How Much to Charge for Gravestone Cleaning
Headstone cleaning typically runs $75–$300 per stone as a flat rate — around $100 for a small flat marker or marble headstone and $250+ for a large granite monument or heavy biological growth. Target a 60–80% margin after supplies and travel, and sell an annual or semi-annual maintenance plan, which turns a one-time $150 job into a recurring account.
Pricing by stone
| Stone | Typical flat rate |
|---|---|
| Small flat marker | $75–$125 |
| Standard upright headstone | $125–$200 |
| Large granite monument | $200–$300+ |
| Family plot (multi-stone) | Package, discounted per stone |
Margins and costs
Target 60–80% margin after supplies, travel, and insurance. The main direct costs are D/2 or equivalent solution, water transport, brushes, and your drive time.
Heavy biological growth takes multiple treatments — quote it as its own tier rather than absorbing it.
Sell the maintenance plan
This is the whole upside. A $150 clean plus a $95 annual maintenance visit on a card on file is recurring revenue from a customer you’ll never have to sell again.
Your buyer lives out of state
Most of this work is bought by an adult child several hundred miles away who found you online. Before-and-after photos and a payment link are the entire sales process — they’ll never meet you.
Frequently asked questions
Flat rate per stone or hourly?
Flat rate per stone. Customers want a number before you go, and they're usually out of state and can't assess the condition themselves. Price by size and growth from photos, with a note that heavy cases may be re-quoted.
Should I offer a maintenance plan?
Yes — it's the difference between a job and a business. An annual or semi-annual clean at a reduced per-visit rate billed to a card on file turns one sale into recurring revenue with no new marketing.
How do I price a family plot?
Per stone with a multi-stone discount. You're already there, so the second and third stones cost you far less in travel and setup — a package price for the plot converts much better than a stone-by-stone total.