Boat Survey Cost

[EME]

What would you expect to pay for a Boat survey (excluding engines) on a Superhawk 48?

Is it a function of purchase cost?

Qualified YBDSA member who will take his mate with him.

I have a quote this morning so just checking with the experts here.

Thanks



<font color=red> Inoffensive signature following :
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[dickh]

I think it depends on length overall, and I belive there is a scale of standard charges but no idea what they are - If you ring around you can usually get a quote over the phone, assuming they don't have far to travel.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[Gordonmc]

For a 30 footer August 2001 it was just over £500 including VAT. I thought that was dear... but the surveyor spent virtually the whole day going round her and didn't mind me hanging around asking stupid questions.
The report was very thorough, running to about nine pages and included some good advice about what work would affect the purchase price, what was needed before going to sea and what could be put off for a while.
I still use the survey as a reference.

 

[Guest]

The YDSA does not have any standard fee scales and surveyors will charge their own fee taking into account boat type, location, possibly value etc. There have however been very substantial increases recently in surveyor's overheads, principally insurance, and this will inevitably be reflected in substantially higher fees compared to last year. The fee is still however likely to be only a very small percentage of the boat's cost and as long as you get the right surveyor for your type of boat then you should get a very useful result.

 

[chriswilliams29]

just had my 30 foot windy done cost me £275 . the report was done byI.D.SHORTphone.07971 637266. nice bloke ,,average charge is 18 25 pounds per meter plus travelling costs .
i got a very easy to read report

 

[andyball]

recently told £50 per m loa,incl. vat, but + travel..oil analysis etc all extra.

 

[hillyarder]

its worth it

mine was by a chap called john lilley. about 450 quid for my 32 footer. worth every penny.

 

[Guest]

Ugh !!! Sorry but no !

Having already refused to accept YBDSA dictates on my fees /reports some years ago ...... I still only charge based on linear measurement.

I will not quote here as I will upset many particularly so-called Qualified bodies.

Note - seriously - there is no actual Qualification, only so-called Association / Society standards which are not official / authority`s. They are private groups .....

I am ready to take all flak and threats from YBDSA etc. as I am happy to continue doing a good job without silly letters after my name etc.

If a Association actually improves and looks after both client and members, gets official recognition - then I would be first to join the queue ........ but I don`t see that yet. So I will be independent and look after my clients.

So there are many independents out there doing excellent jobs ... why the requirement to use an Association / Society member ..... is it believed that client has protection / recourse based on this ???? Not true ...

Sorry ...... but NO !

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[chriscallender]

Re: Ugh !!! Sorry but no !

Hi Nigel

One question, do any insurance compaines place special requirements on surveyors belonging to an association/society before they accept a survey report for the purposes of giving insurance?

I'm guessing the answer is no, otherwise independent surveyors wouldn't manage to make a living and would be forced to join whatever body the insurance companies stipulated.

Chris

 

[Dallas]

Re: Ugh !!! Sorry but no !

I just had a quote of £800 plus exes for the survey of a 45 footer on the south coast. I dont want to go in to details about names etc but this will be the 3rd time I have used this guy and so far he has saved me upwards of £10k.

He is YBDSA recognised/registered (or whatever it is they do)

When you are buying, surveyors are a great way of getting the price down. When you are selling however, they are a pain in the ass.

Dallas

 

[paulstevens]

independent surveyors.!

Nigel, I have the greatest respect for independent surveyors provided they are really experienced and not second careerers retired from another life as so many are.
I have been an independent but have now been a YDSA member for some years. It took took me 5 years to gain membership and I do not regard the letters after my name as silly, more hard earned. The association is improving the lot of surveyors and clients and is driving standards up through education and a CPD system.
Take it from me much has changed for the better in the YDSA in recent years, perhaps you should take another look.
The YDSA dose not impose any fee scale. Such is illegal and would have the OFT down like a ton of bricks. Its a free market and long may it remain so.

 

[Guest]

There are good and bad

regardless of who / what they belong to. I whole-heartedly agree that some so-called surveyors should go back to another 'profession' but I get tired of the droll dished out about 'QUALIFIED' surveyors ..... by what authority other than a private body is the qualification ?

I refused to accept YBDSA conditions before ---- maybe I should look at them again, but I objected to various matters like : Fees based on linear measurement and then a 'factor' multiplier ..... also being advised 'privately' not to rock the boat .... forgive the pun. The upshot was to increase my fees significantly to a level I felt was out of line.

Believe me - I do not decry anyone for banding together and improving standards / knowledge etc. - That is to be applauded ..... but I and many other independents are tired of the implied lack of standards that comes out regularly.

