Headstones

[foxyferret]

I have a quote for a headstone for my fathers grave for £1635. We are having quite a simple stone about 2ftx3ft in blue pearl granite. The cost of just the stone is £708, so far so good. However, the other costs are £124 for the inscription (77 letters/numbers) and £450 fixing. Obviously we have to pay the VAT of £256, and the cemetery cost of £96 both of which are nothing to do with the stonemason. HoweverI think the other two costs are a bit steep, especially the £450. Before I query these with the mason, I wondered if anyone would know if this is about right or the average price for this kind of thing. It seemed a bit pricey to me but I may be being a bit naive and these costs are the norm. Any replies appreciated, thank you.

[Buenchico]

For comparison:
http://abbeymemorialsltd.clickforward.com/memorialview.php?Id=178&Cat=3

Home page of that firm (which operates nationally and is a Member of the National Association of Memorial Masons):
http://abbeymemorialsltd.clickforward.com/

Also for comparison:
http://www.aklander.co.uk/Headstone-Memorials/granite-lawn-memorial-headstones/granite-lawn-headstone-AK004

That firm is Essex-based but, as far as I can see, also appears to operate nationally. Home page here:
http://www.aklander.co.uk/index.php

[murraymints]

that is about right.. paid 1800 for dad's in November

[foxyferret]

Thank you B, I will check them all

[foxyferret]

Thanks Murraymints

[grasscarp]

I paid something like £4000 six years ago.

[murraymints]

4k for a headstone ? that must be something special

[grasscarp]

Not really. I thought all headstones were expensive!

[murraymints]

Think you were ripped off then carpy..1500 to 2k seems to be the average price for a standard headstone

[sddsddean]

Original cost of father in laws was about £800. Extra to remove it, clean it, add mother in law and replace £650, so £1450...about ball park price by the sound of it.

[maggiebee]

Did you really mean "diseased" fender?