Refurbished
Expert Stone Refurbishment Services in Ludlow
Welcome to our stone refurbishment services in Ludlow and the surrounding areas where we specialise in enhancing memorials with expert craftsmanship and attention to detail. As qualified stonemasons, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results that exceed expectations.
Our headstone and gravestone refurbishment is a cornerstone of our business. We understand the importance of preserving the memory of your loved ones, which is why we offer meticulous refurbishment services to restore the beauty and integrity of memorials.
Additional Inscriptions
Whether you need to add a heartfelt message or update existing inscriptions, our skilled craftsmen can handle all your additional inscription needs with precision and care.
Refurbishments
In addition to headstones and gravestones, we offer comprehensive refurbishment services for all types of stone memorials. From cleaning and repainting to straightening and refurbishing, we ensure your memorial looks its best for years to come.
Build a Stone
Our innovative "Build a Stone" feature is incredibly popular among customers, accounting for 90% of our sales. This interactive tool allows you to design and customise your memorial online, ensuring a personalised and meaningful tribute.
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How much does a headstone cost?The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. It's a bit like asking "how much does a car cost?" it really depends on what you're looking for. A full sized upright headstone for a burial plot will start from £999 + VAT and your church/cemetery may charge you a permit fee which can average around £150 so with the Vt included and a fee of £150 you're likely to spend a minimum of £1350 If it helps, we do sometimes have damaged/repaired stock and we also offer a 12-month interest free, no credit check, monthly payment plan. A smaller cremation plot stone can be very small if you're on a budget, but the most popular sizes start at around £499 + VAT and the Permit fee is usually about half of a full sized stone. The truth is, you're better off having a chat with us about what you have in mind, and we can give you a better answer. Our advice is fee and we never pester or pressure you to buy anything
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I haven't done this before, how do I proceed?"We’ll guide through the whole process step by step, and we’re always here to answer any questions you might have, Here’s a brief guide of what to expect. Let us know where the grave is. Each churchyard or cemetery has different rules and regulations. Once we know where the stone is to be placed, we can offer advice on what you’ll be allowed to have. Choose a memorial and any optional extras. We have a full online brochure and a "build a stone" feature to help you choose. Create an inscription. We have a wording section on our website with advice for the layout and hundreds of ideas for you to browse. If you're still finding it difficult, we can sit with you and create it together or create one for you. Sign the paperwork Once we have the chosen stone and the inscription, we’ll send some paperwork out to you; this will include a proof of the inscription, terms and conditions, the permit application form and estimate of costs. All you need to do is sign the forms and return them. We'll get permission from the church or cemetery The church or cemetery will need an application form and likely charge a fee before we can place the stone. Don’t worry; we will do all this for you, you may need to sign the form, but we’ll do the rest. Pay the deposit. We ask for 50% of the balance upfront; this helps us cover some initial costs and pay the church or cemetery fee for you. See the result. Once we have finished the headstone and fixed it on the grave, we can send photos, or you can visit the grave in person to make sure you're happy with the memorial. Pay final balance. Once you’re happy with the memorial, the final balance can be paid at your convenience. Final documents. Once the final balance is paid, the order is complete, and the service we provide continues. You’ll receive a final pack in the post with your receipt, certificates of your guarantees and a thank you letter from us. But don’t worry, the certificates are for your records only, if you lose them, we still have them on file, and they are still valid.
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How long will it take?This will depend on our current workload, we will, of course, get it completed as quickly as we can for you, but we will not rush the order, if we think the quality will be compromised in doing so. Having said that, if you have a specific date or deadline in mind, let us know and we will do our best to meet your needs. Average wait time for a stone we have in stock will be around 6-8 weeks, if we don’t have the stone in stock, it will take time for us to have the stone made for you and could take around 3-4 months. Our advice: Our memorials are genuine solid granite and will last several hundred years! A few months here or there in the production shouldn’t be a major factor in the decision making. Our focus is on the quality of the product and providing a full all-inclusive service while helping you create a memorial you’re happy with. We promise to get the work done efficiently, professionally and keep you updated on our progress; we’re on your team, and we want it right too, but in our experience, rushing can lead to miscommunication, mistakes and even quality issues. That just won’t do!
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How much is the lettering?We don't believe in charging per letter; the inscription on the memorial is incredibly important, and you shouldn't have to be counting letters and worrying about the cost. ALL of our memorials include unlimited lettering on the face of the stone, and there's plenty of room.
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Do you install memorials in my area?Yes. We install stones all over the country, including Scotland and Wales, we charge £1 per mile but give the first 50 miles for free. Our starting point is this postcode: SY8 1DW. If your churchyard is 60 miles from SY8 1DW, the travel charge will be £10 If your churchyard is 150 miles from SY8 1DW, the travel charge will be £100 We’re happy to calculate the miles for you, feel free to ask.
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Will the granite colour fade over time?No. 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.
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How can I clean a headstone?Highly polished memorials are relatively simple to clean, some soapy water and a washing-up sponge will remove pretty much all the dirt. For a final buff, try using furniture polish and polishing cloth. Sandstone, marble and other porous stones can become stained with algae and the discolouration can't be renewed with a simple wash. We use specialised products to restore the stone to the original colour; we may also use machinery with honing pads to remove particularly stubborn marks. We then coat the stone in a protective sealant to preserve its natural state for longer. You may find some chemicals for stone cleaning at your local DIY shop. Some of these chemicals, if used incorrectly, can degrade the stone’s surface and make the stone more susceptible to discolouration in the future. Make sure you follow the guidelines on the products container to prevent damage to your memorial.
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How long will the lettering last?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.