How to Choose a Boat Detailer in Miami: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Short answer: hire a boat detailer who can show you a current certificate of insurance that covers damage to your boat, who tells you exactly who will be on board, who sees the boat before giving a firm price, and who shows up on the schedule they promised. Price comes after those four.

Finding a reliable detailer is one of the most common frustrations among Miami and Fort Lauderdale boat owners. The stories are always similar: one detailer did great work but had to be chased for weeks, another sent someone with no experience, a third left swirl marks in the gelcoat. A boat is not a car. One mistake with a buffer, the wrong chemical on stainless or a careless step on the electronics can cost more than a year of washes. Here are the questions worth asking before anyone steps on your boat.

1. Are you insured, and does it cover damage to my boat?

This is the first question for a reason. Ask for the certificate of insurance and check two things: that it is current, and that it covers damage the detailer could cause to your boat while working on it, such as gelcoat burned during polishing. Most marinas will not let a contractor on the dock without proof of insurance.

Our answer: 305 Detailing Miami carries general liability insurance of $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, and it covers damage we could cause to a customer’s boat. We provide our certificate to every marina we work at, including Miami Beach Marina, because marinas require it.

2. Who will actually work on my boat?

Many companies sell the job and send whoever is available. Ask who comes, whether it is the same person every visit, and how much experience they have on boats, not just cars. On a maintenance plan, the same detailer every time means someone who knows your boat, its weak spots and how you like it.

3. Will you see the boat before giving a price?

A price per foot is a good starting point, but two boats of the same length can be very different jobs. A high-sided express cruiser has far more hull than a low center console, and a flybridge adds a whole deck. A detailer who quotes a firm price without seeing the boat is either padding the price or planning to add charges later.

4. What exactly is included?

“Boat wash” can mean anything. Ask for the list. A complete wash should include a fresh-water rinse of the whole boat, a hand wash of the hull sides, deck, cockpit and console, the non-skid, glass and stainless wiped down, and a hand dry so no water spots are left. Ask also what is not included: storage compartments, stainless polishing and wax are often extras. You can compare with what is on our boat detailing price list.

5. What products do you use on gelcoat, teak and stainless?

Look for marine-specific, pH-neutral soaps, and biodegradable, phosphate-free products when the boat is washed in the water, as Florida’s Clean Marina guidelines recommend. Be careful with anyone who reaches for bleach or acid cleaners as a first step: they work fast but damage gelcoat, teak and the water around your slip.

6. Who handles access, keys and covers?

Ask how they get on the dock (gate codes, dock master), whether they need a key, and who puts the cover back on. Your boat holds expensive electronics and gear. You want one accountable person, not a rotating crew of helpers.

7. How do you handle scheduling and urgent visits?

The most common complaint about detailers is not the work, it is reliability. Ask how far ahead you need to book, what happens when it rains, and whether regular customers get priority. Detailers in Miami get very busy before the winter season and the boat show.

8. Can I see recent work and reviews?

Ask for photos of boats like yours, at marinas like yours, and read recent Google reviews. A detailer who works on boats every week will have plenty to show.

Red flags

• No certificate of insurance, or “insured” with no document to show.
• A firm quote over the phone without seeing the boat.
• A machine polish promised on oxidized gelcoat for the price of a wash.
• Payment in full up front for a first wash.
• No clear answer to “who will be on my boat?”

How we work

305 Detailing Miami is a mobile boat detailing company working at marinas, dry stacks and private docks from Coconut Grove to Fort Lauderdale. Loris Feret, the owner, meets you at the boat before the first job to give a firm price, and works on the boats himself. Regular customers on a maintenance plan get the same detailer, the same checklist and priority when something urgent comes up. We work at marinas across Miami, including Rickenbacker, Haulover and Loggerhead Hi-Lift.

Frequently asked questions

Do marinas require boat detailers to be insured?

Most marinas in Miami do. They ask for a certificate of insurance before a contractor can work on the dock, and some ask to be listed on it.

How much should a boat detailer charge in Miami?

For a full exterior wash, around $5 per foot is a common starting point, less on a regular plan. Waxing, polishing and ceramic coating cost more. Very low prices often mean no insurance or rushed work.

Should the detailer be on board when I am not there?

It is normal for a detailer to work while you are away, as long as you know who it is, the marina knows them, and they are insured.