how much would you charge???? just curious

Good question. For a really good friend that wants to learn, I do stuff for free, esp if I have excess product like coatings. For those who just want a bunch of free labor, or want to take advantage, I charge them 70+ an hour, plus material. I do this for my own hobby. Don't mind helping friends who want some help and will do their best to take of the results. Other trying to avoid the cost by using up my minimal free time, pay, or pass.
 
Stegs said:
Im not a professional detailer by any means. I guess you would call me a weekend warrior or garage enthusiast. I like to wash cars. I like to keep them clean and looking nice

I get asked alot if i would be willing to clean up cars for family, friends, neighbors etc


I usually turn them down, i found out in the past that most people are hoping you will do if for free or next to nothing, but im very curious on what you guys think is a reasonable charge. Maybe if i come up with a price sheet, maybe its a way to earn a little bit of cash, or atleast buy my supplies

all of the cars are DD's. Most keep them fairly clean (no mud or heavy layers of dirt) But have the usual "been driven" bugs, dirt, brake dust etc


So if i were to do the following, what would you charge

1. Rinse the car down with pressure washer
2. spray on wheel/tire cleaner
3 power wash off the wheel and tire cleaner
4. soap car with a good soap (chemical guys, PDP) thru foam cannon
5. hand wash car
6. hand dry car with mequires d156 to add shine and protection on neglected cars
7. vac out interior
8. wipe down interior with chemical guys silk shine or similar product
9. windows with stoner invisible glass
10. apply spray tire shine


Basically what most of us "weekend warriors" do to our rides to keep them clean. Whole process would take about a hour (give or take)

materials i use is basically all mequires professional series. Very diluted. Wash would be chemical guys or PDP.

Im using good products...not walmart stuff


What would something like that be worth to a customer of yours? Id like to know just so i can say i have reasoning for that price.
Click to expand...

45..00
 
Bill1234 said:
Alot of places around me charge 100-130 for all those steps but they only do the exterior. I guess since its family you could charge a bit less like 10-15 off.

you would need to clay and apply protecting type products too

If there is compensation provided it meets my work or its more direct friends, and family, its free
Click to expand...
130.00 for a wash? Where do you live silicon valley.
 
GSKR said:
130.00 for a wash? Where do you live silicon valley.
Click to expand...

Relax, I'm sure you're part of the $10-15 off crowd... Suddenly it's not so bad eh?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
GSKR said:
45..00
Click to expand...

+1

OP, I think your $50 sounds fair. For close friends I personally would charge less, but most of them have helped me with things before at low or no cost. However, I think it's completely legitimate to charge something to recoup supplies and some money toward time spent. Family, I might do for free but really it would be more like payment for something they've helped me with.

I'm fortunate to have good friends that wouldn't expect or ask me to do it for free. I offer them a significantly discounted rate, and they usually tip very well.
 
I did a full and thorough interior detail on a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan that a good friend of mine bought earlier this week. It was previously used as a company van to diesel mechanics, and believe me that thing was Thrashed... I completely turned it around, steamed all vinyl panels, scrubbed all the carpet, cleaned all the windows, fogged any remaining smells out... Took me 6+hrs.

a126049ae99d9007a60c9ee2b8236d91.jpg


He's usually a generous friend when it comes to having his vehicles detailed, but of course we don't actually discuss a price beforehand.. He was gone when I finished, so ATM I don't know how much I'm going to get compensated, but I put everything I had into this 1. [They just welcomed a newborn to the family so I made to go all out on this 1]




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hey sir/ guys, how do you find out what the local shops abd mobiles are charging?

Cruzscarwash said:
your best bet is to check local shops and mobile guys to see what the range is. its going to vary a lot by location and what the area can afford, my prices are higher then the 5 closest mobile guys but im not washing anything for $15 bucks. also figure out how much your time is worth to you. is it $45 an hr, or $65 an hr. my prices have went up and down to try and keep up with whats popular but I got tired of that and was offering to much so im down to really 3 simple things with everything by appointment and at $65 an hr starting. if you really want to see a price sheet PM me your email and ill shoot it over to you to look at.
Click to expand...
 
Hmm money or people wanting to come off their money is so different in my area of VA. But I get so much satisfaction from the customers reaction. I have one shop in town that people are soooo dedicated to . Those customers will use him if for no other reason than their entire family line have been going there. I believe if I could pull just 1 or 2 of those customers away, forgetabtiit. Let me say this though unfortunately race has a lot to do with the way things are around here.
 
You need to charge something, anything and make a profit. How much, that's up to you... This forum is a vast GEO area. Check with local shops as others have said.

But here is something that may have not been mentioned:

I'm not a tax specialist, check with your tax attorney. If you charge, you can create a small business entity and take a deduction on the percentage the business uses for space/garage/utilities etc.. It's called the home office deduction. There are pro's / con's to doing so, I'm not here to debate it, just letting you know there is an avenue to work the existing tax-code to your advantage. That's between you and your tax specialist.

