The cost of a headstone depends on your needs. A full-sized upright headstone for a burial plot starts from £999 + VAT, with an additional permit fee of around £150, totaling approximately £1350. We also offer a 12-month interest-free payment plan. Smaller cremation plot stones start at around £499 + VAT, with a lower permit fee. For a precise estimate, please discuss your requirements with us. Our advice is free, and there's no pressure to buy. Contact us at info@hoskinsstonemasons.co.uk for more details.
We guide you through the entire process and are always available to answer any questions. Here's a brief guide: 1. Inform us of the grave location, as each churchyard or cemetery has different rules. 2. Choose a memorial and any extras using our online brochure and "build a stone" feature. 3. Create an inscription with our wording section or with our help. 4. Sign the paperwork, including a proof of the inscription, terms and conditions, permit application form, and cost estimate. 5. We'll get permission from the church or cemetery and handle the application form and fee. 6. Pay a 50% deposit to cover initial costs and the church/cemetery fee. 7. Once the headstone is finished and fixed, we can send photos, or you can visit the grave. 8. Pay the final balance at your convenience. For any questions, contact us at info@hoskinsstonemasons.co.uk.
The timeframe for completing a memorial depends on our current workload. Typically, a stone in stock takes 6-8 weeks, while a custom stone may take 4-6 months. We prioritize quality and keep you updated throughout the process. If you have a specific deadline, let us know, and we'll do our best to meet it. For any requests, contact us at info@hoskinsstonemasons.co.uk.
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Our granite is sourced from regulated quarries and comes with a 30 year guarantee against colour fading or frost cracks.
Our prices are competetive becuse we have established & valued contacts with quarries, shipping and courier companies to allow us savings in key areas. Those savings can be passed onto you, our customer.
For polished memorials, use soapy water and a soft sponge to clean off dirt. Finish with furniture polish and a polishing cloth for a shine. Porous stones like sandstone and marble may need more care due to algae stains. We use specialized products and machinery to restore these stones and apply a protective sealant. Be cautious with DIY chemicals as they can damage the stone. Always follow product guidelines. For professional cleaning, contact us at info@hoskinsstonemasons.co.uk.
The lettering is carved into the stone and will potentially last hundreds of years.
The paint or gold leaf will, unfortunately, degrade over the years as its bombarded with our unrelenting British elements.
The actual time the colouring will last is dependant on several factors, if the stone is in an open-sided church at the foot of surrounding hills, it may be subjected to frequent strong winds.
If the stone is under a large tree, the rainwater will drag dirt and sap from the branches and drop them onto the stone.
If the stone is in a small church surrounded by high hedges, it may be somewhat protected from the elements.
If the stone is flat or upright, granite or sandstone, gold lettering or silver. ALL of these factors have an impact on the letterings longevity, but we do have some information that might be more helpful.
We guarantee the lettering for five years.
We recommend our liquid gold or other paint colours over the gold leaf as the modern paints are tougher than the leaf.
We cover the letters in an invisible clear lacquer to prolong the lettering's lifetime.
We would expect the lettering colour to last 10 or more years but can't promise it will.
We can redo the lettering for around £100, (after the initial five years guarantee has expired) so with an expected lasting time of around ten years, that’s only £10 per year.