How much to charge

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snellvilleauto

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There is a guy at work that want me to detail his toyota Rav 4. I am curious how you guys determine what to charge. The car is DIRTY. He washed it 2x in five years.

Interior clean
Clay
Exterior AIO
wax
 
Figure out how many hours it will take you and how much you wanna make per hour. It kind depends on what his expectations are. If they are looking for a quick clean up inside and not prefect on the paint, then charge accordingly. I'm not sure what you mean by aio and a wax? Kinda redundant.

Do you detail for side jobs or is this a one time deal? Meaning so you have the tools to do this or you going it by hand?
 
Mobile detail said:
Figure out how many hours it will take you and how much you wanna make per hour. It kind depends on what his expectations are. If they are looking for a quick clean up inside and not prefect on the paint, then charge accordingly. I'm not sure what you mean by aio and a wax? Kinda redundant.

Do you detail for side jobs or is this a one time deal? Meaning so you have the tools to do this or you going it by hand?
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It's a one time deal. I have all the tools and products to complete the job. I have both Flex. DG 501, D151, Optimun GPS, XMT 360, 105, 205.......... and many more products. I'm doing this to gain more experience but also i'm kinda enjoy the process of bringing something ugly to something beautiful :) So far i spend 5 hours just on interior alone. I still gotta wash the car, 1 step AIO, clear up the headlight lens...I told him i'd give him his car Friday. I usually work on the vehicle a couple of hours in the am and a couple more in the afternoon before i go to work. anyway, i am thinking $100
 
snellvilleauto said:
It's a one time deal. I have all the tools and products to complete the job. I have both Flex. DG 501, D151, Optimun GPS, XMT 360, 105, 205.......... and many more products. I'm doing this to gain more experience but also i'm kinda enjoy the process of bringing something ugly to something beautiful :) So far i spend 5 hours just on interior alone. I still gotta wash the car, 1 step AIO, clear up the headlight lens...I told him i'd give him his car Friday. I usually work on the vehicle a couple of hours in the am and a couple more in the afternoon before i go to work. anyway, i am thinking $100
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I wouldn't do it for $100. Maybe that's why I have not really detailed anyone except friends and family bc after calculating things, even just as a hobby, comes out to less than minimum wage. I like detailing my car, but its a chore when it comes to someone else's car. Just my opinion on things.

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bl3ujay07 said:
I wouldn't do it for $100. Maybe that's why I have not really detailed anyone except friends and family bc after calculating things, even just as a hobby, comes out to less than minimum wage. I like detailing my car, but its a chore when it comes to someone else's car. Just my opinion on things.

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I heard you. That's exactly what it is. Minimun wage. He's willing to pay but i am not sure what's fair. I told my wife that and she said a hundred bucks isn't gonna be enough to pay for the Bengay patches for my back and shoulder :)
 
Where are you located? That makes a huge difference IMO - you could charge $100 if you are in southern states other than Florida lol - I charge anywhere from 130 to 175 for that service (one step ext, semi full interior - 4 to 5 hours, 2 people) and Im in TN. Other detailers here, especially those up north should and do charge much more than myself. With all this said, if you feel that you are doing a top notch job - charge more..... then again if you feel like you are still an amature at this and don't feel comfortable charging more then stay at 100 - its all what you feel comfortable with and your level of expertise.
 
Exactly. If he is willing to pay, don't overcharged him but at the same time, don't cheat yourself. That way, next time you won't he doing it again for only 100. Im setting myself at 180 for coupes on compound, polish, and wax. Even at that price, that's like only 10/hour after electricity, water, and other materials. I don't think a lot of people really know how Mich time really goes into detailing a car. I'm doing 180 bc I'm not looking to do a lot. Just one, maybe two cars a week just for spending money. However, a lot of people think I'm over charging bc people are doing a "detail" for only 100.

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B&B Tennessee said:
Where are you located? That makes a huge difference IMO - you could charge $100 if you are in southern states other than Florida lol - I charge anywhere from 130 to 175 for that service (one step ext, semi full interior - 4 to 5 hours, 2 people) and Im in TN. Other detailers here, especially those up north should and do charge much more than myself. With all this said, if you feel that you are doing a top notch job - charge more..... then again if you feel like you are still an amature at this and don't feel comfortable charging more then stay at 100 - its all what you feel comfortable with and your level of expertise.
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Thanks for the advise. I am a noob and only played w/ my 3 cars, oh and my friend's big A$$ Tahoe for the last month. However, i think i'm doing a decent job. I'm from Ga. Anyway, $100 it is.
 
For as dirty as you say the car is and that you already spent 5 hours on the interior. I would say $180 minimum. For me a throughout wash, clay, wax and basic interior starts at $125. Takes me about 4-5 hours.
 
Not charging enough makes detailing not fun real quick. It turns into a brutal minimum wage job and not a hobby/fun and loses its appeal REAL quick. You gotta factor in your costs on materials as well OP. Everyone wants experience and thats great, but there's nothing wrong with getting paid for your work. NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE.

$100 for 5 hours of work is $20/HR before material costs. And you haven't even begun the outside yet? I'm not telling you what to do at all. I just know from experience that it stops being fun and actually costs you money when you cut your own throat with prices. You said yourself you do good work and obvioously this guy thinks so or he wouldn't have you doing his car. Charge what your worth plus 15%
 
No, i haven't start the outside yet. Today when i get home from work (12hr night shift).

Thanks, yall right. The fun be gone real quick when the bill ain't paind.

When i said it's DIRTY, i mean it's DIRTY

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I am sure yall got the point :)
 
snellvilleauto said:
No, i haven't start the outside yet. Today when i get home from work (12hr night shift).

Thanks, yall right. The fun be gone real quick when the bill ain't paind.

When i said it's DIRTY, i mean it's DIRTY

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I am sure yall got the point :)
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For a car that bad (which I get quite a few) I would charge 200-250 being as its an suv to begin with and its really really bad...

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By the way, where do you guys start first if you're working by yourself? Interior, exterior, wheel....
 
$100 is too less.. if the car is really dirty and swirled, the pads will get worn out by the time you finish - that alone will cost you more than $30 or so in pad, chemical, supplies, etc. That's why I plan to just keep it as a hobby for my own car.. no more, no less.
 
I would charge $250 minimum for that interior alone...but then again I hate doing interiors. :xyxthumbs:
 
120, but due to interior i'd bump it to 160, 200 if you're doing stain removal, just ball parks
 
Wow.. That's a rough looking interior. If the paint looks anything like that you're in for quite an experience.
 
After seeing the pics - definitely charge more than 100 - If you are one stepping the outside and a full interior..... that will take you a full day Id imagine.
 
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