Just need some input on my pricing/packages

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98LowRanger

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I know pricing is very subjective to location, but I just wanted to get some opinions on my packages and pricing. I am starting this as a little side business for now and not offering any major paint correction. Trying to keep the prices fairly low due to being unestablished and working out of my home (don't want to be mobile and would rather not pick customers vehicles up). I am using very good quality products though (Meguiars Detailer line, Surf City, 1Z, Poorboys, and Chemical Guys).


Basic Wash
This detail is very basic and exterior ONLY. Intended for someone who just needs a quick job. Typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $35
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $45
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Wheels and tires cleaned
3) Tires dressed
4) Door jams wiped
5) Windows cleaned


Interior Only
 Just as the name implies, this package is for interior only. Typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.
Standard Size cars/small trucks - $45
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $65
1) Thorough vacuum of mats, seats, and floors
2) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
3) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
4) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents, etc.)
5) Apply UV protectant
6) Clean headliner (if needed)
7) Clean windows inside and outside
8) Deoderize interior

Bronze Detail
 A light detail to maintain the aappearance and protection applied after a Silver detail, or on an already well taken care of car. Typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $50
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $75
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Polymer enhancer/spray wax applied
3) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
4) Door Jambs wiped down
5) Thorough wheel cleaning
6) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
7) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
8) Dust interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)


 Silver Detail
A premium level detail service that will greatly enhance your cars appearance. Typically takes 6-8 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $80
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $100
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Deep paint decontamination
3) One stage machine polish to correct light paint defects as well as clean & protect
4) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
5) Door Jambs wiped down
6) Thorough wheel cleaning
7) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
8) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
9) Standard wipe down of interior cabin

Gold Detail
For those looking for a very thorough and complete detail. Typically takes 8-10 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size Car/small truck - $120
SUV's, Minivans, Large trucks - $140
1) Engine bay clean and dress
2) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
3) Deep paint decontamination
4) All in one polishing to correct light paint defects as well as clean & protect
5) Gloss enhancer and sealant applied to finish
6) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
7) Door Jambs wiped down
8) Thorough wheel cleaning
9) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
10) Thorough vacuum of mats/seats and floors
11) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
12) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)
13) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
14) Clean headliner (if needed)
15) Dress exterior trim
16) Polish all chrome


**Headlight Restoration can be added to any detailing package for $30 per light. Typically adds 1-4 hours depending on sevarity of oxidation and number of lights needing to be addressed.

**Engine bay clean and dress can be added to any detailing package for $15 extra. Typically adds 30 minutes-1 hour.

**Sticker/pin stripe removal can be added to any detailing package for $5-$40 extra depending on the amount wanted removed. Can add 5 minutes to 2 hours to the work time.
 
You need to bring your prices up, seems like your hourly rate is $15 an hour. Which is even less when you consider the use of your own product, labor and wear and tear on equipment. Hope this helps!
 
I don't know where you are located, but for my area that pricing is just about spot on. Might want to leave out how long it will take at least until your established.
 
kjn said:
You need to bring your prices up, seems like your hourly rate is $15 an hour. Which is even less when you consider the use of your own product, labor and wear and tear on equipment. Hope this helps!
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Agreed. If your gold detail for an SUV took 10 hours that would be $14 per hour. I would think $20 per hour would be the bare minimum for you to accept.
 
I'm not a pro, so I can only come at you from the perspective of a customer that lives in the Charlotte, NC market.

I think your starting prices are very good seeing as how you are just starting--although I'd take a look at your Silver/Gold detail packages. I think your pricing should be higher for those. Consider that you're adding paint decon and a machine polish (which is labor intensive). I'd start your Silver detail at (at least) $100 and up your Gold price relative to that.

Quick Question: I didn't see a separate protection step in your Silver Detail, is that a typo or is your machine polish an AIO?
 
I would add headliner cleaning as an add on and make sure you know how to clean them.

The headlight restoration would be need to be increased to $100 at least.

Engine cleaning I would do as an add on for $50

You need to rethink your cost per hour. 10 hours for only $140 you need to increase that price and all the prices for that matter.
 
Agreed on increasing prices. Also, I would put the AIO polish in the silver detail and put the dedicated polish and separate sealant in the gold package.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I've been posting up my prices recently and having AG members critique them and they've been telling me to raise mine... even STILL after I revised them and raised them a bit.


But I can definitely tell you, like most others in here have agreed on, to raise your prices bud.
 
Niko Molina said:
I've been posting up my prices recently and having AG members critique them and they've been telling me to raise mine... even STILL after I revised them and raised them a bit.


