I had my boat washed/wax/metal polish 4-6hrs work by an unskilled laborer. I was charged $360, when my jaw dropped he reduced it to $200. Am I missing something here? Lesson learned, ask before work gets started (I did ask this guy 5 months ago and he quoted me $100). I am not bashing unskilled individuals, but at $70/hr even if he has to pay for the supplies, ouch. Comments welcomed, and again I hope not to offend anyone. abe
Cost to wash and wax a 36ft boat $360-450 ?
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Paid $10/ft several years ago.
Abe: I paid $10/ft several years ago to have the hull and cabin buffed out. This was in the greater Sacramento area. So I would not think that $360 would be too out of line. Of course $200 sounds a lot better!
Abe: I paid $10/ft several years ago to have the hull and cabin buffed out. This was in the greater Sacramento area. So I would not think that $360 would be too out of line. Of course $200 sounds a lot better!
Wash/Wax
I knew that BS and MA were wastes of time!! Lets see, at $70/hour, a standard year has 2,080 working hours...$145k, not bad for washing/waxing boats. You are right...get the price agreed upon ahead of time...and who furnishes the supplies. Personally, I would rather wash/wax my boat my self.
I knew that BS and MA were wastes of time!! Lets see, at $70/hour, a standard year has 2,080 working hours...$145k, not bad for washing/waxing boats. You are right...get the price agreed upon ahead of time...and who furnishes the supplies. Personally, I would rather wash/wax my boat my self.
Maybe its me
but not sure how you get $70/hr. $360/4hrs = $90/hr $360/5hrs = $72/hr $360/6hrs = $60/hr Sounds more like you started out at the $10/ft charge and ended up paying $5.50/ft. Maybe in the 5 months since you asked the fellow got a lot better or is higher demand...
but not sure how you get $70/hr. $360/4hrs = $90/hr $360/5hrs = $72/hr $360/6hrs = $60/hr Sounds more like you started out at the $10/ft charge and ended up paying $5.50/ft. Maybe in the 5 months since you asked the fellow got a lot better or is higher demand...
Overhead
The base labor cost to run a company is usually only 15% of the total cost of manufacturing. Therefore let's say for unskilled labor you should pay aroun 20 bucks and hour X say 5 hours = 100 dollars. Divide that by 0.15 and you get 667 dollars. You got a great bargain for 350 bucks and you should give the laborer a great tip. Keep in mind expenses include a vehicle to get to the work site, insurance, gas, wear and tear, power equipment for buffing and wax application, buffing pads and wax appliers, rubbing and polishing compound, interest on the loan he took out to buy the materials in advance of getting the revenue from your job. Costs of his base of operations including phones, utilities, taxes, heat, air conditionaing....do I need to go on? The costs of doing business are astronomical compared to the cost of the actual labor performed to do the work. Dave
The base labor cost to run a company is usually only 15% of the total cost of manufacturing. Therefore let's say for unskilled labor you should pay aroun 20 bucks and hour X say 5 hours = 100 dollars. Divide that by 0.15 and you get 667 dollars. You got a great bargain for 350 bucks and you should give the laborer a great tip. Keep in mind expenses include a vehicle to get to the work site, insurance, gas, wear and tear, power equipment for buffing and wax application, buffing pads and wax appliers, rubbing and polishing compound, interest on the loan he took out to buy the materials in advance of getting the revenue from your job. Costs of his base of operations including phones, utilities, taxes, heat, air conditionaing....do I need to go on? The costs of doing business are astronomical compared to the cost of the actual labor performed to do the work. Dave
Wow
I can't beleive someone can wash and wax a boat that size in such a short priod of time and do a good job. With a decent car detail costing 80-150 bucks it sounds like you got a fair deal if the job was well done. We run an airplane dealership and a detail on a 4 place airplane starts at $250 and can double that if the plane is rough. I'm sure a 30 ft boat has at least as much surface area if not more.
