Reasonable Hourly Rate for Teak Refinishing & Maintenance

[CR38]

So what would be a reasonable hourly rate to pay for exterior teak refinishing work in the Annapolis area? Technical Maintenance runs about $90/hour but I am assuming teak work should be dramatically less expensive. Also, if anyone has a reliable source for this work then I'd welcome a reference.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by CR38

So what would be a reasonable hourly rate to pay for exterior teak refinishing work in the Annapolis area? Technical Maintenance runs about $90/hour but I am assuming teak work should be dramatically less expensive. Also, if anyone has a reliable source for this work then I'd welcome a reference.

What?!?!?

You're getting behind on your exterior brightwork on a 38CR???



(she'll be the purdyest thing around when done though!)

[Cheechako]

Find some young guy living on his rich dad's boat. Or at least some guy living aboard!Pay him $15+ an hour if he's experienced. I found 2 brothers doing that. They maintained their dad's boat. They did my 47 exterior in less than a week.
Start asking around the marina etc. Also look for poster boards at marinas and west marine etc. Beware, there are varnishing "wannabees" out there, ask to see a boat they did if you want to be careful!

[CR38]

The CR38 is in pretty good shape. I think I can handle the upkeep on that boat. It is the Sea Sprite 30 that needs a more experienced hand to get it right the first time. After that I should be able to maintain.

S/V SeaSprite

[malbert73]

boatyards often don't like it, but if you can find a big boatyard and find the guys doing brightwork, you can strike up a side conversation and see if they'll be willing to moonlight for cash. A family member had all the exterior varnish stripped and coated on a bermuda 40 for about $4G that way

[JPA Cate]

A caution, do not pay up front for the whole job. Had an acquaintance who did, and the varnishers only did one side of the boat! I'd hope to find someone who could make a referral, and see what you think of them.

Ann

[jr_spyder]

You must not have this in Annoplus


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[sneuman]

I wish I could be encouraging, but teak work in the Annapolis area commands a pretty steep hourly rate. You might be able to find an independent to do it for cheaper ... I'm tempted to say you get what you pay for, but actually in the marine biz, you almost always get raked and boarded -- lots of very pricey, very crapping workmanship out there.

Better off doing it yourself. In any case, forget the varnish -- 4 coats of Cetol Natural Teak (24 hours drying between coats) and two coats of Cetol gloss on top (also 24 hours drying). It will look pretty good and last 4 years in the Chesapeake.

[jr_spyder]

Oops, funny start to this post. I was sitting at a bar using my iPhone reading/responding to CF and my wife came in...

Anyway here's what I wanted to say:

You must not have this in Annapolis but in the Newport area there are these teams of "Island Guys" from various Caribbean islands that come up for the summer and roam the docks to do brightwork. Most have been around for a while and have known reputations. Rates are highly negotiable but approximately $25/hr is the avg. My teak guy feels like part of the family now as every year he does the work with great passion and great entertainment.

[clockwork orange]

Originally Posted by sneuman

I wish I could be encouraging, but teak work in the Annapolis area commands a pretty steep hourly rate. You might be able to find an independent to do it for cheaper ... I'm tempted to say you get what you pay for, but actually in the marine biz, you almost always get raked and boarded -- lots of very pricey, very crapping workmanship out there.

Better off doing it yourself. In any case, forget the varnish -- 4 coats of Cetol Natural Teak (24 hours drying between coats) and two coats of Cetol gloss on top (also 24 hours drying). It will look pretty good and last 4 years in the Chesapeake.

The marine business is no different than many others, I just had dental work, cost me over $800 for 1 1/2 hrs of work for 2 people, the skill level required was no different than auto body work with smaller tools. A skilled wood refinisher should command an hourly rate on par with, say the technician who would replace the stinky hoses to your head, or who would awlgrip your hull, or strip, interprotect and apply bottom paint. Understand, im talking about a skilled worker who can show you examples of quality work and and satisfied customers, not some wannabe. When I look around at varnish work I see a lot more crap work than good so you should not begrudge paying for skilled work. If all you need is a warm body to do the work you don't want to then by all means go cheap.

Steve.

[OnTour]

Varnish work is pretty time consuming and labor intensive if it has to be taken down to bare wood and then multiple coats built up and sanding in between you can end up with a lot of hours of labor. Look around your marina for the boats with nice looking bright work and get references ....or just do it yourself and save a lot of money.


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[maxingout]

I am willing to fly in and do your teak for $200 per hour.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by clockwork orange

The marine business is no different than many others, I just had dental work, cost me over $800 for 1 1/2 hrs of work for 2 people, the skill level required was no different than auto body work with smaller tools. A skilled wood refinisher should command an hourly rate on par with, say the technician who would replace the stinky hoses to your head, or who would awlgrip your hull, or strip, interprotect and apply bottom paint. Understand, im talking about a skilled worker who can show you examples of quality work and and satisfied customers, not some wannabe. When I look around at varnish work I see a lot more crap work than good so you should not begrudge paying for skilled work. If all you need is a warm body to do the work you don't want to then by all means go cheap.

Steve.

Actually, the brightwork is not much of a worry -- a crappy job doesn't compromise the boat. Unfortunately the shoddy work in the biz doesn't end there - it extends to critical systems. Better off doing it yourself, then at least it's you &%$!up and it didn't cost a fortune.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by OnTour

Varnish work is pretty time consuming and labor intensive if it has to be taken down to bare wood and then multiple coats built up and sanding in between you can end up with a lot of hours of labor. Look around your marina for the boats with nice looking bright work and get references ....or just do it yourself and save a lot of money.Attachment 87381


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The problem is that it won't last. There's no magic bullet, as I have learned the hard way. Cetol for sanity, I say. And throw-away brushes. It will be beautiful from 10 meters away.

[malbert73]

I am tempted to go Semco throughout once my varnish breaks down. All I have is handrails and toerail. Anyone with experience with this?


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