Pricing of correction

PAR Detailing

PAR Detailing

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My question is when everyone prices out corrections, if you charge per hour how do you handle charging for all the prep (wash, clay, tape)?

For example lets say someone asks for a two step but you have to wash and clay the vehicle first do you charge your rate for washing and claying and then start recording your hours for correction?

I hope that makes sense, Im just curious as to what everyone else does
 
PAR Detailing said:
My question is when everyone prices out corrections, if you charge per hour how do you handle charging for all the prep (wash, clay, tape)?

For example lets say someone asks for a two step but you have to wash and clay the vehicle first do you charge your rate for washing and claying and then start recording your hours for correction?

I hope that makes sense, Im just curious as to what everyone else does
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My correction price starts @ $150 then I charge by the hour after that (my market doesn't allow for $75 hour standard rate). The $150 takes care of the prep and the final details (dressing, etc.) for most vehicles, and then you are safe not lose money on the correction end.

Best case made up Scenario A: Customer brings in a Geo Metro that is very clean and the multi-step correction and full detail only takes 4 hours. The $150 would obviously roll over into the "correction by the hour" price and you wouldn't have to charge full price for the 2.5 hours it took you to do the correction.

Worst case made up Scenario B: Customer brings in a hammered black 4WD Suburban covered in mud and trashed interior. Wants a full correction and detail. Here the $150 isn't even enough for the clean-up, much less the prep and any polishing. So, you take the $150, divide it by your hourly rate - and as soon as that many hours is spent cleaning up, the clock starts ticking. This customer is going to pay a lot for the work you do, but it is evidenced by the state the vehicle was in.

Follow?

DLB
 
I charge my hourly rate for everything invloved in a correction including the prep steps. I don't sell it to the customer that way since most customers don't like paying by the hour, so I give them a guesstimate up front. Usually I'm pretty accurate and if anything guess a little high and charge them less when they pick it up.
 
So then DLB, what would you guess the total charge would be on Scenario B?
 
Spicy McHaggis said:
I charge my hourly rate for everything invloved in a correction including the prep steps. I don't sell it to the customer that way since most customers don't like paying by the hour, so I give them a guesstimate up front. Usually I'm pretty accurate and if anything guess a little high and charge them less when they pick it up.
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:iagree:

Thats the way I do it also.
 
jonn127 said:
So then DLB, what would you guess the total charge would be on Scenario B?
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That depends on how many hours it took.

The only way that my "method" is any different than what Spicy said is that I start out with a flat $150, and base my hours from there. If I feel like I can't get the cleaning/finishing part finished within $150 worth of time, I adjust accordingly. All that changes is that I generally have $150 worth of time to "miss" my estimate to the customer with. Let's say the customer isn't really concerned about the outcome of the carpet, there is no need to eat up precious time you could spend buffing in that area, and now you have some more time to play with outside of your estimate on the hours it will take.

So really, your question doesn't apply to just me, it applies to anyone in the same way.

DLB
 
I usually just look at the vehicle closely in person. Then I give a "guesstimate". But I always stress that it could very well change...but I will call to let the customer know ahead of time. If anything, I'll quote higher than what is predicted. That way, you can at least charge them that much. If it's less, then they're psyched when you charge them less than quoted.

I don't care for the hourly rate. Mostly because it leaves the price up in the air. I find that most customers don't like to go into something pricey like that blindly. They feel much more comfortable knowing basically what they'll be paying...even if it's a high quote. At least hey have an idea. :xyxthumbs:
 
I charge by the job and size of the automobile, starting at $150 I have done so many that I know what time is involved and prep work large SUV's $200.00 and up
 
I charge by the job as well. I do it this way when I PW homes, decks etc...Hourly gets a bit too personal. Plumbers/ electricians will all give you their minimum and then it goes up from there.
 
DLB said:
My correction price starts @ $150 then I charge by the hour after that (my market doesn't allow for $75 hour standard rate). The $150 takes care of the prep and the final details (dressing, etc.) for most vehicles, and then you are safe not lose money on the correction end.