But I can definitely tell you, like most others in here have agreed on, to raise your prices bud.
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Niko, the problem is when some detailers work for pennies and others price jobs at the price point they think they merit, consumers tend to pick the cheaper option figuring a detail is a detail. Of course consideration has to be taken for geographic conditions and different demographics, but if there were a more solid baseline it would be easier for detailers to earn the money they deserve from the work they do. Most of us aren't doing production work and don't have huge volume shops so doing a "full detail" for 80 bucks just won't cut it for us.

Personally, I detail part time and I have a solid full time job that pays my bills. I get people all the time telling me that the other guys will do the job cheaper and want me to beat their price. If I had to detail to keep a roof over my head then I would end up in a price war with these guys just so I could get cars in the shop. I can't and won't compete with these types of shops for these types of clients. If the quality of their work was anywhere near that of mine it would be a different story. So I focus on the clients who know the value of higher caliber detailers why my prices are substantially more than the production shops.

So the reason people keep saying to raise your prices is because if you are going to do the higher quality work, the price you charge should reflect that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I think your pricing is very low. But I live in South Florida, which is a ridiculously expensive market. I also think if you are taking 1-3 hours to do a basic exterior wash only, you need to work on your technique. My personal car, which gets absolutely pampered, takes me 30 minutes max to wash (and this using a foam cannon and an electric blower for drying).

Everything else...well, if you can live on that, than so be it. We can't help you with price. A lot of things we don't know: your overhead, your cost of operation, your mortgage, your car payment, how much you need to survive. Don't price your work based on market. Consider it, but don't do it based solely on this. You need to analyze what your costs are and adjust accordingly.
 
Interior cleaning is the hardest work and you need to get paid for it. Mine starts at $160 you need to get paid. For headliner I don't charge extra only takes a few min to clean. Like most people said bring your prices up. Take a look at my pricing to get an idea.
 
Gearhead said:
I don't know where you are located, but for my area that pricing is just about spot on. Might want to leave out how long it will take at least until your established.
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I'm located in the Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem) area of North Carolina. I kind of want to leave the time frame to be up front with customers so they can plan around it. I went a little high on them because it's always better to finish early rather then late.


CDot said:
--although I'd take a look at your Silver/Gold detail packages. I think your pricing should be higher for those. Consider that you're adding paint decon and a machine polish (which is labor intensive). I'd start your Silver detail at (at least) $100 and up your Gold price relative to that.

Quick Question: I didn't see a separate protection step in your Silver Detail, is that a typo or is your machine polish an AIO?
Click to expand...


I guess I am afraid that once I cross over the $100 limit it will scare people away, but when I look at it your right. Even the Silver package is quite a bit of work and should probably be raised a little. Both Silver and Gold packages I am using a AIO polish (just probably a little bit cheaper one for the Silver package). Thanks for drawing my attention to that as I should probably clear that up.

Evan.J said:
I would add headliner cleaning as an add on and make sure you know how to clean them.

The headlight restoration would be need to be increased to $100 at least.

Engine cleaning I would do as an add on for $50

You need to rethink your cost per hour. 10 hours for only $140 you need to increase that price and all the prices for that matter.
Click to expand...

I didn't think the headliner would be that much different, but I will research it before I list that included in the package...thanks for the heads up.

Headlight restorations around here are $15-$50 tops so I thought my price was right in line. The engine bay isn't very time consuming and only takes really 2 different chemicals so I raised it to $20 and I think that is fair.
 
Thanks for all the replies and input guys. I'm giving it a lot of consideration. I guess I was just ok with only making $15 a hour, but I understand the points you guys make. I'm worried that since I am the new guy on the block I have a lot to prove and can't charge up there with the "pros". I feel pretty confident in my abilities, but I still feel like I have some things to learn which is another reason for my low prices/shorting myself. I don't think a customer will feel as bad if I don't do the job of a "pro" with 15 years detailing experience if they only paid $75. When someone pays $170, it's a different story.
 
ekennett said:
Niko, the problem is when some detailers work for pennies and others price jobs at the price point they think they merit, consumers tend to pick the cheaper option figuring a detail is a detail. Of course consideration has to be taken for geographic conditions and different demographics, but if there were a more solid baseline it would be easier for detailers to earn the money they deserve from the work they do. Most of us aren't doing production work and don't have huge volume shops so doing a "full detail" for 80 bucks just won't cut it for us.

