Working as a stonemason?
Discussion
Hi All,
My nephew is 17 and is in the final year of his A levels (economics, geography and philosopy) and he is predicted mainly D grades at the moment.
He isn't keen on the idea of studying for a degree or taking an office job, but he's found a diploma in stonemasonry at a local college and wants to do that next. It's a two year level 2 diploma with the option to do an extra year for a L3 diploma afterwards.
A bit of a long shot, but does anyone know anything about the field? How easy is it to find work? Is there much call for it? I can't find many positions available online (Essex based). I've a feeling the work might not be as varied and interesting as the colleges show, and once he finishes, he will end up bored cutting kitchen worktops. I've been telling him to look for apprenticeships once he's finished his A levels.
Thanks.
My nephew is 17 and is in the final year of his A levels (economics, geography and philosopy) and he is predicted mainly D grades at the moment.
He isn't keen on the idea of studying for a degree or taking an office job, but he's found a diploma in stonemasonry at a local college and wants to do that next. It's a two year level 2 diploma with the option to do an extra year for a L3 diploma afterwards.
A bit of a long shot, but does anyone know anything about the field? How easy is it to find work? Is there much call for it? I can't find many positions available online (Essex based). I've a feeling the work might not be as varied and interesting as the colleges show, and once he finishes, he will end up bored cutting kitchen worktops. I've been telling him to look for apprenticeships once he's finished his A levels.
Thanks.
Lady in the office. Her partner did an apprenticeship with Historic Scotland.
Possibly no use in Essex but there must be an equivalent along with the National Trust.
Unless he wants to go into the headstone trade.
It's a dying art.
https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships...
Possibly no use in Essex but there must be an equivalent along with the National Trust.
Unless he wants to go into the headstone trade.
It's a dying art.
https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships...
can't imagine loads of work around and locally,unless you live in york and get a job in the yard at the minster. Think Scotland,York,Bath...Rome
There's a YouTuber called Charlie gee who Is a mason, might have some helpful videos on there.
A stonemason on a previous site job was york based and travelled all over for work,also said money wasn't great. I'd imagine you would need to get in with companies and be willing to travel.
There's a YouTuber called Charlie gee who Is a mason, might have some helpful videos on there.
A stonemason on a previous site job was york based and travelled all over for work,also said money wasn't great. I'd imagine you would need to get in with companies and be willing to travel.
Edited by Ryyy on Thursday 3rd April 20:50
AlexC1981 said:
Essex isn't exactly known for its stone buildings, but they are more like East London really, and there's plenty of stonework in London.
I hadn't thought about headstone engraving, I suppose I thought it would be done my machine. Not many trades are futureproof.
It's one job you can't easily imagine is going to be replaced by AI!I hadn't thought about headstone engraving, I suppose I thought it would be done my machine. Not many trades are futureproof.
I can't offer much except opinion and my opinion is divided so pretty worthless 
On one hand there can't be many about and London has lots of stone buildings, so possibly low demand may mean higher money. But that would be restoration type work which might be hard to get into. id bet most stone masons are spending their lives just bashing bits of stone into useable pieces which must be soul destroying work.
On the other hand there will never be any local work, always travel to London as well which I can't stand. Or in some stone yard all day every day. I am not aware of any in the Essex or surrounding areas (that make the stone at least).
As mentioned above it's also a savage job on the body. I do paving and tbh that has caused enough injury. Although some equipment has improved meaning not as harsh on the body. Stone masons amaze me in that they are flipping these huge bits of stone around non stop. Just watching the hammer blows hurts me
Charlie Gee is absolutely amazing to watch, the precision and perfection he achieves is amazing, even more so when he's only young.
On one hand there can't be many about and London has lots of stone buildings, so possibly low demand may mean higher money. But that would be restoration type work which might be hard to get into. id bet most stone masons are spending their lives just bashing bits of stone into useable pieces which must be soul destroying work.
On the other hand there will never be any local work, always travel to London as well which I can't stand. Or in some stone yard all day every day. I am not aware of any in the Essex or surrounding areas (that make the stone at least).
As mentioned above it's also a savage job on the body. I do paving and tbh that has caused enough injury. Although some equipment has improved meaning not as harsh on the body. Stone masons amaze me in that they are flipping these huge bits of stone around non stop. Just watching the hammer blows hurts me
Charlie Gee is absolutely amazing to watch, the precision and perfection he achieves is amazing, even more so when he's only young.
Can't offer anything more than the fact you said Essex and I used to work near these in purfleet.
https://www.memorialgroup.co.uk/
Fairly large and always busy, seen a few younger boys working there
https://www.memorialgroup.co.uk/
Fairly large and always busy, seen a few younger boys working there
Bad points of the trade, as noted above, it is mighty hard on the body, back and hands especially. For a long career you really need to look after yourself and not overdo it.
On the bright side it’s generally very well paid, at least where we are. It’s also a very rewarding job in my experience, there is a lot of job satisfaction in a building lovely stone wall that will last for centuries to come. Most masons do seem to be a bit odd at the best of times, quiet, intense and a bit grumpy seem to be common traits. I think they need to be a bit on the autistic spectrum plodding along in all weathers, heads down, grafting away.
There is quite a lot of artistry involved as well, some masons have a style that is so distinctive it’s almost a signature.
Not many young lads with the patience and determination to learn the trade, he could do well.
On the bright side it’s generally very well paid, at least where we are. It’s also a very rewarding job in my experience, there is a lot of job satisfaction in a building lovely stone wall that will last for centuries to come. Most masons do seem to be a bit odd at the best of times, quiet, intense and a bit grumpy seem to be common traits. I think they need to be a bit on the autistic spectrum plodding along in all weathers, heads down, grafting away.
