Websites for stonemasons
Web design for stonemasons: £249.99 to build, then £49.99 a month, no minimum term. Conservation clients are checking whether you will damage the building. Show that you would not.
Much stonemasonry work is on old and often protected buildings, where the person appointing you is accountable for the result to a conservation officer, a church authority or a heritage body.
They are not primarily assessing craftsmanship, which they assume. They are assessing judgement: whether you will use the right mortar, match the right stone, and know when to leave something alone.
What your customers want answered
- Have you worked on listed or protected buildings before
- Do you work in lime, and when would you use it rather than cement
- Can you match my existing stone, and where would it come from
- Do you do carving and replacement as well as repair
- Will you deal with the conservation officer and consents
Explain the mortar decisionRepointing historic soft stone in hard cement mortar traps moisture and causes the stone face to erode instead of the joint. A mason who explains that, and shows repairs done in an appropriate lime mix, has demonstrated the exact judgement a conservation client is trying to assess.
Not mentioning consent
Work to a listed building frequently needs listed building consent, and owners often do not know. A firm that raises it early is seen as protecting the client rather than creating obstacles.
The work speaks, so show it properly
Stone is bought on craftsmanship. Show walls, steps, patios, fireplaces and restoration work in good light, with close-ups of joints, pointing and dressed faces. Before-and-after photos of repairs to old walls are especially persuasive, as long as they show the same wall.
Name the stone and the methods
Say which stone you work with, such as local granite, slate or sandstone, and whether you build dry-stone, lime-mortar or cement-mortar work. Owners of older buildings look specifically for masons who use lime and match existing stone.
If you do memorial, carving or lettering work, it deserves its own page; it is a different customer altogether.
Repairs versus new work
Repointing, rebuilding collapsed walls and repairing chimneys are often urgent or seasonal; new walls, patios and features are planned. Say which you do and how far ahead you are booked.
Common questions
- What should a stonemason's website show?
- Close-up photos of your work, the stone and methods you use, whether you work with lime, the types of job you take, the areas you cover and a contact form that accepts photos.
- Should I mention lime mortar?
- If you use it, yes. Owners of older buildings search for masons who do.
- Can customers send photos of damaged walls?
- Yes. Photos help you judge whether a visit is needed and give a rough idea of the work.
Other sectors we build for
Tell me about your business.
One message is enough to start. I’ll read it and reply myself, usually with a couple of questions and a clear price.
Liam Tapp, Website Builds