Boat & RV Detailing
Boat & RV Detailing Cost in 2026: $400–$1,600
Marine and RV work is priced per foot, not per vehicle, and it runs on a completely different seasonal clock than car detailing — which makes it the cleanest way to fill a slow quarter. Oxidation removal on gelcoat is the core skill; the equipment overlaps almost entirely with paint correction.
Get the Course — $39Typical price
$400–$1,600
Time on site
1–3 days depending on length
Gross margin
70–80%
Boat & RV Detailing Pricing by City (2026)
| Metro | Low | High | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $420 | $1,680 | Austin |
| Dallas, TX | $410 | $1,630 | Dallas |
| Houston, TX | $400 | $1,600 | Houston |
| Phoenix, AZ | $400 | $1,600 | Phoenix |
| Las Vegas, NV | $420 | $1,680 | Las Vegas |
| Los Angeles, CA | $540 | $2,160 | Los Angeles |
| San Diego, CA | $500 | $2,000 | San Diego |
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | $560 | $2,240 | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Seattle, WA | $460 | $1,840 | Seattle |
| Portland, OR | $440 | $1,760 | Portland |
| Denver, CO | $440 | $1,760 | Denver |
| Chicago, IL | $440 | $1,760 | Chicago |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN | $420 | $1,680 | Minneapolis–St. Paul |
| Boston, MA | $500 | $2,000 | Boston |
| New York, NY | $560 | $2,240 | New York |
| Atlanta, GA | $420 | $1,680 | Atlanta |
| Miami, FL | $460 | $1,840 | Miami |
| Orlando, FL | $400 | $1,600 | Orlando |
| Charlotte, NC | $400 | $1,600 | Charlotte |
| Nashville, TN | $420 | $1,680 | Nashville |
| San Antonio, TX | $390 | $1,550 | San Antonio |
| Philadelphia, PA | $420 | $1,680 | Philadelphia |
| Washington, DC | $460 | $1,840 | Washington |
| Tampa, FL | $400 | $1,600 | Tampa |
| Jacksonville, FL | $380 | $1,520 | Jacksonville |
| San Jose, CA | $520 | $2,080 | San Jose |
| Sacramento, CA | $420 | $1,680 | Sacramento |
| Riverside, CA | $380 | $1,520 | Riverside |
| Columbus, OH | $380 | $1,520 | Columbus |
| Indianapolis, IN | $370 | $1,470 | Indianapolis |
| Cleveland, OH | $370 | $1,470 | Cleveland |
| Cincinnati, OH | $380 | $1,520 | Cincinnati |
| Kansas City, MO | $380 | $1,520 | Kansas City |
| St. Louis, MO | $370 | $1,490 | St. Louis |
| Detroit, MI | $380 | $1,520 | Detroit |
| Milwaukee, WI | $370 | $1,470 | Milwaukee |
| Baltimore, MD | $400 | $1,600 | Baltimore |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $370 | $1,490 | Pittsburgh |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $400 | $1,600 | Salt Lake City |
| Tucson, AZ | $370 | $1,470 | Tucson |
| Albuquerque, NM | $360 | $1,440 | Albuquerque |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $360 | $1,440 | Oklahoma City |
| Memphis, TN | $360 | $1,440 | Memphis |
| New Orleans, LA | $380 | $1,520 | New Orleans |
| Birmingham, AL | $360 | $1,440 | Birmingham |
| Louisville, KY | $370 | $1,470 | Louisville |
| Raleigh, NC | $400 | $1,600 | Raleigh |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $390 | $1,550 | Virginia Beach |
| Richmond, VA | $380 | $1,520 | Richmond |
| Boise, ID | $390 | $1,550 | Boise |
What the Job Actually Involves
- 1Measure length overall and quote per foot ($18–$32/ft for boats, $22–$40/ft for RVs)
- 2Wash with a marine-safe soap and remove waterline scum with an acid-based hull cleaner
- 3Compound oxidized gelcoat with a rotary and wool pad
- 4Polish and seal or ceramic-coat the gelcoat
- 5Clean and condition vinyl seating, treat canvas separately
- 6Detail the interior cabin as a standard interior job
What's Included
- Full exterior wash and hull cleaning
- Oxidation removal and gelcoat compounding
- Marine-grade sealant or coating
- Vinyl clean and condition
- Interior cabin detail
Profitable Add-Ons
- Ceramic coating on gelcoat+$18–$28/ft
- Canvas and isinglass restoration+$150–$400
- Bottom paint prep+$12–$22/ft
- Winterization detail package+$250–$600
Margin Killers to Avoid
- ✕Quoting per hour instead of per foot
- ✕Treating gelcoat like clear coat — it needs far more cut
- ✕No marina insurance endorsement (most marinas require a COI on file)
- ✕Ignoring RV owners in the off-season; they store and detail in winter
Sell Boat & RV Detailing at the top of the range
The complete Mobile Detailing Academy course covers pricing menus, intake forms, and the scripts that hold your number. $39 one-time.
Get the Course — $39