can’t penetrate the surface. Combined with seamless joins, this makes it easy to clean and an excellent choice for food preparation areas, restaurants, bathrooms, healthcare facilities and other environments where hygiene is important.
Like any benchtop, good hygiene still comes down to regular cleaning, but solid surface is designed to make that job as simple as possible.
Is it stain resistant?
Yes. Because solid surface is non-porous, most everyday spills won’t penetrate the material and can simply be wiped away with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Coffee, wine, food spills and other common household messes are generally easy to remove if cleaned within a reasonable time.
Some substances, such as strong dyes or harsh chemicals, may require more attention, but unlike many other surface materials, solid surface can often be professionally restored if staining does occur.
Does solid surface scratch more easily than stone?
Generally, yes. Most Solid surface is softer than engineered and natural stone, so it can show scratches more readily under everyday use. The difference is that most scratches can be repaired, making solid surface one of the few materials that can be restored rather than replaced.
If long-term renewability is more important to you than maximum scratch resistance, solid surface is an excellent choice.
Do dark colours show scratches and wear more easily?
Yes. Like most surface materials, darker colours tend to highlight fine scratches, fingerprints and everyday wear more than lighter colours. It’s purely a visual characteristic and doesn’t affect the performance or lifespan of the material.
For high-use family kitchens or busy commercial environments, we’ll often recommend lighter colours or finishes that better disguise everyday wear. We want you to love your benchtops not just on the day they’re installed, but for many years to come. If your heart is set on a darker colour, we’ll simply make sure you understand what to expect before making your decision.
Will my benchtop have visible joins?
Seamless doesn’t necessarily mean invisible. Most solid surface projects require joins, but they’re chemically bonded and carefully finished to create a smooth, seamless surface. You won’t feel the join, and there are no grout lines, silicone beads or gaps for dirt, moisture or bacteria to collect.
Depending on the colour, pattern and lighting, the join itself may still be visible. While many joins are extremely difficult to see, no fabricator can honestly guarantee they’ll be completely invisible on every project.
At Capital Solid, we take great pride in our join quality and always position, and finish joins to achieve the best possible result for your chosen material and design.
Will it crack?
Like any material, solid surface can crack under the right conditions—but it isn’t something you should expect during normal use. Most cracks are caused by excessive heat, significant impact or movement in the cabinetry supporting the benchtop, rather than a fault with the material itself.
Correct design, fabrication and installation all play an important role, which is why we take the time to build every project properly from the very beginning.
Is solid surface easy to maintain?
Yes. Solid surface is one of the easiest benchtop materials to maintain. It doesn’t require sealing, and most everyday cleaning can be done with a soft cloth, warm water and a mild detergent.
We’ll provide you with a Care & Maintenance Guide when your project is complete, so you’ll have everything you need to keep your benchtops looking their best for years to come.
How do I clean Solid Surface?
Cleaning solid surface is refreshingly simple. Most everyday spills can be removed with a soft cloth, warm water and a mild detergent—no sealing or special cleaning products required.
We’ll also provide you with a Care & Maintenance Guide when your project is complete, so you’ll always have the right advice on hand if you need it.
DESIGN & CUSTOMISATION
Can every project be customised?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of solid surface is its incredible design flexibility. From simple benchtops to curved reception desks, integrated sinks, wall cladding, healthcare fit-outs, commercial joinery and completely bespoke creations, almost every project can be customised to suit your design and functional requirements.
If you have something unique in mind, we’d love to hear about it. Some of our favourite projects have started with, “I don’t know if this is possible…”
Are integrated sinks worth it?
For many people, yes. An integrated solid surface sink creates a smooth, seamless transition from benchtop to bowl, with no rims, silicone or edges to trap food, grime or moisture. That makes cleaning quicker, improves hygiene and creates a sleek, modern finish.
Whether an integrated sink is the right choice depends on your budget, style and how you use your kitchen. We’re happy to talk you through the advantages of both integrated and traditional undermount sinks so you can choose the option that’s right for your project.
Can you cut into my benchtop later if I replace my cooktop or sink?
Usually, yes. One of the biggest advantages of solid surface is that it can often be modified long after it’s been installed. If you’re replacing a sink, cooktop, tapware or adding new accessories, there’s a good chance your existing benchtop can be altered rather than replaced.
Every project is different, so we’ll assess your existing benchtop and let you know what’s possible before any work begins.
REPAIRS & LONGEVITY
Can scratches, chips and burns be repaired?
Yes – in many cases. Unlike most other materials, solid surface is designed to be repaired as well as enjoyed. Scratches, chips, burns and many other forms of accidental damage can often be restored by an experienced fabricator, extending the life of your benchtop for many years.
Every repair is different, so we’ll assess the damage and provide honest advice about what’s achievable before any work begins.
What warranty does solid surface come with?
Every project is backed by two warranties: the manufacturer’s product warranty and Capital Solid’s 12-month workmanship warranty covering our fabrication and installation.
The exact manufacturer warranty varies depending on the product selected, and we’ll provide all relevant warranty documentation when your project is complete. If you ever have a question or concern, we’re only a phone call away.
WORKING WITH CAPITAL SOLID SURFACE
Do you only work on residential projects?
Not at all. While we love creating beautiful residential kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, a significant part of our work is in the commercial sector. We’ve fabricated and installed projects for healthcare, education, hospitality, government, retail, offices, aged care, as well as bespoke small-batch manufacturing and prototype work for Australian businesses.
Whether you’re renovating your family home, developing a new product, fitting out a café or delivering a large commercial development, our approach is the same—quality craftsmanship, honest advice and attention to detail.
Do you work with builders, architects and designers?
Yes. We regularly work with builders, architects, interior designers, cabinet makers, shopfitters and project managers on residential, commercial and government projects. Whether you need early design input, material selection, shop drawings, prototype development or expert fabrication, we’re happy to become part of your project team.
We’re just as comfortable working from detailed architectural documentation as we are helping develop an idea from a sketch on the back of a notepad. Whatever stage your project is at, we’re here to provide practical advice, quality workmanship and a reliable outcome.
Do you remove existing benchtops?
Yes, we can. If you’re replacing existing benchtops, we’re happy to remove and dispose of them as part of your project. If you’d prefer to remove them yourself, that’s perfectly fine too.
We’ll discuss the best approach during the quoting process and let you know if there are any site-specific considerations before work begins.
If we identify anything that could affect the removal or installation, we’ll let you know before work begins not after.
What makes Capital Solid different?
We believe great projects start with honest advice. If solid surface isn’t the right material for your project, we’ll tell you. If there’s a better way to achieve the outcome you’re looking for, we’ll recommend it. Our goal is simple—to help you make the right decision, not just the easy one.
Whether we’re creating a custom vanity, fitting out a hospital, developing a new product, manufacturing a small production run or delivering a major commercial project, every job is designed, fabricated and finished in our Queanbeyan workshop with the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
That’s why homeowners, builders, architects, designers, government agencies and businesses continue to trust Capital Solid with projects of every size. We believe great relationships are built on honest advice, skilled craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to getting the details right – and great projects naturally follow.