Few UK boatyards can handle every type of work in-house. Specialist tasks like marine electrical work, GRP repairs, spray painting, upholstery, and rigging are often handled by subcontractors. But managing subcontractors introduces complexity: scheduling conflicts, quality inconsistency, cost overruns, and communication breakdowns.
This guide covers practical strategies for getting the best from your subcontractor relationships while maintaining control of your yard's reputation and margins.
Choosing the Right Subcontractors
The subcontractors who work in your yard represent your brand. Their quality, reliability, and professionalism reflect directly on you — the customer holds you responsible, not the subcontractor. Choose carefully.
Look for marine specialists with verifiable track records, proper insurance, and relevant qualifications. Ask for references from other yards. Trial them on smaller jobs before committing to larger projects.
Scheduling and Coordination
The biggest operational challenge with subcontractors is scheduling. They have their own workload and priorities, and your job is one of many on their list. Clear, advance scheduling is essential — give them as much notice as possible and confirm dates in writing.
Digital scheduling tools that include subcontractor assignments make coordination much easier. When a subcontractor can see their upcoming jobs at your yard alongside your team's schedule, conflicts become visible before they cause problems.
See This in Marina Yard Manager
Job Profitability
Quoted
£950
Labour
£660
Materials
£331
Margin
£-41
Pressure wash and degrease hull
3.5h
£193
First coat blacking — port side
4h
£220
First coat blacking — starboard, anode removal
4.5h
£248
Switch between jobs to compare profitability • Mobile-friendly time logging
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Subcontractor costs can erode your margins if not managed carefully. Always agree pricing before work begins — whether that's a fixed quote for the job or a day rate with a maximum. Avoid open-ended arrangements where costs accumulate without checkpoints.
Track subcontractor time and costs in the same system as your own team's work. This gives you a true picture of each job's profitability and helps you price future work accurately.
15–25%
Industry-standard markup on subcontractor costs to cover coordination, admin, and warranty
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Quality Control
Quality control remains your responsibility even when the work is done by a subcontractor. Build inspection points into the job workflow — check subcontractor work at key stages, not just at completion. It's much easier (and cheaper) to correct issues during the job than after the customer has seen the final result.
Document quality standards clearly. What constitutes an acceptable finish? What testing is required after an electrical installation? Written standards remove ambiguity and protect both parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I mark up subcontractor costs?
Yes — a markup of 15-25% is industry standard and covers your coordination, administration, warranty responsibility, and the use of your yard facilities.
How do I handle a subcontractor who doesn't meet quality standards?
Address it immediately and directly. Document the issue, agree remedial action, and give them a chance to correct it. If quality issues persist, find an alternative — your reputation depends on it.
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Written by
Hamish Lowry-Martin
Founder & Lead Developer
With 30 years in IT and 20 years developing business systems, Hamish spent the last decade working closely with marinas and boat yards — watching first-hand how they struggle with outdated tools. That hands-on observation led to Marina Yard Manager.
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