Anyone buying an old boat should consider hiring a marine surveyor. Getting maritime services before buying a used boat will guide you through the process. In this post, we will be answering the question of how do I choose a marine surveyor. Our focus will be on what constitutes a high-quality surveyor.
Certification and accreditation
While there are no federal or state certifications, licensing, or sanctioning of marine surveyors, it is always good to focus on surveyors that are certified and accredited. There are numerous professional organizations that require rigorous testing, continuing education, and experience for accredited and certified surveyors. The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors and the National Association of Marine Surveyors are just some of those organizations. Getting a Naples FL marine survey from a boat surveyor that is certified and accredited guarantees you get the most thorough survey report. Ask your target surveyor if they belong to any organization and make sure their membership is up-to-date.
Get recommendations
It can be helpful to get suggestions from other boat owners, yard managers, and other people working in the boating business. However, you must take into account the viewpoint of the person giving the recommendation. As an illustration, consider a broker who has a preferred marine surveyor who might inadvertently ignore some flaws. It is up to you to verify the credibility of the recommendations you get. One way of doing this is by getting recommendations from multiple sources. The marine surveyor that comes highly recommended should be the one you consider.
Ask the right questions
The most important step in hiring a marine surveyor is to ask the right questions. Start by going through their website and reading as many reviews about the surveyor as you can. Next, you need to ask questions that relate to you. Some important questions to ask include the following:
- Do you work full-time as a boat surveyor?
- What kind of boats have you surveyed?
- Which technologies do you use when conducting marine surveys?
- Can you provide a sample survey report?
- Do you have any accreditation or certification?
The above questions are crucial as you strive to answer the question of how do I choose a marine surveyor. As you ask questions, make sure the responses the surveyor gives are clear and satisfactory. Be wary of any surveyor that is unwilling to share sample survey reports. Surveyors that don’t use any technology when conducting surveys will also not give the most comprehensive surveys.
Price
Last but not least, you need to know how much the surveyor charges for their services. The last thing you want is to be overcharged. Keep in mind that the price charged will mostly depend on the type, age, and size of the boat. Most surveyors charge per foot. Make sure their rates are within market standards.