FAQ

Answers to common questions about scheduling, rates, service, estimates, and Work Authorizations. Your job-specific written authorization controls if it differs from this general information.

What marine electrical services do you provide?

Current Marine Electrical provides mobile troubleshooting, repairs, installations, upgrades, inspections, and system documentation. Typical work includes AC and DC systems, shore power, batteries, charging systems, inverters and inverter/chargers, solar, alternators, grounding and bonding, generators, monitoring, and marine electronics.

What areas do you serve?

Service is available throughout Southern California, including Long Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Huntington Harbour, Newport Beach, Catalina Island, San Diego, boat yards, and suitable private work locations. Availability and travel charges depend on the job and vessel location.

What are your labor and travel rates?

The current labor rate is $150 per hour with a two-hour minimum of $300. Billable travel is $75 per hour when applicable. Your written Work Authorization will show the rates, anticipated travel, pricing method, and authorized maximum for the specific job. The signed job document controls if rates later change.

Will I receive an estimate before work begins?

Yes. Before authorized work begins, CME prepares a job-specific Work Authorization identifying the vessel, scope of work, exclusions, pricing or time-and-materials basis, rates, anticipated travel, payment terms, and an authorized maximum. Some diagnostic or inspection work may be authorized as its own job because the final repair cannot be determined until testing is completed.

How does the Work Authorization process work?

Select Start Work Authorization and enter your contact and vessel information. CME then completes the proposed scope, pricing, rates, and terms. You receive a private link to review the completed agreement and sign electronically before work begins.

What happens if additional work is needed?

CME will stop and obtain separate approval before materially changing the authorized scope or exceeding the authorized maximum. You may approve a revised written authorization or decline the additional work. Authorized work already completed remains payable.

Do I need DocuSign or a special app?

No. The authorization works in a normal web browser on a phone, tablet, or computer. No DocuSign account or separate app is required. You can review the terms, sign electronically, and save or print the completed record.

What payment methods do you accept?

Payment arrangements are stated in the job-specific authorization. CME may accept Zelle, check, cash, debit, prepaid card, or credit card as agreed. Credit-card payments may carry a 3% processing surcharge where legally permitted and allowed by processor and card-network rules. Any surcharge will be disclosed before payment. CME does not add that surcharge to cash, check, Zelle, debit, or prepaid-card payments.

Why is travel billed separately?

CME is a mobile marine electrical service. Travel time can vary substantially by marina, traffic, ferry access, boat yard, parking, and job location. Billing travel separately keeps the labor rate tied to technical work and allows the actual job location to be shown clearly in the authorization.

Can you troubleshoot remotely?

Yes, some problems can be reviewed through a scheduled remote consultation using photos, videos, equipment model numbers, diagrams, measurements, and live testing. Remote troubleshooting cannot replace hands-on inspection when safety, wiring condition, access, or accurate electrical measurements require an onboard visit.

What should I have ready before contacting you?

Please provide the vessel name, make and model, marina or location, slip or access details, a clear description of the problem, equipment brand and model numbers, relevant photos, and any recent changes or prior repairs. Do not work on energized equipment or take unsafe measurements solely to gather information.

Are you insured?

Yes. Current Marine Electrical maintains marine general liability and watercraft repairers liability insurance. A certificate of insurance can be provided when reasonably required by a marina, boatyard, or vessel owner. Coverage is subject to the policy’s applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Do you offer same-day or emergency service?

Emergency and after-hours service—including weekends, holidays, and same-day emergency callouts—is billed at $250 per hour with a two-hour minimum of $500. Availability is not guaranteed and depends on location, access, existing commitments, and the nature of the problem. Call or text 562-850-3690 with the vessel location and a short description of the issue.

How do I get started?

Call or text 562-850-3690 for a free 15-minute consultation, or use the Work Authorization page to submit your contact and vessel information.