What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

[Yacht Dr.]

I would really like to know what You guys think should be a fair Charge for boat repairs.

Do you think $15/hour is good .. or do you think that an average of $90/hr is fair .. .. or somewhat in between like $45/hr ? and why ..

The reason Im asking is that I think $90/hr is obscene ..

I have Never Charged over $35/hr personally .. I have made $200/hr from buffing out boats LOL

That was the choice of the client .. to get a bid. not mine.

So .. what say you Iboat members .. what would you like to see $ wise being Fair for simple glass jobs or gel repairs ?

I am open to suggestions ..

YD.

 

[tommays]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

I think it depends on were you live and the skill level going into the job BUT nothing happens around here for less than 75 dollars and hour

The biggest issue seems to be the actual EFFECTIVE hours that go into a job

Its freaking expensive for any boat yard to exist on Long Island at all and the better yards are going to move the boat indoors to deal with the dust issues of a large repair

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

This^^ is the Truth! It's all about Location, Competition and Ability. If you're the best in the area then your price should prolly be most. $75 an hour in Ok. and you would NOT have any takers. In Florida or NJ or LA. Yeah that would prolly be the going price. You have to know your market and price yourself and your skills according to what the market will bear. That's just Good Business 101 IMHO!!!!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Believe it or not, down here, it depends on several factors...what they all are, I couldn't begin to say, but most of the Marine guys I know, have given me answers ranging from a low of about $30-35 an hour for simple stuff, like installing a rocket launcher, or a rod holder, or a pedestal seat...in other words, no real use of materials, just parts and the know how to install them...and I have heard some astronomical numbers, such as $200-300 an hour to repair a Dock induced gash in a mini-yacht, that however includes all the materials/man hours for the intended repair...go figure...
I certainly don't know enough about it all to make an educated statement about whether these figures are right or wrong, but as an example in the body shop where I work, they get $85 an hour for paint/collision repairs, $105 an hour for mechanical repairs, $120 an hour for electrical, and $225 an hour for Frame Machine time...I sure as heck never see those kind of numbers in my paycheck...:mad-new:
Hey, it is a big city, so that may have a lot to with it...:noidea:

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

a fair price would be what you are willing to pay someone else to do the job and that depends on what the job is. im not rich but i honestly considered paying 50 a hr to have the inside skin of my boat ground down because i hate the itchys and im sure if im mad enoght to do another then im paying someone else to do the grinding.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Thanks everyone for the replies .

Im thinking of going out on my own and helping our boaters up here.

I was thinking $30/hr for most small jobs with a minimum hour(s) type thing depending on the job.

Heck I was even considering selling 'Blocks" of hours for $25/hr for 4 hours for the month of April only. Basically you have me for 1/2 day for $100 bucks .. So lets say Im done with the job in 2 hours you would still have to pay me for the 4 hour 'block'.

That would mean I could do 2 'Blocks' a day = $200 bucks/day ( Instead of the $800 a marina would charge ).

That would equate to $1,000/week or roughly $4,000 a Month.

Im thinking thats not so bad to start the season.

Im Not soliciting here mind you .. Im only trying to get some Ideas.

2 years ago I was 97% efficient. Meaning that every hour I was on the clock I billed out 97% of an hour ( basically an hour ). That means @ $95/hr x 40 hrs is $4,000/week just in labor ( not including material mark-ups ).

Hmmm.. that dont seem right.

YD.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Thanks everyone for the replies .

Im thinking of going out on my own and helping our boaters up here.

I was thinking $30/hr for most small jobs with a minimum hour(s) type thing depending on the job.

Heck I was even considering selling 'Blocks" of hours for $25/hr for 4 hours for the month of April only. Basically you have me for 1/2 day for $100 bucks .. So lets say Im done with the job in 2 hours you would still have to pay me for the 4 hour 'block'.

That would mean I could do 2 'Blocks' a day = $200 bucks/day ( Instead of the $800 a marina would charge ).

That would equate to $1,000/week or roughly $4,000 a Month.

Im thinking thats not so bad to start the season.

Im Not soliciting here mind you .. Im only trying to get some Ideas.

2 years ago I was 97% efficient. Meaning that every hour I was on the clock I billed out 97% of an hour ( basically an hour ). That means @ $95/hr x 40 hrs is $4,000/week just in labor ( not including material mark-ups ).

Hmmm.. that dont seem right.

YD.

Ayuh,.... I think that You oughta quit thinkin' in Hours, Altogether...

Ya bid/ price a job, by the Job,...

Yer business model has to reflect All of yer costs associated with the Job,...
When yer biddin', You figure yer time, 'n materials,....
Then yer customer decides if X number of dollars is Ok with 'im...

You know 'bout how long something will take ya,...

Sometimes when things go badly, ya work for a Buck an hour...
Sometimes when things go Better than Perfect, ya pocket the $100. an hour, 'n feel Happy...

Ya can't get hung up on the Hourly thing,... Per Job is always cleaner, 'n easier on everybody involved...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Well thats how I have always done it in the past .

I thought I would try something new. Sell hours ( yes they still have to pay for materials )

Or do the whole Bid thing and hope nobody cuts you down.

Now Insurance jobs Must have a Bid and breakdown .. I have NO problems doing INS jobs .

YD.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

If it is anything like the work I do, bidding can be tough...get some slimeball low bid ya, that can't do the work 1/4 as good as you can...

