e 4824 USA: I am opening a monument business. I would like to know the cost range of machinery that is used to manufacture monuments. Such as lasers, sandblasters, layout equipment. I would also like to know about carving, cutting, setting of headstone, etc. including any additional licenses, permits, etc. Nov 15
 
 
 
Offer 4: I can give you information but education is necessary.  Training with an established monument business is a must.   
Generally speaking, monument craftsmen are not willing to share their trade that would undoubtedly invite competition to their area.  This trade, usually key-man business.  As an owner, you have to know every facet of the business to run it.  There are alot of basic fundamentals. I am located in central PA.  I would be happy to talk to you. 
 
Offer 3: This is a rather large question to answer specifically because there are all levels of entry into this business.  I started by ordering all my stone as dimensional stone (headstone industry standards, purchased in volume) cutting my stencils by hand, renting a sandblaster and doing a fair bit of hand cut lettering and embellishments (roses, images, etc, . . .).  Later I found a guy you had a computerized stencil cutter and then I used him for he was accurate, fast and inexpensive.   I never got around to purchasing my own proper computerized sandblasting unit.

I started by doing a market analysis to establish whether there was a need and whether I could compete with the “Big Guys”.  I live in the subartic, Northwest Territories (one road in and the same one out).  I advertised that I could match or beat by 10% all southern prices.  I had figured that if I got ever headstone needed in Yellowknife only (the rest of the NWT would be gravy) I would be able to make a living.  The problem arose that people up here had been ripped off by so many northern businesses that the vast majority of people believed that they could get a better price down south for everything.  My costs were the same as the southern producers but my overhead was much less.  Freight wise I had a national account and I paid roughly .05 cents per pound more from Edmonton then my competition had to pay from the same monument stone suppliers in Quebec, Canada.  My price was always F.O.B Yellowknife and installation was included. I am no longer in the monument business.

offer 2: We can supply but need complete info i.e.
- quantity and sizes
- delivery location and phone no.
- prefer to buy locally or import? any preferred countries?
- stone details - country, trade name or description, image, is it in FindStone's Stone Album?
- status of project, expected purchase date, & decision criteria for purchase e.g. price?
- application - where would it be used? or your company profile if you are buying to stock it
If you have prices, tell us what they are.
 
offer 1: Select from www.findstone.com/tosell.htm and  www.findstone.com/pricelists.htm and www.findstone.com/readystock.htm and www.findstone.com/matph.htm
 
Dear buyer, please put your response (to each of the above offers) below the respective offer in blue ink and email it to us. FindStone