I have some people asking me if I would detail there vehicle (wash, wax, interior, wheels, tires, the whole 9 yards). The question is how much do I charge? They tell me to give them a price, but I dont want to over price it...then again I dont wanna do it for free either. Ya kno?

Someone help me out

Thanks

 

It really just depends on your area. Find out what other places charge and go from there. I try to get at least $50 an hour. You might want to start out cheaper and build up a good reputation and then you can raise your prices from there. Just make sure you do the best possible work you can do. Word of mouth is the key to making a lot of money.

 

the top detail shop here charges $200 for their premier detail. I charge more($250-$350), but they would lose
money if they did what I do--usually takes me a "minimum" of eight hours.

Having good products is a key, but it's not about the wax, it's about the paint--I spend a good hour washing and re-washing the vehicle, clay bar, polish, wax, then top coat--also do the engine. I spent twenty years in the Army,
so attention to detail is in my nature, but the real reason I labor over the cars is I have a passion for it. Also,
when you spend all day with 200 ninth-twelvth graders, it's a great stress reliever.

Major Mike

 

Where I live there are very few detailing shops. Maybe just 1 or 2.So thats why I'm a bit skeptical about charging so much. People may think the price extremly to high just because they dont know anything about detailing --- Get what im sayin?

 

I completely understand. There are a lot of detail shops around here but not of them actually do quality work. Most just do basic wash,wax,vacuum and shampoo. They use very cheap products too.

I'm quite a bit higher on prices but known for doing better quality work. I also do machine polishing which most of the other shops don't offer. I also use high quality products.

 

Britt,

1) start with telling them how passionate you are about cars--should be evident

2) next, tell them that they should know that you're not just interested in doing this,
but that you're committed to doing it right

3) next, tell them that if all they want is an amatuer job, they can have it done somewhere for $100, but
all that they will be doing is "painting over a dirty surface", and although they might think it's
"shiny", that they have really done more harm to the finish

4) next, you can tell them you might not be the cheapest, but that you are the best--and, you'll "finish"
their car like it was your own

5) finally, make sure your actions are as strong as your words--if they are, you'll have business lining
up--I have doctors in line for my services

6) negotiate the job based upon the time spent (figure what you want an hour--don't undersell yourself)

good luck,

Major Mike

 

Pricing is based on what you are actually going to do, how much time you are going to take and what skill level and results you produce. I've seen plenty of "detailers" out there that think that just because they can wax their car, they are a detailer. Their paint process includes simply a coat of cheap cleaner wax and that's it. Since they do the minimum and without attention to detail, they charge less. You'll have to compete against them.

Price it for what you think your time is worth. This is a hobby for you and not a real job, so you can get away with charging a bit less.

 

lol i feeel stupid for saying this so im apologizing right now.

what exactly do you do when u "detail" a muatang?

 

Detailing a car involves the ultimate in "deep cleaning". You go over the car top to bottom, front to back, inside and out, making it look like new, or in many cases better than new

 

I used to run my own detail service i charged 80 for car 100 van truck suv

Wash
Wax (with machine)
dress tires
amoral wipe down interior
leather treat if they had leather
windows inside and out
vaccuum and away i went took me 1 1/2 hours for car
2 - 2 1/2 for van truck suv when booking it but still great job