Overview
Antifouling is sold by the metre, and the timing in the season is the line that decides whether the paint actually works
Antifouling specialists apply the toxic paint that stops marine growth (barnacles, weed, slime) from colonising a boat's hull below the waterline. The work is part haul-out (every boat in the water has to come out for the job), part preparation (washing the existing antifouling, sanding back blistering, primer where the existing layer is failing), part application (one to three coats of antifouling paint), and part timing (apply too early in the season and the active ingredients leach before the boat goes in; apply too late and the contractor's diary is fully booked). A flat 'antifouling, $40/metre' quote without naming the paint brand, the coat count, and the prep work misses the durability conversation.
QuoteGenio gives antifouling contractors a quoting shape built for the seasonal trade. Haul-out and pressure-wash as the first line, sanding and prep labour, primer where the existing antifouling has failed, antifouling paint by brand (International, Hempel, Jotun, Seajet) and litre, application labour by coat, waterline tape and finish detail, and a launch-day relaunch into the marina. Send via WhatsApp from the yard with photos of the existing hull, take a deposit on the paint order, raise progress invoices through prep and application, and the final invoice closes with the boat back in the water and a paint specification card for the owner's next service.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of antifouling business, from mobile weekend applicators to full refinish yards.
The problem
The quoting headaches every antifouling crew knows
Owners want a price per hull metre before the boat comes out the water. A messy quote that hides the haul-out and prep loses the job to the yard that breaks it out clearly.
Quotes written between haul-outs
You're pricing paint, checking the slipway diary, and scoping a keel prep at the same time. The prep hours always get undercooked.
Hand-written tickets look cheap
A scribbled price on a delivery note makes a $ 4,200 antifoul job feel like a weekend favour, not a professional coating.
Slow quotes lose the slipway slot
If the owner waits two days for a price, the slipway booking is already gone to the applicator who quoted same morning.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A clean workflow for antifouling work. Quote haul-out, prep, primer, and paint per metre in one place, send a link, and get written approval before the boat comes out.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for hull coating
Line items for haul-out, hardstand, pressure wash, scrape, sand, primer, and antifouling paint. Structured the way applicators actually scope a hull.
Works from the hardstand
Quote from beside the keel. No need to walk back to the office to price a hull you are already measuring.
Quote in under 2 minutes
Build templates for ablative, hard, and self-polishing systems so each new hull quote is three taps away.
Track deposits and finals
Know which haul-out deposits have landed and which finals are outstanding. Chase with one tap before the next slipway booking.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how antifouling services actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Antifouling Services choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Antifouling Services build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Antifouling Services job pricing
A rough guide to what antifouling crews charge for common hull coatings. Pricing varies with paint brand (International, Hempel, Seajet), hull condition, and whether you prep over existing antifoul or strip back to gelcoat. Use these as a sanity check when building your own per-metre rate.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pressure wash and scrape (per hull metre) | $ 45 - $ 95 |
| Sand back to previous coating (per metre) | $ 55 - $ 140 |
| Primer coat (per sqm) | $ 28 - $ 55 |
| Ablative antifouling (per metre, two coats) | $ 180 - $ 340 |
| Hard antifouling (per metre, two coats) | $ 210 - $ 380 |
| Self-polishing copolymer (per metre) | $ 240 - $ 420 |
| Full antifoul package (10m yacht) | $ 2,400 - $ 4,800 |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Antifouling is almost always quoted per hull metre (LOA) or per square metre of wetted surface. A 10m yacht typically needs 8 to 12 litres of antifoul across two coats, plus haul-out, hardstand, prep, and launch. Quote these as separate lines so owners see the full coating system, not a single lump figure that looks cheap against a competitor.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use hourly pricing (typically $ 65 to $ 110 per yard hour) for prep work where the sanding and scraping hours are unknown until the paint is under the disc. Use fixed pricing for the coating itself (primer, antifoul) where the litreage per hull metre is calculable. Always quote haul-out, hardstand, and launch as fixed lines.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here's what a clean, itemised antifoul quote looks like. Every cost is visible: haul-out, hardstand, wash, sand, primer, paint, and disposal. Owners accept transparent quotes faster because they can see the coating system is a proper two-coat ablative on a fair hull, not a cheap single-coat roll.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Full antifoul, 10m cruising yacht, ablative system
Haul-out and launch (10m vessel)
Hardstand storage (3 days)
Pressure wash and scrape hull
Sand and fair to previous coating
Primer coat (International Primocon)
Ablative antifoul, two coats (Hempel Olympic)
Masking, consumables, environmental disposal
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haul-out and launch (10m vessel) | 1 | $ 520 | $ 520 |
| Hardstand storage (3 days) | 3 | $ 35.00 / day | $ 105 |
| Pressure wash and scrape hull | 10 | $ 65.00 / m | $ 650 |
| Sand and fair to previous coating | 6 | $ 85.00 / hr | $ 510 |
| Primer coat (International Primocon) | 1 | $ 285 | $ 285 |
| Ablative antifoul, two coats (Hempel Olympic) | 1 | $ 1,240 | $ 1,240 |
| Masking, consumables, environmental disposal | 1 | $ 95.00 | $ 95.00 |
| Subtotal | $ 3,405 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 341 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 3,746 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Extra hardstand days if weather delays the top coat, touch-up on keel leading edge, anode replacement, prop polishing, and launch-day splash supervision. Add these as standard lines on your antifoul templates so they stop coming out of your margin.
Peer snapshot
How Antifouling Services actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Antifouling Services on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
29
Quotes sent per month
55%
Average quote acceptance
3 min
Median time to send quote
$ 3,746
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Antifouling Service jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of antifouling applicators and yard managers. The same quoting and margin mistakes come up again and again. Fix these and your per-metre rate will actually pay the bills.
