Boat Repair Invoice Template: Labor, Parts + Haul-Out
Boat repair invoice template for marine mechanics and boatyards: labor, parts, haul-out per foot, bottom paint, storage and winterization, with an example.
Quick answer: A boat repair invoice template bills a boat owner for marine service. It identifies the vessel (name, make, model, length, hull ID and engine serial numbers), lists labor by task with hours and rate, parts with part numbers, yard services like haul-out and bottom paint priced per foot, storage, shop supplies, disposal fees, tax, deposits and the balance due.
Marine repairs mix mechanical work, fiberglass, electrical systems and yard services, often on one job. Customers compare your invoice against the estimate, and marinas and lenders may need details for insurance claims. This guide explains how boat repair invoices are structured, how to price yard services per foot, how to handle parts, storage and liens, and includes a complete worked example.
What is a boat repair invoice?
A boat repair invoice is a bill from a boatyard, marine service shop, marina or mobile marine mechanic to a boat owner for maintenance, repair or storage services. It documents the work performed on a specific vessel and engine, the parts installed and the charges due. A good marine invoice works the same way as an auto repair invoice, with boat-specific additions: hull identification number (HIN), engine serial numbers and hours, and per-foot yard charges.
Most jobs start with a work order or written estimate, which the invoice should mirror line for line.
What should a boat repair invoice include?
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Business details | Shop or yard name, address, phone, email, sales tax permit if required |
| Customer | Owner name, address, phone, email |
| Vessel | Boat name, make, model, year, length, HIN, registration or documentation number |
| Engines | Make, model, serial numbers, engine hours at service |
| Work order reference | Estimate or work order number and approval date |
| Labor | Task, technician hours, rate |
| Parts and materials | Part number, description, quantity, unit price |
| Yard services | Haul and launch, pressure wash, blocking, storage, shrink wrap, priced per foot or per month |
| Fees | Shop supplies, environmental and disposal fees, travel |
| Totals | Subtotals, tax, deposit applied, balance due |
| Terms | Due date, storage charges for unpaid boats, warranty, lien notice |
Recording engine hours on every invoice helps the owner track service intervals and supports warranty claims with engine manufacturers.
How are boat repairs priced?
Labor
Most marine shops bill labor by the hour, with a posted shop rate. Unlike auto repair, there is less reliance on standardized flat-rate guides across all work, though engine manufacturers publish warranty labor times that many shops use as a reference. Specialist work such as diesel engines, electronics, or fiberglass and gelcoat repair may carry a higher rate. Show the hours and rate for each task.
Parts and materials
List each part with its part number. Shops typically sell parts at a markup over cost, similar to other repair trades; our materials markup guide explains common approaches. Special-order parts are often non-returnable, so collect a deposit first.
Yard services priced per foot
Boatyards price many services per foot of length overall (LOA), with minimums. The table below shows illustrative rates; actual rates vary greatly by region, season and facility.
| Yard service | Typical pricing basis | Illustrative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Haul and launch (round trip) | Per foot, minimum charge | $10 per foot |
| Bottom pressure wash | Per foot | $4 per foot |
| Blocking or cradle setup | Per foot or flat | $3 per foot |
| Shrink wrap | Per foot | $20 per foot |
| Outdoor dry storage | Per foot per month or season | $5 per foot per month |
| Indoor rack storage | Per foot per season | Varies widely |
On the invoice, show the length and rate, for example "Haul and launch, 24 ft x $10.00 = $240.00," so the owner can check the math.
Boat repair invoice example
A 24-foot center console comes in for fall service: haul-out, bottom paint, a 100-hour outboard service and new zinc anodes. The customer approved the estimate. Rates are illustrative, and the example assumes a state that taxes parts at 6% but not separately stated labor and services.
