How to Budget for Public Monuments and Veterans Memorials
Pictured: The Korean War Memorial in Columbia SC - designed and built by Brown Memorials
You can budget for a Public Monument or Veterans Memorial in 4 simple steps:
Step 1: Consider the design elements and scale of the monument
Step 2: Understand the difference between domestic and imported materials
Step 3: Partner with the Right Monument Company
Step 4: Maintaining a Public Monument or Veterans Memorial
Step 1: Consider the design elements and scale of the monument
Each public monument or veterans memorial that we create is inspired by the story that will be told. Every project has a different set of elements and requirements; therefore, every public monument is a different price. The monuments we make can be simple and symbolic, requiring little production time, material and resources. Or, they can be large, ornate and very expensive.
The simplest way to start planning and budgeting for a public monument or veterans memorial is to answer the following question: "What information and design elements will be included on the monument?"
Public monument design elements can include:
List of names
Branch or Service Emblems
Statuary or Sculptural Elements
Photographic etching or symbolic carving
Other wording and lettering
Donor and benefactor information
Landscape and setting
Once we have an idea of how much information the monument must hold, we can determine the best sizes and materials to use. The two main factors that determine a public monument’s cost are material and size.
Veterans Memorials will often list hundreds of names. Not only does it require time to carve dozens or hundreds of names, but more stone is needed to be able to accommodate the names. If you want a lot of names or other details to be included on the monument, plan to budget for a more expensive monument.
Pro-tip: Outstanding monument design does not always rely on literal translation but instead symbolism. Too many design elements can be distracting. A monument with fewer words, pictures and carvings can be a significantly more compelling and beautiful monument.
Step 2: Understand the difference between domestic and imported materials
The source of the granite used in a public monument or veterans memorial is perhaps more important than in other types of memorials. American veterans groups often want their monuments to be made of American stone by American companies. While the US does have a number of native granite color options, many of the materials commonly used in veterans memorial designs today are imported, primarily from China and India.
Imported granites have become prevalent in memorial design for a few reasons. First, there are many beautiful granite colors found across the world - only a handful of those granites are native to the US. Second, the labor cost to craft monuments out of imported granite can be significantly less than domestic labor costs. Generally, a larger monument with a more interesting design can be made out of imported materials for the same price as a smaller, simpler monument made of domestic materials - but not always.
Black granite has become a common material in memorial design today. While black granite is quarried in the US, it is not nearly as dark and consistent as imported jet black granite. Therefore, many people prefer the imported black granite. Even though black granite and other unique colors are common, grey granite is still used the most. An American grey granite will almost always be the least expensive material in which to craft any memorial.
If you want a veterans memorial to be made entirely of American materials, make sure that you express this to your selected monument maker during the initial consultation.
Step 3: partner with the right monument company
Memorial design is an open-ended challenge that the designer must solve. A certain number of elements are presented to the designer, and he or she must make these elements work together in harmony. Given the same set of requirements and elements, no two monument companies will interpret and build the same monument. Only a handful of people across North America specialize in the true art of memorial design - most of North America’s best designers are members of the American Institute of Commemorative Art. Many other monument companies treat design like a commodity and prefer to sell a number from a catalog. When it comes to building a monument that honors the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, a number from a catalog simply will not do. Partnering with the right monument company is essential in order to elevate a public monument or veterans memorial design to its greatest potential.
A large budget does not always translate to better design or a more compelling public monument. In fact, budget has little to do with the emotional impact of a great design. We’ve built stunning monuments for $100,000 budgets and for $10,000 budgets. The one factor that can elevate a design of any budget is the thought and skill of the memorial designer.
The quality of work that a monument company shows in their civic and veterans memorial portfolio is the best testament of their design and fabrication capabilities.
Step 4: Maintaining a Public Monument or Veterans Memorial
Public monuments and veterans memorials are made out of granite, bronze and steel for good reason - these materials are very durable and require little to no maintenance. For most monuments, the only thing that needs to be done is an occasional cleaning and maintaining of the surrounding landscape. How often a monument needs to be cleaned will depend on its location and how much it is exposed to organic matter and other natural elements. Monuments directly beneath trees or in heavily forested cemeteries could require cleaning every year to keep that “like new” look.
Other cemeteries may have few trees and lots of direct sun. The sun will typically prevent mildew from forming on the headstone, but grass clippings and other debris could pile up in time, especially if the cemetery does not brush off monuments after mowing.
Pro-tip: Don’t let organic matter sit on the stone for too long. Keep a small hand-held brush or broom in your car. Whenever you visit the cemetery, brush any grass or debris off the monument.
What can your Budget afford?
For under $10,000 | The memorial will be simple in form - typically grey granite and unfinished on the sides. It may not exceed 6’ in any direction, and can accommodate a small amount of engraving. A public veterans memorial under $10,000 can possess some good artistic qualities; however, highly-detailed etching and sculptural elements may exceed this limit. This is good budget for small, simple signs and markers - your options are limited in this budget.
$10,000 - $25,000 | This price range will start to allow more design creativity. The memorial can be larger and comprised of more pieces. Some finer finishes and details can be added. Other premium materials could be used; however, introducing some materials at a moderate scale could quickly break this range. This is considered a conservative range for a prominent public feature.
$25,000 - $50,000 | We can now work with more premium materials, some in significant scale. It could also take on more elegant and artistic form. Some sculptural elements and contrasting materials can complement and enhance an impressive and imposing monument.
$50,000 - $100,000 | The monument can be spatial and complementary to a landscape or open area. Sculptural and refined artistic details can be focal points and multiple pieces can create flow or movement through a space. This can start to be an impressive memorial feature significant in scale.
$100,000 - $200,000 | A large memorial feature could be built of premium materials and have the dimension and depth to demand reverence. Surrounding paths, landscaping, lighting, benches, etc. could enhance the monument, making it a true feature, beautifully displayed day and night.
$200,000 + | Let’s talk
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