Small marble and stone fabrication shop

Homeowners, builders, remodelers, designers, restaurants, hotels and small commercial projects.

Quoted price per project, usually based on square footage, slab cost, edge profiles and installation. Remnant sales and smaller custom pieces like vanity tops can fill gaps between big jobs. Revenue depends heavily on how many jobs you can template, fabricate and install each month; the higher end is realistic only with a helper or small crew and steady work from builders or remodelers.

• Stone cutting and finishing
• Templating and accurate measuring
• Estimating and pricing jobs
• Managing suppliers, crew and deadlines

• Zoning, building and business license requirements for a workshop, so check with your city or county
• Contractor license rules if you also install, which vary by state
• Stone dust and wastewater, including OSHA silica rules and local environmental requirements for slurry disposal
• General liability, property and workers' compensation insurance once you hire
• Large upfront equipment costs and expensive slabs that can be damaged or mis-cut

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on your equipment, workshop and slab stock. Treat this as an estimate. Large upfront equipment costs and expensive slabs that can be damaged or mis-cut are a real risk.

Check zoning, building and business license requirements with your city or county, and contractor license rules if you also install. Also check OSHA silica rules and local environmental requirements for slurry disposal, plus insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the jobs you win and your crew. This is revenue, not profit. Plan on at least 40 hours a week, and manage suppliers and deadlines carefully.