Hiring the right professional for an Annapolis marine survey is the most important thing you must do when buying a used boat. This is because the input of the surveyor will keep you from making the wrong investment. In this post, we will be examining the key things you must do to find the best surveyor.
Hire a surveyor with qualifications and memberships
In your search for answers to the question of how do I choose a marine surveyor, you might be astonished to learn that there is absolutely no educational requirement for a marine surveyor. Anyone can pose as a “marine expert” and volunteer to inspect a vessel. Experienced surveyors distinguish themselves by seeking membership in a surveyors’ association like SAMS, NAMS, or another organization. Being a member of an organization offers credibility to a surveyor’s assertions. This is because these organizations seek to establish a framework for controlling industry standards, and some have created training programs of their own that aid in coordinating skill levels within their own association.
Focus on experienced surveyors
It makes sense that the surveyor you select should be aware of what they are searching for and what they are looking at. That is why you should pick a surveyor based on their experience. Since surveyors come from a variety of backgrounds, there is no substitute for expertise in this field. Always find someone who has expertise surveying the kind of vessel you require, then inquire about their background and ask to see a sample report.
Consider their background
Is it sufficient that your surveyor has been providing this service since graduating from college but has never owned a boat? The surveyor you select should have experience with the specific sort of vessel you need to be surveyed, and if he is fair and honest, he should limit his work to these types of vessels solely. You might need to find a larger surveying firm with partners that have a variety of competencies to fulfill your demands if you have a large and complex vessel such as a superyacht.
Consider their fees
As you learn how do I choose a marine surveyor, you should learn about the prices. The majority of small vessel surveyors bill by foot. The fee ranges increase in line with the complexity of the boat’s systems and length. Additionally, there is a different scale for each sort of survey, which reflects the level of detail needed for each.
The above points will definitely help you find the right boat surveyor to hire. You must, however, never use price as the only determining factor. The surveyor you end up hiring must be the one you feel most comfortable working with.