Questions before hiring

Start with your own list

Before you pick up the phone, spend ten minutes walking the boat and writing down what you see. Note which surfaces look dull, stained, rough or neglected. Note areas you care about most, such as the topsides, the teak, the stainless, the cockpit, the salon or the canvas. Note anything you know about past work: when it was last polished, whether a coating was applied, and what products were used if you remember.

That list does two things. It lets you describe the job clearly, which makes every answer you get more useful. And it keeps you from being steered toward whatever the provider happens to sell. If you know you want teak cleaned and stainless polished, you can judge whether a proposal fits the need or drifts into extras.

Add practical details: the marina name, slip location, length and type of vessel, how you will give access, and whether the boat is occupied. The more specific you are, the less guessing is involved on either side.

• Vessel type, length and finish (gelcoat or paint).
• Problem areas, with photos if possible.
• Past coatings, polishes or repairs you know about.
• Marina, slip and access arrangements.
• Your goals: restore, protect, maintain, or prepare for sale or charter.

Questions about scope

Scope is the most common source of misunderstanding. Two providers can describe the same service with different meanings. Ask exactly which surfaces and areas are covered, in what order, and what the finished result should look like. Ask what is not included, and what would trigger an extra step or a change to the plan.

Ask how condition changes the work. Heavy oxidation, old wax buildup, stains that have set, and damaged gelcoat each need different steps. A reasonable answer explains that the plan depends on what is found, and that some things will be assessed on site. An unreasonable answer promises the same result for every boat.

Ask what the provider will do if something is outside their scope, such as a cracked fitting, a leaking hatch or a failing seam. A good provider says they will point it out, show you, and suggest a specialist rather than ignore it or improvise a repair.

1. Which surfaces and areas are included in this job?
2. What steps will be done on the hull, deck, metals, teak and interior?
3. What is not included, and what would be an add-on?
4. How will condition change the plan?
5. What happens if you find damage or something outside your scope?

Questions about products and methods

You do not need a chemistry lesson, but you should hear sensible answers. Ask what kinds of products will be used on gelcoat, teak, stainless, vinyl and glass, and whether they are marine-appropriate. Ask whether they test in a small area first when a surface is uncertain. Ask how they avoid damaging seals, canvas, electronics and nearby finishes.

Ask about the approach to compounding and polishing. Each pass removes a little finish, so a careful detailer starts with the mildest approach that works and steps up only if needed. Ask how they judge when to stop. For an overview of the categories involved, see our guide to marine detailing products.

Ask about environmental practices. Dockside work involves water and chemicals near the marina basin. A responsible provider uses products suited to marina conditions, controls runoff, and follows the rules of the dock. Our overview of environmental practices covers what that usually looks like.

• What products go on which surfaces, and why?
• Do you test a small area first on unfamiliar finishes?
• How do you decide how aggressive to be on gelcoat?
• How do you protect seals, canvas, electronics and adjacent surfaces?
• How do you handle runoff and wastewater at the dock?

Questions about the marina and access

Marinas have their own rules for outside contractors, and ignoring them can cause trouble for you as the slip holder. Ask whether the provider has worked at your marina or similar ones, whether they know its contractor requirements, and who handles registration and paperwork. Ask how they handle water, power, noise and hours.

Ask about access to the vessel. Will you be aboard, will a captain or manager let them on, or is a key or lockbox involved? How do they secure the boat when they leave, and how do they let you know the job is complete? On rafted or tight slips, ask how they will reach the boat without trespassing on neighbors.

If you have a management company or a captain who coordinates vessel work, involve them early. They often know the marina's requirements and can save everyone time. Our guide on marina rules for dockside work explains common requirements.

Questions about scheduling and weather

Ask how scheduling works. Some providers work from set days, others coordinate around your use. Ask what happens if rain, wind or lightning interferes, how rescheduling is handled, and how you are told. South Florida's afternoon storms and summer heat mean outdoor work is often planned around the weather.

Be careful with anyone who promises a precise arrival time or a fixed number of hours before seeing the boat. How long a job takes depends on size, condition, access and the work involved. Our guide on how long yacht detailing takes explains the factors involved. Scheduling is arranged by phone.

Ask how far ahead you should book for busy periods such as the winter season, boat shows, or before a storm. Plan ahead where you can, and tell the provider about deadlines like a sale, survey, charter or event so they can say honestly whether they can meet them.

• How is the date set, and how do you handle weather delays?
• How do you let me know about changes?
• How far ahead should I book for busy periods?
• Can you work around a survey, charter or event date?
• Who will be on the boat, and will I be told ahead of time?

Questions about quotes and charges

Ask how quotes work. At Best Yacht Cleaning, quotes are given only by phone, after you describe the boat and the work. Complicated jobs need an on-site visit before a quote can be given, and there is a service call charge that is explained on the phone before anyone is dispatched. Whoever you hire, you should know their process before you agree to a visit.

Ask what the quote includes and what could change it. A responsible provider explains that unexpected findings, such as heavy contamination or damage, may change the plan, and that they will talk to you first rather than adding work silently. Ask how and when payment is expected, and what happens if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Be wary of vague totals and of anyone reluctant to describe what is covered. You are entitled to understand what you are paying for in plain words. If a provider cannot explain it, you should wait until they can.

1. How is a quote given, and what do you need to know about my boat?
2. When do you need to see the vessel before quoting?
3. Is there a charge for a site visit, and when is it explained?
4. What could change the quote, and how will I be told?
5. What are your terms for payment, cancellation and rescheduling?

Questions about insurance and responsibility

Ask whether the provider carries liability coverage and can show a current certificate. Then verify it yourself with the insurer or agent named on the certificate, and confirm the marina has what it needs. Do not treat a verbal yes as proof.

