Whatever

your starting point, David will take you through the various steps necessary for the planning of your dial. Ideally, he will visit the site and meet you; or he can work from photos and descriptions of the planned location.

In any case he will need to establish the precise latitude and longitude so that he can calibrate the dial accurately.

David will make a preliminary sketch as your ideas develop and will show you pictures and samples of stone and slate. He will advise about permissions you may require in a public space or on a listed building.

He will help you to decide about the type of dial, the material to be used, the shape, size, design, and whether gilding, decoration or features which show anniversaries or other special dates should be included.

Cost depends on the materials chosen, the time needed for design and execution, and the costs of installation. It's impossible to generalise, but most dials work out between £500 and £5000.

As for timescale, David can usually accept commissions three or four months ahead, although the design and planning stage can often start sooner. Once he is committed to a deadline, he will meet it.

When most of the details have been settled, David will produce a working drawing and submit a formal quotation with a letter of agreement. At this stage, the stone is ordered and we will invoice you for one third of the final price on account. If required - for a date that will occur before the finished work, for example - David can provide a presentation drawing with gilding and colouring

You will be very welcome to visit the workshop to see work in progress. The cutting of the stone is the climax of the whole process when David's skill with the traditional stonemason's tools is entirely focussed on realising the unique design he has created for you.

This web site contains many examples to give you some ideas.

For more information, to discuss your requirements, view pictures or arrange a site visit, contact David