Detailing Menu

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KyleWrap

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Hello All,

Im looking for feedback on a rough (and i wanna stress the word rough) detailing menu i have put together. I have come here for assistance with what i should takeaway/add to certain packages and pricing. Im from the Northeast if that has any bearing on this.

Express Detail (2 – 3 Hours)
$80
This detail does not include heavy cleaning, such as stain removal or the removal of dog hair. This service is designed for the well-maintained vehicles.
· Wash Exterior
· Dress Tries
· Apply Wax
· Clean Windows
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash
· Wipe Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean & Condition Leather (If Applicable)
· Final Inspection
Deluxe Detail (3 – 5 Hours)
$190
· Wash Exterior
· Clean Wheels
· Dress Tires
· Treat Wheel Wells
· Clay Exterior
· Klasse AIO
· (Add Collinite 845 Wax for $30)
· Clean Mirrors
· Clean Windows
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash Surfaces
· Clean Nooks and Crannies
· Wipe and Clean Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean Carpets (light)
· Clean & Condition Leather
· Clean Doorjambs
· Final Inspection

Deluxe Interior & Express Exterior (3 – 4 Hours)
$140
· Clean Windows
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash Surfaces
· Clean Nooks and Crannies
· Wipe and Clean Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean Carpets (light)
· Clean & Condition Leather
· Clean Doorjambs
· Wash Exterior
· Dress Tries
· Apply Wax
· Final Inspection
Express Interior & Deluxe Exterior (3 – 4 Hours)
$160
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash
· Wipe Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean & Condition Leather (If Applicable)
· Wash Exterior
· Clean Wheels
· Dress Tires
· Treat Wheel Wells
· Clay Exterior
· Klasse AIO (Polish, Clean, Sealant)
· Clean Mirrors
· Final Inspection


Al La Carte
· Windshield Polish & Wax - $35
· Plasti Dip Rims - $65
· Headlight Restoration - $45
· 2 Step Paint Correction (Clay Bar + M205 Polish + Collinite 845 Wax) - $90
o This can be added to any detail package. Add Compound (M105) for an additional $40. Compound is for deep scratch removal.
o If Combined with Deluxe Detail the price of the package would be $275, with compound $310
 
Im trying to target the $35-$40 and hour range is that too cheap?. A lot of the cars I'd be doing are daily drivers.
 
It does seem cheap to me. Depending on your market/location it may or may not be cheap. As a part time hobby you will be fine. However if you are trying to run a business & do excellent work I can't see how you can do it at $35 to $40 per hour. I struggled with this for years & learned the hard way. I basically did not pay myself for several years just using the excuse that it is sweat equity & I was growing my business.

Best wishes!
 
Hey thanks for the advice. This is in fact a hobby more or less. I'd like to start something in the future. Also I'm having trouble choosing an AIO. I want to pick a nice AIO and then be able to add a spray wax after or collinite if they pay. Does anyone have any critiques besides the price?
 
The prices are similar to mine as this is my side job. I also know my geographic area and what you can expect for most people to pay. I have been working hard to build my reputation and its starting to pay off.

I also have had a kid under cut me by 50% after asking for a price list. (an he may use some deacent products but im seeing hack,,,and a lot of his clients do not care cause he is cheap)

But I am sticking to my guns and actually charging a bit more sometimes.

I would put this above everything.

All prices are a starting point untill actual condition of vehicle is determined.

Express Detail (2 – 3 Hours)
$80
This detail does not include heavy cleaning, such as stain removal or the removal of dog hair. This service is designed for the well-maintained vehicles.
· Wash Exterior
· Dress Tries
· Apply Wax
· Clean Windows
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash
· Wipe Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean & Condition Leather (If Applicable) make this a extra. not needed in this price range
· Final Inspection
Deluxe Detail (3 – 5 Hours)
$190 If using an AIO I would start at 200 for compact and midsize and up the charge for bigger vehicles (more time and product being used)
· Wash Exterior
· Clean Wheels
· Dress Tires
· Treat Wheel Wells
· Clay Exterior
· Klasse AIO
· (Add Collinite 845 Wax for $30)
· Clean Mirrors
· Clean Windows
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash Surfaces
· Clean Nooks and Crannies
· Wipe and Clean Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean Carpets (light)
· Clean & Condition Leather
· Clean Doorjambs
· Final Inspection


Express Interior & Deluxe Exterior (3 – 4 Hours)
$160
· Vacuum Interior
· Clean Dash
· Wipe Door Panels
· Clean Cup Holders
· Dress Interior
· Clean & Condition Leather (If Applicable)
· Wash Exterior
· Clean Wheels
· Dress Tires
· Treat Wheel Wells
· Clay Exterior
· Klasse AIO (Polish, Clean, Sealant)
· Clean Mirrors
· Final Inspection (I would just clay and wax (if you mar the paint just spot fix it) and always have the AIO as an up sell or explain the AIO advantage.


