Finding an honest surveyor or mechanic — green flags, red flags, and the questions that sort them out

A good surveyor or mechanic saves you far more than they cost. A bad one costs you the boat. Here's how to tell them apart before you hand over a deposit.

Green flags worth looking for: • They work for you, not the seller or broker, and have no stake in the deal closing. • A sample written report you can actually read, with photos and clear findings — not a one-page checklist. • Accreditation or long local experience, and references you can call. • They welcome you tagging along and explaining what they find.

Red flags to walk away from: • "It's fine, don't worry about it" with no detail — vague reassurance is not an inspection. • Pressure to skip the haul-out, sea trial, or oil analysis to save time. • A mechanic who diagnoses without ever putting a meter, gauge, or scope on the problem. • Refusing to give a ballpark before starting, or a quote that swings wildly once they have your money.

Questions that sort them fast: How long on boats like this? Can I see a sample report? What does a typical job like mine run, roughly? Honest pros answer plainly; the ones to avoid get cagey.

Costs and the value of any license vary by state and region, so get a couple of quotes and compare.

Who do you trust in your area, and what tipped you off to the ones you don't?