# Marine Survey Cost

> What a UK marine survey costs and why: survey type, vessel size, construction and location set the fee, and the yard lift is a separate bill. Free surveyor quotes.

## Key facts

- 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.

## Key pages

- [What does a marine survey cost?](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [Boat survey cost: what actually drives a marine surveyor's fee](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/boat-survey-cost/): Marine survey fees are quoted per vessel. Length, construction, systems, travel and whether the boat is ashore move the number, and the yard lift is billed separately.
- [Pre-purchase marine survey: what it covers and what it does not](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/pre-purchase-survey/): A pre-purchase survey is an independent condition report with graded recommendations. What it excludes, why it is not a bargaining tool, and when to instruct one.
- [Yacht insurance survey cost: a survey and a valuation are two jobs](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/insurance-and-valuation-surveys/): A condition survey for an insurer and a valuation answer different questions. What each involves, who the surveyor's client is, and what to ask before instructing.
- [Lift-out, osmosis and moisture testing: the costs around the survey](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/lift-out-osmosis-and-moisture-testing/): Why a hull inspection needs the boat ashore, who normally pays the yard, and what a moisture or osmosis investigation is and is not able to tell you on the day.
- [Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-15.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each. Methodology: This table publishes no fee range for marine surveys, deliberately. Marine surveying is priced per vessel after scoping and there is no statutory or professional fee scale in the UK; the per-foot rates some surveyors publish are in our fee index. 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.
- Last updated: 2026-08-15. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: YDSA (Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association). Types of survey: https://ydsa.co.uk/other-services/types-of-survey/
- Source: YDSA. What is coding, and the Certifying Authority role: https://ydsa.co.uk/coding/what-is-coding/
- Source: IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying). Choosing a marine surveyor: https://www.iims.org.uk/boat-owner-info/choosing-a-marine-surveyor/
- Source: gov.uk, Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Small commercial vessel codes of practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/small-craft-codes-of-practice
- Source: RYA. Boat buying made easy: https://www.rya.org.uk/members-legal-advice/buying-owning/boat-buying-made-easy/
- Source: Ministry of Justice. Civil Procedure Rules Part 35: experts and assessors: https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part35

## Citation

Cite as: "Types of marine survey and what sets the fee for each", Marine Survey Cost, https://marinesurveycost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-15).

## About

- Marine Survey Cost is a free introduction service. We pass your details to marine surveyors and boat service firms, 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.
- Operated by marinesurveycost.co.uk. Contact: enquiries@marinesurveycost.co.uk