Al La Carte
· Windshield Polish & Wax - $35
· Plasti Dip Rims - $65
· Headlight Restoration - $45 Define the diff between Polish and Restoration. I charge 20 if I can just hit it with some comound and clean it up -its not yellow and just a bit of white haze-- It becomes Restoration when I have to start wet sanding-- and I charge 60

· 2 Step Paint Correction (Clay Bar + M205 Polish + Collinite 845 Wax) - I would go an even 100
o This can be added to any detail package. Add Compound (M105) for an additional $40. Compound is for deep scratch removal.
o If Combined with Deluxe Detail the price of the package would be $275, with compound $310
If you are using an AIO this is a bit overkill,, if they want 2 step then price it higherand seperate.

Once again Im no full time shop but Have wrked very hard to shift my pricing to what I think is a good ballance. As I mentioned there will always be the $30 to 100 guy. I just flat out tell people that I am not the cheapest in town, Im better.

My favorite AIO? 3D HD SPEED. If even more is wanted top with POXY, and for kicks and grins,, I finish off with SCG HOT ROD SHOW GLOSS
 
Your feedback is exactly what I'm looking for. Any recommendation on optimum poli-seal and optimum spray wax?
 
Solo dolo. I'm thinking it may be another extra hour on those timeframes and after a year I may be able to cut it down
 
I think door jambs should be wiped down on EVERY vehicle after a wash REGARDLESS! The potential to cause water spotting inside door jambs in inevitable if left to dry on their own.
 
I will tell you now,, I have been solo and because of my anal quality even a $85 job takes me 3 hours. I have had big dully trucks for wash clay and wax. I charge 140 and it was still 6 hrs of busting butt. The kid I was referring to said he could do one in 2.5 hours,,, im not believing what im hearing on it. I need to see it to believe it. That's why I said hack,, even with water-less wash. I need to see and watch him.
I just brought on an assistant. so it should cut time in half. never tried Optimum seal,, but I really like the spray wax. also look for SCG barrier reef hand mixed caranuba spray wax,, its is really a great one. ppl love the way it looks. and the past wax is very good also...and its about 9 a bottle and 25 a can sometimes you can find it on sale. both are easy on and easy off.

PM me your email and ill share my price guide with you.
 
Break it down like this.

Maintenance.
Wash, Clay, Seal.
Wash, Clay, AIO, Seal.

Paint correction work separate, meaning you are looking for defects and trying to remove them. With an AIO I make 2-3 passes with a polishing or compounding pad and move on regardless of condition, it's just an "exterior enhancement" for people who don't see swirls and defects.

Vac N Wipe (add floor mat shampoo for $$)
Full Interior (Deep cleaning, restoring back to factory condition)

Your packages look great for what's included and within your first couple of details you'll learn your time frames and how to estimate better. My biggest help is quoting a price range, rather than a single locked in price.
 
beamerstrumpet said:
I will tell you now,, I have been solo and because of my anal quality even a $85 job takes me 3 hours. I have had big dully trucks for wash clay and wax. I charge 140 and it was still 6 hrs of busting butt. The kid I was referring to said he could do one in 2.5 hours,,, im not believing what im hearing on it. I need to see it to believe it. That's why I said hack,, even with water-less wash. I need to see and watch him.
I just brought on an assistant. so it should cut time in half. never tried Optimum seal,, but I really like the spray wax. also look for SCG barrier reef hand mixed caranuba spray wax,, its is really a great one. ppl love the way it looks. and the past wax is very good also...and its about 9 a bottle and 25 a can sometimes you can find it on sale. both are easy on and easy off.

PM me your email and ill share my price guide with you.
Click to expand...
I feel you on that, I got OCD something fierce too. Just glad to know I'm not the only one that feels that way. The finish is just as important as the pricing.
 
Have you taken the time to first research what other shops/detailers in your area charge? Take note of the services they offer and their rate, then look at your menu and compare. Price yourself accordingly if you're just getting started and be prepared to go a little cheaper to start out. If this is just a part time gig for you, figure out how to set yourself apart from the guys/gals who do it full time.

Be prepared to add a surcharge for extra dirty vehicles or list your prices as "Starting at". Make sure to not only document the vehicle condition prior to starting, also document what the owner expects or is seeking from your detail. If they purchase a basic interior job that doesn't include shampooing, make sure that it is noted so they can't come back and say they paid for the service or whatever.

