Monument restoration — when it's needed and how much it costs
How to tell which damage can be repaired. Dbayemo provides cleaning and washing of monuments; we do not carry out restoration (inscription repair, crack filling) — but this article explains when it's needed and whom to contact.
A granite monument can stand for decades — but not forever. Frost, water, ground movement and simply time take their toll. Sooner or later the question arises: repair or replace?
Signs that a monument needs attention
Faded or illegible inscriptions. An inscription on granite is carved and then painted — with gold, silver or white paint. After 5–10 years the paint fades and the inscription becomes barely visible. This is the most common reason for restoration — and one of the cheapest.
A crack in the slab or base. A small surface crack may not progress for years. A through crack, or one that runs across the inscription or portrait, is a more serious problem. Water gets into the crack, freezes in winter and widens it.
Tilting or shifting. If a monument has gone askew or sunk, the ground beneath the base is subsiding. This happens on plots with a high water table or where the foundation was laid without concrete.
Moss, lichen, black stains. Organic growth destroys the surface of the stone. Deep moss on granite is removed chemically — physical scraping would scratch the polish. After removal, impregnation with a protective compound is required.
A damaged or missing porcelain portrait. Photo-porcelain breaks from a physical blow or from thermal shock (a sudden frost-to-sun transition). An individual medallion can be replaced without replacing the entire monument.
What can be restored and what cannot
The following can be restored:
- Faded inscriptions — renewed by applying fresh paint or by re-engraving
- Cracks up to 3 mm — filled with an epoxy compound coloured to match the granite
- Moss and lichen — removed chemically, then treated with a protective compound
- A damaged medallion — replaced with a new one (from an old photo)
- Tilting — levelled if the base is intact; a new foundation is laid
If a monument is split in two, its surface is covered with deep chips, or the slab has cracked right through in several places, it is better to replace it. The repair would cost more, and the result would be worse than a new one.
Inscription renewal: the most frequent job
An inscription is renewed in one of two ways. The first is to repaint the existing engraving. This is quick and costs from 300 UAH per line, depending on the font and size. The second is to re-engrave it if the old engraving has worn away or is shallow. This is more expensive but the result is more durable — 800–1,500 UAH per inscription.
Gold "Kuzbasslak" paint or acrylic lasts 3–5 years. A special "cold enamel" lasts up to 8 years. If you want to redo the work less often, ask about the material when ordering.
Levelling and the foundation
A slight tilt (up to 5 degrees) is corrected with a jack, adding compacted crushed stone under the base — it takes a few hours. With a severe tilt or subsidence, the monument is removed, a concrete foundation is laid, and it is reinstalled. This work takes 2–3 days (the time for the concrete to cure) and costs from 3,000 UAH depending on the weight of the monument.
Approximate restoration prices in 2026
| Type of work | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Inscription repainting | from 300 UAH/line |
| New inscription engraving | 800–1,500 UAH |
| Medallion replacement | 1,200–2,500 UAH |
| Chemical moss cleaning | 800–1,500 UAH |
| Crack filling | 500–1,200 UAH |
| Levelling + new foundation | from 3,000 UAH |
Prices are approximate. We calculate the exact cost after seeing a photo of the monument's condition.
How to order monument cleaning remotely
Send photos of the monument from several angles on Telegram or through the form on the website. We assess its condition and send you an estimate. You confirm — and we go out. After the work, a before-and-after photo report.