Two quotes for the same boat can differ threefold in Dubai, and the difference is rarely dishonesty; it is scope. Reading a painting quote means knowing where the money actually goes, and the split surprises most owners: on professional work, labour and preparation dwarf the paint.
The anatomy of an antifouling job
Lift, wash and block fees come first and are yard fixed. Then preparation: a sand and two coats over sound existing antifouling is the cheap version; discovering failing layers that need stripping per our removal methods guide multiplies the labour line several times, which is why honest quotes are conditional on wash off findings. Materials, calculated properly by wetted area, are typically the smallest major line.
The anatomy of a topside respray
Gloss is bought in flatting hours. A mirror polyurethane finish means fairing, high build, and progressive sanding between coats, skilled days that dominate the price, plus containment against Gulf dust. The paint itself, again, is minor. Quotes that halve the market price have removed preparation stages, and the finish will say so within two seasons, per our gloss retention article.
Questions that expose scope gaps
Is stripping conditional or included? How many coats, at what film thickness? Are primers and tie coats itemised? Anodes, masking of transducers and running gear handled per good practice? Written coating brands and colours, so next season's compatibility questions have answers?
Where owners can genuinely save
Supplying materials directly is the honest lever: owners who buy the scheme themselves control brand, grade and quantity, and pay trade rather than marked up prices. That is precisely the arrangement we serve daily from Dubai stock.
Send the boat dimensions and job scope; MENA Industrial Supplies prices the full materials list the same day via the marine paint page.