Estimate for big vehicles
- Thread starter Xcessiv
- Start date
ASPHALT ROCKET
SELF BANNED
- Mar 4, 2006
- 2,872
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I agree, there is no way to do a correct three step in 8 hours.
Xcessive, is the plastic painted or bare?
JonM
New member
- Jan 4, 2010
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he did say "at least"
detaildave
New member
- Oct 7, 2009
- 359
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Alot of real estate their & for a proper 3-step you'll earn every penny of the $350.00.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
From start to finish, as in starting by washing the Avalanche, to finishing when you make the final wipe, if you're doing a multiple step process I would guess around 12 hours. If you're removing swirls, then just the correction step over all the painted panels is going to take 4-6 hours and maybe longer, depends on how perfect you want to make the paint.
At least 25%
I agree.
If this Avalanche has any type of black, pebble textured trim, be sure to tape it all off so you don't have to worry about getting any polish residue on it.
Also, if this is a "Daily Driver" and filled with swirls and scratches, ask yourself,
"How did it get this way to start with?"
If it's from the way the owner takes care of it then that's okay because it is what it is, but don't get caught up into putting a show car finish on it if it's just going to get all swirled and scratched-up again because of they way they take care of it.
I had a wealthy cattle farmer in Oregon hire me to buff out his new Ford truck one time, he was really proud of his truck but in a short period of time the paint was completely scratched up from driving around in muddy fields taking care of the farm.
I buffed it out, it looked brand new. In a week or two it was back to being covered in mud. He had his hired hands wash it, you can only imagine that wasn't done to AG standards. I was paid well for the job but I could see that my services were mis-matched to the customer. I could have just used a one-step cleaner/wax and he would have been just as happy and saved about a $150.00 (I think I charged him $300.00 just for the outside paint and this would be about 20 years ago).
Just something to consider...
dragster
New member
- Sep 14, 2008
- 94
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Starting at 350 then of course you have to see the suv. You cant give a price until you see it. Hope this clears thing up. Most people who drive the car everyday won't pay for a 12 hour detail. Yes i can do a full correction in 8 hour. Just have to know what your doing. You cant do a full detail with a Porter Cable.
VR8
New member
- Dec 28, 2008
- 524
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Yeah, you're right. I suppose I was still thinking in terms of two people working on it (like is my normal case). One person = 10 hours minimum, probably 12. Wouldn't be unheard of to take 14 if it's trashed.
sullysdetailing
New member
- Mar 7, 2009
- 1,963
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I would say give him a call back and tell him $450 if he says thats to much money lower your price to $400 if that is still to much for him tell him the lowest you will go is $350. For 12 hours of work that is $30 pe hour. That is fairly cheap for a 3 step process. Most eople will charge between $60-$80 and hour. Tell him that the going rate is $60-$80 and hour but you will do it for $30 (12 hours). He will think he is getting a great deal because at $75 and hour he would be paying $900 for the 3- step polish.
Try and real him in that way. It always works for me
Try and real him in that way. It always works for me
Showroom Shine
New member
- Apr 19, 2007
- 860
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I have read all the post on this subject,Mikes being in line with my thinking. My process is first a visual inspection,then consult with customer for their driving habits. Unless the person wants to continue using my services evey month. Like Mike said if it's a farmer or construction truck do the 1 step. I would be in the $400 area for an Avalanche. My avatar the Cadillac EXT is similar without the plastic trim. They are a beast to buff. Depending on your skill level,equipment,polishes,it can take 6 to 7 hours. Well that is what it takes me with the Flex and Menzerna. I try to stay on it,to decrease the time needed for correction!
Harleyguy
New member
- Jan 6, 2009
- 2,349
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Bad business practice to quote a person one price and start to lower it like you suggest.In the customers mind he is thinking that you were trying to rip him off with the first price and now want to lower it for the job.If anything you tell the customer that you will do additional work at no extra charge.If you feel a job is worth X amount of money then that's what you charge.The next thing that will happen is this guy will recommend you and when you quote that job his going say Hey you gave so and so a break why not me.It's a bad trickle down effect.
Showroom Shine
New member
- Apr 19, 2007
- 860
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Hey Man,
Don't let something so small get to you. This is a Great place to learn and meet Great people that don't mind sharing their experiences,know how mistakes etc. At one time or another we were all Newbies. No body came here with buffer and polish included. Hang out!
cnfowler
New member
- Sep 20, 2009
- 443
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Who are to talking to? Mike Phillips is the only one that even quoted anything you said and he had nothing negative to say. I feel like there are posts that have been deleted and I'm not getting the whole story. I'm confused.Colin