Short answer
Ask whether the person doing the work is trained on your engine family or subcontracting it, what the quote includes, which parts are needed and whether they are held locally, who commissions the work afterwards, and what happens to the price if more is found. Compare quotes on scope, never on total.
You will need: Engine model and serial, hours, service history, a written description of the fault
The gap between a good marine technician and a poor one is larger than the gap between engine brands, and it costs more.
Five questions worth asking
- Who does the work? Is the person trained on your engine family, or is that part being subcontracted?
- What does the quote include? Consumables, waste oil and coolant disposal, slipway or berth time, and a sea trial afterwards.
- Which parts does it need, and where are they? Held locally or coming from interstate — this sets the real timeline, especially in WA and the north.
- Who commissions it? What the handover covers, and what is tested before you take the boat back.
- What if you find something worse? How variation is handled, and whether you are called before extra work happens.
Prepare before you call
Have the engine make, model and serial number, the hours, the date and nature of the last service, and a precise description of the fault. "It cranks but will not start after I changed the filters" is diagnosable on the phone. "It's dead" is not.
Regional reality
Lead times and specialist availability differ enormously around the country. See service by region for what to expect where you are, and DIY or mechanic for where the line sits on a given job.
We do not sell servicing, take referral fees or recommend businesses — these are the questions, not a directory.