Mistake: Forgetting the haul-out and launch fees
Better: List haul-out and launch as separate lines on every antifoul quote. Owners often assume these are included in the per-metre rate. Spell them out and the invoice never surprises.
Mistake: Under-quoting the prep hours
Better: Hulls with blistered or peeling antifoul need real sanding time. Quote prep hours at your yard rate and add a note that extra hours are charged if the coating lifts further than expected.
Mistake: Not specifying the paint brand and system
Better: State the brand and product on every coating line: International Micron, Hempel Olympic, Seajet 033. This protects you on warranty and stops owners comparing apples to a cheap single-coat roll.
Mistake: Quoting ablative when the boat needs hard
Better: Match the system to the use. Trailer boats and race hulls need hard antifoul that polishes up. Cruisers in deeper water suit ablative or self-polishing. Quote the right system for the vessel, not the one the paint rep pushes.
Mistake: Verbal price for the whole package
Better: Even a quick antifoul needs a written quote with per-metre rate, coats, and primer spelled out. WhatsApp a quote in 60 seconds so there is no dispute when the owner sees the bill.
Mistake: No allowance for extra hardstand days
Better: Weather, humidity, and overcoat windows can stretch a 3 day job to 5. Add a daily hardstand line with planned days and a note that extra days are charged at the standing rate.
Mistake: No expiry on the quote
Better: Set a 14 or 30 day validity. Antifoul paint prices move with supplier stock and exchange rates, and a two-month-old quote can wipe your margin overnight.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote antifouling jobs
Get eyes on the hull before you price beyond a ballpark per-metre rate. Note the length overall, beam, draft, and current coating condition. A hull with peeling or blistered antifoul needs a full strip and primer, not a quick scuff and recoat. Check the keel, rudder, and waterline for heavy fouling or previous repairs, and look for signs of osmosis before you commit to a primer spec. For repeat customers where you know the hull history, a short call is enough to confirm brand and litreage. For new boats, always walk the hull on a slipway or stand before you send a price.
Itemise haul-out, hardstand per day, pressure wash, sanding, primer, antifoul, and disposal as separate lines. Quote haul-out and launch as fixed fees, hardstand at a daily rate with planned days, and the coating itself at your published per-hull-metre rate. Spell out the brand and product on every coating line (International Micron, Hempel Olympic, Seajet 033) and specify the number of coats. Break prep into hours at your yard rate so owners see why a rough hull costs more than a fair one. Include masking, consumables, and environmental disposal as their own line to protect your margin on tape, thinners, and tin waste.
Set a 14 to 30 day validity on every antifoul quote. Paint pricing moves with supplier stock and exchange rates, and a slipway slot booked today for work in six weeks can easily shift. State clearly whether the price is tax inclusive or exclusive, show tax as its own line, and note your payment terms: most yards take a 40 to 50 percent deposit on haul-out day with the balance on splash. Add a clear note that extra hardstand days are charged at the standing rate if weather or overcoat windows stretch the schedule. This one clause stops the most common invoice dispute before it starts.
Send the quote while the owner is still on the call or at the slipway. Share it as a WhatsApp link so they can read it on their phone, compare with the yard up the coast, and click accept before the slipway slot is gone. Follow up with a short message after 24 hours if you have not heard back. On jobs where prep uncovers more damage (blisters, lifted coating, soft keel) send a variation quote in writing before you keep sanding. Verbal approval from someone standing on the hardstand is not approval from the person paying the bill at the end of the week.
FAQ
Common questions from antifouling crews
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Set up a per-metre line item for your antifoul rate, enter the LOA, and the total calculates automatically. Add separate lines for haul-out, hardstand, prep, and launch.
Yes. Once the quote is ready, share it as a link via WhatsApp. The owner gets a professional branded document on their phone instantly, even standing next to the keel.
Yes. Quote prep at hourly labour and add a clear note that extra hours are charged if the coating lifts. Send a variation quote in writing before you keep sanding so there is no dispute on the final bill.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. The owner opens it on their phone and clicks accept. You get a time-stamped acceptance on file before the haul-out.
Yes. Convert any accepted quote to an invoice with one click. All line items carry over, including any extra hardstand days or variations.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Match the system to the vessel. Hard antifoul polishes up and suits trailer boats and race hulls. Ablative works well on cruisers in moderate use. Self-polishing copolymer is the longest-life option for deeper-water vessels. Quote the right system with the brand named, not just 'antifoul'.
Use your published yard rate (typically $ 65 to $ 110 per hour) for sanding and scraping. Quote hours based on the hull condition at the time of scope, and add a clear contingency note if the coating turns out worse once the sander is on.
Always state the brand and product: International Micron, Hempel Olympic, Seajet 033. It protects you on warranty, stops owners comparing to unknown bulk paint, and makes the quote defensible if an assessor is involved on an insurance-related refinish.
If you are tax registered, yes. Show tax as its own line so the owner can see it before they accept. Hiding it in the subtotal causes invoice disputes every time.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Reviews
Trusted by tradespeople
Real feedback from people who quote for a living.
"Simple pricing, no hidden fees. The free plan was enough to try it out and I upgraded within the first week. Well worth it."
André Pretorius
Tiler · Stellenbosch
"Fast, modern, and my customers love the clean look of the quotes. Perfect for small trade businesses."
Lukas Becker
Electrician · Berlin
"My clients respond faster to professional PDF quotes. Being able to send via WhatsApp means they do not need to check email. I am closing more jobs."
Sarah Wilson
Designer · London
Guides
Guides for Antifouling Services
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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