I say that word of mouth gets around quick...if you are worth it, they will pay what the job is worth...if not you won't be getting many jobs....but I know you aren't having any trouble in that area, not from the work you've posted on here...

Heck $100 for a half day, I might have you come over and finish up my little project

You could pocket the extra $50 that would be left over from your time

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

i think 25 a hour might be to cheap. if someone told me they would lay glass or patch jel coat for 25 a hour i would be thinking that the person isnt skilled. carry a book with pictures of work you have done to show what you can do for 25 a hour.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

I agree with gpop ^^^ Especially with someone of YD's experience.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

If it is anything like the work I do, bidding can be tough...get some slimeball low bid ya, that can't do the work 1/4 as good as you can...

I say that word of mouth gets around quick...if you are worth it, they will pay what the job is worth...if not you won't be getting many jobs....but I know you aren't having any trouble in that area, not from the work you've posted on here...

Heck $100 for a half day, I might have you come over and finish up my little project

You could pocket the extra $50 that would be left over from your time

Yup .. I have been there done that lol.. Trunkslammers too
Ship me over and you buy the beer .

i think 25 a hour might be to cheap. if someone told me they would lay glass or patch jel coat for 25 a hour i would be thinking that the person isnt skilled. carry a book with pictures of work you have done to show what you can do for 25 a hour.

See .. that got me wondering .. $25/hr is cheap granted.. who made that common price of $80+ ?

$95 is what I bill out for ( thats what THEY get for Labor alone. not to mention the markups on the materials ) .. now most of us working for a shop gets $15-20. So basically if the 'shop' is at least charging $70 then that is equating to skills? Where as the actual workers get 1/4 labor charge and NO Supply Markup.

I agree with gpop ^^^ Especially with someone of YD's experience.

Thank you man

I just want to make some $ for me and my Fam .. I want to be fair and not rip off anyone.

Fair to me might mean ( or not ) Fair to someone else .. but to me fixing boats is like making a cake. Its hard work for sure .. but its simple ( for me ).

Thanks again for the responses.

YD.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

wish you lived closer to florida.

 

[StevenT]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

In the 90's I owned a service business. I had a customer complain when I gave him his bill that said quote "well your making money". I told him yes I was. I was not working to be a civil servant and if he believed in working for free, he could start working for me Monday morning and I would give him all the overtime he wanted. He then wrote the check. In any service work you get what you pay for.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

I hate to sound like a jerk here but to me a good skilled fiberglass worker, is well worth whatever he asks as in my opinion it is a miserable job, and not one that i am interested in doing. I give all credit due to a skilled fiberglass worker, and from prices $50 per hour is a VERY fair price. Also enough to persuade me to buy a tinny. In all seriousness I would think that if you were to charge by a 4 hour increment $200.00 would be extremely fair for just some extra sidework without the overhead.

 

[64osby]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Going out on your own entails a work place, home or rent a location? Insurance. taxes, advertising? quoting and talking to potential customers (no income for that)

Ask any skilled pro to quote some work around your house. $50 is cheap. People will pay for quality work. If they don't want to pay, you don't want them as customers.

I have a buddy that does auto paint work on the side. Job cost, no hourly. He's still less than any shop and he is very good and fast. At his work place he can bill 100 hours a week book time in 40 to 50 hours.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

WOW!!! 50 bucks an hour?? The rate around here is $95 to $110 an hour. Lake Lewisville is known for having people with too much money.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

By-the-way, Take your (car-truck) vehicle to a dealership, the going rate is $120.00 per hour! Don't beat yourself up over $75.00 per hour!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Call every Fiberglass repair shop in your area with a "Fake Job Request" and get them to give you a Quote. This will give you an idea of what the going rates are in your area. Factor in your expenses for maintaining your own Shop and Business. Add 20% and then if you still want to establish and Hourly Rate type of service base it on your findings. Personally, I TOTALLY Agree with Bond-o and I'd "Bid the Job" You can do it "By the Hour" in your Head if you want. But for the customer, Bid the job. When I was in the Pool Business I Built it totally on references. Gave em $50 bucks for a reference that turned into a Paying job. Worked really well. Your quality of work will do the selling. Momma always said, "Ask till they SQUEAL!" It's easy to lower your price, but hard to raise it!"

Oh and don't forget...You live in the Good Ole' US of A...You CAN and WILL get SUED!!!! Set something back ALWAYS to pay the Lawyer!!! CYA!!!!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: What do you think is a Fair price $ for gel/fiberglass repair ?

Going out on your own entails a work place, home or rent a location? Insurance. taxes, advertising? quoting and talking to potential customers (no income for that)

Ask any skilled pro to quote some work around your house. $50 is cheap. People will pay for quality work. If they don't want to pay, you don't want them as customers.

I have a buddy that does auto paint work on the side. Job cost, no hourly. He's still less than any shop and he is very good and fast. At his work place he can bill 100 hours a week book time in 40 to 50 hours.

Yea .. basically I would be working out of my trunk ( Mobile repair ). I have my 2-4M Ins. Taxes are an other thing.

I keep hearing this about $50/hr .. And I do understand that they would pay it. Its more of how you build a client base with 50/hr.

Thats why I was thinking 25/hr for only April .. to get a good base.

I would suggest that is only my April Base rate at 50% off .. just to book up that month.

Again .. this is not an advertisement ... just a How to do Boat Biz .

YD.