Turning quarry offcuts into decorative stone and gabions
Starting costs about $23,400 in the United States and 4,070,000 NGN in Nigeria. After 12 months, this business can bring in about $2,340 net per month in the United States and 527,000 NGN in Nigeria. The starting money comes back in about 16 months, with 40 hours of work per week.
Mundyo estimates, data as of 2026-11-02.
See the numbers for my countryFree, no account, in the currency of 247 countries.
The numbers
| Country | To start | Net per month (month 12) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $23,400 | $2,340 |
| Nigeria | 4,070,000 NGN | 527,000 NGN |
| United Kingdom | £15,800 | £1,580 |
| Kenya | 1,050,000 KES | 79,900 KES |
| India | 519,000 INR | 58,300 INR |
Amounts adjusted to each country's price and income levels.
The problem
Quarries pile up off-size blocks, saw offcuts and irregular stone they cannot sell, while landscapers and homeowners look for affordable natural stone.
The solution
Buy these rejects cheaply and turn them into setts, crazy paving, wall cladding, decorative pebbles and ready-to-install gabion baskets.
Your customers
Landscapers, masons, homeowners improving their gardens, local councils and small property developers.
How you make money
Sold by the tonne or square metre, about €60 to €200 per tonne depending on finish, delivery charged extra.
Competition
Quarries selling their own decorative products, garden centres and builders' merchants, cheap imported stone.
Who has an edge
A stonemason, mason or landscaper who can sort and shape stone and has secured lasting access to a quarry's rejects.
The risks
Fragile agreement with the supplying quarry, physical and dusty work, costly heavy transport, demand tied to construction.
The first 3 steps
- Negotiate access to rejects with two nearby quarries
- Shape a first batch of samples for three products
- Show the samples to ten landscapers
How the numbers are calculated
Example in a high-income eurozone country, at month 12: revenue €6,400 − costs €4,800 = €1,600 net per month. Revenue: 55 tonnes × €100 + 10 deliveries × €90. Costs: offcut purchases, fuel, gabion mesh, machine upkeep, social contributions. For other countries, Mundyo adjusts the starting budget to the price level (World Bank) and the income to prices and customers' purchasing power, then converts at the day's exchange rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start: Recycled decorative stone?
About $23,400 (United States), 4,070,000 NGN (Nigeria), £15,800 (United Kingdom), depending on the country. Mundyo calculates the amount for 247 countries.
How much can you earn per month?
After 12 months, about $2,340 (United States), 527,000 NGN (Nigeria), £1,580 (United Kingdom) net per month, after costs.
How long until I get my starting money back?
About 16 months, with 40 hours of work per week.
What are the risks?
Fragile agreement with the supplying quarry, physical and dusty work, costly heavy transport, demand tied to construction.
Where do I start?
1. Negotiate access to rejects with two nearby quarries 2. Shape a first batch of samples for three products 3. Show the samples to ten landscapers
Similar ideas
- Drone surveys and volume calculations for quarriesDrone surveys for quarries
- Sand, gravel and aggregate brokerage for small sitesSand and gravel brokerage
- Remote permitting and HSE reporting for mine operatorsRemote mine paperwork
- Safety training and protective equipment for artisanal minersSafety for small-scale miners
Register your business in your country
Belgium · Brazil · Cameroon · Colombia · France · Ivory Coast · Mexico · Morocco · Peru · Portugal · Senegal · Spain