Calling all canvas people....Let's have an honest discussion....

Fair point, and that's what I'm trying to surmise....Without knowing the est. time, it's hard to determine. I'm getting a better sense now, and I agree $100/hr seems to be about the ask rate...I tend to think everything is overpriced, so I know that factors into my logic. I doubt a fair amount of that rate is heading to the seamstress...

A lot of shops use cheap labor to do the actual work.
 
A few observations from this thread.

Seems different areas have different options than I have in my area. In my area, the canvas guys are like Quint, small shop proprietors who do this after they retire. Don’t know of any big companies.

They all are so busy with work that they don’t have time to come do estimates, so they probably are doing a favor if they come out and do one. All the canvas people in our area already are booked for the winter.

Companies that do hire employees are paying 30 to 40% over the hourly rate of the employee.

If you are doing it professionally the overhead is far greater than most here are expressing as there are many specialty tools that are very expensive needed to install various fasteners that boat manufacturers use.

Most everyone underestimates the cost of running a business dramatically. The insurance, taxes, let a guest clients, and fuel expenses are high.

None of the above applies if you were doing a labor of love with your sewing machine for your boat. But there is no mystery to me why canvas cost so much...

MM
 
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That picture is a disgrace it would only have taken a couple of minutes to properly finish off that zipper at a proper length with a proper stop and why would you leave the start box hanging that long.

-Kevin
Those are actually polycarbonate panels on a freinds boat. The the fabricator left the start box long for ease of starting the zippers. I posted the pic to illustrate the use of the binding along the inside of the glass. Different strokes for different folks. If I built it and left the start box on a tail I would secure the end with a Velcro dot so it wasn’t hanging like that.
 
I'm just trying to figure out how I can entice Quint4 to come up and do my canvas. Maybe I need to let him have the boat keys for a week after he's done. I could probably sweeten the deal a little....I'll leave a fishin' pole, a guitar, an amp, and a few cases of beer:D
 
Seems to me if everyone is over charging and under quality, learn how to do it, build a business and keep expanding until you eat/destroy all of your competition (or have your dream boat for retirement purchased!) You don’t even have to run the business once you have someone managing it that will ensure the quality is there on every job.
Some other things to consider, how do you get paid for work that you don’t/can’t charge for? Example, training others in how to meet your QA expectations, administrative staff, giving estimates, attending boat shows to get business, running payroll, keeping your books in line, maintaining and purchasing equipment, office space to rent, and you have to have profit, otherwise, why are you in business? So, you’re going to sell that material not for wholesale but 20% over? 50%? 100%? And your going to sell that labor for 20, 50%, 100% above what it costs?
 
Some other things to consider, how do you get paid for work that you don’t/can’t charge for? Example, training others in how to meet your QA expectations, administrative staff, giving estimates, attending boat shows to get business, running payroll, keeping your books in line, maintaining and purchasing equipment, office space to rent, and you have to have profit, otherwise, why are you in business? So, you’re going to sell that material not for wholesale but 20% over? 50%? 100%? And your going to sell that labor for 20, 50%, 100% above what it costs?
Exactly!
 
Those are actually polycarbonate panels on a freinds boat. The the fabricator left the start box long for ease of starting the zippers. I posted the pic to illustrate the use of the binding along the inside of the glass. Different strokes for different folks. If I built it and left the start box on a tail I would secure the end with a Velcro dot so it wasn’t hanging like that.

It looked like the eisenglass might have been cut out and replaced initially and the binding was used to pretty it up. While I don't work with poly right now my first instincts would have been to bind the poly edge not cover it on one side.

-Kevin
 
For those who want to use a shop for fabrication I would highly suggest going out to the marinas and look at some of their finished products and talk to the boat owners first.

If you like what you see and what you hear, proceed.
 
I hesitated to pay what we did to redo our bridge enclosure but after seeing the build quality (inside and out) and thoughtfulness that went into it i think it was worth it. I've stood on the bridge in torrential down pours looking for leaks and I've yet to find one.
 
I hesitated to pay what we did to redo our bridge enclosure but after seeing the build quality (inside and out) and thoughtfulness that went into it i think it was worth it. I've stood on the bridge in torrential down pours looking for leaks and I've yet to find one.

I hope to get that for mine, at whatever cost...

MM
 
Like Mike, we only have small shops here for Canvas. There are 3 that get the lion's share of the business.

We had our canvas completely done the year we bought AMFM. That was in 2012. We added a camper back as we like to spend nights aboard late into the season. And early for that matter. Doug did great work, all custom. By the time we were done it was approximately $7500 when done. It still looks great and we've only had to have a couple of things re-stitched which isn't unexpected.

I for one have no issue paying professionals what they're worth for good product and work. I know my personal limitations and would never have the patience to do canvas. I have watched Doug at work and honestly don't know how he doesn't go crazy!

For those who have the talent to do this...good on ya!

Mark
 
Mine was $9400 for a full camper, both strata glass and canvas panels, helm cover and cockpit cover. Six month lead time with a third up front. Sunbrella plus with solarfix.
A one guy company with a helper. They charge these rate because we pay it. I do like the end result.
 
We had custom canvas made over the winter because the previous canvas, while still in good physical condition, leaked in many places. It was a matter of poor design and construction techniques rather than the materials wearing out.

I went with a local fabricator who is also a training facility for canvas fabrication. I was amazed at the difference in construction techniques in how the new company approached the canvas. I thought about tackling it myself but in looking at the finished product, there is no way I would have made all of the small differences that they did. I could figure out how to cut it, stitch some edges, and put some snaps in, but there are so many small details in this construction that make a bit difference in quality.

I'll be up at the boat tonight or tomorrow and I'll post some pictures. It may provide some context for how a professional approaches the project, and may give you some ideas if you decide to take it on yourself.
 
We had custom canvas made over the winter because the previous canvas, while still in good physical condition, leaked in many places. It was a matter of poor design and construction techniques rather than the materials wearing out.

I went with a local fabricator who is also a training facility for canvas fabrication. I was amazed at the difference in construction techniques in how the new company approached the canvas. I thought about tackling it myself but in looking at the finished product, there is no way I would have made all of the small differences that they did. I could figure out how to cut it, stitch some edges, and put some snaps in, but there are so many small details in this construction that make a bit difference in quality.

I'll be up at the boat tonight or tomorrow and I'll post some pictures. It may provide some context for how a professional approaches the project, and may give you some ideas if you decide to take it on yourself.

Could you send me the contact info?

MM
 
I don't think $ 100.00 an hour is unreal, that has to cover labor, truck maintenance, insurance, tax etc. The hard part is finding the right shop. I've used many, been using a guy in the Middle River area who only has 1 helper, he does most of the work himself and it shows.
 

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