Ask what happens if something is damaged or goes wrong, and how it is reported and resolved. A reasonable provider explains how they document the boat's condition at the start, how they report issues, and how they handle a claim or a correction. Vague answers or irritation at the question are worth noting.

Ask also who exactly will be working on your vessel, and whether they are employees or subcontractors. You are entitled to know who is aboard, and the marina may need to know as well.

• Can you provide a current certificate of insurance?
• Which marinas or management companies require it?
• How do you document the boat's condition at the start?
• What is the process if something is damaged or missed?
• Who will be on the boat while the work is done?

Questions about results and ongoing care

Ask what results to expect and what limits apply. Honest providers can tell you that some stains lift fully, some lighten, and some are damage that cleaning cannot reverse. They can describe how long protection tends to last in general terms and what depends on use, slip location and care afterward.

Ask what maintenance you should do after the job: how to wash, which products to avoid, when to bring them back. A good provider gives practical advice, including what you can do yourself. Ask whether they offer recurring service and how that differs from a one-time job.

If you are weighing protection options, ask for the pros and cons of each in plain terms. Our comparison of wax, sealant and ceramic coating can prepare you for that conversation. You should leave the discussion understanding the choice, not feeling sold.

Questions about interiors, canvas and unusual materials

If the job includes the interior, ask how the provider handles upholstery, headliners, carpet, galley surfaces and heads. Interiors on yachts hold humidity, and moisture left behind by a heavy cleaning can cause mildew weeks later. Ask how much water is used, how surfaces are dried, and whether fans or dehumidifying are part of the plan. A careful answer shows an understanding of enclosed marine spaces.

Ask about canvas, isinglass and soft vinyl. These materials scratch and stiffen if cleaned with the wrong product or rubbed dry. A good provider explains that they use gentle products, soft cloths and plenty of rinse water, and avoids solvents and abrasive pads. If your boat has Strataglass or similar clear panels, say so, and ask how they are handled.

Ask also about unusual features: carbon fiber trim, painted graphics, wrapped surfaces, specialty paint, and anything installed after build. Mention them early. Some finishes cannot take compounding at all, and a provider who knows that in advance can plan correctly instead of finding out halfway through the job.

• How do you control moisture when cleaning interior spaces?
• How are clear panels and canvas cleaned without scratching?
• How do you treat wrapped, graphic or specialty finishes?
• What do you do on surfaces where you are unsure of the material?
• Can you work around electronics, instruments and delicate trim?

Putting the answers together

After you have talked to one or more providers, compare notes. Who asked good questions about your boat? Who explained limits honestly? Who was clear about insurance, marina rules, scheduling and how quotes work? Who made you feel rushed? Often the right choice is clear from how the conversation went.

You do not need to be an expert to hire well. You need to ask clear questions and listen for clear answers. If something sounds unclear, ask again in different words. A provider who is patient with that is likely to be careful on your boat.

When you are ready, call and run through this list with us. Quotes are given by phone only, and larger or more complicated jobs need an on-site visit first. We are happy to answer every question here before you decide.

Questions people ask

Related pages

Turning answers into a comparison you can trust

After you speak with two or three companies, you will have a pile of answers that are hard to compare. Make a simple grid with the questions down the side and the companies across the top. Fill in what each one actually said, not what you assume. Mark the blanks too, since a question left unanswered or answered with a shrug tells you something. Seeing it all on one page reveals patterns that are easy to miss in a series of phone calls. Call us if you are unsure, and describe what you see in plain words; you do not need to know the technical terms.

Weigh answers about process more heavily than answers about price or speed. A company that explains how it protects trim, handles rinse water, chooses products and communicates changes is probably careful in other ways too. A company that gives a vague answer and moves quickly to a figure is hiding the part you most need to see. Pay attention to tone as well: patience, curiosity about your boat and willingness to say we are not sure are good signs. In South Florida the heat, humidity and salt in the air make small problems grow faster than owners expect, so noticing them early is worth the effort.

If two companies seem close, ask each one a final question tailored to your boat, such as how they would approach a particular stain or a worn area of gelcoat. Their answers will show real experience. Then trust your comfort level. You will be sharing access to a vessel you value, so you want to feel at ease. We are glad to answer every question on this list, explain the scope and any quote before work begins, and give you time to decide. If anything here does not match what you see on your own boat, say so, because every vessel and every slip is a little different.

Following up after the first job

Your questions do not end when the work is done. After the first visit, check the results calmly, in daylight, with the crew's notes in hand. Walk the boat and compare what you see with what you were told to expect. Note anything you like and anything you would change. Small items, such as a spot of residue near a hinge or a missed corner, are easy to raise right away and usually easy to correct. A short phone call before the visit usually clears up most questions and helps the crew bring the right tools the first time.

Ask what the crew found that you did not know about. Maybe a fitting was loose, a seal looked worn or a patch of canvas was starting to fail. A good detailer reports these things plainly, without pressure to fix them on the spot. That kind of honesty is a sign you are working with someone who is paying attention beyond the task list. We would rather explain a limit honestly than promise something the surface or the weather cannot support. Photographs taken in daylight, from a few steps back and then close up, make the conversation faster and more precise.

Finally, talk about what comes next. Should the boat be rinsed more often? Is there a seasonal adjustment worth making before storm season? Would a lighter maintenance visit help keep the finish in shape? Treat the first job as the beginning of a working relationship rather than a one-off event. If something went wrong, say so promptly. If it went well, say that too, since clear feedback helps the crew do better on the next visit. Take notes as you go, because details you write down today are easy to forget by the time the crew arrives.