RecurveBolt27
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- Jan 14, 2015
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Ive got my first customer. He wants a onr wash and spray wax. Wipe down interior and vacuum and shine tires. He has a two door scion and a f150. What would you guys charge for each or those?
Charge for onr?
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Breese147
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- Dec 28, 2014
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For the scion I would charge between 20-30 for the wash it self including the tire shine. Spray wax is generally quick but however is a bit expensive if not ordered in large quantities. I would charge around 10$ for that. A quick interior wipe down/vac I would charge around 30.
RecurveBolt27
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Not sure most of the places have call for pricing and are closed on sundays And the guy from work asked me today how much ide charge.
Im north of atlanta
RecurveBolt27
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allenk4
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- Mar 12, 2013
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You are either really fast or the Customer lives next door
Driving time would kill the profitability at $20-$30 per car. Would potentially come out breakeven with cost of gas, wear and tear and product
thebamboo23
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Charge $175
cardaddy
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So what you're saying is the customer wants a rinseless wash, right? Today.... being as it's 62° in Atlanta, I'd give him a real wash.
It's actually supposed to be great weather all week (for a FREAKING CHANGE). 
Been raining so much lately I've been studying plans for arc building, the author was Noah, Arc Building 101. :laughing:Considering how much rain we've had lately, and how dirty those cars likely are, I'd start by going to the local car wash and spraying the snot out of them. That alone could take $10 worth of quarters. Only when they start to get somewhat clean do you want to do a rinseless on them.
Speaking of rinseless, I take it you have a LOT of microfiber towels to use for that? On the Scion it'll take somewhere between 18~24 towels, only using each one once (for the wash) and almost as many for the drying. And on that F150 it'll easily take 24 towels (just for the wet part).
Might check with Mike's site up there in Buford (Mirror Detailing) to see what he charges. He's not updated his site since 2013, but back then he was charging $80~$100 for a basic wash. I'll start at $65 but that doesn't include the interior. That does include spray wax, wheel wells, tire shine, etc.
The last F150 I did was $120 and it was a basic exterior for a friend/neighbor. I threw in a Nanoskin treatment, and honestly... the truck wasn't really dirty.
The only thing that's going to help you determine what your prices are, will be what your cost is, and what your time is worth. I'll put more time, more effort (and sometimes more product) into jobs than anyone else I know. (I know I put better product into it, hands down.)
But I like doing it, work when I want, and on what I want, and don't get into production work.If your neighbor thinks that he's going to get something done for cheap, you need to look elsewhere. Picking up $45~$50 for an interior exterior job that cost you $12~$15 and half a day's work isn't doing you any favors. At the end of the day, sure... you can base your prices off what others are doing, (hopefully others in your area) but you want to price your services based on what YOU are worth, not what others charging. I'd surely not price lower, always price higher, always do better work, always under promise and always over deliver. If one guy is doing something like Hyper Dressing on the tires, then use a Tire Gel or coating on yours and if they are offering a cheap "spray wax", or no spray wax... then step yours up to a "spray sealant" and use one. (FWIW, most spray waxes are actually sealants of some sort anyhow.) Duragloss Aquawax is certainly an excellent choice BTW! :dblthumb2: If they vacuum the interior and that's it, then offer to spot treat the mats for free. Not the carpets, that's a WHOLE DIFFERENT matter!
RecurveBolt27
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So what you're saying is the customer wants a rinseless wash, right? Today.... being as it's 62° in Atlanta, I'd give him a real wash.
Considering how much rain we've had lately, and how dirty those cars likely are, I'd start by going to the local car wash and spraying the snot out of them. That alone could take $10 worth of quarters. Only when they start to get somewhat clean do you want to do a rinseless on them.
Speaking of rinseless, I take it you have a LOT of microfiber towels to use for that? On the Scion it'll take somewhere between 18~24 towels, only using each one once (for the wash) and almost as many for the drying. And on that F150 it'll easily take 24 towels (just for the wet part).
Might check with Mike's site up there in Buford (Mirror Detailing) to see what he charges. He's not updated his site since 2013, but back then he was charging $80~$100 for a basic wash. I'll start at $65 but that doesn't include the interior. That does include spray wax, wheel wells, tire shine, etc.
The last F150 I did was $120 and it was a basic exterior for a friend/neighbor. I threw in a Nanoskin treatment, and honestly... the truck wasn't really dirty.
