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  1. #1
    Kdubski's Avatar
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    Pricing a boat job

    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:

    "They say anything is possible. You gotta dream like you never seen obstacles."

  2. #2
    dcjredline's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    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
    Don

    1989 Formula 350
    2004 Saturn Ion Quadcoupe

  3. #3
    Kdubski's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    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?
    "They say anything is possible. You gotta dream like you never seen obstacles."

  4. #4
    Detail Impressions Detail Impressions's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    $10 to $15 per foot

  5. #5
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    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**


    Brandt K.

  6. #6
    House of Wax's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Quote Originally Posted by 512detail View Post
    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**
    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

  7. #7
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Quote Originally Posted by House of Wax View Post
    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
    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.

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.

  8. #8
    House of Wax's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Quote Originally Posted by 512detail View Post

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

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
    Haha, totally understand that

  9. #9
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

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

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

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.

  10. #10
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Quote Originally Posted by House of Wax View Post
    Haha, totally understand that
    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.

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.

  11. #11
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    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

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.

  12. #12
    House of Wax's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    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.

  13. #13
    512detail's Avatar
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Quote Originally Posted by House of Wax View Post
    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.
    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.

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk


    Brandt K.

  14. #14

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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    Double your best estimate

  15. #15
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    Re: Pricing a boat job

    swing by Marine31 Boat Forum for some great info on boat detailing. folks there are helpful. will the boat be out of or on the water while you work? I hope you have a good rotary polisher.
    Likes Stokdgs liked this post
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