Surveys, coding and valuations

What does a marine survey cost?

Surveyors quote per vessel, not from a scale, because a survey is a professional inspection sized to the boat and the question being asked. Before comparing two fees, check they are for the same type of survey, and remember the yard's lift-out is normally a separate bill from the surveyor's. Tell us about the vessel and relevant surveyors will quote you directly.

24m

the upper length for the MCA's small commercial vessel codes of practice

gov.uk, MCA small commercial vessel codes

5 years

the coding certification cycle for a small commercial vessel, subject to annual renewals

YDSA, what is coding

Unregulated

yacht and small craft surveying remains largely unregulated in the UK, in the IIMS's own words

IIMS, choosing a marine surveyor

What you need surveying

Which type of survey?

Hull construction

Construction changes the inspection method, so it changes the time on board.

Free, and there is no obligation to instruct anyone
Your details go only to the surveyors who respond
We do not carry out surveys and give no insurance advice

Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each

Last updated 2026-08-15

Two quotes are only comparable if they are for the same type of survey. This table sets out the recognised survey types, what each one produces, who the surveyor's client is, and what moves the fee.

We publish no fee range for marine surveys, deliberately. Marine surveying is priced per vessel after scoping, there is no statutory or professional fee scale in the UK, and any figure printed here would be a guess. What is stable is the taxonomy: the survey types and their scope below follow the descriptions published by the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (ydsa.co.uk), a Certifying Authority appointed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, read on 15 August 2026. Fee-driver notes describe what changes the surveyor's time on board and away from it. The yard's lift-out, pressure wash and time ashore are normally billed by the boatyard rather than the surveyor: that is standard market practice rather than a rule, so confirm it with both parties before booking.

Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each
Survey type	What it produces	Whose surveyor is it	What moves the fee
Pre-purchase or standard condition survey	A detailed report on the condition of the vessel, with graded recommendations identifying when action is needed	Yours, as buyer	Length, construction material, complexity of systems, whether the vessel is ashore, travel to the vessel
Limited scope survey	An inspection of part of the vessel only: machinery, electrics, or a specific defect such as osmosis or grounding damage	Yours	Narrower scope, but specialist equipment and specialist skills can offset the saving
Valuation	An opinion of value, drawing on actual sale prices rather than advertised prices	Yours	Usually quoted as an addition to a survey, or as a standalone desk and inspection exercise
Damage or insurance assessment	An assessment of the extent of damage after an accident or incident	Normally the insurer, who instructs the surveyor and to whom the surveyor reports	Instructed and paid by the insurer, so this is not a fee you usually quote for
Supervision of construction or repairs	Specification review, milestone inspections, progress reports, final handover inspection	Yours	Number of site visits, build duration, and whether sea trials are included
MCA coding examination	Examination and certification of a small commercial vessel against the applicable MCA code	Yours, through an authorised Certifying Authority	Code applied, vessel size and area of operation, plus the Certifying Authority's own fees on top of the surveyor's
Tonnage measurement for registration	A Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement, produced by an approved measurer	Yours	A separate job from a condition survey, priced separately
Expert witness report	A report for proceedings, where the surveyor's primary responsibility is to the court	The court, whoever pays	Court permission, disclosure, meetings of experts and any hearing attendance

A pre-purchase survey report is an independent assessment of the condition of the vessel, and per the YDSA it is not a bargaining tool, although a serious defect can be raised in consideration of a price alteration or works before purchase.
A valuation is not normally included with a pre-purchase survey report and must be requested separately (YDSA, types of survey).
Yacht and small craft marine surveying in the UK is largely unregulated, in the IIMS's own words, so verifying a surveyor's qualifications, relevant experience and current professional indemnity cover is the buyer's responsibility.

Cite this page

“Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each”, Marine Survey Cost, https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-15). We publish no fee range for marine surveys, deliberately. Marine surveying is priced per vessel after scoping, there is no statutory or professional fee scale in the UK, and any figure printed here would be a guess. What is stable is the taxonomy: the survey types and their scope below follow the descriptions published by the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (ydsa.co.uk), a Certifying Authority appointed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, read on 15 August 2026. Fee-driver notes describe what changes the surveyor's time on board and away from it. The yard's lift-out, pressure wash and time ashore are normally billed by the boatyard rather than the surveyor: that is standard market practice rather than a rule, so confirm it with both parties before booking.

The process

Tell us the survey type, the vessel and where it lies. Two minutes, no account.
We pass your details to relevant marine surveyors covering that area, and to no one else.
They confirm scope and quote their fee for that vessel. You compare, ask questions, or do nothing.

Marine Survey Cost is a free introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd. We pass your details to relevant marine surveyors, who contact you directly with their own fees. We may receive a fee from those providers; you pay nothing and are under no obligation. We do not carry out surveys, we are not affiliated with the IIMS, the YDSA, the RYA or the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and nothing on this site is insurance or legal advice. Survey scope descriptions are quoted from the bodies named and were read on 15 August 2026.

Common questions

How much does a marine survey cost?

There is no published fee scale in the UK. Surveyors quote per vessel after scoping, with the fee following length, construction material, complexity of systems, travel and whether the boat is ashore. The IIMS advises getting a couple of quotes, and cautions that the cheapest is not always the best. Compare quotes on identical scope.

What types of marine survey are there?

The YDSA lists pre-purchase or standard condition surveys, limited scope surveys, valuations, damage and insurance assessments, supervision of construction or repairs, Recreational Craft Directive consultancy, and expert witness work. MCA coding examinations and tonnage measurement for registration are separate jobs again, priced separately.

Is the boatyard lift included in the surveyor's fee?

Normally not. The yard bills the lift, pressure wash and time ashore, and in a pre-purchase situation that is usually the buyer's cost. It is a matter of agreement rather than law, so confirm who pays before booking and get the yard's charges from the yard.

Are marine surveyors regulated in the UK?

Yacht and small craft surveying is largely unregulated, in the IIMS's own words, and there is no statutory licence to practise. Membership bodies such as the IIMS and the YDSA maintain their own standards and searchable member listings. The IIMS states it is your responsibility to ask a surveyor to confirm their professional indemnity cover is current and adequate.

Does my insurer decide which survey I need?

Requirements are set by the individual insurer, and they vary. Ask your insurer or broker in writing which survey type they require, whether it must be out of the water and how recent it must be, then instruct to that requirement. We are not insurance intermediaries and give no insurance advice.

Is this quote service free?

Yes, free to you and with no obligation to instruct anyone. We pass your details only to relevant marine surveyors, who contact you directly with their fee. We may receive a fee from those providers, which is how the service is funded. We do not carry out surveys.

Go deeper

Each one cites where its numbers come from.

Sources

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