Pricing

route66detail

route66detail

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So we started our business with the intent of primarily detailing RVs and boats. Were doing boats, RVs, bikes and cars which is great. Given the season is cooling off for boating and RVing here in north Florida, I'm happy with the calls were getting. Lots of cars/Suvs etc...

How much in your opinion should I be charging.

We detail interior (thorough with toothbrushes, toothpicks, long q tips, dressing dash etc, vacuuming.....) I mean.. Everything my eyes can see gets done.

Exterior gets washed and waxed. I'm not Clay baring YET but applying one step cleaner wax by hand or with a DA polisher.

I don't want to rip MYSELF off and get jaded by giving away my time so... I just need some opinions and advice. I know there are guys that use formulas to come up with rates hourly etc... Im just asking for off the cuff ideas.
Cars, trucks, SUVs, big SUVs......

I'm certain I'm charging to little for what we provide.

Rob
 
Pricing is all dependent on what the area can sustain. I can tell you what i charge in my area, but that doesnt mean that is a good price for your market
 
Florida sucks tryin to get what northern guys get as far as pricing,there is a threshold here in Florida ,and who is we are there 2 working owners if so at the minimum should be making 280 a day or more .If your getting a lot of calls it could be that you are doing awesome work for less you don't want to go down that road,it's a good fast way to market your selves but now is the time to bump up the prices cause your in demand.Boats and rv are big and faded in most cases,don't sell your self short with having to mouths to feed if they don't wanna pay move on,I work by myself and have a little wiggle room when I'm pricing a boat or rv I try to aim at 280 a day if not I bring it down to 250 that's it no lower,with 2 people it's kinda hard to make a profit.
 
refreshauto said:
Pricing is all dependent on what the area can sustain. I can tell you what i charge in my area, but that doesnt mean that is a good price for your market
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I live right smack in the middle of the 3 wealthiest counties in FL.
 
Ya those people are the worst,picky and cheap .The best customer base is 45 to 60 middle income people that appreciate the hustle and tip as well.Cant rely on young people 30 to 40 they will have a little money in their pocket on a fri by mon there broke,I don't mess around with the young people.Now in Florida you get the 65 to 70 their very loyal and do their cars like clock work,are you gonna get a 500 paint correction more than likely no.But a majority of them drive a nice new car,and there not slobs I can charge 80 to 95 for a simple wash and wax,and before they leave to go back north they get it done again.And those type of people will tell there friends ,cause they all click together.
 
Your prices shouldnt matter what the local demographics income is.

You should figure out how much it costs you to clean the car per hour and then make a profit on that.

Basic business stuff. You have to be able to keep the doors open and eat and clothe your family.
 
Very hard to do with a state that is on 80 percent government assistance.This isn't New York .People here average income is 30k there not gonna use half of there paycheck to detail a car,I target business owners doctors lawyers real estate developers and seniors to a extent.
 
i charge anywhere from 175 for a basic but thorough detail, or as much as 400 if they want paint sealant, tire sealant, glass sealant, leather conditioner.

i have a father/son having me do their 2 work trucks, corvette, cts V, and 5th wheel camper. just shy of 1800$ and i have already done the other son's car and mothers car. i dont have set prices, i flex prices around what my customer wants done and what they're looking to spend.
 
You guys rule. Thanks for your help. dcjredline, I have to agree with you there. I like the "getting paid what your work is worth" approach.
 
GSKR said:
Cant rely on young people 30 to 40 they will have a little money in their pocket on a fri by mon there broke,I don't mess around with the young people..
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Ummmm, what? :/ I'm 35, self employed. So I guess being 35 I'm broke? Most of your posts here are very hard to read and or understand but this one is just ridiculous.

Age has nothing to do with what that person makes. SMH!

To the op, I agree with the others. Pricing is market dependant. What i got for photographing weddings in Wisconsin is much different than I get here in Arizona.
 
Look up fetish detailing the guy's name is Darren,has the same problem with age gender.A majority of young people don't appreciate your time and will not take care of car,This is a impulse buy for young people,I can't tell you how many jobs I booked on a Friday and scheduled for Monday and there broke by Monday . A big portion of young people are irresponsible with there money is what I'm implying.
 
GSKR said:
Look up fetish detailing the guy's name is Darren,has the same problem with age gender.A majority of young people don't appreciate your time and will not take care of car,This is a impulse buy for young people,I can't tell you how many jobs I booked on a Friday and scheduled for Monday and there broke by Monday . A big portion of young people are irresponsible with there money is what I'm implying.
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i'm almost 28, and i've only had 3 cancelations, all 3 were people 27-28 years old. so i agree
 
StangFan25 said:
Ummmm, what? :/ I'm 35, self employed. So I guess being 35 I'm broke? Most of your posts here are very hard to read and or understand but this one is just ridiculous.

Age has nothing to do with what that person makes. SMH!

To the op, I agree with the others. Pricing is market dependant. What i got for photographing weddings in Wisconsin is much different than I get here in Arizona.
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Agreed. Just years ago at 39 I was doing 100K. But anyway.... There are many factors huh? Demographics of area, your work quality etc... This much is true... I WILL be asking for more based on my work and what my area can draw. I mean, living near the headquarters of PGA has got to mean something towards my advantage huh?
 
You can cut grass or can groom the lawn.Anyone can cut grass but just a few know how to groom a lawn. I am a hobbyist detailer and know more than most car wash detailing old school types from just reading and watching AGO youtube.Keep educating yourself and stay receptive to new and efficient methods and you will become the local expert who can charge more than others. I am 50 years old and always hear old school types telling me what I can't do because their brain won't allow them to believe things change (improve). Keep informed with all the latest methods, go to detailing events,seminars and bootcamps from industry experts and most important don't get stuck telling people that you have been doing this for X years and that you have done it all and seen it all. Tomorrow is always a new chance to learn some new better way.You are the only person who can decide how much you will earn for your specialty. Would you expect Mike Phillips to groom your car for a standard fee?
 
wing commander said:
..... and most important don't get stuck telling people that you have been doing this for X years and that you have done it all and seen it all.
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Amen! Couldn't agree more. Usually the ones babbling how long they've been doing it are just blowing smoke.
 
wing commander said:
You can cut grass or can groom the lawn.Anyone can cut grass but just a few know how to groom a lawn. I am a hobbyist detailer and know more than most car wash detailing old school types from just reading and watching AGO youtube.Keep educating yourself and stay receptive to new and efficient methods and you will become the local expert who can charge more than others. I am 50 years old and always hear old school types telling me what I can't do because their brain won't allow them to believe things change (improve). Keep informed with all the latest methods, go to detailing events,seminars and bootcamps from industry experts and most important don't get stuck telling people that you have been doing this for X years and that you have done it all and seen it all. Tomorrow is always a new chance to learn some new better way.You are the only person who can decide how much you will earn for your specialty. Would you expect Mike Phillips to groom your car for a standard fee?
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Thanks wingcommander. I appreciate that input. I agree with that. I will remain open minded regardless. For me... that arrogant mentality got me out of manufacturing fighter aircraft and commiting to detailing. I worked aside SO MANY seasoned aircaftcraft guys, NASA guys, etc... that thought that because they had x amount of years in Aviation or aerospace... that they were above the rest. Well... Nah. Not so AT ALL. I won't elaborate as to what shortcuts and mistakes "seasoned" techs make with AIRCRAFT... Let's just say that after years of manufacturing aircraft myself, I came to realize that even the tough guys that claim to have such abundant experience and talk such smack are hacks too! I just believe that my willingness to pay attention to detail, remain humble and keep learning will serve me well.
 
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