Costs of Marble
How much does the marble for a church cost?
Are you thinking about renovating a church or constructing a new one but haven’t got a clue about the cost?
Approximated quotes and costs can be provided, but the true cost of the marble for a church can be determined only after the final drawings have been prepared and the building site conditions are known.
The cost of a marble project can be affected by several factors.
Furniture
As is the case with flooring, furniture costs depend on the types of materials and the dimensions, including the thickness, of the pieces. However, the cost of the most important furniture pieces, such as altars, depends on the type and amount of decoration. Hand-sculpted components, such as capitals, volutes, and dentils, have a major effect on the cost and value of a church.
Floor
Flooring costs depend on the materials that are used. Some are very expensive, but there are many more affordable options. We usually suggest the use of good quality, but not extremely expensive, traditional marble. A church floor can require a significant amount of marble, so keeping the cost per square foot low is important. The size of the pieces can also influence the cost. The bigger the pieces, the higher the cost. The shape of the marble pieces is also important. Curved and out-of-square cuts are more expensive than straight cuts. The size and number of steps must also be considered. Steps are normally thicker than floors, and edge finishing can be very expensive.
Installation
Installation costs are affected by many factors, such as accessibility, storage, on-site transportation, the need for cranes and other machines, and job site security. These all need to be valued before the quotation is prepared.
However, based on our extensive experience in liturgical environments, we can make some good estimations at the beginning of the process.
Marble Floorings
Marble is sometimes installed throughout the interior and even on the exterior of the church. However, it is most frequently installed in just the sanctuary. Pattern choice and the materials used can vary greatly in style and in overall pricing, so we’ll work with you to find the perfect medium. The example shown on the right of an 800 square foot, tri-color pattern would be quoted between $30,000 and $40,000.
Main Altar
Like flooring, altars can have a wide range of appearances and sizes that are often factored by the existing theme of the church. Simple and more modern designs are often easier to cut and fabricate, while an ornate project can be much more timely and expensive, yet absolutely worth it. A 96 in. × 42 in. (8 ft. x 3 1/2ft.) altar can cost an average of $32,000 to $38,000.
Tabernacles and Tabernacle Bases
Sacred Marble tabernacles are, like all of our work, personally drawn up and crafted. The perfect tabernacle is often something that cannot simply be pulled from a catalog, and the unique attraction of one that is custom-made to tie the Sanctuary together speaks for itself. The average costs are $14,000 to $16,000 for the base and $11,000 to $16,000 for a marble tabernacle with a custom, gold-plated brass door.
Baptismal Fonts
Fonts often tie into the aesthetic of the floor and the overall primary choice of stone for the rest of the church. Beautifully eye catching and serene, a baptismal font crafted by Sacred Marble will always be one-of-a-kind. A beautiful font with an approximately 2 1/2 ft. diameter could cost $11,000 to $18,000.
Ambo
The ambo is often one of the most interesting pieces in a church. Whether a grand spectacle of attention or a humble podium, we can absolutely assure the hand-made integrity of each piece. The average costs can range from $18,000 to $25,000.
Installation
Developing a budget for installation is even more difficult than doing so for the fabrication of the natural stone items. Determining the cost without knowing the site conditions is difficult. However, a project such as the one shown could cost $80,000 to $120,000.
In sum, marble is not cheap. Nevertheless, it has always been the best investment for a place of worship. A church built with traditional marble that is perfectly fabricated in a classic design will last for centuries. A well-built church will be our legacy for current and future generations.
In any project there are ways to save money, and we can help you to stay on budget without compromising quality.
