Pricing Help

[brondondolon]

I know that there is a mountain of posts on here for how to price but I haven't been able to get clear answers from them. So starting in June I am going to start a small detailing business in my driveway (I'm 16 so I can't get a shop). For a couple of friends I am doing their cars for free because I know that they'll be able to get me more business. For pricing I was thinking the following:
Hand Wash and Quik Detailer . . . $10
Exterior Package - Wash, Clay, Wax . . . $30
Tires, Trim, and Metal Polishing . . . $10 -20 (depending on amount of trim and metal)
Vacuum and Windows . . . $10
Interior Package - Vacuum, Windows, and Armor All interior . . . $25

I live in Northern Jersey (about 45 min from NYC) and I don't have any massive big shop competition that I know of.
So the end question is, am i screwing myself, the customer, or is this fine.

I remember reading your earlier post about how you're doing this to save for a car so before I give my input let me tell everyone else something.

**To everyone commenting:**
we all can agree his prices are far to low. But what we need to consider, from reading his last post about starting all this, is he's 16. He's not trying to turn this into a big company. He's doing it mainly for family friends and neighbors. The money he makes is so he can buy a car. For most of us who have bills and stuff yeah those prices wouldn't start my truck. But he's doing it out of his parents driveway and he's a kid. If he charged what others in his area charged every one would tell him to fly a kite and laugh.

So here's what I have to say to you. For what you're doing and what your goal is your prices are still a little low. But not way low. Raise the wash and quick detailer to $30 and increase everything else by $5-15. You will still be offering a convenient service to your friends family members and neighbors but you're not getting robbed. Since you're a kid they are going to weasel your price down any way so this way u still make some money.

Regarding doing your friends car for free. I wouldn't count on it especially if they are your age. If they truly are your friends they would get you business regardless if you do their car or not. If you want to do their car for free that's up to you. I wouldn't rely on anything coming out of it though. That's my opinion at least.

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[Jersey John]

Jersey John where are you located??

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I'm in Montville NJ which is about 30-45 minutes out side NYC, depending on traffic.

 

[VP Mark]

I wonder how many detailers quickly went out of business because a huge group of people on a forum demanded they start out at 16-18 charging body shop wages.

Seriously guys, and no offense to the OP, but who is really going to pay a 16 year old $200 for a wash, clay, and wax?

Pricing should be based on a combination of experience, market, costs, and desired clientele, not desired income range.

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[Eric@CherryOnTop]

If a 16 year old offered to wash my car for 10 bucks I'd be more inclined to give him 10 bucks not to...

Raise your prices at least a little so people at least take you seriously.


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[VP Mark]

If a 16 year old offered to wash my car for 10 bucks I'd be more inclined to give him 10 bucks not to...

Raise your prices at least a little so people at least take you seriously.


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You are an auto geek. Most people are not.

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[Jersey John]

You are an auto geek. Most people are not.

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Correct point bc im not marketing to Auto geeks because I don't have the skill to do what they want in a good amount of time. I am looking to the market of people with daily drivers that just want a shiny car they can show off.

 

[woopigsooie]

If a 16 year old offered to wash my car for 10 bucks I'd be more inclined to give him 10 bucks not to...

Raise your prices at least a little so people at least take you seriously.


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:iagree: Raising your prices a little helps build credibility and trust. If you are on Autogeek, you are probably already more educated than most people are on detailing and therefore can charge more for the knowledge and know how you have.

I think you should offer more than just a basic wash and quick detail spray though. When I was 16 I made great money doing a good hand wash and hand wax. That alone made me some money. Charge around $30-50 for that and you will be in business. Save the detail spray for return customers when all they need is a maintenance wash.

 

[Jersey John]

:iagree: Raising your prices a little helps build credibility and trust. If you are on Autogeek, you are probably already more educated than most people are on detailing and therefore can charge more for the knowledge and know how you have.

I think you should offer more than just a basic wash and quick detail spray though. When I was 16 I made great money doing a good hand wash and hand wax. That alone made me some money. Charge around $30-50 for that and you will be in business. Save the detail spray for return customers when all they need is a maintenance wash.