Personally, I detail part time and I have a solid full time job that pays my bills. I get people all the time telling me that the other guys will do the job cheaper and want me to beat their price. If I had to detail to keep a roof over my head then I would end up in a price war with these guys just so I could get cars in the shop. I can't and won't compete with these types of shops for these types of clients. If the quality of their work was anywhere near that of mine it would be a different story. So I focus on the clients who know the value of higher caliber detailers why my prices are substantially more than the production shops.

So the reason people keep saying to raise your prices is because if you are going to do the higher quality work, the price you charge should reflect that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Of course. I wasn't saying it as if I was annoyed, not at all. I take in the criticism and go from there and adjust. I was just trying to put it into perspective for OP on why he should raise his prices.
 
I increased a few of the prices. I realized that the interior was pretty cheap and I may get some really nasty cars to work on.

Basic Wash (Unchanged, need a cheap option)
This detail is very basic and exterior ONLY. Intended for someone who just needs a quick job. Typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $35
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $45
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Wheels and tires cleaned
3) Tires dressed
4) Door jams wiped
5) Windows cleaned


Interior Only (new prices in red)
Just as the name implies, this package is for interior only. Typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.
Standard Size cars/small trucks - $45 $60
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $65 $80
1) Thorough vacuum of mats, seats, and floors
2) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
3) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
4) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents, etc.)
5) Apply UV protectant
6) Clean headliner (if needed)
7) Clean windows inside and outside
8) Deoderize interior

Bronze Detail (no machine polishing or thorough interior cleaning makes me feel that these prices are fair)
A light detail to maintain the aappearance and protection applied after a Silver detail, or on an already well taken care of car. Typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $50
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $75
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Polymer enhancer/spray wax applied
3) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
4) Door Jambs wiped down
5) Thorough wheel cleaning
6) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
7) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
8) Dust interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)


Silver Detail (new prices in red)
A premium level detail service that will greatly enhance your cars appearance. Typically takes 6-8 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size cars/small trucks - $80 $85
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $100 $110
1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
2) Deep paint decontamination
3) One stage machine polish to correct light paint defects as well as clean & protect
4) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
5) Door Jambs wiped down
6) Thorough wheel cleaning
7) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
8) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
9) Standard wipe down of interior cabin

Gold Detail (new prices in red)
For those looking for a very thorough and complete detail. Typically takes 8-10 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
Standard size Car/small truck - $120 $130
SUV's, Minivans, Large trucks - $140 $150
1) Engine bay clean and dress
2) Exterior hand wash with premium soap and hand dried
3) Deep paint decontamination
4) All in one polishing to correct light paint defects as well as clean & protect
5) Gloss enhancer and sealant applied to finish
6) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
7) Door Jambs wiped down
8) Thorough wheel cleaning
9) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
10) Thorough vacuum of mats/seats and floors
11) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
12) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)
13) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
14) Clean headliner (if needed)
15) Dress exterior trim
16) Polish all chrome


**Headlight Restoration can be added to any detailing package for $30 per light. Typically adds 1-4 hours depending on sevarity of oxidation and number of lights needing to be addressed. (Increased to $40 per light)

**Engine bay clean and dress can be added to any detailing package for $15 extra. Typically adds 30 minutes-1 hour. (increased to $20)

**Sticker/pin stripe removal can be added to any detailing package for $5-$40 extra depending on the amount wanted removed. Can add 5 minutes to 2 hours to the work time.[/QUOTE]
 
Here is my latest and hopefully LAST rendition of my service menu with prices. I have quite a few people asking for a price sheet and I'm about to get my website finished so I've been really making sure this is the final draft. Let me know what you guys think!

​
Basic Wash
This detail is very basic and exterior ONLY. Intended for someone who just needs a basic exterior cleaning, yet more thorough (and safer on the paint) then your car washes. Typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.

Standard size cars/small trucks - $35
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $45


1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap, 2 bucket method, and hand dried
2) Wheels and tires thoroughly cleaned
3) Tires dressed
4) Door jams wiped
5) Windows cleaned


Interior Only
 Just as the name implies, this package is for interior ONLY. Typically takes 2-4 hours depending on the vehicle size and condition.

Standard Size cars/small trucks - $60
SUV's, Minivans, Large Trucks - $80


1) Thorough vacuum of mats, seats, and floors including trunk/hatch
2) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
3) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
4) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents, etc.)
5) Apply UV protectant
6) Clean headliner (if needed)
7) Clean windows inside and outside
8) Deodorize interior

Maintenance Detail
 A light detail to maintain the appearance and protection applied after a Silver detail, or on an already well taken care of vehicle. Typically takes 3-5 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.