There is quite a lot of artistry involved as well, some masons have a style that is so distinctive it’s almost a signature.
Not many young lads with the patience and determination to learn the trade, he could do well.
There was a thread on here by someone learning stonemasonry but I'm buggered if I can find it. Given how many ancient stone buildings there are in the UK it's steady work, I remember when I was at university there was a construction firm on site more or less continuously the 4 years I was there restoring the stone work on the 150 year old main building.
One of my best mates just left the trade after 20 years in N Yorkshire.
Gone to be a plant operator.
s
t money. Freezing cold in winter. Wet through constantly from the huge stone saw.
Vibration white finger, hernia, bad back. Dust, noise.
He was a real craftsman but is absolutely knackered now.
Gone to be a plant operator.
s
t money. Freezing cold in winter. Wet through constantly from the huge stone saw. Vibration white finger, hernia, bad back. Dust, noise.
He was a real craftsman but is absolutely knackered now.
bigmowley said:
Not many young lads with the patience and determination to learn the trade, he could do well.
You're right, but at what cost to his body? It's seriously hard graft once you factor in the inevitable bad weather.Unless the nephew already has a history of doing hard graft moving heavy stuff around and whacking the crap out of it all day for fun, then I think the chances of him completing the apprenticeship are low, especially if it's field-based work, out in all weathers rather than just whacking stones in a cosy warm and dry classroom environment.
If he's a hands-on kind of guy and has his head screwed on right, I'd be pointing him at apprenticeships for plumbing, sparkying, plastering or tiling, if he can find a placement. These trades don't have enough kids coming into them and are basically 'name your price' these days. If you're good at it your diary will be constantly full for 6 months in advance. Plastering well is also hard graft, but at least you'll be inside in the dry rather than trying to stand upright in a gale with the sleet coming at you sideways as you slowly destroy your fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder from whacking your hammer and chisel all day.
Even just being good at decorating (sanding, painting, wall-papering) with a high attention to detail and finish will have your name circulated amongst friends and family very quickly and you'll have work coming out of your ears. No apprenticeship or academic qualifications needed and from some of the day rate decorating quotes I've seen recently, it's likely going to be more than what you'll get for bashing at stones all day long.
If he wants a trade where he feels for the material then carpentry is the best
If he is technically minded then Electrician or Plumber is the best shout.
If he just wants to work and make money without thinking about it the plastering is the way.
Brick layers make good money, some skill but like stone masons they are physically destroyed after 30 years
If he is technically minded then Electrician or Plumber is the best shout.
If he just wants to work and make money without thinking about it the plastering is the way.
Brick layers make good money, some skill but like stone masons they are physically destroyed after 30 years
Thanks for all the comments and recommendations. It sounds like there are better prospects in other trades. I'd like him to find an apprenticeship in site management, but once he has his mind set on something, it's hard to change it. He has no skills in art, which perhaps could hold him back. He is well built for his age as he's been lifting weights for two years.
His mum is worried about the H&S aspect, particularly as at the open day no one was wearing masks in the workshop and there was clearly dust in the air. Silicosis sounds awful.
His mum is worried about the H&S aspect, particularly as at the open day no one was wearing masks in the workshop and there was clearly dust in the air. Silicosis sounds awful.
We've recently had a limestone fireplace hearth and surround custom made by a stone mason. Cost about £5k. Not sure how much the raw stone will have cost them, or how many hours of carving it took, but I'd imagine there is still a reasonable margin in there for them. I'd guess once you have a decent rep and were running your own business then you can probably make good money as a mason.
The surround is beautiful and hard to believe how a good mason can carve such consistent curves by chisel alone - a real skill. The people who made it for us also do a lot of work on cathedrals etc. I'd love to learn to do it as a hobby myself - maybe one day!
The surround is beautiful and hard to believe how a good mason can carve such consistent curves by chisel alone - a real skill. The people who made it for us also do a lot of work on cathedrals etc. I'd love to learn to do it as a hobby myself - maybe one day!
I have long lost contact with a chap who was a stonemason. He always seemed to be comfortably off, he moved to the stated about 30 years ago, and. I occasionally see updates.He has a massive truck, jetski and anGB amongst other toys.
If you head to London, bath York etc where there is a market there is an opportunity to do very well.
Lime pointing and plastering are skill that are in demand and charge a premium on the heritage home circles too.
If you head to London, bath York etc where there is a market there is an opportunity to do very well.
Lime pointing and plastering are skill that are in demand and charge a premium on the heritage home circles too.
My brother in law is a thatcher. As far as I can tell he failed his A levels, got a summer job with a thatching company and never stopped.
I don't think he likes it any more. It's hard work, you're on a slippery, scratchy roof in all weathers and like any building job you have to use your down time to quote for work and do admin, with the additional hassle that you can't pop into a builders merchant for reeds. He has to find a blacksmith to make some tools when they wear out.
And he seems to sleep in his van,rather than being able to price in a hotel,as he's away from home for weeks at a time. But that might just be his choice.
He tells me that what keeps him sane is his side hustles as a photographer, landlord and Air BnB host.
I don't think he likes it any more. It's hard work, you're on a slippery, scratchy roof in all weathers and like any building job you have to use your down time to quote for work and do admin, with the additional hassle that you can't pop into a builders merchant for reeds. He has to find a blacksmith to make some tools when they wear out.
And he seems to sleep in his van,rather than being able to price in a hotel,as he's away from home for weeks at a time. But that might just be his choice.
He tells me that what keeps him sane is his side hustles as a photographer, landlord and Air BnB host.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff