advice on price list for hobby detailer

SATracker said:
I don't know NY prices but you do; I do know that NYC and parts of the upper east coast are more expensive so your prices might be accurate. Best thing- give it a shot. The market and/or the quality of your work will tell you how accurate you are. Knock yourself out on your first customers & make a name for yourself, then be consistent.

Another thought on your pricing, it depends on your customer. Mike Phillips has said (in so many words) that most folks just want a shiny car and that a good quality AIO is enough.

Optimum AIO is a great product but you might check a couple of manufacturers to see if there are additional polishes or glazes that work "by hand".

Last, there is some debate about a second coat really adding anything except ensuring complete coverage. Maybe a good quality product first coat would be enough (such as Optimum AIO- again, great product). As I understand the discussion, if a second coat is added- it is most affective when the vehicle has been machine polished in a multi-step procedure. After a sealant has been put on, a wax might be added to produce a deep look on the flawless finish.

See what happens- good for you, man.
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You're saying having a sealant and wax combo doesn't do anything? I haven't heard of that (maybe someone can chime in), I wouldn't see why a sealant and wax combo would not be affective if you have at the minimum clay'ed the car,and/or polished by hand. To my knowledge the effectiveness depends on how clean the car is in terms of contaminants, which the surface can get cleaned doing proper work by hand with the right products. for example, man vs machine, mike showed it is possible to great correction by hand (although not recommended since it takes way more time and effort with repeated applications).


With exterior at least, my price point falls in line /slightly less expensive in Manhattan. For ex, a hand wash from an establishment a couple miles away $35, 3.5 miles away $30, and one is $25 but is 7 miles away. these 3 are the businesses that I compared my prices, and wash n wax ranges from $45 to $75. With one place (3.5 miles away) the interior price is $105 and up, for what I offer with package 1 & 4 for $95. So I believe I have fair price points for the customer and what I'm happy with getting for services. The hardest part, as you mentioned Mike P. stating people simply want a shiny car (which I read in that thread as well). If anything, if don't get bites I'll knock off $5 off a wash for first time customers which gives them a chance to evaluate if $30 is worth it. Thanks for your help and comments!



This is what looks to be my final list (for the time being):

--------------------------------Basic Wash Package------------------------------

PACKAGE 1: $30

Hand wash & Dry Exterior (2 bucket method: to avoid swirls created on paint)
Wash & Dry Wheels/Rims
Apply Quick Detailer/Gloss Enhancer (exterior, windows, wheels)
Clean Windows (Inside & Out)
Vacuum Interior

-------------------------------Wash & Wax Package-----------------------------

PACKAGE 2: $45

Hand wash & Dry Exterior
Wash & Dry Wheels/Rims
Apply Quick Detailer/Gloss Enhancer (exterior, windows, wheels)
Clean Windows (Inside & Out)
Vacuum Interior
Apply Tire Dressing
Apply Spray wax


------------------------------- Interior Packages-------------------------------

Package 3: $30

Vacuum Interior
Clean windows
Dust dashboard and console
Apply UV protection to dashboard and console


Package 4: $65
Vacuum Interior
Clean windows
Dust dashboard and console
Deep clean dashboard, console, and entire interior
Apply UV protection to all applicable surfaces
Condition all leather

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SERVICES (a la carte): in addition to selecting a wash package offered above:

(+5) Tire Dressing (leaves a shine on your tire)

(+$10) Spray Wax
(second layer of car paint protection by coating the paint)

(+$15) Paint Sealant
(typically first layer of car paint protection by adhering to the paint)

(+$20) Hand Wax: Premium Paste Carnauba Wax
(premium quality second layer of car paint protection)

(+$25) Hand Polish
(cleans paint of minor surface imperfections, and adds shine/paint protection)

(+25) Clay Exterior
(the only method to remove bonded surface contaminants, leaving paint extremely clean and smooth. This makes polishing work better and the paint sealant or wax last longer)


***ALL PRICES APPLY TO MOST AVERAGE SIZED CARS; BUT ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE CONDITION AND SIZE OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO SERVICE (owner will be informed of full cost prior to work)

***Note: All work is performed by hand, and a hand wash takes at least an hour to complete
 
The addition of a wax to a sealant has been discussed by guys a lot smarter than me and if I can find that various links I'll post them.
The one thing you can offer is availability. Rather than stand in line at the car wash for "how many" minutes, your customers can set up a specific time with you. They can know, for example, that by 4 o'clock on Saturday their car will be washed and waxed. They can head to the market and know that when they get back.
 
Okay, here are some of the discussions. Also, some sealants suggest up to 12 hours to do their "magic"; 12 hours without moisture, or additional products. Good luck, man...and let us know how it's working for you.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/41401-topping-sealant-wax-wasteful.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ting-purpose-wax-synthetic-paint-sealant.html (8th post down, Mike Phillip's second post on this thread)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/26750-how-many-layers.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...e-phillips/25394-applying-multiple-coats.html
 
SATracker said:
The addition of a wax to a sealant has been discussed by guys a lot smarter than me and if I can find that various links I'll post them.
The one thing you can offer is availability. Rather than stand in line at the car wash for "how many" minutes, your customers can set up a specific time with you. They can know, for example, that by 4 o'clock on Saturday their car will be washed and waxed. They can head to the market and know that when they get back.
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SATracker said:
Okay, here are some of the discussions. Also, some sealants suggest up to 12 hours to do their "magic"; 12 hours without moisture, or additional products. Good luck, man...and let us know how it's working for you.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/41401-topping-sealant-wax-wasteful.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ting-purpose-wax-synthetic-paint-sealant.html (8th post down, Mike Phillip's second post on this thread)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/26750-how-many-layers.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...e-phillips/25394-applying-multiple-coats.html
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I read the posts in each thread and i still do not get the feeling that there is anything wrong with 1 layer of sealant with 1 layer of wax (which is what i do - i dont do 2- 3,layers of each etc). Multiple layers of each might be a diff story as mentioned in posts/and mike...but with my service i agree, i think the idea that the consumer can run an errand or relax at home while their car is washed makes the business attractive.
 
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The layering thing... not saying it's wrong and that's why I said I'm leaving it up to guys a lot smarter than me, but there's some question about affectiveness. I only brought it up because as you get things going you may evaluate your work vs the amount of work you need to do. Knock yourself out and let us know how things are working for you. I can promise you that someone else reading this forum wants to do what you're doing, they just haven't yet. Your success and failures may inspire them or give them something to consider.
 
SATracker said:
The layering thing... not saying it's wrong and that's why I said I'm leaving it up to guys a lot smarter than me, but there's some question about affectiveness. I only brought it up because as you get things going you may evaluate your work vs the amount of work you need to do. Knock yourself out and let us know how things are working for you. I can promise you that someone else reading this forum wants to do what you're doing, they just haven't yet. Your success and failures may inspire them or give them something to consider.
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Yea I get you, the links and help are appreciated...I'm no pioneer lol, I know mobile detailing is a big thing, maybe not in my area, let alone hand washes tend to be a second focus in manhattan. Establishments are dominated by fast auto washes..which is why my small scale venture can potentially turn out well for what it is, and what I am available to do. Even though it will be small scale, I am excited for spring weather to come around to begin. I even made free business cards from vistaprint that I think came out well. I think my price points are set at this point, so the test will to be as mike p said, some people just want a shiny car, and I hope that clients realize the benefit, convenience, and work /results that go into the price.
 
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