There is a lot to factor in when setting your prices.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Budget Detailing:
Based on your OP, it sounds like you are trying to offer a service that is budget oriented for the customer, and time and cost effective for your business.
Driving all over town for $25 dollar (just throwing out a number) car washes is just chasing the low hanging fruit.
At that point you are competing with all the drive by detailers and the AutoBell's of the world.
You are more likely to lose money than make money with this approach.
- Mobile or Shop:
A shop location is more suitable for offering lower budget services.
While this is a detailed wash you will be offering, the customer may just see it as a wash.
So, if you are mobile, consider only offering basic washes as maintenance details, to follow higher priced detail packages.
- Consider this:
Take the package service you described in your OP, and add a Clay and Wax to it.
So now it is a Wash, Clay, and Wax with a complimentary interior clean.
This package is easily worth $125 minimum, and makes it worth your time as a mobile detailer.
Also means you do not have to rush to get it done so quickly, as to maximize your dollar per hour ratio.
You can relax a little bit, and still maximize your profit.
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A few more things to think about.........
- Size and condition of the vehicle.
These are the two main factors when quoting a customer a final price.
So make sure to add this in a stated disclaimer to any service offered by your business.
So, when you display your services and the prices for each, make sure you do not put yourself in a situation you may regret.
This by taking on a vehicle where the condition is far worse than the service being contracted can address.
- Customers:
Customers are always looking for a bargain, and most really have no idea what a detail is.
Customers will try to get a pound's worth of work for the price of an ounce.
So, don't sell yourself short trying to gain business.
- Negotiations:
Some customers do know a thing about detailing, and try to get much more for much for less, similar to dealership work.
Customers will try to get a pound's worth of work for the price of an ounce.
It is not impossible for a customer to select a basic service, and then you the detailer spend all day on the vehicle because the condition is that bad.
You try to be the good guy, over deliver, and make the customer happy.
What really happens is you just get hustled.
