What types of materials do you use?
Everything isn’t, but those who own boats know that most things having to do with a boat are sometimes pricey. Have you recently gotten your engine tuned up? Yikes. Have you had the fiberglass touched up, a refresh on bottom paint, or the boat detailed?
Boats aren’t cheap to buy, maintain, or accessorize, yet there is still a range of prices for mechanical and cosmetic repairs/upgrades.
For upholstery and canvas, I use the products that I believe in: thread that doesn’t degrade in the sun, vinyl that is comfortable and lasts, canvas with a great reputation, stainless hardware, and marine-grade foam appropriate for the specific application. Anything else will look good and function for a while… and then it won’t.
Do you fabricate from a pattern or do you need existing cushions/t-top, companionway cover, etc. in order to make a new one?
I’ve done both! If you want to match something that you already have, it’s helpful for me to review what you’re trying to replicate. It can also be fun to pattern something from scratch… and work with clients to do something that’s uniquely theirs.
Do you come out the boat to quote or do I bring my stuff to you to quote?
Again, I’ve done both. If I’m doing canvas, I need to get rough measurements; sometimes I do them, and sometimes clients can send me pictures and give me the rough measurements. Often, iclients can bring me the old ones for me to use as a guide and we work together on changing vinyl and trim.
What about dismantling and re-installation?
It depends on the project.
Do you re-use foam for cushions?
Sometimes I can, which significantly reduces the cost of upholstery since foam is a huge chunk of the cost of cushions. If the foam is compromised, or if it’s not exterior marine foam and is to be used in an exterior upholstery re-do, I usually will have to get new foam. In cases like this, I won’t know until I look at foam inside the existing cushion.
What goes into your generation of a quote?
The cost of the materials to be used and labor hours, which obviously includes fabrication of the new product, but may also include dismantling/disassembly of what the customer currently has.
How long will my project take?
After we agree on what’s to be made, I have to order supplies. Depending on the products and supplier, it could take a week or longer for me to receive ordered materials. I’ll be up-front and let customers know about supply delays and will also be frank about where I stand with other project and where a new project will fit on the schedule. I try to be efficient with time, but always prefer to take a little bit longer to make a high-quality product that clients will be proud of. I promise to let clients know when their project is ready to be picked up or installed.
I never know what I’m going to run into when taking on a new job. Disassembly is almost always… ah, hem… interesting. It often takes longer than expected to take existing products apart, and frequently, reconstruction has to be done differently. Therefore, it’s difficult to give an exact time when something will be finished.
How do we get a project initiated with you?
We first need to see if we’re on the same page. Usually, I’ll need to have a discussion with and/or an email from a potential customer detailing what is wanted, with pictures of what is currently on the boat. For example, if new cushions are to replace old, weathered cushions, pictures of the old ones, (front and back), including attachment spots, is helpful. Rough measurements of length and width are needed . Also, I like clients to see and feel samples of either vinyls or canvas to know what they’d be getting. This enables me to price the right fabric for the job.
Once that’s been done, I can work up a quote which includes materials, shipping, labor and sales tax. Once we have a contract in place, I can order materials and can begin disassembly of the old product, if that’s needed.
Do you have a question not answered on the site? Reach out to me and I’ll do my best to answer it for you!