Many pleasure boaters and boating anglers prefer to work on their own watercrafts and power plants when they are in need of repair, mainly to save money, but there are times when an expert's touch is needed.
With 30 years of experience in the marine service industry, the BoatUS Consumer Protection Bureau in a news release said it believes most marine professionals do the job right. However, each year a handful of boat owners wind up coming to the Bureau's Dispute Mediation program for help because of faulty repairs or disagreements with bills.
Here are ten tips gleaned from mediating hundreds of cases over the years that should help today's boat owners know a job will go smoothly:
A tight budget is fine: In the modern economy, a tight budget is expected but boat owners should make this goal clear before a job begins. A repair shop may be able to suggest ways to complete a project in stages. Always ask the cost of similar repairs in the past and what kinds of problems are possible along the way.
Have a paper trail: Or be prepared to take chances. Getting a written estimate before work begins is a good idea, and boat owners should remember it's based on an approximation of how much the job will cost. With boats, it's not unusual to have unforeseen problems crop up, so taking out frustrations on a repairer won't help. Boat owners can ask the shop to obtain authorization before proceeding with unforeseen repairs or when work goes beyond the estimated price.
Where's the evidence? Ask to get back old or damaged parts.
It's kosher to second guess: If a boat owner isn't comfortable with a first estimate, get a second opinion from another mechanic or a marine surveyor.
Make and follow a plan: Once a boat owner OKs an estimate, have someone in the shop draw up a work order. Ask for a target completion date and write the date into the work order.
Everyone kept in the loop: Always be sure the mechanic working on your boat has a copy of the work order when the project begins.
Get help with the big stuff: For complex repairs, it's wise to consult with a marine surveyor and consider having the surveyor serve as a liaison with the repair shop. Ask around for a referral or check out the list of surveyors at www.BoatUS.com/surveyors.
Make a payment plan: Understand that when tackling large jobs, boat-repair shops often require payments at various stages of completion. Be sure to verify that each stage has been completed before paying. If the owner can't be on hand to check progress, consider hiring a marine surveyor to make periodic checks.
Don't be hasty: If a boat owner is unhappy with the work, don't stop payment on a check after paying a repair bill. This can be interpreted as intent to defraud the repair shop and put the owner in deep trouble.
Know when to walk: Understand that when asking for all of the things above, an owner may not get everything he wants. On the other hand, it's fine to walk away if the boat owner believes a marine repairer isn't interested in helping the owner with most of these basic protections that get the job done right. Reputable shops know the importance of customer service.
Source :-- http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/10-tips-to-get-boat-repairs-done-right-5853328.html
With 30 years of experience in the marine service industry, the BoatUS Consumer Protection Bureau in a news release said it believes most marine professionals do the job right. However, each year a handful of boat owners wind up coming to the Bureau's Dispute Mediation program for help because of faulty repairs or disagreements with bills.
Here are ten tips gleaned from mediating hundreds of cases over the years that should help today's boat owners know a job will go smoothly:
A tight budget is fine: In the modern economy, a tight budget is expected but boat owners should make this goal clear before a job begins. A repair shop may be able to suggest ways to complete a project in stages. Always ask the cost of similar repairs in the past and what kinds of problems are possible along the way.
Have a paper trail: Or be prepared to take chances. Getting a written estimate before work begins is a good idea, and boat owners should remember it's based on an approximation of how much the job will cost. With boats, it's not unusual to have unforeseen problems crop up, so taking out frustrations on a repairer won't help. Boat owners can ask the shop to obtain authorization before proceeding with unforeseen repairs or when work goes beyond the estimated price.
Where's the evidence? Ask to get back old or damaged parts.
It's kosher to second guess: If a boat owner isn't comfortable with a first estimate, get a second opinion from another mechanic or a marine surveyor.
Make and follow a plan: Once a boat owner OKs an estimate, have someone in the shop draw up a work order. Ask for a target completion date and write the date into the work order.
Everyone kept in the loop: Always be sure the mechanic working on your boat has a copy of the work order when the project begins.
Get help with the big stuff: For complex repairs, it's wise to consult with a marine surveyor and consider having the surveyor serve as a liaison with the repair shop. Ask around for a referral or check out the list of surveyors at www.BoatUS.com/surveyors.
Make a payment plan: Understand that when tackling large jobs, boat-repair shops often require payments at various stages of completion. Be sure to verify that each stage has been completed before paying. If the owner can't be on hand to check progress, consider hiring a marine surveyor to make periodic checks.
Don't be hasty: If a boat owner is unhappy with the work, don't stop payment on a check after paying a repair bill. This can be interpreted as intent to defraud the repair shop and put the owner in deep trouble.
Know when to walk: Understand that when asking for all of the things above, an owner may not get everything he wants. On the other hand, it's fine to walk away if the boat owner believes a marine repairer isn't interested in helping the owner with most of these basic protections that get the job done right. Reputable shops know the importance of customer service.
Source :-- http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/10-tips-to-get-boat-repairs-done-right-5853328.html
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