The only thing that's going to help you determine what your prices are, will be what your cost is, and what your time is worth. I'll put more time, more effort (and sometimes more product) into jobs than anyone else I know. (I know I put better product into it, hands down.)
If your neighbor thinks that he's going to get something done for cheap, you need to look elsewhere. Picking up $45~$50 for an interior exterior job that cost you $12~$15 and half a day's work isn't doing you any favors. At the end of the day, sure... you can base your prices off what others are doing, (hopefully others in your area) but you want to price your services based on what YOU are worth, not what others charging. I'd surely not price lower, always price higher, always do better work, always under promise and always over deliver. If one guy is doing something like Hyper Dressing on the tires, then use a Tire Gel or coating on yours and if they are offering a cheap "spray wax", or no spray wax... then step yours up to a "spray sealant" and use one. (FWIW, most spray waxes are actually sealants of some sort anyhow.) Duragloss Aquawax is certainly an excellent choice BTW! :dblthumb2: If they vacuum the interior and that's it, then offer to spot treat the mats for free. Not the carpets, that's a WHOLE DIFFERENT matter!
Um im doing rise less wash because im starting my business on a tight budget and cant afford a full on detailing rig
allenk4
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- Mar 12, 2013
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How in the World are you using so many towels?
"Speaking of rinseless, I take it you have a LOT of microfiber towels to use for that? On the Scion it'll take somewhere between 18~24 towels, only using each one once (for the wash) and almost as many for the drying. And on that F150 it'll easily take 24 towels (just for the wet part)."
"Speaking of rinseless, I take it you have a LOT of microfiber towels to use for that? On the Scion it'll take somewhere between 18~24 towels, only using each one once (for the wash) and almost as many for the drying. And on that F150 it'll easily take 24 towels (just for the wet part)."
RecurveBolt27
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Im not. I thought from what i read starting out doing onr was a good way to start on a budget
allenk4
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I was referring to CarDaddy's earlier suggestion, which I quoted
In my opinion, the most budget friendly option is using the Customers water and a 2BM
Stunning Detail
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- Nov 16, 2014
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If you are going to the guys house use his water and power. I am just starting too and when the people contact me about it I just tell them up front as long as I have access to power and water I can come anywhere I need to. Later this year I'll get a tank and generator and start going to businesses around my area. That's a big thing here. Right now though I just use a hose and this GroundWork® 9 Pattern Spray Nozzle with Dispenser - Tractor Supply Co. You can add soap to the little container there and it gives a little foaming action nothing like an actual foamer but still serves a pretty good purpose IMO.
I have spent my money on good products and small things like brushes, wash mitts, pads, things like that. The way I look at it, that's more essential than having the generator and things like that. Unless there is heavy dirt the same things can be achieved with a hose and nozzle and a little safer.
I charge a little more for spray wax. I use OTC megs ultimate and its around $10 so I charge a little more for it. But its still a pretty stinking good spray wax and it last a good while too.
As far as my price on the two: for the truck, Mine would be about $70, and the car I would be about $60
So for all I would be at $130
RecurveBolt27
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I suppose i will rethink the onr
Real Riders
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- Jul 18, 2013
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You do not need to rethink the ONR. The ONR is great for the mobile detailer. I'm not sure on the price on the interior, but for the exterior I feel $25 to $30 is a fair price for an ONR wash and spray wax. You could save money on towels and laundry by using a two bucket method with a Lowes Grout Sponge. Just pre soak the panels and wash the car with the Grout Sponge and dry with a waffle weave towel. It's that easy.
RecurveBolt27
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:iagree: I just finished an ONR wash on my van this afternoon. There's many variations on the rinseless method. You don't have to use so many towels as cardaddy said - I believe he's referring to what many call GDWM (I don't believe GD invented it, but that's a topic for another thread!)
The Lowe's grout sponge is a viable option. I use three in a single wash - one for the glass and upper panels, a 2nd one for lower panels, and a 3rd sponge for the tires and wheels. Pre-wetting the panels is always a good idea. And always, use 2BM. As well, with rinseless (or waterless) method, don't skimp on the drying towels. Since you're working panel by panel, there's always that risk your drying towel could pick up dirt somewhere.
I'm not a pro, but as a customer, I would be willing to pay $40 for a good ONR wash (not including spray wax, tire shine or interior). Good luck!!