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Author Topic:   Fiberglass repair labor rate

Mark Gallagher posted 04-04-2001 05:58 PM ET (US)
Can anyone give me a rough estimate of what a good glass shop in the Northeast charges per hour? I got a quote from my local Whaler dealer for a fiberglass repair and it is at their mechanical rate which is very high. I'm going to get another estimate from a glass only shop but am doing my homework.
I know in the auto biz mechanical rates are one thing and body rates usually about 25% lower. It wouldn't be so much an issue that I'm really PO'd that a five year old boat needs big $$repairs for spider cracks in the transom. They are below the water lines so I want to fix before they pose a real problem.
Thanks Mark
Dan posted 04-04-2001 07:31 PM ET (US)
I thought the Whaler hulls are warrantied for 10 years. Maybe you're still covered.
lhg posted 04-04-2001 08:09 PM ET (US)
Mark - This is interesting. Which one of your Whalers has this problem? I agree that it should be covered. Can't believe your Whaler Dealer wouldn't take care of this for you. Are they claiming it's cosmetic?
B Bear posted 04-04-2001 09:05 PM ET (US)
Mark I may be able to help you out I know a freelance fiberglass man on Kent Island. He is very reasonable! Does excellent work, the only draw back is he might be a little slow- this depends on the weather, humidity. He has been doing this for 15 years. I was impressed with his work. If you want his number I will give it to you. I am suggesting this since you are close enough to make it worth while.
Bear
B Bear posted 04-04-2001 09:14 PM ET (US)
To give you an idea, he had repaired 3 stress cracks (spider) in the cockpit, filled 14 screw holes from snaps for a cover on the hull, and a 3"X10" wear spot that went through the gel coat on the keel on a boat I once had last year for $400 total. After he was done the hull looked brand new.
You will have to show him the repairs to be made for an estimate.
E-mail me if you are interested.
bigz posted 04-05-2001 05:56 AM ET (US)
Mark, if it is not covered by Whaler there is a fellow that appears to do pretty nice work in North East MD -- Glassman Fiberglass Repair.
Another forum member and I took a trip to view his work. The other member used him to strip a hull and do some patch work --- I haven't spoken with him on how it all turned out but if your interested email me and I will give you the members email address and you can ask him if he was satisfied or not.
This shop was very reasonable in my opinion -- Tom
PS he was just to far away for me to use him -- used a local free lance fellow who does nice work since my marina charges at full shop rate if they have to use the one mechanic who is a real master at glass work, his salary is that of a certified marine engine mechanic --- so I can understand the marina rate
Chesapeake posted 04-05-2001 11:00 AM ET (US)
Ditto the question for the Midwest (Larry?) Is anyone aware of a qualified, reasonable fiberglass repair person in the Midwest, preferably the Chicago area?
Bob

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Author	Topic: Fiberglass repair labor rate
Mark Gallagher	posted 04-04-2001 05:58 PM ET (US) Can anyone give me a rough estimate of what a good glass shop in the Northeast charges per hour? I got a quote from my local Whaler dealer for a fiberglass repair and it is at their mechanical rate which is very high. I'm going to get another estimate from a glass only shop but am doing my homework. I know in the auto biz mechanical rates are one thing and body rates usually about 25% lower. It wouldn't be so much an issue that I'm really PO'd that a five year old boat needs big $$repairs for spider cracks in the transom. They are below the water lines so I want to fix before they pose a real problem. Thanks Mark
Dan	posted 04-04-2001 07:31 PM ET (US) I thought the Whaler hulls are warrantied for 10 years. Maybe you're still covered.
lhg	posted 04-04-2001 08:09 PM ET (US) Mark - This is interesting. Which one of your Whalers has this problem? I agree that it should be covered. Can't believe your Whaler Dealer wouldn't take care of this for you. Are they claiming it's cosmetic?
B Bear	posted 04-04-2001 09:05 PM ET (US) Mark I may be able to help you out I know a freelance fiberglass man on Kent Island. He is very reasonable! Does excellent work, the only draw back is he might be a little slow- this depends on the weather, humidity. He has been doing this for 15 years. I was impressed with his work. If you want his number I will give it to you. I am suggesting this since you are close enough to make it worth while. Bear
B Bear	posted 04-04-2001 09:14 PM ET (US) To give you an idea, he had repaired 3 stress cracks (spider) in the cockpit, filled 14 screw holes from snaps for a cover on the hull, and a 3"X10" wear spot that went through the gel coat on the keel on a boat I once had last year for $400 total. After he was done the hull looked brand new. You will have to show him the repairs to be made for an estimate. E-mail me if you are interested.
bigz	posted 04-05-2001 05:56 AM ET (US) Mark, if it is not covered by Whaler there is a fellow that appears to do pretty nice work in North East MD -- Glassman Fiberglass Repair. Another forum member and I took a trip to view his work. The other member used him to strip a hull and do some patch work --- I haven't spoken with him on how it all turned out but if your interested email me and I will give you the members email address and you can ask him if he was satisfied or not. This shop was very reasonable in my opinion -- Tom PS he was just to far away for me to use him -- used a local free lance fellow who does nice work since my marina charges at full shop rate if they have to use the one mechanic who is a real master at glass work, his salary is that of a certified marine engine mechanic --- so I can understand the marina rate
Chesapeake	posted 04-05-2001 11:00 AM ET (US) Ditto the question for the Midwest (Larry?) Is anyone aware of a qualified, reasonable fiberglass repair person in the Midwest, preferably the Chicago area? Bob