Boat Survey cost

[Tom Morgan]

Me again with really basic questions for my "information gathering".

How much does a boat survey cost?  Does a surveyor charge the same price regardless of the size of the boat? 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

7 minutes ago, Tom Morgan said:

How much does a boat survey cost? 

Surveyors are un-governed and can charge what they like so there is no 'correct answer'.

 

You also need to specify (to the examiner) what you want surveying :

a) Hull thickness only

b) Hull and 'fittings', (electrics, gas water etc).

c ) Hull and 'fittings' and 'machinery' (engine and gearbox)

 

Remember you need to add in the cost of a 'lift out' and lift back in'

Budget for £1000 (options a & b) and you should be 'safe'.

You may get a 'cursory' report on the engine highlighting any obvious problems such as "there isn't one" but with options a & b it will not be a detailed examination of oils, water, condition, etc etc.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Alan de Enfield

[Naughty Cal]

From memory our survey was about £500 including lift out but that was ten years ago so I expect they have gone up somewhat since then!

[TheBiscuits]

A rough guide for narrowboats in the north of the country is £10-£12 per foot of boat for a pre-purchase survey, less for an insurance survey only.

2 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

... including lift out ...

Oh yeah - that's just for the surveyor, not to get it out.

[alan_fincher]

30 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

A rough guide for narrowboats in the north of the country is £10-£12 per foot of boat for a pre-purchase survey, less for an insurance survey only.

Blimey, that would make our 72 foot boat £720 to £864, before even considering the docking.

In my experience it has not been directly based on length - why would it be, it's about more than hull measurements, and includes time and costs of surveyor travel, and writing up the report, that are not related to boat length.

[Tom Morgan]

I should have mentioned (and will try to remember to do this for future questions) that my target boat is a GRP cruiser, outboard motor, 22 foot or so, in case that makes any difference.

 

[cuthound]

When you are ready post your location and chose one recommended by people on here.

 

There are good surveyors and shall we say less good surveyors.

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, Tom Morgan said:

….that makes any difference.

It does - it invalidates all replies so far.

[Tom Morgan]

Sorry - beginner's ignorance of the subject!  However, all replies are of use and interest to me, though of course, not intending to waste anybody's time..

[Alan de Enfield]

6 minutes ago, Tom Morgan said:

Sorry - beginner's ignorance of the subject!  However, all replies are of use and interest to me, though of course, not intending to waste anybody's time..

When you decide on a surveyor ensure he 'can do' GRP - many folks will assume inland waterways = steel

 

A GRP survey will be looking for signs of delamination, soft spots and osmosis whilst a 'steel' survey will be looking for rust, pitting, corrosion and hull thickness.