I can't beleive someone can wash and wax a boat that size in such a short priod of time and do a good job. With a decent car detail costing 80-150 bucks it sounds like you got a fair deal if the job was well done. We run an airplane dealership and a detail on a 4 place airplane starts at $250 and can double that if the plane is rough. I'm sure a 30 ft boat has at least as much surface area if not more.
reasonable but how was the quality
the price sounds reasonable to me but I am wondering how he was able to wash and wax and do a quality job in that short of a time period. I am about 2/3 the way complete waxing my 27 footer and I have about 6 hours in it so far. Chris
the price sounds reasonable to me but I am wondering how he was able to wash and wax and do a quality job in that short of a time period. I am about 2/3 the way complete waxing my 27 footer and I have about 6 hours in it so far. Chris
AW COME ON!!!!!! If you don't want to do the
work, pay the price, if you can't pay the price, do the work. What do degrees have to do with anything, stop looking down on people, you make me sick with that kind of BS who the he|| do you think you are? If you don't want to pay get off of your butt and sweat a little, it might do you some good. unskilled, jeez! Tom s/v GAIA
work, pay the price, if you can't pay the price, do the work. What do degrees have to do with anything, stop looking down on people, you make me sick with that kind of BS who the he|| do you think you are? If you don't want to pay get off of your butt and sweat a little, it might do you some good. unskilled, jeez! Tom s/v GAIA
I have to agree with Tom on this one...
Unskilled my aunt's fanny! Aparently, he had a skill that you needed or you wouldn't have hired him. Then, the guy gets so nervous that you're going to stiff him that he lowers his price and it was YOUR fault for not agreeing on a price up front! Unskilled? Do you have even the slightest idea how easy it is to burn gelcoat or paint with a buffer? So...now that you stiffed this poor guy for a hundred-fifty bucks you can take your windfall and go buy another bottle of Dom and look down upon all the little people...you pretentious boob.
Unskilled my aunt's fanny! Aparently, he had a skill that you needed or you wouldn't have hired him. Then, the guy gets so nervous that you're going to stiff him that he lowers his price and it was YOUR fault for not agreeing on a price up front! Unskilled? Do you have even the slightest idea how easy it is to burn gelcoat or paint with a buffer? So...now that you stiffed this poor guy for a hundred-fifty bucks you can take your windfall and go buy another bottle of Dom and look down upon all the little people...you pretentious boob.
My Apologies
Society (the market) places a value on different kinds of work. I apologize if my reference to unskilled labor offends anyone. I was not intending to make a derogatory comment directed at the person. Even a janitor cleaning rest rooms or a trash pickup person has certain skills, it is just that our society does not value those skills as high as say a doctor, or a CEO of a company, etc. So I retract my reference and if you understood my post it was that the original price was fair and reasonable and that the original post for this thread did not take into consideration all the expenses the worker had to contend with that easily add up to the price requested at the end of the job. Negotiating the price down probably means he did not make a profit on the job at all and I think the original poster should apologize to the worker and reimburse him the full original request and give him a big tip on top of it. Next time he asks this guy to work for him he will be very pleased with the service if he takes care of his worker!! I said the job was worth 667 dollars and he only paid 200. Regards, Dave
Society (the market) places a value on different kinds of work. I apologize if my reference to unskilled labor offends anyone. I was not intending to make a derogatory comment directed at the person. Even a janitor cleaning rest rooms or a trash pickup person has certain skills, it is just that our society does not value those skills as high as say a doctor, or a CEO of a company, etc. So I retract my reference and if you understood my post it was that the original price was fair and reasonable and that the original post for this thread did not take into consideration all the expenses the worker had to contend with that easily add up to the price requested at the end of the job. Negotiating the price down probably means he did not make a profit on the job at all and I think the original poster should apologize to the worker and reimburse him the full original request and give him a big tip on top of it. Next time he asks this guy to work for him he will be very pleased with the service if he takes care of his worker!! I said the job was worth 667 dollars and he only paid 200. Regards, Dave
Hey Dave...
No apology necessary. My comment was not directed toward you. I am well aware that society defines some labor categories as "UNSKILLED". My point was that this should have no bearing whatsoever on the charges for this category of labor. You are correct...this guy got a bargain at the laborers expense. I hope he's happy. Cheers, Bob
No apology necessary. My comment was not directed toward you. I am well aware that society defines some labor categories as "UNSKILLED". My point was that this should have no bearing whatsoever on the charges for this category of labor. You are correct...this guy got a bargain at the laborers expense. I hope he's happy. Cheers, Bob
The lynching will begin at 5:00
This is definetly a short trip to the deep end. In defense of Abe I have noticed most marinas list various rates, one being "Skilled",ie. riggers, mechanics, electricans, ect. Granted the other, from a marketing, stand point isn't typically Unskilled, Notskilled, Someskilled, Lack of any skilled but by default what would the politically correct reference to the less skilled be? Personally I don't feel the need to beat you to death Abe for you comparitive choice of words.