I wish all and yourself the very best and if it suits you - great, but I am not ready for it yet ..... anyway I am engrossed in matters outside UK now and cannot devote the time and study to yacht surveys as I used to. I used to and still whenever possible 'devour' all literature, advisorys, information, 'creep round boatyards' .... etc. etc. gaining every little bit f info I can to extend my knowledge and update on so many things that change / evolve .....

So long live yachting ... and for me horses for courses and all that !!

Nigel

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Guest]

No problem and I appluad

The upshot of this is that the surveyor has done his job - excellent and I'm glad that you got your moneys worth.

What would you say to the surveyor who gains access to your boat after accident - WITHOUT asking / informing owner of intentions, then writes a report stating that the boat is not suitable for spinnakers etc. as claimed by owner to have been stolen in PREVIOUS claim .... and in his report actually states that he considers the claimants case to be null and void as a result.
What was the claim ? My boat suffered damage as a result of faulty stemhead fitting parting 'inside' the deck where it could not be seen. This allowed the newly fitted Genny furling to break away with the forestay and break spreaders, part stays, damage pulpit etc. etc. The sail and furling gear of course were ruined. The boat was towed into harbour, deposited with a boatyard and secured awaiting advise from insurance co.
Previous to this incident happening, someone had forced their way into the boat and stolen - sails, spinny pole, flags, windex ready to be fitted etc. etc. I settled for less than claim and agreed to fit furling gear and 150% genny instead of replacing the 4 headsails stolen etc. They never coughed up for the spinnaker and pole.
Back to the accident :
So unbeknown to me a certain gentleman visits the boat in its yard, gains access ... and then effectively blows my claim by his ignorance. I only find out because the yard called me the next day and asked if I knew the guy that was on the boat ? I call the broker and I'm informed that the underwriters are writing to me to void the claim ..... after considerable argument and discussion another surveyor is agreed to visit the craft and he paints a completely different picture.... The Underwriter now offers Total Constructive Loss ..... better but not good enough. So after plenty of arguments and discussion we settle for 75% payment and I keep the boat.
Why the long story .... first was 'long-term' full YBDSA Surveyor, second was Independent ........

I will not name and shame either the broker or surveyor .... but advise that should I meet either again ... it will not be to buy a beer for them !!

Nigel

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Dallas]

Re: No problem and I appluad

Isn’t it illegal for someone (regardless of whom) to gain entry to your property without your explicit consent? Or does the small print on all of our insurance documents cover them for this type of thing?

When I sold my last boat the buyers only wanted a hull survey. They got an independent to do it and according to him the hull was "sodden". I called in my usual guy who confirmed that the hull was "wet" but was no where near "sodden". The independent then withdrew his survey, apologised and refunded his fee to the buyers of my boat. They then offered the asking price and the sale went through within a week.

I am not saying that a YBDSA is better than an independent, just that my guy (who just happens to be YBDSA) is, in my opinion well worth his money.


Dallas<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Dallas on 07/11/2002 21:43 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

It shows that Assoc. or not ....

doesn't really make any difference..... despite all the claims.

I will not name another who is an active member - he actually commented on more than one occasion that he was disapointed with the lack of 'audit' ......

It does not matter whether the mechanic comes from Rolls Royce or Skoda ........ there are good and bad in all groups - this applies equally to YBDSA / Independents etc. etc.

I still reserve judgement for myself and what my affiliation should be. I am still NOT convinced.

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Guest]

Illegal access .....

At the time I checked with my solicitor friend and he reckoned that I could do more damage by exploring that route too heavily than 'diplomatically' pointing out to Brokers et al the access was without my authority. As he said the Underwriters could claim TCL or the right to assess the claim that I made and claim the boat from under my feet ... giving them access - no matter how legally wrong it may be. Tricky situation that taking his advise I managed to scrape through.

I also feel that my knowledge of matters Yacht etc. as a surveyor myself played a part as I was able to argue like for like with them.

Finally let me again repeat that I am actually in favour of bettering the profession and removing the 'so-called' experts ... if an association can actually do that and BE SEEN to do it AND be officially sanctioned by authority, other than self-apointed .... I would be first to join !

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[falcon5]

Re: There are good and bad

regardless of good or bad in their work, should they advise you of any prior knowledge of a vessel that had a fault that was not fixed, and your survey did not actually ask them about the problem, perhaps lets say sideways keel movement, but they then surveyed for their new client with the keel touching the ground where obviously the movent would not show up, so they did not inform there new client, is this standard practise? and can they refuse to declair who there PIA is with?