Business owners, what is the minimum you would charge on a vehicles in your area?

Bill1234

Bill1234

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People I know are believing that for example, if you had a suburban sized suv, and are not offering any sort of paint correction,but are applying an lsp, you could make money under 250 dollars. I personally felt that it is too low to actually make money or enough for a good profit lets say and you would need to charge at around 300 but maybe my quoting is a bit high? Im just basing it off my area and what is needed such as labor and supplies.

For other vehicles too, how low do you really go or stay at?


This is not me price shopping in any way, its just to create discussion and also to have some who are not understanding detailing how much actually goes into the work. Im not too great at having others understand what really im doing so maybe you could also help me in that area?
 
If I'm doing a paint correction of a xl SUV I'm charging around $800.00 to $1000.00

For just a normal full detail I charge $300.00 to $350.00
 
But at the end of the day it's all about how good your work is... How much effort you put into your details. It takes me 7 hours to do a full detail on a full size SUV. If I'm doing a PC I'll ask to hold the vehicle for 2 to 3 days and take my time and make sure everything is 100% before customer picks up.
 
asap2stacks said:
If I'm doing a paint correction of a xl SUV I'm charging around $800.00 to $1000.00

For just a normal full detail I charge $300.00 to $350.00
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I dont have a standalone shop and im not full time but I feel im just as competent as others.Maybe not you specifically but im just saying to those I know not every detail is the same and you need to price it out accordingly.
 
Nothing comes in my shop for less than 475 for a wax finish. Coatings start at double that and go up to $2500
 
Mike lambert said:
Nothing comes in my shop for less than 475 for a wax finish. Coatings start at double that and go up to $2500
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See that is where im a bit confused with those I know. You are in MD, im in CT right near the heart of NYC. Top dollar will come from that market and my feeling was that I would give them a bit of a discount for the work but not much. 250 I feel is fair enough and is as low as I would go but some think thats too high not knowing anything about detailing.
 
Bill1234 said:
See that is where im a bit confused with those I know. You are in MD, im in CT right near the heart of NYC. Top dollar will come from that market and my feeling was that I would give them a bit of a discount for the work but not much. 250 I feel is fair enough and is as low as I would go but some think thats too high not knowing anything about detailing.
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In the Fairfield/Danbury area you ae competing with ever 99.00 car wash detail and those who think their vehicles are worth more will go to dealers.

Yo uneed to do some customer education.
 
ronkh57 said:
In the Fairfield/Danbury area you ae competing with ever 99.00 car wash detail and those who think their vehicles are worth more will go to dealers.

Yo uneed to do some customer education.
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However, there are people who will take their car to a separate detail location. I do not understand what I need to educate myself about if I can only see that they are not willing to go to someone like me or an actual detail oriented shop
 
Yea a lot of people think the dealership is the best place to go for everything. I am from owensboro kentucky and you get people offering full details for 80 or 100 dollars all the time and so the customers always say so and so can do it for this. Example this lady called me 2 or 3 times trying to get me to go down and i finally told her "i am not wal mart i am not price matching, if you want to compare prices you have to compare quality and there is no comparison." I tried to be nice but i was tired of it and finally said if you want to agree with my price you can call me back thanks and have a nice day.
 
I get all of my business by word of mouth i do not advertise but i do it on the side as a hobby more less so maybe get some customers talking and spreading your name ....word of mouth is the best advertisement
 
Basically another part of my point. Everyones idea of a detail is different and I offer a good amount of work for 250 dollars but cannot go lower than that for revenue purposes. I explained that too with others. A chain of car washes offering a 150 dollar detail is using multiple layers of glaze and other fillers for 150 while I would personally do the best job without paint correction. Then again they arent the best either detail wise. I can discount for friends and family a bit or free when I want to but not for the regular customer.
 
Bill1234 said:
However, there are people who will take their car to a separate detail location. I do not understand what I need to educate myself about if I can only see that they are not willing to go to someone like me or an actual detail oriented shop
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I didn't say you needed to be educated. You customer does.........

That is your 'sales" job, then the tech job is to do it.
The business owners job is to make sure you deliver more than you promise, and make sure customer is happy.

all of those being you
 
oboroballa03 said:
I get all of my business by word of mouth i do not advertise but i do it on the side as a hobby more less so maybe get some customers talking and spreading your name ....word of mouth is the best advertisement
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well that is how I get business. Instagram and word of mouth. Works well
 
ronkh57 said:
In the Fairfield/Danbury area you ae competing with ever 99.00 car wash detail and those who think their vehicles are worth more will go to dealers.

Yo uneed to do some customer education.
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I just thought you said you need to do some customer education here but no worries, customers dont really understand, they just balk at a price not a plan
 
I charged $250 to detail this 03 Nissan Quest.eyecandyautodetail and the customer was so happy with the outcome, they threw in a $50 dollar tip. I had no more than $35 dollars in chemicals and buffing pads and 7 total hours of labor in it.
I do not really do not advertise, strictly by word of mouth, and my work speaks pretty well about the work I do. I would say, charge what you think is a fair price, and the customer either takes it, or leaves it.
 
