A useful price starts with a clear product list. Send the dimensions, granite, finishes, decoration and quantity for each model. Ask suppliers to show what is included in the set, packing and delivery. This lets you compare the same order instead of two different products with similar names.
What we need to prepare your quote
Answer: A quote becomes comparable only when every supplier prices the same controlled scope. Prices, freight, duties, insurance and destination charges must be confirmed for the named shipment.
Why wholesale headstone prices vary
A monument is a configured stone product rather than a standard parcel. Two pieces that look similar in a catalog photograph can have different thicknesses, base sizes, polish coverage, edge work, carving depth, accessories and packing requirements. Those details change stone yield, machine time, handwork, inspection and freight weight.
A serious quotation should therefore be traceable to a drawing or item schedule. When a supplier prices from a photograph only, the buyer may receive an attractive number that excludes work the final order actually needs.
What affects the factory price?
| Cost driver | Why it changes the quote | What to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | Block availability, color selection, defects and yield differ by material and lot | Trade name, origin if required, sample method and acceptable variation |
| Geometry | Size, thickness, curves and multiple components affect material and processing | Component schedule and approved dimensions |
| Finish | Each polished, steeled, honed, sawn or rock-pitched face requires different work | Finish callout for every visible and hidden face |
| Decoration | Carving, sandblast, laser etching, inlay and hand finishing have different workflows | Artwork, depth, size, colorfill and factory-versus-retailer scope |
| Quantity | Repeated items and mixed one-off designs use setup and stone differently | Quantity by design, size and color |
| Packing | Crate structure, separation, labels and handling route affect labor and materials | Crate and documentation requirements |
Choose the stone and approve a sample
Commercial granite names are useful for discussion, but they may not define geological identity or a narrow appearance range. Tell the factory whether the program requires a country of origin, a retained sample, a current-batch photograph or a specific appearance test. Very tight color selection can reduce usable yield and should be agreed before pricing.
For repeat programs, document how a new lot will be approved when the previous block or slab stock is exhausted. This protects both the retailer's catalog promise and the factory's ability to source honestly.
Dimensions, components and finishes
Always compare the complete set. An upright monument may include the die, base, vase, sub-base, foundation interface, dowels or other accessories. Small changes in die thickness or base depth can materially change weight. State the unit system and mark whether a dimension is finished size.
Finish maps remove another common ambiguity. "All polished" may be interpreted differently when a base has exposed ends, a steeled bottom or hidden joint areas. Call out the finish face by face on the drawing.
Custom design and decoration
Separate the stone shape from the memorial artwork. Define whether the factory supplies a blank monument or includes the agreed carving, sandblasting or laser work. Identify who provides and approves production-ready files, and which changes require a revised quotation. Work or accessories not expressly included in the accepted offer should not be assumed.
For custom sculpture or complex relief, ask the supplier to identify model approval, hand-finishing and first-piece review separately. A simple outline and a fully modeled form should not be treated as the same scope.
Quantity, mix and order planning
Boda Stone’s stated MOQ is approximately half the loading volume of a 20-foot container. The exact piece count depends on product dimensions, total weight, model mix and crate layout. LCL and FCL are both accepted; confirm the actual assortment and shipment plan in the quotation rather than assuming a fixed number of monuments.
For a first order, a controlled mix can be more useful than chasing the lowest unit price. It lets the buyer test drawing control, appearance, packing, document accuracy and receiving performance before expanding the range.
Packing, freight and delivery scope
Compare EXW, FOB, CIF or another offer only after the named place and included charges are clear. Freight, insurance, port handling, customs entry, duties, inland delivery and unloading may sit with different parties. Incoterms allocate defined tasks, costs and risks, but the sales contract still needs product, payment, document and claim terms.
Request crate dimensions and weights early enough for the forwarder and receiving warehouse to plan handling. A low product price can be offset by inefficient packing, unclear destination charges or avoidable damage.
Like-for-like quote checklist
- Same approved drawing and component schedule.
- Same granite identity and material approval method.
- Same face-by-face finish and decoration scope.
- Same quantities, assortment and accessories.
- Same inspection photos and measurements and deviation procedure.
- Same export packing, crate labels and document list.
- Same Incoterm, named place, currency and payment milestones.
Ask for a quote for your order
Do not compare a factory price with a delivered price with unclear inclusions. Include the same commercial and technical fields in every request.
- Destination country and port, Incoterm, FCL/LCL preference, and whether freight or insurance should be quoted separately.
- Model schedule with finished dimensions, die/base components, stone and finish, lettering or carving, quantity, and mixed-container or repeat-order plan.
- Required drawings, sample or current-batch approval, inspection stage, packing evidence, currency, and target delivery window.
Sources and further reading
- ICC — Incoterms rules: Delivery responsibilities, costs and risks; Incoterms 2020 remains the current edition listed by ICC.
Updated October 5, 2026. Check the current requirements for your destination and order.