Warm weather is back, and you are just dying to take your boat out on the water for a weekend of fun in the sun. For safety’s sake, inspect your boat for damage before heading out—and take it in to get fixed if you find damages. With this in mind, here are some tips to help you avoid issues when you visit a boat repair shop in Hesperia, CA.
Select the right repair shop
If you don’t have a regular repair shop that you go to, then the first thing you need to do is find the best one for your needs. Ask around your circle of boating friends and pick the brains of the boating community for referrals, and search the Internet for reviews that are both positive and helpful. Check out potential companies on the Better Business Bureau’s website to make sure there are no complaints against them, which may result in a bad overall rating.
Another thing to consider is repair prices. While a shop with the lowest rates may seem tempting, one must consider the reasons why it’s so cheap—although low prices do not necessarily mean poor service or bad repair jobs. On the other hand, a higher priced repair place could be due to a shop investing in good equipment, tools and knowledgeable mechanics. This is why it’s important to get recommendations before making a decision.
Request a written agreement
When it comes to getting major work done on your boat, ask for all service agreements, storage fees and estimates to be put in writing. Even if you wholly trust your marine mechanic with a verbal agreement, an agreement in writing is solid proof of what is going to happen, which comes in handy in the event that your boat repairs are passed on to a mechanic other than the person you originally corresponded with, or in the event that issues arise later. In the case of replacement parts, make it clear if you want to reclaim your boat’s old parts after removal.
Take pictures of your boat
Scratches, rips, tears, chips and dripped fluids are not unheard of in a mechanic’s line of work. Accidents do happen, so before leaving your boat at any repair shop, take a lot of photos of the inside and outside of your vessel—be sure to photograph the areas that are in need of repairs, in particular. A reputable shop will immediately inform you of any unintentional damage they may have caused while working on your boat and offer to fix it. But go with a poorly rated business, and they may dispute new damages, which could leave you with even more problems than you started with.
When you arrive and before you pay your bill, ask for a walkthrough of completed repairs while simultaneously inspecting for damage that wasn’t there before. Finally, remember to always time stamp your photos to avoid conflict.
Looking for a quality boat repair shop in Hesperia, CA? Contact us today at Rezurxn Speed and Marine. We offer a number of services to ensure that your seafaring vessel remains in good condition through the boating season and beyond.