Harborline Marine Service | Invoice HM-2026-0587 | Date: October 29, 2026 | Due: on pickup
Bill to: Daniel Brooks | Vessel: "Second Wind," 2019 24 ft center console, HIN on file | Engine: 250 hp outboard, S/N on file, 412 hours | Work order WO-1192 approved October 14, 2026
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haul and launch (24 ft) | 24 | $10.00 | $240.00 |
| Bottom pressure wash (24 ft) | 24 | $4.00 | $96.00 |
| Labor: sand and apply two coats of bottom paint | 6.0 h | $135.00 | $810.00 |
| Antifouling bottom paint, 1 gallon | 2 | $210.00 | $420.00 |
| Labor: 100-hour outboard service (oil, filters, gear lube, plugs, inspection) | 2.5 h | $135.00 | $337.50 |
| 100-hour service parts kit | 1 | $185.00 | $185.00 |
| Zinc anode kit | 1 | $64.00 | $64.00 |
| Shop supplies | 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| Labor and services subtotal | $1,528.50 | ||
| Parts and materials subtotal | $669.00 | ||
| Sales tax on parts, 6% (illustrative) | $40.14 | ||
| Total due | $2,237.64 | ||
Terms: "Payment due before launch or release. Boats not picked up within 7 days of completion incur storage at $5 per foot per month. 90-day warranty on labor; parts per manufacturer warranty." Build this layout in our free invoice generator and include the vessel and engine details in the notes section.
How to invoice boat repairs step by step
- Write up the vessel. Record boat name, HIN, engine serials and hours, and photograph pre-existing damage.
- Give a written estimate. Separate labor, parts and yard services, and get signed or recorded approval.
- Collect a deposit for large jobs. Especially for special-order parts or repowers; see our deposit invoice guide.
- Get approval for additional work. If you find more problems, send a change order before proceeding.
- Track technician time by task. This makes the invoice match the work order.
- Invoice on completion. Itemize labor, parts and yard services; an itemized invoice prevents disputes.
- Release the boat on payment. State this on the estimate and invoice.
- Follow up on storage accounts. Bill storage monthly or by season, in advance where possible.
Insurance claims, warranty work and specialty repairs
Insurance claim repairs
After storm damage, groundings or collisions, the owner's marine insurer often pays for repairs. The adjuster usually needs a detailed estimate before approving work, then a final invoice that matches it. Itemize labor by area of damage, list every part with a part number, include photos, and note any supplement approved by the adjuster. The owner normally remains responsible for the deductible and anything the insurer does not cover, so say this on the estimate and show the deductible on the invoice if the insurer pays you directly.
Manufacturer warranty work
Warranty repairs on engines or boats are billed to the manufacturer through its dealer or service portal, usually at the manufacturer's labor times and rates. The owner receives a zero-balance invoice or work order showing what was done under warranty. Any non-warranty work done at the same visit, such as routine maintenance, goes on a separate customer invoice so the two do not get mixed.
Fiberglass, gelcoat, welding and electrical
Fiberglass and gelcoat repairs are hard to estimate because hidden damage often appears once grinding starts. Quote a range or an initial assessment fee, and get approval at each stage. Aluminum and stainless welding on rails, towers or pontoons is often billed like a welding invoice, with shop time and materials. Electrical and electronics work (wiring, chartplotters, trolling motors) should list each component and its serial number for warranty registration.
Storage, winterization and seasonal billing
In colder regions, fall and spring are peak season: haul-outs, winterization, shrink wrap, storage, then commissioning and launch in spring. Many yards sell a winter package that bundles haul-out, pressure wash, winterization, shrink wrap and storage. Bill packages before the boat is stored, or split them into a fall invoice (haul, winterize, wrap) and storage billed by season. Spring commissioning (de-winterizing, battery install, systems check, launch) is a separate invoice.
For long-term storage customers, a recurring invoice for monthly storage keeps payments regular and avoids a large unpaid balance building up over the winter.
Liens and unpaid boat repair bills
Boat repair shops and marinas have strong tools for unpaid bills, but they must be used carefully. Many states give repairers and storage facilities a possessory lien on the vessel, allowing them to keep it until paid and, after notice, sometimes to sell it. For vessels, federal law also provides a maritime lien for necessaries, which include repairs, supplies and towing provided to a vessel on the order of the owner or a person authorized by the owner (46 U.S.C. 31342). Enforcing a maritime lien involves federal court procedures, so most small shops rely on state possessory liens and consult a maritime attorney for larger balances. Our general guide to mechanic's liens explains the concept on land. This is general information, not legal advice.
Prevention is cheaper than enforcement: written estimates, approvals for extra work, deposits on large jobs and a "release on payment" policy solve most problems before they start. Mobile marine mechanics who cannot hold the boat should collect payment on completion or use card-on-file authorization; our mobile mechanic invoice template covers that workflow.