Bill1234 said:
Basically another part of my point. Everyones idea of a detail is different and I offer a good amount of work for 250 dollars but cannot go lower than that for revenue purposes. I explained that too with others. A chain of car washes offering a 150 dollar detail is using multiple layers of glaze and other fillers for 150 while I would personally do the best job without paint correction. Then again they arent the best either detail wise. I can discount for friends and family a bit or free when I want to but not for the regular customer.
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So for $250 what are all are you doing?
 
To be honest, maybe because I'm an Autogeek but I wouldn't trust anyone who did a 90 dollar full detail. Most of those places put 90 dollar full detail as a hand wash, a vacuum and a spray wax.
 
Here is a new price list i am working on maybe it will help you out but i dont know what people charge around there so its all different but you know what you are worth just set a price maybe $10 to $20 higher that way you have room to "help" people out and they think they are getting it cheaper. I think my prices are fair i have never had a list and its hard to remember what you charged for this and that or what someone may have told someone else. So to make it easier i figured i needed one

Maintenance Detail

• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Hand wash then dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs wiped down)
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Interior vacuum and wipe down
• Spray wax applied to boost shine and help protect the paint between details

Cars and Trucks - $40
SUVs and Vans - $50

* Heavy mud, tar, bugs, pet hair and etc. will acquire an additional charge *

Interior Detail

• Thoroughly vacuum seats, carpets and trunk
• Steam clean cloth seats and hot water extract if needed
• Clean and condition leather seats and trim
• Clean door panels, center console and dashboard
• Apply UV protection to all interior panels
• Clean windows

Cars and Trucks - $100
SUVs and Vans - $125

Exterior Detail

• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Clean around logos, emblems and cracks using high quality brushes
• Hand wash dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs)
• Remove all bugs, tar and road grime
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Clay bar treatment (removes surfaces contaminants that normal washing won't)
• Apply wax using dual action polisher
• Final wipe down

Cars and Trucks - $100
SUVs and Vans - $125

Ultimate Detail

• Thoroughly vacuum seats, carpets and trunk
• Steam clean cloth seats and hot water extract if needed
• Clean and condition leather seats and trim
• Clean door panels, center console and dashboard
• Apply UV protection to all interior panels
• Clean windows
• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Clean around logos, emblems and cracks using high quality brushes
• Hand wash dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs)
• Remove all bugs, tar and road grime
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Clay bar treatment (removes surfaces contaminants that normal washing won't)
• Apply wax using dual action polisher
• Final wipe down

Cars and Trucks - $150
SUVs and Vans - $200

Buffing / Polishing AIO (Requires Exterior or Ultimate Detail)

• Remove light swirls, scratches and oxidation bringing depth, gloss and clarity back to your paint

Cars and Trucks - Exterior or Ultimate + $75
SUVs and Vans - Exterior or Ultimate + $100



Not responsible for personal belongings so please take all personal belongings out prior to services thanks.
 
oboroballa03 said:
Here is a new price list i am working on maybe it will help you out but i dont know what people charge around there so its all different but you know what you are worth just set a price maybe $10 to $20 higher that way you have room to "help" people out and they think they are getting it cheaper. I think my prices are fair i have never had a list and its hard to remember what you charged for this and that or what someone may have told someone else. So to make it easier i figured i needed one

Maintenance Detail

• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Hand wash then dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs wiped down)
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Interior vacuum and wipe down
• Spray wax applied to boost shine and help protect the paint between details

Cars and Trucks - $40
SUVs and Vans - $50

* Heavy mud, tar, bugs, pet hair and etc. will acquire an additional charge *

Interior Detail

• Thoroughly vacuum seats, carpets and trunk
• Steam clean cloth seats and hot water extract if needed
• Clean and condition leather seats and trim
• Clean door panels, center console and dashboard
• Apply UV protection to all interior panels
• Clean windows

Cars and Trucks - $100
SUVs and Vans - $125

Exterior Detail

• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Clean around logos, emblems and cracks using high quality brushes
• Hand wash dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs)
• Remove all bugs, tar and road grime
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Clay bar treatment (removes surfaces contaminants that normal washing won't)
• Apply wax using dual action polisher
• Final wipe down

Cars and Trucks - $100
SUVs and Vans - $125

Ultimate Detail

• Thoroughly vacuum seats, carpets and trunk
• Steam clean cloth seats and hot water extract if needed
• Clean and condition leather seats and trim
• Clean door panels, center console and dashboard
• Apply UV protection to all interior panels
• Clean windows
• High pressure rinse and presoak with foam cannon
• Clean around logos, emblems and cracks using high quality brushes
• Hand wash dry exterior (includes door and trunk jambs)
• Remove all bugs, tar and road grime
• Clean wheels, wheel wells and tires
• Apply tire shine
• Clay bar treatment (removes surfaces contaminants that normal washing won't)
• Apply wax using dual action polisher
• Final wipe down

Cars and Trucks - $150
SUVs and Vans - $200

Buffing / Polishing AIO (Requires Exterior or Ultimate Detail)

• Remove light swirls, scratches and oxidation bringing depth, gloss and clarity back to your paint

Cars and Trucks - Exterior or Ultimate + $75
SUVs and Vans - Exterior or Ultimate + $100



Not responsible for personal belongings so please take all personal belongings out prior to services thanks.
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Personally im going to say your prices are too low there. I would start at 350 for pc
 
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