Pre-Purchase, Condition, Damage, Repair and  Insurance Surveys for Wood, Aluminium, Steel and Fibreglass Boats.

The Pre Purchase Survey or Full Condition Survey is a comprehensive survey of a boat, it is undertaken with a view to establishing the structural condition of the boat, its machinery and primary equipment.

The comprehensive scope of the Full Condition Survey requires unrestricted access to the boat out of the water for a sufficient period of time to conduct a thorough inspection, this will be at least 12 hours and is often longer.

A valuation is not normally included with a pre-purchase survey and you should request one if required.

The Full Condition Survey will also serve the needs of lenders and insurers.

A Damage and Repair Survey is a marine survey undertaken to establish the extent of damage following an incident and any reasonable mitigation against further damage.

Damage is not always apparent, while obvious damage may not always constitute the full extent of impairment.

Following an incident where there is evidence of damage or the possibility of damage, a prudent owner should notify their insurer and commission an independent damage survey noting that the Insurer will also appoint a Surveyor who will act on their behalf with a view to loss adjustment. 

A damage survey will establish and document the extent of the damage. The survey report may be used both for the purposes of insurance and for obtaining quotations for repair. The cost of a damage survey for an insurable event should be stated in the quantum of the claim and it is wise to advise the insurer that you will be doing so.

Incorrectly specified or executed repairs may compromise the integrity of the boat and will affect its subsequent value.

The surveyor, if required, will review the proposed repairs, and attend to witness and report these repairs.  A repair survey should commence prior to the commencement of repairs with the repair specification including witness and hold points agreed in advance with the yard and insurer.

DCM will undertake the Supervision of New Building, Refits or Repairs.  to include RFQs and purchase specification, survey and staged inspections for milestone payments, preparation of progress reports, and a final handover inspection often including sea trials.

Arranging a Survey

Following your enquiry we will contact you to,                                    

  • confirm the details of the boat and the purpose of the survey
  • the location of the survey
  • and any other information that may be pertinent.
  • We will be interested to understand,
  • where and how you intend to use the boat
  • any particular arrangements that maybe required to facilitate the survey. 

At this stage we should be in a position to provide you an indicative quote which we will then follow up with both a formal quotation and our Terms of Business.

  • The price we charge for surveys is an up-front fixed charge and will allow for,
  • travel expenses to the survey location
  • survey hours
  • a post survey appraisal
  • report writing
  • consultation following your receipt of the Final Survey Report

​Please note however that charges for the work performed by others such as haul outs, pressure washing and launches are not included and such arrangements should be made directly with those providing the service.

The Agreement and Terms of Business together will be sent to you by email in advance of the survey.