Ordering from an Engraver: Quotes, Proofs and Who You Are Dealing With
Most disappointments with lettered stone come from the order, not the cutting. A clear quote, a signed proof and knowing exactly which business you are paying prevent nearly all of them.
Get a written quote
- The stone: type, size, thickness and finish.
- The lettering: number of letters or lines, method and any paint or gilding.
- Delivery, fixing or installation, and any foundation work.
- Permits or cemetery fees, and who arranges them.
Deposits
A workshop may ask for a deposit before ordering stone. Get a receipt that names the work and says what happens to the deposit if the order is cancelled.
Approve the proof
Do not let cutting start until you have signed a full proof. Once letters are cut, mistakes can rarely be undone invisibly.
Know which business you are dealing with
Online, one trade name can appear across several websites, some run by the business and some by others writing about it. Before paying, check the business's legal name, address and contact details and make sure the website you are using is really theirs. Honest sites make this easy by saying who they are and who they are not. As an example from an unrelated industry, in Traditional Chinese, this about page sets out how several similar-looking domains relate to each other and states plainly that it is not the brand's official site (娛樂城條款筆記：關於我們). Look for the same clarity from any engraver you pay, and ask directly if it is missing.
After installation
Keep the quote, proof, invoice and any permits together. They help with repairs, added inscriptions and any dispute later.
Cut 2026-10-22