How much would you charge for?

I'm not really new to detailing, but a real detail shop is new for my area. I'm still building an arsenal of the right equipment, so there are a few things I'm probably not 100% perfect at, so I try to reflect that in price. I've been told by plenty of customers that I'm to cheap, but so far that's helped me get jobs. Our area is kinda broke relatively speaking, so I'm trying to build a bit of a customer base before I work my prices up to where I think they could be.
 
shoeless89 said:
$50/hr in my area is pretty high
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Fair enough. $50 an hour is kind of up there I think for detailing. I'm sure there's others who get more...but that's a rich area most likely.

nickgodfrey said:
I'm not really new to detailing, but a real detail shop is new for my area. I'm still building an arsenal of the right equipment, so there are a few things I'm probably not 100% perfect at, so I try to reflect that in price. I've been told by plenty of customers that I'm to cheap, but so far that's helped me get jobs. Our area is kinda broke relatively speaking, so I'm trying to build a bit of a customer base before I work my prices up to where I think they could be.
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Sounds good. It's your business, and you can do what makes you comfortable. But, if you feel like you may be ripping yourself off, AND customers are mentioning that you're cheap...that may be a strong sign, ha.

You could always wait till next year to up the prices. If I ever do any price increase, I always try to make sure that I start them at the beginning of the year to avoid random confusion.

Also, you can throw your new services and equipment in the mix as well to justify the price jump. :dblthumb2:
 
I can say that a one step exterior + full interior - I was charging from 100 to 125 all year. I just recently bumped that up and have been getting an average of 150 to 175 for it. Wish I had charged that all year lol - no one has complained about the price and still toss tips our way. (most common package sold for us)
 
B&B Tennessee said:
I can say that a one step exterior + full interior - I was charging from 100 to 125 all year. I just recently bumped that up and have been getting an average of 150 to 175 for it. Wish I had charged that all year lol - no one has complained about the price and still toss tips our way. (most common package sold for us)
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Yeah, man. $100-$125 for an in and out AIO is dirt cheap. I used to charge $139-$190, and I changed that last year to $145-$215. Most cars are $165, and most medium SUVs $195.

That's my most popular package as well. I can't believe how many people got my Gold Package last year, which is $245-$315. It was hands down my second place service. It was a real eye opener as to what people are willing to pay for a quality job. :dblthumb2:

Had a guy stop by the shop yesterday, and he wanted a quote for my Platinum Package. A $500-$800 service. Quoted him on the low end for $500...and he was completely cool with that. But, that is a full correction involving any wet sanding, engine, full interior, wheels removed, the whole shabang. He has a Subaru, so the paint is soft, and it's a champagne color which will be easy. Plus the interior will be cake.

It's amazing to think I do services of that type. Cause in the beginning, if I was getting $200...I thought that was a LOT. If I was getting $200...I would spend way too long on it, ha.
 
We charge 125-150 for an in and out, but we buff with a light abrasive and then seal with colonite logs like we may need to up it as well...
 
My All in One goes from $110-$150, but that doesn't include any shampooing (the extractor isn't in the budget yet). I'll usually do some spot or area cleaning for another $15-$25 with some good upholstery cleaner if requested. I'm going this week to see about a small loan to upgrade my equipment. After that, prices will probably change as services are added and improved.
 
nickgodfrey said:
My All in One goes from $110-$150, but that doesn't include any shampooing (the extractor isn't in the budget yet). I'll usually do some spot or area cleaning for another $15-$25 with some good upholstery cleaner if requested. I'm going this week to see about a small loan to upgrade my equipment. After that, prices will probably change as services are added and improved.
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Be careful with loans. I've never been a fan of borrowing money to move ahead. In most cases, the money lent to you just may become another bill. If you go and guy this new equipment...and business doesn't pick up to compensate your new bill....there's really no backing out.

If I were you, I'd save and build as you go. Don't buy things you can't afford. If you can't afford it now...then what makes you think someone lending you the money + interest is going to help? Buying new equipment isn't going to grow your business.

There's ways to work without an extractor, and get just as good results. It will take longer...but, it works. Build your word of mouth, and make smart advertisement decisions.

Before you know it...the equipment upgrade will be small potatoes.
 
:dblthumb2:Words of the wise!!!
Kristopher1129 said:
Be careful with loans. I've never been a fan of borrowing money to move ahead. In most cases, the money lent to you just may become another bill. If you go and guy this new equipment...and business doesn't pick up to compensate your new bill....there's really no backing out.

If I were you, I'd save and build as you go. Don't buy things you can't afford. If you can't afford it now...then what makes you think someone lending you the money + interest is going to help? Buying new equipment isn't going to grow your business.

There's ways to work without an extractor, and get just as good results. It will take longer...but, it works. Build your word of mouth, and make smart advertisement decisions.

Before you know it...the equipment upgrade will be small potatoes.
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Kristopher1129 said:
Sounds good. It's your business, and you can do what makes you comfortable. But, if you feel like you may be ripping yourself off, AND customers are mentioning that you're cheap...that may be a strong sign, ha.

You could always wait till next year to up the prices. If I ever do any price increase, I always try to make sure that I start them at the beginning of the year to avoid random confusion.

Also, you can throw your new services and equipment in the mix as well to justify the price jump. :dblthumb2:
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That is a great point Kris, as I have had several clients ask how I make a living with what I charge, so that is what cued me into raising my prices, but most of all, sticking to them. I have also found discounting isn't helpful as it doesn't bring people back necessarily and they won't tip either. Then in the future they always expect a discount and I never make what I need working for them.
Like many have said on here, if someone can't agree to your prices then they aren't in your market.:)
 
ShaunD said:
That is a great point Kris, as I have had several clients ask how I make a living with what I charge, so that is what cued me into raising my prices, but most of all, sticking to them. I have also found discounting isn't helpful as it doesn't bring people back necessarily and they won't tip either. Then in the future they always expect a discount and I never make what I need working for them.
Like many have said on here, if someone can't agree to your prices then they aren't in your market.:)
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Agreed. That's the toughest part to starting out. Sticking to your prices is hard to do when you need the money, or are extremely eager to get busy.

Discounting is a HUGE pain. Cause, like you said...the customer will always want that discount. They will say things like "Well, last year you did...". Which sucks for the business owner, cause you feel obligated to honor what you did last time.

Stick to your prices! Even if they have 2 or 3 vehicles. I always tell someone looking for a multiple car discount...that you need 4 or more. Most my customers have 2-3 vehicles in the family that they want done. It's not uncommon to do 3 vehicles for one customer.

Granted...3 is still quite a few jobs. So, if you must offer a deal. Just give them something off the third. The great thing about that...is they HAVE to bring the third before receiving a discount. So, that locks in that deal. You don't want to have them pay you for the first or second vehicle...and never show up with the third. Trust me, people WILL do that.

It's not fair for one customer to get a discount, and the other not. Plus...they will tell others what they paid, and forget to mention that you gave a discount. Then they want the same thing too!
 
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