Pre-purchase and insurance boat surveyor

Boat buyers, boat owners, insurers and finance companies, and sometimes brokers and solicitors.

A fixed fee or day rate per survey, depending on boat size and type. Extra charges may apply for travel, haul-out attendance or sea trials.

• Hands-on boat building, repair or marine engineering background
• Clear, careful report writing
• Honest, independent judgement
• Dealing calmly with buyers and sellers

• Professional indemnity insurance, because a missed defect can lead to a claim against you
• Recreational surveying is not usually licensed, but insurers and lenders may only accept surveyors with certain credentials, so check their requirements
• Independence: avoid conflicts of interest with brokers or sellers
• Slippery, awkward and sometimes unsafe working conditions on boats and in yards, so check safety and access rules at each site
• Building a reputation takes time, so expect slow early months

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you set up your reporting and marketing. Professional indemnity insurance is worth pricing early.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many surveys you win and your local market. Building a reputation takes time, so expect slow early months.

Recreational surveying is not usually licensed, but insurers and lenders may only accept surveyors with certain credentials, so check their requirements. Also check professional indemnity cover, conflicts of interest with brokers or sellers, and safety and access rules at each site.