Am I paying too much for repair?

[pyrosue]

Need to mention that it is not the actual "pontoon' I struck, but the wrap-around panel. There is no railing near the accident site and YES it is quoted by a high end marine repair place and an insurance job....




Recently I had a mishap between my pontoon and a docked pontoon. Long story short, I put a small hole in the port side aft of the aluminum panel. About dead center. The hole is no larger than a nickel, this is the only damage done to their boat.

They gave us one estimate and this is quoting $1,350. For a small hole, could it be repaired for less than this? Ears went up when owners wanted a check made out to them instead of the repair shop and also were a little upset when we told them we would get estimates as well.

I don't see also how welding a hole can count as a quantity of 5 on the estimate sheet with a cost of $80 each. I used to weld quite alot and know that this is a little over the top.

Does anyone out there have a guess on how much I should reasonably pay for this repair?

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Am I paying too much for repair?

$100 tops

 

[pyrosue]

Re: Am I paying too much for repair?

Thanks, I do understand if the boat was returned to mint condition and do understand that there will be a small amount of cosmetic repair. But you pretty much set me clear of the welding cost, I couldn't see that amount either!!! Like I say now, I am in the wrong busines!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Am I paying too much for repair?

If insurance was involved, AND, I know you have made no mention of insurance, it is their duty to restore the boat in the same condition as it was before the accident as a minimum, or better. Although, a $100 weld would suit you, this would devalue the boat to some degree. My guess is that the owner has priced a replacement pontoon. If this is true,and you have no alternative but to pay, then I would insist on getting posession of the old part. It's worth bucks that can offset your losses.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: Am I paying too much for repair?

It sounds like this is one of the side panels. Not a pontoon. If you can get a panel I'll bet they are expensive. 1350 is a bit steep but its not 100 either.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Am I paying too much for repair?

Sounds to me like a panel in a rail too which of coarse you can't repair, they need to be replaced and you can't replace just the panel you have to replace the entire rail as that panel is pinched into the rail, that is why the high price.

They also have to pull any furniture on that side to get the old rail off so depending on the year and brand of boat I would say that isn't to far out of line, just the new rail with a panel could be as much as $400-$500.

Maybe ask what they want to settle it, make sure they know if you are going to pay to fix it that you will pay the repair shop directly that way they know they won't be getting any money in hand and may settle for less.