Learn to read people as well. Price shoppers never care about quality, they will nag you to death about little stuff and want it for nothing. Skip them, it's a losing battle. They are the first to give a bad review or talk crap because you won't perform a detail for a car wash price.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm still working on pricings in my area, I did a few hours of research a few months back. I saved it to a doc but I have to locate it..

Im still trying to add in a "just interior" and a "just exterior" part to my menu with a "express" & "deluxe" level to each one as well.
 
I am having a little trouble on how to work a 2 step job into my menu. For instance, instead of offering a AIO and then spray wax, they have the option to have M205 and then a spray wax or Collinite 845 added and also for what price?
 
I would suggest leaving the time framing off the menu... It locks you into something you can't totally control. We all know every situation is different. If the car is in great shape and takes you 1 hour but you told the client 2 or 3, they will think you skimped and weren't thorough. If it takes you 4 hours they will think you are wasting their time.

Just food for though. I detail here and there for select customers, mostly luxury/show cars. If they ask for a time frame you can quote them something but most people won't even ask.
 
I don't know if your prices are low, high, or unrealistic. :dunno:

Your prices should be based on what everyone around you, doing the SAME work is charging. Call them all, price shop, take notes. Find the most expensive guy in town, then price yours just a bit less (for now).

Note: This is if you are only doing the same work as everyone else. If you are doing more (which you should be to separate your business from the rest) you should - charge - more.

Al La Carte
· Windshield Polish & Wax - $35
· Plasti Dip Rims - $65
· Headlight Restoration - $45
· 2 Step Paint Correction (Clay Bar + M205 Polish + Collinite 845 Wax) - $90
o This can be added to any detail package. Add Compound (M105) for an additional $40. Compound is for deep scratch removal.
o If Combined with Deluxe Detail the price of the package would be $275, with compound $310

Plasti Dip Rims, ALL the rims for $65? Shoooooot I'd not do one for that. With the prep it'll take to do it right, removing it from the vehicle, 1 to 2 cans of paint (per wheel). That's a lot of time and effort. The matte black wheel kit is 4 cans for $25.50 and the gloss kit is 4 color cans, 3 gloss cans for $49.98. That means you are going to take all 4 wheels off, properly clean them, prep them, scotch-brite, sand, whatever, then spray them and reinstall for $3.75 per wheel, and that doesn't include the cost of cleaning and prep products. I'd seriously be either dropping that completely or doing a MAJOR price adjustment.

2-Step Paint Correction means 1 compounding step, 1 polishing step. Claying comes before ANY paint is buffed, even if it's a cleaner wax, AIO, you name it.
Heck, some people actually include claying in some of their washing packages. That is not part of your "multi-step" process.

With that, I would not do even a single step buffing for $90 especially when adding Colli 845. Even the hacks with a rotary and nothing but an old wool pad will charge $150 to buff a vehicle.

But... adding the compounding step for only $40? Seriously????? :eek:

Before you compound a vehicle you need to spend hours decontaminating the paint, (clay and/or Nanoskin),then properly taping up the ENTIRE vehicle. That alone can take 3,4 or more hours AFTER it's already washed! Compounding is BY FAR the most time consuming step in paint correction. You can polish a car in one round, with 3~4 pads. Compounding takes 1 pad per panel (if not more on the hood and roof of large vehicles like SUV's) so you're looking at 6 pads minimum. I'd not dirty and wash 6 pads for $40. :rolleyes:

Compounding means first you need to do your test spot. You need to figure out what compound, what pad, what process gets the job done with THAT paint on THAT car, in THAT condition. This alone can take an hour or more (check out Dr. Pain's S&S thread for how much work he had to put into that new Chevy 2500 just to work out the process BEFORE he could even get started). Once you have the compounding process worked out, THEN you work out what polish and pad(s)your going to use. This is not some cookie cutter, one pad, one product does it all type process.

Only after you have all that worked out can you start actually compounding. And on a true 2-Step Paint Correction that step can AND WILL take from several hours to a full day or more, JUST TO PREP IT, COMPOUND IT, AND WIPE IT DOWN. Nobody is going to do that for $40 (or at least that knows what they are doing).

I can see what we'd call a basic interior / exterior package with an AIO paint buffing starting at $295 when you're new and trying to build business. Mine started at $395 a few years back, $425 now. (But that's a full day, knocking it out job.)
 
I agree, $40 is VERY little for compounding.. even at production level quality

I think the main part of your services list is solid though.. it'd be easy to help a customer decide what they want with the 2 levels of service
 
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