Boat detailing costs $250 to $1,400 per detail in 2026
Boat detailing costs $250 to $1,400 per detail in 2026 for a normal wash, wax, or full detail. The Pricer lists a 20-foot boat at $300 to $900 and a 30-foot boat at $750 to $1,350. Boatzon lists $15 to $30 per foot for a wash and wax. Size matters, but the shape of the hull matters more. A faded, chalky hull needs polish, and Boatzon lists $45 to $75 per foot for that work.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| The Pricer | The Pricer lists $5 to $15 per foot for a basic wash, $20 to $45 per foot for a full detail, and $300 to $900 for a 20-foot boat. |
| Boatzon | Boatzon lists $15 to $30 per foot for a wash and wax, $250 to $400 for interior cleaning only, and $45 to $75 per foot for multi-step oxidation work. |
| CDC Detailing | CDC Detailing in New Jersey lists $625 to $1,000 for a full detail on a 25-foot boat and a $75 flat mobile service fee. |
Boat detailing cost by service and size
| Service or boat | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic exterior wash | $5 to $15 per foot | The Pricer |
| Wash and wax | $15 to $30 per foot | Boatzon |
| Full interior and exterior detail | $20 to $45 per foot | The Pricer |
| Interior cleaning only | $250 to $400 flat fee | Boatzon |
| Multi-step compound for oxidation | $45 to $75 per foot | Boatzon |
| 20-foot boat, standard detail | $300 to $900 | The Pricer |
| 25-foot boat, full detail | $625 to $1,000 | CDC Detailing (New Jersey) |
| 30-foot boat, standard detail | $750 to $1,350 | The Pricer |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Boat length | Most shops price by the foot, so a longer boat costs more. The Pricer lists $300 to $900 for 20 feet and $750 to $1,350 for 30 feet. |
| Type of service | A wash costs far less than a full detail. The Pricer has $5 to $15 per foot for a wash, $20 to $45 for a full detail. |
| Hull condition | Faded gelcoat needs polish and sometimes sanding. Boatzon lists $45 to $75 per foot for multi-step compound work and $75 to $140 per foot for wet sanding. |
| Inside work | Cleaning the cabin and seats adds cost. Boatzon lists a $250 to $400 flat fee for interior cleaning only. The Pricer lists $10 to $25 per foot. |
| Where the work is done | A shop that comes to your dock may add a trip fee. CDC Detailing, in New Jersey, lists a $75 flat mobile fee. |
What the price includes
A normal boat detail covers washing the outside and often waxing or polishing the hull. A full detail adds the inside. Most shops price by the foot. Heavy oxidation work, sanding, ceramic coating, and pontoon tube repair usually cost extra. Mobile service may add a fee. Ask each shop for a written list of what the price includes. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Boat detailing is done by marine detail shops, car detailers who also work on boats, and solo mobile workers. Most price by the foot, and some quote one flat fee for the whole boat. Boatzon lists $250 to $400 as a flat fee for interior cleaning. CDC Detailing, a New Jersey shop, adds a $75 flat fee for mobile service. Many shops want to see the boat first, because the shape of the hull changes the work. Ask for a written quote that names each service, the price per foot or the flat fee, and any trip fee. Pay after you check the work.
When you need this
Most boats need a wash and wax each season. Look for dull or chalky gelcoat, stains, mold in the cabin, or water that no longer beads on the hull. These are signs the surface needs polish or protection. The Pricer says a boat's condition, and not only its length, sets the final price. Book before the boat goes into storage or before you list it for sale.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price per foot, or one flat fee for my boat?
- Does it cover the inside, the outside, or both?
- Is wax or polish included, and how many steps?
- Are travel, hull sanding, or coating charged extra?
- Compare the total with the range above: $250 to $1,400 per detail for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get quotes from at least three shops and ask for each price in writing. Ask if the price is per foot or one flat fee for your boat.
- Wash and wax the boat on a regular schedule. The Pricer says a well kept hull may need only washing and protection, which costs far less than polishing.
- Skip add-ons you do not need. The Pricer lists ceramic coating at $40 to $125 or more per foot, so ask if a wax is enough for your boat.
- Ask for a bundle price if you want the inside and outside done together. Interior cleaning alone is $250 to $400 at Boatzon.
- Ask shops that already work at your marina. They may waive a trip fee. CDC Detailing lists a $75 flat fee for mobile service, so ask about it first.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from The Pricer, Boatzon and CDC Detailing. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to detail a 20-foot boat?
The Pricer lists $300 to $900 for a 20-foot boat. Boatzon lists about $600 to $900 for buffing and waxing a 20-foot boat. A faded hull can cost more.
How much is boat detailing per foot?
A basic wash is $5 to $15 per foot at The Pricer. A full detail is $20 to $45 per foot. Heavy polishing and restoration cost more.
How much does interior boat cleaning cost?
Boatzon lists $250 to $400 as a flat fee for interior cleaning only. The Pricer lists $10 to $25 per foot for an interior detail.
What does ceramic coating cost on a boat?
The Pricer lists ceramic coating at $40 to $125 or more per foot. That is far more than a wax. Ask the shop how long it lasts on your boat.
Why does a faded hull cost more to detail?
Faded or chalky gelcoat needs polish in several steps. Boatzon lists $45 to $75 per foot for multi-step compound work and $75 to $140 per foot for wet sanding.