My first detail customer, and I'm pretty sure I undercharged

Well its not too bad...$100/5hours is still $20 an hour! U didn't get killed at least. Next time ull know.

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He got a deal but you learned and gained experience... I'm not an expert add I only work on the side but just to touch the car with polish is 300 for a single step. Correction is 30 an hour minimum 300.
 
I had a similar experience with one of my first details. I used it as a business learning experience, and I had a lot of really good photos for my portfolio. Don't sweat it, but don't make the same mistake again.


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Thank you all for your responses! They are greatly appreciated, and I know I've learned a lot from them! One thing I didn't include was I did apply compound/polish/Aio with a PC. Not by hand. No way.
 
WillWashesCars said:
Looks like you really charged right on point. The real issue is the cost, it was the time management. Keep pushing your self and learning more efficient tricks. You will be able to accomplish one of these details between 2 and 3 hours :)
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The next car I do, I'm going to keep a log of how long each step took me and look for inefficiencies. While I know I have some opportunities for improvement, I don't see myself being able to get down the 3 hour range for that level of work. Other than a few quick water breaks, I really didn't stop the whole time.
 
When I used to detail for money, I would be happy if I broke even. Now, I was young and detailed for fun, but it was also a learning experience that I credit for making me into a better detailer today. It's too bad when you undercharge and leave money on the table, but it's better than not working at all. Plus, like you said, you may get some referrals out of it, which is the lifeblood for detailers. It's easy when they spread the word for you - no advertising necessary other than your hard work.

For me, I much rather be working and undersell, than not be working at all. I know there are other detailers who disagree and feel that they should be paid what they're worth, and I respect that, but when starting out, it's best to get some details under your belt and get some experience with paying clients. After you have then experience, then your pricing will evolve and you won't make the mistakes that you made when you were starting out. You learn something new with each detail, whether that makes you more efficient or you learn new techniques. Regardless, sometimes the experience is worth much more than the money you left on the table. So long as you work hard and keep learning, the money will come.

Good luck in the future and happy detailing!
 
Nothing wrong with getting some experience, I did some family members cars for free. You'll figure out your pricing, I would him and anyone else know that this is just their price so that you can gain some experience and that that will not be the price forever.
 
You must have been busting your ass to do all that in 5 hours, definitely charge more next time.

Also, now you know what you're up against detailing an SUV
 
he was just a cheap ass that can't afford his car if he was scoffing at 100 for all that work.. Nice work bro!
 
I do the same thing, spend 5+ hrs and usually ask for $100 from co-workers/friends. I enjoy doing it tho and most of the time the money goes towards more detailing stuff lol
 
hernandez.art13 said:
On the other hand, I've had this happened to me. Saying you have X amount of days or hours. Then half way through they tell you they need the car back ASAP. Then you rush and hurry up and the work comes out all looking hack style.

What are your guys recommendations in these types of situations? Should you just do the work as best as possible (by not rushing through) and let the owner take the car back half done? Due to their error and not yours?

But then your name gets branded and its not even your fault :dunno:

Any suggestions to prevent this or how to deal with these types of situations?

Thanks
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I don't change once I've started on paint. If I'm doing a multi-step polish I will make half the car look amazing and the other half I won't touch. That almost always gets the car back to me the very next day. I know a lot of people will compound the entire car then step up through polishes then LSP's but I'll do everything to an area then start over again. Especially when they call part way through a detail cutting my time in half. It's great to watch them drive away with one side of the car a mirror and the other side all swirled up. It shows off your work and gives the entire city a 50/50 shot of what you do.
 
Hazcat said:
I don't change once I've started on paint. If I'm doing a multi-step polish I will make half the car look amazing and the other half I won't touch. That almost always gets the car back to me the very next day. I know a lot of people will compound the entire car then step up through polishes then LSP's but I'll do everything to an area then start over again. Especially when they call part way through a detail cutting my time in half. It's great to watch them drive away with one side of the car a mirror and the other side all swirled up. It shows off your work and gives the entire city a 50/50 shot of what you do.
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Simple and great tip. Thank you Hazcat.
 
When I first stared doing mechanic work, everything was hard, everything took time to understand, and I lost my a$$ on a daily basis. For a few years, I seriously thought I had made the absolute wrong career choice. Some days, I would cry before going to work.

It wasn't until the early 2000's that I finally realized that I had grown to become a really good tech. I can read data graphs, do pid testing, can use a lab scope, and know about a problem on a certain car before even popping the hood.

Repetition, costly mistakes ( the ones that hurt are the ones you learn from), and time, have all attributed to the caliber of auto tech that I am today. I still get call from previous employers that what me back, and my reputation as a honest and above all, a fair tech, have allowed me to supplement my income on the side, as well as garner trust from the customers that come to the shop I work at.

The moral to the story is, your new to the game. Your ass just knocked on your front door, asking to be put back on your butt. It's hard, it's frustrating, and you'll lose money in more ways than you can think. But with each job comes the experience that no amount of training can teach you. If you stick with it, you'll soon learn short cuts, and in what order to start your detailing, and what comes last. Learning these short cuts, without compromising quality, is what is going to earn you both money, and a reputation. And some times, giving something's away as an act of good will, can do nothing but work in your favor.

Good luck my man...
 
IMO it appears you spent more time on the engine then on the interior. Ive gathered this by the final condition of the cup holders and floor mats. But for $100 he got one hell of a deal. Chalk it up as a learning experience. Its water under the bridge now and youre $100 richer.
 
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