Getting a Family Rate for Cleaning Several Headstones
headstone cleaning in Texas | headstone cleaning in New York
I’ll never forget the first time I talked a family into letting me clean their whole plot, it was a hot July afternoon in a tiny cemetary outside of Columbus, Ohio. I was down on my knees scrubbing a single Civil War veteran’s stone when a woman marched up with a clipboard and a look that said ‘you better have permission.’ Turned out she was the family historian for the entire Kirkland clan – thirty-seven graves spread across three rows. She asked, ‘How much for all of them?’ I stammered out a number that was barely more than my single-stone rate. She laughed, said ‘deal,’ and handed me a thermos of iced tea. Took me three days. Worth it.
That day taught me something importent: families with lots of stones need a break. And you, as the cleaner, can offer a discount that still pays you fairly. Let’s talk about how to set up a family rate that works for everyone – without cutting your own throat.
First, Figure Out Your Base Cost per Stone
Before you can offer a discount, you need to know what one stone costs you. I mean really costs you – not just your time. I track everything: gas to the cemetery, D/2 Biological Solution (about $40 a gallon, and I use maybe 8 ounces per average marble headstone), soft bristle brushes (I replace mine every 10 cleanings), scrub pads, spray bottles, and my liability insurance which is about $200 a year. Plus my hourly rate – I charge $50 an hour for labor. A typical single granite stone takes me 45 minutes. That’s about $57.50 total. Marble takes longer because you have to be gentler – more like an hour, so $70. Write all this down. Be honest. If you’re guessing, you’ll either overcharge or go broke.
How to Structure the Discount for Multiple Stones
Here’s what works for me. For 2–4 stones in the same cemetery, I knock off 10% from my per-stone price. For 5–10 stones, I go 15% off. For 11 or more, I do 20% off. But I always set a minimum – no less than $35 per stone, even with the discount. That covers my materials and drive time. I also add a flat $25 travel fee if the cemetery is more than 20 miles from my home base. The key is to be upfront about it. I put it on my website as: ‘Family Plot Rate – save 10–20% when you book 3 or more stones in the same cemetery.’ No surprises. People love knowing the number before they ask.
What to Include in the Quote – and What to Skip
When I send a quote for a family rate, I list every stone by name and condition. I note which ones are marble, which are granite, and which have lichen or biological growth. I also flag any stones that need extra care – like a cracked sandstone marker from the 1800s that can’t take much scrubbing. I don’t include things like resetting leaning stones or repairing cracks in that quote – those are seperate services. And I always remind them: I use only D/2 Biological Solution (pH-neutral, non-ionic) and soft plastic scrapers. No bleach. No wire brushes. No pressure washers. That’s non-negotiable. I’d rather lose a job than ruin a stone.
The Conversation: How to Ask for the Family Rate
You’d be surprised how many people don’t know they can ask for a discount. So I bring it up. When someone contacts me about cleaning their grandmother’s stone, I always ask: ‘Are there other family members buried nearby?’ Nine times out of ten, they say yes. Then I say, ‘I offer a family rate if you want to include those too – it saves you money and I can do them all in one trip.’ That usually gets them thinking. I had one lady who added her uncle, her cousin, and her great-aunt just because I mentioned it. She paid $180 instead of $240 for four stones. She tipped me $40 anyway. People appreciate honesty.
One More Thing – Get It in Writing (Even for Family)
I learned this the hard way. A nice couple asked me to clean six stones for their parents and grandparents. We agreed on $300. I did the work, sent before-and-after photos, and then they said, ‘Oh, we thought that was for each stone.’ Big mistake on my part. Now I always send a simple one-page agreement that says: ‘Total cost for cleaning [number] stones at [cemetery name]: $[amount]. Includes D/2 treatment, soft brushing, final rinse. No additional charges.’ They sign it via email or text. Takes two minutes. Saves hours of headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you offer a discount if I of 12 headstones but they’re in two different cemeteries 10 miles apart?
A: Yes, but the discount applies per cemetery. So if you have 6 in one and 6 in another, you’d get the 15% off for each group, but I’d add a second travel fee ($25) for the second cemetery. It’s still cheaper than booking separately.
Q: What if some stones are marble and some are granite – does the family rate change?
A: The discount percentage stays the same, but the base price per stone is different. Marble takes longer and needs gentler cleaning, so it’s priced higher. I’ll show you the breakdown in the quote – like ‘3 granite at $50 each, 2 marble at $65 each, then 15% off total.’
Q: Can I get a family rate if I’m not the family member – like if I’m a friend helping out?
A: Absolutely. I don’t require proof of relation. If you’re paying and you’re cleaning multiple stones, you get the discount. Just tell me who’s buried there and I’ll include them.
Q: Do you charge extra for cleaning very old or fragile headstones under the family rate?
A: I don’t add a surcharge for age alone, but if a stone is crumbling or has deep cracks, I’ll note that it needs extra care and might take longer. I’ll adjust the time estimate, not the discount. For example, a sandstone stone from 1820 might take 90 minutes instead of 45 – so the base price goes up, but the 15% off still applies.
Q: What if I want to add more stones after I’ve already paid the family rate?
A: No problem. Just let me know before I start. I’ll adjust the total and apply the same discount tier to the new total. If you add after I’ve finished, I’d need to schedule another trip – and then it’s a new job, no discount.