Pricing a boat job

Kdubski

Kdubski

New member
Hi All,

I am a college student who details as a hobby, however I have had people asking me about boat jobs. A current client of mine has a boat and has asked me to come up with a price to buff the top portion (above the rub line) on his boat. The picture of it is just below. I am located in the Northeastern Atlantic, and I`m trying to come up with a competitive rate. He promised if his boat comes out well, he has a list of friends who will get jealous and hire me for their boats.

What would be a competitive price to buff above the rub line on this boat? I would compound, polish & glaze, and top with carnauba.

Here is the boat:

2464aoh.jpg
 
Just like a car. Figure out how much per hour your labor is worth and how long you think it will take...plus add 2 hours or so cause gel coat and paint are quite different. I just machine waxed a 25 footer to the rub line and it took me 3.5 hours if that helps
 
Thanks for the input. I haven`t done boats like this yet so I DON`T know how long it will take me. What do you estimate time wise for a job like this doing a cut, polish, and wax?
 
I charge 10/linear foot for one step polishing (AIO)

15/linear foot if they want additional protection on top of the AIO (poorboys polish with sealant)

that might be a cheap price, I don`t know. I have only done two boats and they were over two years ago.

NOW I would probably use Hydro2lite or something to add the extra protection since its super easy

**expect it to take longer than you think**
 
512detail said:
I charge 10/linear foot for one step polishing (AIO)

15/linear foot if they want additional protection on top of the AIO (poorboys polish with sealant)

that might be a cheap price, I don`t know. I have only done two boats and they were over two years ago.

NOW I would probably use Hydro2lite or something to add the extra protection since its super easy

**expect it to take longer than you think**
Click to expand...

Is this with interior work too, or just the outside? I`ve done a few boats, but need to pin down a solid price plan myself
 
House of Wax said:
Is this with interior work too, or just the outside? I`ve done a few boats, but need to pin down a solid price plan myself
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Good question...at the time i added interior for free.But now I`d charge an extra 20-60 depending on the boat

Like I said I only did two.
20 and 22 foot IIRC.

It was when I was getting started and everyone got a good deal.

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And both boats were wakeboarding boats..not yachts or mini yachts, haha

I would refer that to someone else. Not my thing.

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House of Wax said:
Haha, totally understand that
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Yeah $10/ft on 22ft is a nice payday when you`re broke, lol

Damn...don`t miss that hustle

But to the OP id say look at local pricing and ask yourself "do i poduce good enough results to justify X price for my time?"

that`s where I got my initial base from. And I feel I undercharged but it happens.

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I always wondered how Poorboy`s EX-P two times would do on a boat.

Sun friendly...or Id say get some d156 xpress wax and go to town, lol

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I find figuring out the right price point extremely difficult. Boats seem to be even worse that cars imo when it comes to someone wanting to bring you a moldy heap to turn into a new boat for $50. Most people don`t stop and think about how much work it is.
 
House of Wax said:
I find figuring out the right price point extremely difficult. Boats seem to be even worse that cars imo when it comes to someone wanting to bring you a moldy heap to turn into a new boat for $50. Most people don`t stop and think about how much work it is.
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Thats why whenever a new client calls I always lead with how long the job will probably take and then tell my price.

That way you put the job into context.

Seems to be working better for me.

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JSFM35X said:
Double your best estimate
Click to expand...

This! I would probably start more around $25-$35 a foot. Boats are a pain in the butt and are very time consuming. Gel coat is extremely hard and can laugh at the hardest cutting stuff in your arsenal. Buy a rotary and some wool pads and thank me later.
 
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