Just need some input on my pricing/packages

[Kengo123]

First: If you're a legit business, then you've gotta consider taxes. After taxes and expenses and all the overhead, you're looking damn near minimum wage on that jaguar detail.

Second: I think comparing yourself to your competitors may be the issue.

If you're not confident in your ability to sell a full detail on an SUV for atleast $200, then you should work on that confidence. Build a sweet website, get active in social media, get active in town, do whatever to set yourself apart from your "competition"

If you're a business, be a damn business, not a new guy trying to fit in with the "competition." If you think about it that way, it's kind of pathetic. Get out of that mindset. Be different. Be the detailer to go to. Be the business to go to. If you're in this to make money and be a great business, do it. Take charge and make prices that will satisfy you. Don't be a slave begging for customers, bc you'll end up shutting down from being so damn tired. Competing with other detailers = you guys undercutting each other just for price-hunting customers.. Man that sounds terrible. You don't want to get paid like an employee without the security of steady work. If that's the case you're better off working for someone else

 

[Kengo123]

Interior work is hard like pure shine said. I would charge atleast $75 for interior on cars and $100 for vans/trucks/SUVs and up charge pet hair, heavy stains

Here is my pricing structure. It looks cheap bc I break it down by interior and exterior. But if I were to sell a full detail like yours, AIO in and out WITHOUT the engine bay, it'd be $250. Up charge for cars that I feel will go over 6 hours total. It's affordable, yes, but it is on the higher end of pricing in my area for what you get, not that it matters what others in my area are charging. It's about perceived value to your customers

Wash, wheels cleaned, tire shine - $25 (cheap)
Add vacuum, onr interior QUICK wipedown, inside glass $50
Add Wax: spray wax +$10, Meg's ulw +$25
Interior detail: everything cleaned and shampooed inside - cars $100, large $125
Exterior detail: wash, clay, aio - cars $100, large $125
Headlight restoration sealed with ulw - $50
Waterspot removal - glass $50, glass and paint $125

I feel like raising my prices a bit, but I do like how easy they are to remember. I also feel that it must be pretty easy for the prices to click in customers heads, and that the perceived value is pretty high bc it is broken down in a simple understandable and "clearly" affordable way.

 

[98LowRanger]

It's ok everyone starts at the bottom. To speed things up there are a few things you can do. I'll list some that help me.

1. Organization: keep things very well organized. Keep what ever you keep your supplies in organized at all times. If you take something out put it back when you're done. This will shave off time when you're done.

2. Clean interior first: Most of us can agree that the interior isn't the fun part. During the warmer months temps can soar thus making the interior even hotter. When it's hot your body starts to slow down. So imagine working your butt off for 6+ hours while it's 90 out and then having to spen another hour or so working on the even hotter more humid interior. The odds of losing motivation and slowing down increase. Also, cleaning glass is harder in the heat.

3. Products: Certain products work better then others. Iron X on the wheels or something similar reduce the need to scrub so to speak. Megs D151 is a great AIO. Collinite 845 is a great wax. These products as well as others work great and quick which will shave off time.

There are plenty of little things you can do to speed up the time without sacrificing quality. Like doing multiple things at once. The longer you do this line of work you will pick up things here and there.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using AG Online

Thank your for your response. You definitely make some great points. My garage (doing details at home right now) tends to get pretty messy after I finish a car and then getting the next one a day later I usually don't reorganize it like I should. Your right getting things organized should save time. A few weeks ago I had ALL my essential interior cleaning items (brushes, cleaners, etc.) in a caddy with a handle....they are spread out through the garage now

Cleaning the interior before it gets hot is a great idea. I tend to wash first though at around 6-7 AM before the sun fully comes up to try to avoid water spots. I know I could use a waterless/rinseless wash, but just don't have any experience with them yet.

Glad that I already have/use 2 out of the 3 products you listed (Iron-x and Megs 151). I have only found out how good those are from reading the forums and doing research from what other detailers have discovered. Still looking for my go to product/method for trim and rubber weather stripping, but that will come in time. I think I have about 4 different products around the garage right now...haha.

 

[98LowRanger]

First: If you're a legit business, then you've gotta consider taxes. After taxes and expenses and all the overhead, you're looking damn near minimum wage on that jaguar detail.

Second: I think comparing yourself to your competitors may be the issue.

If you're not confident in your ability to sell a full detail on an SUV for atleast $200, then you should work on that confidence. Build a sweet website, get active in social media, get active in town, do whatever to set yourself apart from your "competition"

If you're a business, be a damn business, not a new guy trying to fit in with the "competition." If you think about it that way, it's kind of pathetic. Get out of that mindset. Be different. Be the detailer to go to. Be the business to go to. If you're in this to make money and be a great business, do it. Take charge and make prices that will satisfy you. Don't be a slave begging for customers, bc you'll end up shutting down from being so damn tired. Competing with other detailers = you guys undercutting each other just for price-hunting customers.. Man that sounds terrible. You don't want to get paid like an employee without the security of steady work. If that's the case you're better off working for someone else

You also make some GREAT points. You hit the nail on the head about my confidence. I have no professional training, no water extractor or rotary buffer or expensive tools. Just armed with my Flex 3401 and a passion for vehicles and making them look their best. I really enjoy the work even though it definitely is tough at times.

Working on the website, which I need to get going ASAP. Also working on the confidence with each vehicle I do and seeing/hearing how happy the customer is with my work. Thanks for the input man. It's straight forward, but your exactly right.

 

[WAXOFF]

I have 3 prices 150 for a car, 225 for a midsize SUV and 300 for a full size SUV or Minivan. They are usually trashed the worst. If they say too much I say have a nice day.I don't do wash jobs. I'm not dragging all that equipment out for small jobs. i only do them on weekends and I'm into July already.