By Custom Marine Fabrication | Company News | 5/20/2026
Transparent pricing helps you plan. Here is what our shop rate covers, why we use a minimum, and how materials and deposits work on custom projects.
Custom marine work is skilled fabrication — not a quick retail install. At Custom Marine Fabrication, our shop rate is $250 per hour with a $500 minimum, plus materials. This post explains what that means so you can request a quote with clear expectations.
The hourly rate reflects time spent on your project in the shop and, when needed, on-site: measuring and templating, cutting and welding, sewing and fitting canvas, upholstery work, assembly, fit-checks, and finishing. It also reflects the overhead of running a properly equipped marine fab shop in Jacksonville — tools, fixtures, insurance, and experienced people who know boats.
Small jobs still require setup, teardown, documentation, and communication. A minimum keeps short projects viable without rushing quality. If your repair or modification is larger, the minimum simply becomes the floor — you pay for actual hours and materials as quoted.
Aluminum, canvas, vinyl, hardware, powder coat (when requested), and specialty goods are billed as materials. We specify what we recommend and why. Lower-grade materials can mean faster UV breakdown, corrosion around hardware, or avoidable rework in the Florida sun and salt.
Estimates can change if the boat reveals hidden damage, if scope expands, or if access is more complex than described. We communicate before proceeding with extras.
Rates describe how we bill. Your project still gets a tailored estimate. Request a free quote, text us with the pre-filled checklist, or call Custom Marine Fabrication — we will translate your scope into a clear plan.