Hope this helps.
 
Great conversation as there are a lot of us out here in same boat. Enjoy the hobby, enjoy helping friends and enjoy making some pocket money. But any income is viewed a bonus and we simply enjoy the therapy. It is not a budgeted item.

While with the limited time I have is mostly spent with the family fleet, I have helped some friends who are selling their cars, new car for kid that needs shine. If they insist on payment I just say how about a gift card which I can then give to the Chief Domestic Officer. It's usually $50 $100 as the job always exceeds expectations. The car had been dirty so long they forgot what a sine looked like. Plus with so many quality AIOs a one step system works wonders.

My deal is simple for others. If you want me to CLEAN the car as good as it gets. (No streamer, no engine but all jams, under seats, bugs on front etc.) it's $100. I can do in about 1.5 hours if I hustle. 2 hrs if I lollygag, shoot the breeze or just take my time.

If you want your paint treated to shine and protect its $150. $200 for the Tahoe, Youkons etc. No negotiations. No back and forth. If it's a train wreck I just won't do it.

Again, with such good training from autogeek, plus great autogeek products, plus such low expectations from previous car washes, plus from getting used to a their ride as it sits, they are happy with the result for the money spent.




Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
Our old neighbor kinda worked out a deal with me. During snow storms and power outages he would plow us out and let us hook up to the generator. He later asked for me to work on his classic porsche-1980s. Now while it was in okay (not great shape). I did the best work I could which was about 120 dollars roughly and he paid 50 considering he helped us out alot. We later helped clean out his garage because he was in fact moving and had some health issues. Id personally but maybe not legally consider that a fair deal. I personally got enjoyment and experience but he got a clean car
 
I barter with my acct.I take care of his Nissan 370z in return for 2 corps and one personal tax preparation. Going on 3 years now working out great.
 
Some great advice here already and a great discussion for picking up some conceptual things that would apply to just about any area.

My approach has been to develop an hourly rate as already discussed. that rate was first started by researching my area. I still call around to local detailers and pretend I am a potential customer and pick their brains to the bone. I ask EVERYTHING. Many times I can immediately discount the hacks. They're easy. The one's that know what they're doing take longer and answer my questions regarding paint correction, time spent, cost, equipment and products used etc.

Once i get some ballpark figures from the few pro's in my area I then determine my costs. That's easier than you think. How much product do I use on a 2 step? 3-4 ounces? How much is it per ounce? ($30 for 32 ounces? $50 for 32 ounces? .94 cents and $1.56 respectively. Times 3-4 ounces = easy math). If I used a pressure washer, how much gas do i use for a typical car wash? 2 gallon tank and i get 3 full car washes? How much per gallon. Etc etc for every product used. Even masking tape used is easy to calculate.

The more difficult items are electricity used, pad or machine depreciation, water used etc. however, for example, I can estimate about 100-150 vehicles done and i retire a pad. That pad cost $10? divide by 100 to get a "per use" cost. Ok, 10 cents ain't much and may seem inconsequential but throw it on the tally sheet with everything else ( and all the other 10 cent items) and BAM...it adds up. My point is to get an accurate "cost" of everything.

Once you determine what the prevailing hourly rate is around town and then your material costs you can then get a better feel for where you want to be.

The last point I'll make is that you, and us, are HERE. In my opinion, the BEST detailing site online and because of that i strongly believe we are better than most. I don't want to sound imperialistic but it is more passionately pursued by people like us who have a yearning for the best products, processes and knowledge. It is this progressive pursuit to get even better that people should pay for. A customer wants YOU to work on their vehicle because you know what you are doing and THEY don't. That also has value and should be factored in.
 
Also depends on the individual family member/friend.

One of my "friends" would let me detail their car every week for free because "hey, he loves doing his truck!" But is always "busy" when I need something.

My cousin on the other hand, asks me to help him with his woodworking business from time to time. Assembly, installation of custom cabinets, etc. Nothing huge. I don't ask for a dime. Why?

With the foot of snow we got here yesterday, he was here with his snowplow and snow blower to clear my property and my driveway so my wife could get to work early in the morning. Would never ask me for a dime.

So like I said, it depends on the individual. JMO.
 
As we swerve into barter here's mine.

Guy across street LOVES yard work but never touches his car. I HATE yard work.

Every now and then I just say gimme the keys and an hour later his white 2014 Acura TL is cleaned up.

Every now and then I come home to find a freshly mulched bed or trimmed hedges.

Nary a dime changes hands.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
backtees said:
As we swerve into barter here's mine.

Guy across street LOVES yard work but never touches his car. I HATE yard work.

Every now and then I just say gimme the keys and an hour later his white 2014 Acura TL is cleaned up.

Every now and then I come home to find a freshly mulched bed or trimmed hedges.

Nary a dime changes hands.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...


Exactly my point, backtees.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top