DLB
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I agree, I would charge at least $100 or more, to break even and not lose money, best part of it I will have the extra wax as well for myself. I go to car shows and I was going to make a print out to put on my window of my car a quick advertisement - so people can hire me to wax there cars. I wouldn't go anymore than a $125, because were I live I don't believe people would pay as much as $100 for a wax job. Who knows I can be wrong. :xyxthumbs:
 
I normally start at 150 - but lately have been telling potentials 200 to 300 hundred..... mainly cause Im too busy to bother with corrections on a regular basis right now. I always stick to the estimate given though and just bite the bullet if it ends up being a ridiculous amount of time and effort - so Im saying I wouldn't charge extra or any hourly rate.
 
B&B Tennessee said:
I normally start at 150 - but lately have been telling potentials 200 to 300 hundred..... mainly cause Im too busy to bother with corrections on a regular basis right now. I always stick to the estimate given though and just bite the bullet if it ends up being a ridiculous amount of time and effort - so Im saying I wouldn't charge extra or any hourly rate.
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what do you do during slow times?...quote a lower estimate? I like the minium at least it sets us apart from the local $14-$16 car washes.
 
GaDetailDoc said:
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what do you do during slow times?...quote a lower estimate? I like the minium at least it sets us apart from the local $14-$16 car washes.
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My minimum is 150 - ..... I can make much more in a day working on other things than a correction, so I try not to sell corrections.... but I don't turn them down. If I give them 250 price..... at least it is a descent day. Im past the bargaining stage of starting up..... I have landed enough consistency with clients that I feel comfortable charging what I truly feel Im worth and have no worries if they choose to go cheaper somewhere else. If I hadn't detailed anything in 3 weeks though.... you better believe Id be out the bargaining lol! I stay pretty busy with fleets, clients, and consistant flow of calls though - until that all stops... I won't be lowering my correction prices.
 
$150 seems too low for a paint correction. i charge that for interior/exterior wash clay and wax. paint corrections start at $300 for me.

i did a Ford Excursion the other week and charged $300. could have charged more, but i think it was far for my first paint correction. i now know to start at $300 on this kinda work.

of course it all depends on your location too:props:
 
A.P.A.D. said:
$150 seems too low for a paint correction. i charge that for interior/exterior wash clay and wax. paint corrections start at $300 for me.

i did a Ford Excursion the other week and charged $300. could have charged more, but i think it was far for my first paint correction. i now know to start at $300 on this kinda work.

of course it all depends on your location too:props:
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So you would charge 300 for a sedan?!?!?
 
B&B Tennessee said:
So you would charge 300 for a sedan?!?!?
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yes i would. between $30-$37.5 an hour for paint correction seems very fair.

also, keep in mind this is a part time thing for me. so im not begging for business either. i only have one day a week that i have time to detail
 
B&B Tennessee said:
So you would charge 300 for a sedan?!?!?
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I'm the same way man. If I get involved in a 3 step. It gets up there. For a sedan...I usually start at around $250-$300 for a 3-step. If I have to wet sand, or do touchup it just goes up and up.

My reason for that is basically the same as yours. I'm too busy to not get compensated for my time. :xyxthumbs:
 
B&B Tennessee said:
My minimum is 150 - ..... I can make much more in a day working on other things than a correction, so I try not to sell corrections.... but I don't turn them down. If I give them 250 price..... at least it is a descent day. Im past the bargaining stage of starting up..... I have landed enough consistency with clients that I feel comfortable charging what I truly feel Im worth and have no worries if they choose to go cheaper somewhere else. If I hadn't detailed anything in 3 weeks though.... you better believe Id be out the bargaining lol! I stay pretty busy with fleets, clients, and consistant flow of calls though - until that all stops... I won't be lowering my correction prices.
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Love when the phone rings...lol...I start to worry when it stops!
 
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