WheelsUp
New Member
We need to have some routine haul-out maintenance performed (shaft seals, cutlass bearings, etc.). However, finding a trust worthy, completely honest marine contractor in southeast Florida is like trying to find a liberal at an NRA convention. Every time I give the go ahead to have work done, my spidey-sense starts to tingle, and I just know this is not going to turn out as promised. So, the question is what can I do to protect myself? I’m very interested to hear how other owners conduct business with their boatyard so that afterwards they don’t feel as if they need crisis counseling. This is what I have come up with so far (comments/additional ideas most welcome):
· Require a detailed written service agreement describing exactly what work is to be performed.
· Stipulate that any labor overruns exceeding 15% (or maybe less) must have written authorization. I realize that labor estimates are an educated guess, but this seems to be an area that boatyards tend to exploit.
· Have the yard detail all required parts and exact costs in the quote. I know most yards put a mark up on parts, but 100% mark up (I’ve seen it) is unacceptable.
· Include a promised completion date in the service agreement, perhaps with some limited exceptions.
· Require a detailed written service agreement describing exactly what work is to be performed.
· Stipulate that any labor overruns exceeding 15% (or maybe less) must have written authorization. I realize that labor estimates are an educated guess, but this seems to be an area that boatyards tend to exploit.
· Have the yard detail all required parts and exact costs in the quote. I know most yards put a mark up on parts, but 100% mark up (I’ve seen it) is unacceptable.
· Include a promised completion date in the service agreement, perhaps with some limited exceptions.