The expense incurred when fixing a fiberglass boat varies depending on the tools and the type of materials needed to fix its surface area. Other factors to consider include where the unit is being serviced and the labor rate. Luckily, repairing fiberglass is relatively inexpensive. Deep gouges, boat holes, and scratches can cost you below $500 in materials.
What’s the cost of repairing a fiberglass boat?
The cost of repairing fiberglass on a boat mainly depends on the extent of damage, the kind of products used for that specific project, where the repair is taking place, and the expertise involved in the project. While giving a particular price quote can be challenging since most projects are unique in one way or another, the standard per hour fee that an expert charges normally ranges between 75 and 110 dollars. This range usually includes both the labor and the materials being used.
To give you a better idea of what fiberglass boat repair might cost you, repairing a small hole or crack on your boat might range from 75 to 400 dollars. On the other hand, fixing the entire boat might cost you up to the thousands.
Fiberglass boat repair costs are depended on where the repair is being done. For instance, some boat repair enterprises usually quote their price by the hour. Such businesses will do their best to inspect the damage on your boat before and then give a total price quote. However, this quote may at times end up sky-rocketing if the task is to take longer than expected. Gouges and chips usually take a few hours to repair. However, holes and cracks typically take longer, meaning that more labor and repair materials would be needed hence higher cost.
DoItYourself.com posits that the cost of fixing fiberglass is dependent on the extent of the damage. The typical repair price usually varies between 75 to 110 dollars per hour. This rate usually includes both product expenses and labor charges. Nevertheless, fixes requiring extra materials and more labor hours might cost up to 350 dollars. Higher-quality materials or products translate to higher expenses. With fiberglass, repair costs can go as high as 450 dollars. This price can go very high if the repair is taking place by a big repair company. It would, therefore, be wise for you to consider your budget and all the available options before making any decision.
Any additional expenses?
Suppose you decide to DIY (Do It Yourself) the repair; it’s crucial to consider everything needed. This is because you will have to source all the needed tools and materials if you don’t have them. Some important materials you will have to source are a fiberglass filler, disposable spray gun, gel coat, gel coat reducer, buffing compound, sandpaper, and wax. You will also need tools such as a sanding block, heat gun, rotary tool, and a stir stick. Lastly, you will have to source for safety gear such as a chemical-resistant gloves, respirator, and safety glasses.
The above tools and materials can be acquired from your local hardware store. Alternatively, you may contact any online stores that stock all of them for convenience. The overall cost of DIYing the repair will vary depending on the type of tools and materials you’ll purchase.
Another extra cost that you may incur would be if you decided to get your boat restored with new furniture and/or carpet. For instance, if you want a brand new captain’s chair to be installed, you will have to cater for the labor cost. Therefore, the extra costs here will be the cost of purchasing the chair and labor costs.
How you can save money on fiberglass repairs?
Though fiberglass repairs are inexpensive, they may catch you unaware since no one plans for their boat to get damaged. To save on cost, consider purchasing a fiberglass boat repair kit for more minor repairs; this will help you save on labor rates. Highly-recommended sets may cost you less than 30 dollars and contain all the products needed to complete the project.
If you have the skills, you can also save money by fixing the fiberglass yourself. YouTube and other DIY sites can give you in-depth guides on accomplishing this.
Lastly, compare rates provided by different boat repair shops near you. Try to get different quotes before dedicating to one shop for the project.
Conclusion
In general, fiberglass boat repair work is simple. With the suitable material, you’ll be able to get quality repair and value for your money. This will help you save money by avoiding repeat repairs.