Standard size cars/small trucks - $60
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $80

1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap, 2 bucket method, and hand dried
2) Polymer enhancer/spray wax applied (adds gloss and 1-2 months of protection)
3) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
4) Door Jambs wiped down
5) Thorough wheel cleaning
6) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
7) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
8) Dust interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)

Basic Detail
 A premium level detail service that will greatly enhance your cars appearance. Typically takes 6-8 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.
　
Standard size cars/small trucks - $110
SUV's, Minivans, Large Pickups - $130

1) Exterior hand wash with premium soap, 2 bucket method, and hand dried
2) Deep paint decontamination
3) One stage machine polish to correct light paint defects (scratches, oxidation, and swirls) as well as restore paint gloss, clarity, & protection for 2+ months
4) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
5) Door Jambs wiped down
6) Thorough wheel cleaning
7) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
8) Standard vacuum of mats/seats and floors
9) Standard wipe down of interior cabin

Premium Detail
For those looking for a very thorough and complete detail. Typically takes 8-10 hours depending on the size and condition of vehicle.

Standard size Car/small truck - $160
SUV's, Minivans, Large trucks - $180

1) Engine bay cleaned and dressed including underside of hood
2) Exterior hand wash with premium soap. 2 bucket method, and hand dried
3) Deep paint decontamination
4) One stage machine polish to correct light paint defects (scratches, oxidation, and swirls) as well as restore paint gloss, clarity, & protect
5) Gloss enhancer and sealant applied to finish to give paint 6+ months of protection
6) Exterior & Interior glass cleaned
7) Door Jambs deep cleaned
8) Thorough wheel cleaning
9) Tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed
10) Thorough vacuum of mats/seats and floors (all the nooks and crannies)
11) Shampoo and spot removal on carpet/floor mats
12) Thorough cleaning of interior cabin (dash, interior trim, door panels, vents etc.)
13) Thorough cleaning and conditioning on leather seats
14) Clean headliner (if needed)
15) Dress exterior trim
16) Polish all chrome (trim, bumpers, exhaust tips)


**Headlight Restoration can be added to any detailing package for $40 per light. Typically adds 1-4 hours depending on severity of oxidation and number of lights needing to be addressed.
**Engine bay clean and dress can be added to any detailing package for $20 extra. Typically adds 30 minutes-1 hour. Included in Gold package.
**Sticker/pin stripe removal can be added to any detailing package for $5-$40 extra depending on the amount wanted removed. Can add 5 minutes to 2 hours to the work time.
 
Niko Molina said:
^^^^^8-10 hours for $160-$180



Higher... much, much, much higher....
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I do appreciate your input, but not sure if I can do that. I don't have my name out there yet and in my area it seems like it is hard enough to get people to go for a $80 detail, much less a $160 one.


I just put in nearly 12 hours on a 2004 Jaguar S Type for $150. I honestly don't mind if my per an hour rate is below $15. I do try to at least keep it at $9 a hour though. I realize that a big part of it is my own fault. I am not as fast as I could or should be due to only being in business for 4 weeks. I am still learning techniques and getting a system down.
 
98LowRanger said:
I do appreciate your input, but not sure if I can do that. I don't have my name out there yet and in my area it seems like it is hard enough to get people to go for a $80 detail, much less a $160 one.


I just put in nearly 12 hours on a 2004 Jaguar S Type for $150. I honestly don't mind if my per an hour rate is below $15. I do try to at least keep it at $9 a hour though. I realize that a big part of it is my own fault. I am not as fast as I could or should be due to only being in business for 4 weeks. I am still learning techniques and getting a system down.
Click to expand...

It's ok everyone starts at the bottom. To speed things up there are a few things you can do. I'll list some that help me.

1. Organization: keep things very well organized. Keep what ever you keep your supplies in organized at all times. If you take something out put it back when you're done. This will shave off time when you're done.

2. Clean interior first: Most of us can agree that the interior isn't the fun part. During the warmer months temps can soar thus making the interior even hotter. When it's hot your body starts to slow down. So imagine working your butt off for 6+ hours while it's 90 out and then having to spen another hour or so working on the even hotter more humid interior. The odds of losing motivation and slowing down increase. Also, cleaning glass is harder in the heat.

3. Products: Certain products work better then others. Iron X on the wheels or something similar reduce the need to scrub so to speak. Megs D151 is a great AIO. Collinite 845 is a great wax. These products as well as others work great and quick which will shave off time.

There are plenty of little things you can do to speed up the time without sacrificing quality. Like doing multiple things at once. The longer you do this line of work you will pick up things here and there.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using AG Online
 
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