Detailing Cost Quandry....

D

David M

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We have no detailers in the RIC area. Or at least none that are worth a damn that I can find. I have had a few referred to me from the Norfolk and Portsmouth area from folks I trust who have seen and/or are impressed with the results. My problem is that I cannot nail a price per foot down from any as all are so hungry now that the season is winding down that they are all saying get me your lowest estimate and I'll beat it.

I believe in an honest days wage for an honest days work so I don't want to screw anyone or be screwed by anyone.

I know NY or NJ has Waves and Wheels (?). What is their rate. I also welcome input from any and all.

The boat was last deeply detailed in 2009. It is medium oxidized, is a filthy mess after a long hard winter and season on the hard (long story) and needs a good compounding prior to a polish and wax.

TIA
 
186 reads and nobody can take a worst case SWAG at detailing a boat?
 
Just tell them you don't want to be an Auctioner and get their best and final price. Review and select.
 
Sometimes I use crystal shine here on Long Island. If you want a three step process its $10 per foot per process. I had them do just the hull on my 17ft compound and wax and it was $20 per foot.
 
I pay on average $10 to $15 a foot for wash and wax.
I did the compound and wax this year and that came out to $20 a foot.
That was Precise Touch.

Waves and wheels is probably higher.
We are limited to those that have insurance in our place, so it's Crystal Shine or Precise Touch.
 
Dave, that $20/foot, does that include above the rubrail, or just the hull?
 
I had our 33' Cruisers Yacht cabin cruiser detailed this season. It had been sitting on the hard for two years (long story) and needed a good cleaning and waxing. The hull was washed and waxed from the bottom paint up, including the bow and cockpit. Luckily, no compounding was needed (surprised). Had it been needed, that would have been an extra $3 a foot. The rails were polished and waxed; the cockpit seats were washed and treated; the hull itself was washed and waxed; the dashboard area and gunnels were washed and waxed; and the cockpit deck was washed. It was done in two stages; the first - paintline to rubrail - while the boat was on land three weeks ago; the second - everything else - once the boat was in the water, last week. The cost was $500. This was the first time I ever paid anyone to detail a boat we owned. I realized I couldn't do it anymore - boat's too big and I'm getting older and have a bad back and neck fusion. Hope this helps you calculate a cost. Hy
 
20 years of boating and until last month, never spent a dime for any detailing.

came to the realization that I cannot do it myself any longer, and I needed a program not just for a one time shot, but for someone to come out on a regular basis to handle this 33' long, 13' beam boat.

I took bids, and ended up at $650 for the first time, handling my oxidized hull including wet sanding and buffing and then $200 to come every three months to do a wax and detail.

These figures do not include upholstery or the cabin.

while this kind of $$$ seems extravagant (and maybe it is) I have come to the realization that this is necessary to keep the boat pristine as I do not want to beat myself up doing it, fighting from my dinghy in the water, holding the buffer over my head and turning myself into a lump of meat for two weeks after.

For the initial detail, I removed and washed all the canvas, they included a dose of 303 on all the canvas in the price.

Four people for a solid day, then two people for a half day the next day.

I calculated 42 man hours on this job.

The crew were all twenty or thirty somethings, I'm nearly 60 and just beginning to realize that there are limitations.

The boat looked so awesome when they finished, I arranged for them to come every three months, and they can do one of the cars at the same time.

It's really nice to see her shine and the water bead up on the hull sides again!

RWS
 
$650 for wet sanding and buffing a 33 foot boat is a steel.
 
David it cost me $30.00 a foot but my Gulfstar sat with nothing but dirt and grime for 4 years. I checked with 2 other marinas in the Middle River area they both quoted $35 a foot including the topsides.That included all the top sides and upper helm as well. Now it looks great but the problem is it looks like the port side was done at one time with Alwgrip and the Starboard side is the original gel coat. I'm pretty unmotivated at this point. I really need to get to the marina and spend 2 or 3 days hopefully with some local help to install a new freshwater pump, plumb the heater in, install 2 Edson 3" pole mounts one for my radar and the other for the KVH M3. I also have a house bank and a a true AC converter and it will charge at 70 amps. I have loads of antennas to install. I also want to install a 36 gallon holding tank and a Raritan ME head. I have all the parts and have pre assembled the Edson mounts so all I have to do is cut the 3" Aluminum pipe to the correct height after I determine that during mounting them. Funny thing I have almost -0- energy or interest at the present time. I have lots of negative things going on......
In the old days I had the cash to let others install the hardware and I would wire everything.
Good luck I'd think you should be able to find a decent detailer especially since our season is half over?
Bill
 
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