The plan was to save the quik detailer for people that come back for touch up washes. Although i may use quik detailer after I wax because i have found that it adds shine to dark paints and adds more water beading.

 

[mgmoore7]

I remember reading your earlier post about how you're doing this to save for a car so before I give my input let me tell everyone else something.

**To everyone commenting:**
we all can agree his prices are far to low. But what we need to consider, from reading his last post about starting all this, is he's 16. He's not trying to turn this into a big company. He's doing it mainly for family friends and neighbors. The money he makes is so he can buy a car. For most of us who have bills and stuff yeah those prices wouldn't start my truck. But he's doing it out of his parents driveway and he's a kid. If he charged what others in his area charged every one would tell him to fly a kite and laugh.

So here's what I have to say to you. For what you're doing and what your goal is your prices are still a little low. But not way low. Raise the wash and quick detailer to $30 and increase everything else by $5-15. You will still be offering a convenient service to your friends family members and neighbors but you're not getting robbed. Since you're a kid they are going to weasel your price down any way so this way u still make some money.

Regarding doing your friends car for free. I wouldn't count on it especially if they are your age. If they truly are your friends they would get you business regardless if you do their car or not. If you want to do their car for free that's up to you. I wouldn't rely on anything coming out of it though. That's my opinion at least.

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What he said.

 

[woopigsooie]

It sounds like you have a good plan then! You know your area better than we do. Its all about matching your services and pricing with what the customers in your area want and are willing to pay for.

Keep us updated on how your first details go!

 

[rustytruck]

Start with Renny's book then see what happens.

 

[Arsenal55]

I did a car for 15 bucks this weekend. Just a wash and spray wax. And I feel it was way to low after spending 40 minutes alone on the caked on brake dust wheels. It was an absolute mess. If the car is really clean and just needs a little waterless wash, then MAYBE Id charge 10 bucks. But anything more than that and I have to do at least 20 bucks.

 

[Visitor22]

I know that there is a mountain of posts on here for how to price but I haven't been able to get clear answers from them. So starting in June I am going to start a small detailing business in my driveway (I'm 16 so I can't get a shop). For a couple of friends I am doing their cars for free because I know that they'll be able to get me more business. For pricing I was thinking the following:
Hand Wash and Quik Detailer . . . $10
Exterior Package - Wash, Clay, Wax . . . $30
Tires, Trim, and Metal Polishing . . . $10 -20 (depending on amount of trim and metal)
Vacuum and Windows . . . $10
Interior Package - Vacuum, Windows, and Armor All interior . . . $25

I live in Northern Jersey (about 45 min from NYC) and I don't have any massive big shop competition that I know of.
So the end question is, am i screwing myself, the customer, or is this fine.

We are your competition in North Jersey But that's great you are looking to start your own business. One thing you should remember, never undervalue your services. If you are good at what you do, don't let customers haggle you down and discount your time. Best of luck to you! We are always looking for new hires as well as potentially selling the biz come December. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions!

Dylan C. - Owner
Premier Auto Detailers - Home

 

[NYAutoPro]

Hi, John. Congrats on taking the first step to starting your own business. Most people don't have the desire and courage to do what you are trying.

My $0.02...

I would raise your prices a bit as mentioned. At least $10-20 for basic.

Don't do anything in business for free, not even to lure customers or build rapport. Charge them your usual fee, but do a good job.

Read some of the other posts on this forum and watch a lot of You Tube "how to" videos. There's a wealth of information out there for free.

Best of luck!

 

[Pureshine]

I have to say this if your doing washes for 10-20 why even start a detailing business really and You should just get a job at the local car wash. For those prices no matter where you live theres no money in it and not worth all the work it takes to run a business thats just my 02.

 

[Real Riders]

If the neighbors would let me use their water and I didn't have to drive anywhere, I would hand wash and quick detail every car in the neighborhood for $10 each.

 

[Real Riders]

I think I can wash and spray detail at least 10 cars in an 8 hour period. That would be $100 a day using minimal products and the neighbors water. That is not a bad day for a 16 yr old who does not have leave his neighborhood

This price would only be for small cars. Full Size Trucks and SUVs would be more