how to find a surveyor?

[shilo]

Where is a good place to look for surveyors? How is the survey handled in the buying process? Say I go look at a boat. Everything looks good and I'm interested in buying it. Is a sales agreement drawn up then pending survey? How does one allow for some flexibility in price in the sales agreement depending on survey results? Or is just a deposit made to hold the boat during the survey process and then the final price negotiated? These questions are in regards to trailer-able boats.

 

[comsnark]

Dealers would like you to settle price before survey.

The "standard forms" would be written that way.

Of course, you should ask for survey before settling price. All they can do is say "go away".

 

[fwebster]

No.......you need to negotiate the price and sign the conttract before spending the money on a survey. That ties the boat up and it cannot be sold out from under you. If you try to survey before setting the price and tying up the boat, you may just be surveying the boat for nothing if the seller gets a firm offer in the meantime.

Expect to negotiate a firm contract price and pay a deposit,...up to 10% of the contracted amount, but the amount can vary. You should write into the contract contingencies for everything yet to do to accomplish your due diligence. A typical contingency would be:

"This contract is contingent upon the buyer having both hull and mechanical surveys one by surveyors of his choosing at the time and place acceptable to the buyer. Additionally, this contract is contingent upon the completion of a sea trial done in the manner selected by the buyer, the results of which must be acceptable to the buyer."

Some people also add a contingency for securing financing.

In boat purchase contracts, time is of the essence which means you can't fool around......you must immediately see to getting the surveys done and schedule a sea trial. Next week isn't acceptable; tomorrow is. Obviously, this whole process is at the mercy of the surveyors schedule, but you cannot be the hold up.

If the hull and mechanical surveys don't reveal anything but normal wear and use for the age and hours on the boat, then you will be expected to complete the sale at the contract price. However, if either survey finds something substantive that affects the value or utility of the boat, then you have the right to cancel the contract. In most cases, the buyer and seller determine the amount of repairs needed and negotiate a lower selling price to allow the buyer to bring the boat up to the condition that the seller, his salesman or his broker represented.

Surveys are not negotiating tools. they are done to protect the buyer from buying an unknown pile of trouble and future expenses. Similarly, the buyer should not nickel and dime the seller on small things either. If the running lights and 2 interior lamps are burned out, eat the cost and buy the boat. If the surveyor finds moisture in a stringer or a badly corroded riser, then call the broker and say: "We love the boat and it performed as expected, however, the surveyor found these items to be a problem...1, 2, etc. If the seller will reduce his price enough to cover the cost of these repairs, then we'll take the boat."

Of course, your other option is to just cancel the contract altogether.

If you need help finding a surveyor, I usually recommend that people get in touch with the folks at Boat/US; Consumer Affairs and ask who they recommend in your area. Then confirm your selection with someone local other than one of the principals involved in your deal.

 

[shilo]

Thank you for that detailed reply. That answered my questions.

 

[Skip]

Frank is spot on. I know this, because I run a 420DA with Cummins power thanks to his coaching. My only addition is to get a thorough mechanical survey. IN my case that meant contacting the local Cummins Marine Power dealer and getting the senior Cummins Marine tech aboard for sea trial, and following up with oil analysis of th emains, trannies, and gen set. All as good on my boat, so we executed the contract. Due diligence is absolutely crucial. The $ for the Cummins tech was invaluable to me. I took notes, listened, and watched everything the CUmmin tech did, and in so doing got educated on the mains and gen set in my boat. Money well spent.

regards
Skip