This is definetly a short trip to the deep end. In defense of Abe I have noticed most marinas list various rates, one being "Skilled",ie. riggers, mechanics, electricans, ect. Granted the other, from a marketing, stand point isn't typically Unskilled, Notskilled, Someskilled, Lack of any skilled but by default what would the politically correct reference to the less skilled be? Personally I don't feel the need to beat you to death Abe for you comparitive choice of words.
lift a finger and do it yourself
abe, you probably could do this yourself. seems a little unfair to beat up the guy that does your job.
abe, you probably could do this yourself. seems a little unfair to beat up the guy that does your job.
How do you feel?
... Abe, when some rich guy browbeats you into a ridiculously low price for whatever work you do to put food on the table. Or have you never had to sweat for a living? If you were happy with the job he did, you should go back and give the guy another $200, at least. Maybe you will get something more in return.
... Abe, when some rich guy browbeats you into a ridiculously low price for whatever work you do to put food on the table. Or have you never had to sweat for a living? If you were happy with the job he did, you should go back and give the guy another $200, at least. Maybe you will get something more in return.
Hey Dave, me too!!!!!!!!!!! You have nothing to
apologies for, my comments were for Abe, first he rips the worker(s) off for $160, then he body slams the guy with his condescending attitude. That's the kind of stuff that-------------- aw, never mind, people like Abe aren't worth the space on this board. anyway, good on ya Dave! and shame on you Abe. Tom s/v GAIA (on the hard and looking forward to spring)
apologies for, my comments were for Abe, first he rips the worker(s) off for $160, then he body slams the guy with his condescending attitude. That's the kind of stuff that-------------- aw, never mind, people like Abe aren't worth the space on this board. anyway, good on ya Dave! and shame on you Abe. Tom s/v GAIA (on the hard and looking forward to spring)
Having been there,,,,,,,
at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale, I NEVER-EVER argue with a tradesman or any worker as to the cost of their services. It's take it or leave it. Paying less than the original quoted price tends to lead to 'less work' by the employee. No good can come of it. OH,,,,IMHO.
at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale, I NEVER-EVER argue with a tradesman or any worker as to the cost of their services. It's take it or leave it. Paying less than the original quoted price tends to lead to 'less work' by the employee. No good can come of it. OH,,,,IMHO.
Price
My marina has a rate schedule for washing and waxing based on the length and type of boat. Costs more for a houseboat than a cruiser...more square footage and, therefore, more time. If Abe's worker is 'self employed', and assuming he worked 6 hours, his $360 bill comes to $60/hour. Even at $200 and 6 hours, that is $33/hour. Don't know where you guys live, but in my part of the country, there would be a line down the block to detail a boat at $33/hour.
My marina has a rate schedule for washing and waxing based on the length and type of boat. Costs more for a houseboat than a cruiser...more square footage and, therefore, more time. If Abe's worker is 'self employed', and assuming he worked 6 hours, his $360 bill comes to $60/hour. Even at $200 and 6 hours, that is $33/hour. Don't know where you guys live, but in my part of the country, there would be a line down the block to detail a boat at $33/hour.
How Many People
Last April when we had our 380 washed and waxed and they charged $10.00 a foot. It took them about 5 hours for a complete buff and wax of the hull and topsides (the boat looked just like the first day we got it.) There was a crew of 3 people working on our boat and nobody has brought this up yet. Was he by himself or did he have helpers. Now divide the price by the number of workers the cost of supplies and also figure in some travel time beacause they probaly dont live in your marina
Last April when we had our 380 washed and waxed and they charged $10.00 a foot. It took them about 5 hours for a complete buff and wax of the hull and topsides (the boat looked just like the first day we got it.) There was a crew of 3 people working on our boat and nobody has brought this up yet. Was he by himself or did he have helpers. Now divide the price by the number of workers the cost of supplies and also figure in some travel time beacause they probaly dont live in your marina
Pay up
I would have paid the price, chalked it up to experience, and never used his services again because of the rip-off. By the way, those of you who feel $33 an hour or more is reasonable, simply have too much money, and need to get rid of it quickly. Someone will certainly be happy to help you.
I would have paid the price, chalked it up to experience, and never used his services again because of the rip-off. By the way, those of you who feel $33 an hour or more is reasonable, simply have too much money, and need to get rid of it quickly. Someone will certainly be happy to help you.
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