How much would you charge for?

Marc08EX

Marc08EX

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I have a potential customer asking to detail his rides. He has a 2004 blue Ford Expedition and a 760Li in black.

I was wondering what's the proper amount to charge for a full paint correction and a 1 step AIO polish for each of the vehicles?

Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Marc
 
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Full correction on an Escalade - $400-500 (exterior only)

Full correction on 760i - $350-450 (exterior only, these are HUGE)

One step on an Escalade - $250, 760i - $200

This is what I would charge for my market. Yours may be way different, Its hard to come on hear and ask this type of question bc it all depends.

But those are my numbers, FWIW.

Good luck.
 
Stephan's market and mine are similar in size and I agree with his estimates. That is very close to the price points I would be at but yes, it all depends on what your market can bear. I try to hit a low point of $30 an hour to a high of $50 depending on what specs the job calls for.
 
Depending on condition of the sedan, I usually charge 200 for one step. And 250 for SUV. I try to get around 30 an hour when I detail.
 
For a one step (exterior only) on a sedan i charge $130 and thats usually just a AIO. SUV's for me are $175 for a AIO.

Full corrections (not including wet sanding) I charge $30/hour with a $300 minimum.
 
What I have been starting to do to get my pricing for each particular vehicle is estimate how many section I will break the vehicle's panels into and multiply that by 15 minutes or so for full correction, and 5-10 minutes per section for AIOs. Then, divide that number by 60 to figure out how many hours it will take, and multiply by what you need/want to make hourly. I don't like giving blanket pricing for a class/category of vehicles especially since every detail is different. But, working by what I need to make hourly works out better for me and allows me to give a more realistic quote for time needed. Hope this helps.:)
 
$100
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RhetoricMixes said:
For a one step (exterior only) on a sedan i charge $130 and thats usually just a AIO. SUV's for me are $175 for a AIO.

Full corrections (not including wet sanding) I charge $30/hour with a $300 minimum.
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For 130 your claying also? And do you apply wax after?
 
I try to stay as close to $50/hour as I can usually and go from there. It mostly depends on what your area will sustain. There are a lot of places where $50/hour is super high, and other places where is is average or even low. good luck!
 
1-step AIO exteriors : sedans $125, SUVs $145

3-steps: sedans $300, SUVs $400+ (compound, polish, fine polish, seal) No damp sanding.

Full corrections I typically do estimates after seeing the vehicle. Includes any damp sanding, compound, polish, etc, that the vehicle needs. My price typically starts at $500, and just goes up depending on the job.

I know some people call a 3-step a full correction. To me, they are two different things. Full correction means the customer is giving me the freedom, and trust to give their vehicle what it needs.

A 3-step in my book is literally that...compound, polish, fine polish, seal, done. Nothing outside of the realm of compound is done.

Hope this helps. I'm also in NH...whether these prices are considered high, or low....I really have no clue.
 
slickooz said:
For 130 your claying also? And do you apply wax after?
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Yep. My AIO jobs consist of a Wash, clay, AIO the whole car, and clean and seal the wheels. This includes a sealant, if they want to top the sealant I charge $20 more to layer a carnauba on top. If the customer wants more steps they can add to it (interior, ironX or compounding steps).
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone!! This sure helps me get an idea what the proper amount I should charge. Or at least get an idea what's the minimum...

Flash, maybe I can send him your way? ;)
 
LuxuryMobile said:
Full correction on an Escalade - $400-500 (exterior only)

Full correction on 760i - $350-450 (exterior only, these are HUGE)

One step on an Escalade - $250, 760i - $200

This is what I would charge for my market. Yours may be way different, Its hard to come on hear and ask this type of question bc it all depends.

But those are my numbers, FWIW.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

In the past, the market here in Houston has been similar.

I'm adding the AIO to my arsenal, I think it'll fill that huge gap I have between a clay/LSP and full correction :props:
 
Marc08EX said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone!! This sure helps me get an idea what the proper amount I should charge. Or at least get an idea what's the minimum...
Click to expand...

A lot of good: "How much to charge, price-point ideas"...from the responding members for you to consider.

I remember this exchange of dialogue (see below) from your awesome Corvette detail.
Your upcoming details you listed will give you an even better slant on meeting your hourly-rate goal in your market area, IMO.

Note:
Also IMHO...The more vehicles you detail (experience), the more efficient you'll become (More accurate quotes, after you've first determined the condition of the vehicles': All of the surfaces the customer desires to be detailed, of course).

As always...Continued success, my friend!!

:)

Bob


Marc08EX said:
That's the problem... I'm not meeting my hourly rate. I actually thought about quitting jobs that don't want to pay up. I made like $17/hr on this job which is very low... I hope I can make what the top notch detailers are making which is $50/hr... I set a time frame for my details but I blow past them by a long shot... :(
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Either my area is poorer than I thought, or I'm ripping myself off...
 
nickgodfrey said:
Either my area is poorer than I thought, or I'm ripping myself off...
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After looking through your price guide. I'd say you are the cheapest I've probably ever seen. I think I saw a $40 interior? Unless you're doing that interior in 45 minutes...you need bring those prices up before spring.

If you're doing quality work...you deserve more than that. I would look into what other PROFESSIONAL shops are charging around you. Don't compare yourself to the guys at the car wash, or dealership. If your work is pro...the price should reflect that.

Believe it or not, low prices can scare just as many customers away as extremely high prices. You want it to be fair on both ends. I think you're ripping yourself off with that price guide.

Not sure if you are new to the business or not. But, I would guess you are by that price guide. Don't be scared to make yourself $35-$50 an hour.
 
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