How Much to Charge to Shrink Wrap a Boat
Shrink wrapping is priced per foot of length overall, commonly in the $12–$25/ft range depending on region, boat type, and size band, with vents, access doors, and mast-up work added separately. Pontoons and deck boats usually carry a flat surcharge, and spring removal and disposal is quoted as its own service.
The base rate
$12–$25 per foot of LOA is the common range, with region and boat type moving you within it. Set your rate in size bands rather than one flat number.
| Size band | Basis |
|---|---|
| Under 20’ | Lower per-foot rate |
| 20’–29’ | Step up |
| 30’–39’ | Step up again |
| 40’+ | Quoted per boat |
What adds to it
- Vents — priced each, several per boat
- Zippered access door — priced each, the largest single add-on
- Mast up — a per-foot surcharge, not a flat fee
- Pontoon / deck boat — a flat surcharge for the awkward frame
- On-site wrapping at the customer’s driveway rather than your yard
Spring removal is its own job
Quote removal and disposal separately. Film disposal costs money, the labor is real, and a fall price that silently included it is a price you set too low.
Take a deposit
The season is six weeks long and a no-show is a slot you can’t refill. A deposit at booking, charged when the customer accepts the quote, is what makes the schedule real — see boat shrink wrapping business software.
Frequently asked questions
Should the per-foot rate change with boat size?
Yes, in bands. A 38-footer takes more film, more staging, and more time per foot than a 20-footer, so most operators step the rate up every ten feet rather than using one number for everything.
What should vents and access doors add?
Each vent is a small per-unit charge and a zippered door is a larger one, both priced individually. They're the difference between a wrap that survives the winter and one that doesn't, so they're worth naming rather than absorbing.
How do I price a sailboat with the mast up?
As a per-foot surcharge on top of the base rate. Framing around a standing rig takes materially more time and film, and a flat surcharge understates it on longer boats.
Should removal be included in the fall price?
Quote it separately — either as a prepaid line in the fall or a spring invoice. Silence on removal is the single most common source of spring arguments in this trade.