average time according to industry standards

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thedetailmansfl

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Just wanted to see what the average time was to complete a full detail consisting of the following steps and pricing according to the industry... I know it differs from every car but wanted to get an idea on what veryone else thinks... Here it goes....

WASH CLAY BAR POLISH GLAZE AND WAX WITH A FLEX 3401
FULL INTERIOR CLEAN (UPHOLSTREY) DASH DOOR PANELS CARPET WINDOWS ETC.
Also wanted to see what the charges for that should be to see what the average is
 
I'm assuming you include tire,wheels, wheel well etc.

It would take me about 6 hrs for mid size car. I would charge at least $300-$400.
 
This is an approximation of time it takes to detail a car correctly. These times can vary quite a bit due to size and condition of the car or truck. Also, using a 1-step product has a dramatic impact on the time variable too...

Wash - 30 minutes
Clay - 30 minutes
Compound & Polish - 5 hours
Sealant - 1.5 hours
Wax - 1.5 hours
Tires - 2 hours
Engine Bay - 1 hour
Interior - 3 hours
Glass - 1 hour
Trim - 1 hour
 
I would say about 6-7 hours also. I would do something like a 15-20 dollar surcharge because there is more surface are and more cleaning to do; depending on what condition the suv or truck is in. Tell people like if they try to argue that their car is not an suv, tell them what an suv is . I would also say an average for each part is about 1 hr to 1.5 hrs.
 
BobbyG said:
This is an approximation of time it takes to detail a car correctly. These times can vary quite a bit due to size and condition of the car or truck. Also, using a 1-step product has a dramatic impact on the time variable too...

Wash - 30 minutes
Clay - 30 minutes
Compound & Polish - 5 hours
Sealant - 1.5 hours
Wax - 1.5 hours
Tires - 2 hours
Engine Bay - 1 hour
Interior - 3 hours
Glass - 1 hour
Trim - 1 hour
Click to expand...
2 hours on tires??! You scrub the inside of the tread, too? I'm just kidding. I guess you meant wheels. Still, I'm surprised that wheels take 2 hours, unless the client wants a comprehensive wheel detail.
 
Depending on the condition & size of the vehicle it takes me about 3-6 hours for the complete detail that I offer - it includes:
Hand Wash
Dry
Interior Vacuum
Spot Carpet Clean
Interior Wipe Down
Interior, Vinyl & Leather conditioned
Windows cleaned in and out
Tires & wheels cleaned & dressed
Polish any metal
Clay Bar
Wax (by hand)

I try and keep my hourly profit around $35-$45. So I normally hit a range of $120- $150. This is not including the tips I normally get.

Also I add on these other options:
Engine detail $15-$30
Headlight restoration $25- $50
Minor scratch & scuff removal $5-$15
Trip charge $10-$20
Neglected vehicles $10-$20

After a first detail I set them up with bi- weekly maintenance which of course is cheaper than first detail.
Sometimes I still feel like I'm undercharging but I have big car wash "detailers" I compete with so I think my prices are competitive. Plus me being a mobile detail is a advantage over them.
Hope this helps! :D
 
You're going to find "time" and "charge" all over the board, really depends upon a lot of different factors...


I think the paint only on this car took around 8 hours... I think I mention it somewhere in the thread...


1957 Chevrolet Belair Extreme Makeover - Flex 3401 & Wolfgang Smackdown!


Before
57TuqChev012.jpg


57TuqChev013.jpg




After
57TuqChev106.jpg




57TuqChev116.jpg



57TuqChev127.jpg





:)
 
How do you guys deal with long details? I'm no pro and I often have to break detailing my own vehicles up into two days.

Just curious. Do you wok traight thru, keep the customers car overnight, etc?
 
I think my longest detail so far was 3 days long. The wash an two first stages of correction were done on day 1, final corrections, glaze and sealant on day 2, waxing, crevice cleaning, windows, wheels/tires and delivery were day 3.

Listen to your customer and gauge them with questions, they will tell you everything if you pay attention and understand they don't know detailing as well as you. If someone only has a day for the work to be done, tell them what you can comfortably offer as a same-day service. On the other hand, if they seek perfection, and don't drive the car on a daily basis, the door is open for a service that spans multiple days.

No matter what the situation, PRICE is the #1 factor for what gets done to the car. They may be worth millions and have a 6 car garage full of Ferraris, but if he's only willing to shell out $150 for a detail, well..... Wash/wax service it is!!!!
 
What you described is just a basic full detail to me. I don't quite understand what you mean when you say polish, then glaze. Why glaze if you've already polished?

I understand that glaze has fillers/protectant, etc. But, if you're just polishing...then your customer isn't concerned with a correction anyways. I would go straight to a wax or sealant after polish. Or, just glaze after clay. Save yourself the time.

If you're spending 8-12 hours on a vehicle...you should be getting no less than $500+. Otherwise you're just selling yourself short in my opinion. Assuming your work is worth it that is...

It's one thing to do everything you can for a customer. It's another for them to turn down those more expensive services, and you STILL go all out. Give them what they want, and what they want only. Then move on to the next one. You have to make them want those higher services.

If you wanna make money in this business, you need to be able to get them done. Get them done well...but when just basic full details come in...bang them out. You need a system. When someone wants the works...THEN go all out.
 
Blackthorn One said:
2 hours on tires??! You scrub the inside of the tread, too? I'm just kidding. I guess you meant wheels. Still, I'm surprised that wheels take 2 hours, unless the client wants a comprehensive wheel detail.
Click to expand...

Yep, believe it or not about 30 minutes on each..:laughing:

Typical process

  • Wash and scrub tires, wheel-wells
  • IronX wheels
  • Wash wheels and barrels thoroughly again
  • Rinse
  • Dry
  • Seal each wheel, let dry then buff
  • Tire treatment
This doesn't include removing and polishing the wheel, that can easily take 30 minutes per wheel alone.
 
thedetailmansfl said:
Just wanted to see what the average time was to complete a full detail consisting of the following steps and pricing according to the industry... I know it differs from every car but wanted to get an idea on what veryone else thinks... Here it goes....

WASH CLAY BAR POLISH GLAZE AND WAX WITH A FLEX 3401
FULL INTERIOR CLEAN (UPHOLSTREY) DASH DOOR PANELS CARPET WINDOWS ETC.
Also wanted to see what the charges for that should be to see what the average is
Click to expand...


$100

Next question


:)
 
To me glaze is a waste of time on the average vehicle. If I'm going to do a 2 or three step process I would start with M105 then reconditioning cream or M205 and then a wax or sealant.

I figure if you are going to do multiple steps you might as well remove some damage with M105 or similar compound.

I charge at least $225-250 for a 3 step full detail...more if the interior is really nasty.

If I'm doing a full detail with a single step polish, I use Meg's reconditioning cream with an orange LC ccs pad, and wipe it off using a spray wax. My price for this service starts at $175.

I'm in business to make money, and the average daily driver out there just doesn't need more than that. It always looks great and my customers are always happy.
 
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