Environmental and disposal fees
Marine service generates waste that must be handled properly: used engine oil and filters, antifreeze, old batteries, bottom paint dust and scrapings, fuel, and solvents. Many yards charge a separate environmental or disposal fee to cover hazardous waste handling and recycling. Keep the fee proportionate and explain it on your rate sheet, for example a flat fee per oil change or a small percentage of labor with a cap. If you dispose of a specific item, such as an old battery or fuel tank, list it as its own line.
Bottom paint work deserves extra care. Many antifouling paints contain copper or other biocides, and sanding dust and wash water from hull cleaning are regulated in many areas. Yards often use dust-free sanders and capture wash water, which costs money; reflecting it in your per-foot pricing is reasonable.
Common boat repair invoicing mistakes
- Missing HIN and engine serials. Warranty claims and insurance claims need them.
- Per-foot charges without the length. Owners cannot check the math.
- Unapproved overruns. Get approval before exceeding the estimate.
- Mixing taxable and nontaxable items. Separate labor, services and parts.
- Double-charging supplies. Do not charge a shop supplies fee on top of itemized consumables.
- Releasing the boat before payment. Once launched and gone, your leverage is limited.
Boat repair invoice checklist
- Shop details, customer details, invoice and work order numbers
- Vessel name, make, model, length and HIN
- Engine make, model, serials and hours
- Labor by task with hours and rate
- Parts with part numbers and quantities
- Yard services with length and per-foot rate
- Shop supplies, disposal and travel fees
- Tax, deposit applied, balance due and release terms
A boat repair invoice template that identifies the vessel, itemizes labor and parts, and shows per-foot yard charges clearly makes your marine invoices easy to approve and hard to dispute. Our invoice generator is free, has no sign-up, and builds a PDF in your browser that you can download and hand to the owner at pickup.
Frequently asked questions
How do boatyards charge for haul-out?
Haul-out is usually priced per foot of boat length, often with a minimum charge, and may be quoted as a round-trip haul and launch or as separate haul and launch fees. Blocking or cradle setup and pressure washing the bottom are often extra, also per foot. Show the boat's length and the per-foot rate on the invoice so the customer can check the math.
Can a boat repair shop keep a boat until the bill is paid?
Often, yes. Many states give repair shops and marinas a possessory lien on a vessel for unpaid repairs and storage, and federal law (46 U.S.C. 31342) gives a maritime lien to those who provide necessaries, such as repairs and supplies, to a vessel on the order of the owner or an authorized person. Enforcement procedures are technical, so consult a maritime attorney before acting.
Is labor on boat repairs taxable?
It depends on the state. Parts and materials sold are generally taxable, while repair labor is exempt in some states and taxable in others, sometimes only if not separately stated. Some states also have special rules for boats used in interstate commerce. List labor and parts on separate lines and check your state revenue department's guidance.
Should a marine mechanic charge for travel?
Mobile marine mechanics usually charge a trip or service call fee, or bill travel time at a reduced hourly rate, because they drive to marinas, docks and storage yards. Some charge a flat zone fee based on distance. Put the travel policy on your rate sheet and show the charge as a separate line, with the location, on each invoice.
What is a shop supplies fee on a boat repair invoice?
A shop supplies fee covers small consumables used on the job that are impractical to itemize, such as rags, sealant, tape, cleaners and fasteners. Many shops charge a small percentage of labor with a cap, or a flat amount. Disclose the method on your estimate, show it as its own line, and avoid charging it on top of itemized supplies.
Do boat repair shops require a deposit?
For large repairs, repowers, fiberglass work or special-order parts, many shops require a deposit before ordering parts or starting work. Smaller service jobs are often billed on completion. For storage and winterization packages, payment is commonly due before the season or before the boat is released in spring. Put deposit terms in the work order.
How should winterization be billed?
Many shops sell winterization as a package priced by engine type (outboard, sterndrive, inboard) and number of engines, plus systems like freshwater, head and generator. Shrink wrap is usually priced per foot of length. Fuel stabilizer, antifreeze and oil change parts can be included or itemized. Spell out what the package covers so spring commissioning charges are not a surprise.
What should I do if repairs exceed the estimate?
Stop and get the customer's approval before continuing. Many shops and some states require authorization for work beyond the written estimate. Send a revised estimate or change order with the added labor and parts, get written or recorded approval, and reference it on the final invoice. Unapproved overruns are the most common cause of repair disputes.
Invoice Creator Editorial Team
Guides on invoicing, cash flow and small-business finance from Invoice Creator, operated by Next Software Development Company. Content is reviewed for accuracy against the fields our own invoice generator produces.
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