Pricing question for jobs....

Buffalohonker

Buffalohonker

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So today is the day I have my first detailing job. The lady who's vehicle I am doing usually went to a chain car wash in the area and was paying $249 for a full detail. I myself am only charging $100. My way is thinking is charge less do more vehicles.Am I underselling myself? Already just by talk around the shop I have 3 other vehicles and a boat slated for spring. Should I keep my price where it is or should I increase? And by how much if so?
 
So today is the day I have my first detailing job. The lady who's vehicle I am doing usually went to a chain car wash in the area and was paying $249 for a full detail. I myself am only charging $100. My way is thinking is charge less do more vehicles.Am I underselling myself? Already just by talk around the shop I have 3 other vehicles and a boat slated for spring. Should I keep my price where it is or should I increase? And by how much if so?
 
I'm not a detailer but I do have experience running businesses and detailing is a business.

If you are starting out in the business, it's ok to charge lower prices in the beginning. This is assuming you are not an expert already. If you are, you can charge whatever you want. People perceive higher prices as better product or service and if they have the disposable income, they will pay.

Running a business is fun and can be rewarding if you make the right decisions.

And.....if you want to absolutely monopolize your area, I also have tips for that.
 
Oh and by the way, charging less and doing more vehicles is very limiting, you only have so many hours in a day.

If you find you have too many vehicles you either raise your prices or hire people and also raise your prices slightly.
 
As of right now this is just 100% putting new rifle money in my pocket haha I would maybe do 2 cars a month if I'm lucky
 
Actually my full time job lets me use the warehouse on the weekends :-)
 
I guess not much room for expansion, just do what others have said, under promise and over deliver.
 
That really depends on what you are offering. For $100 that is a wash, spray wax, vacuum, spot clean carpets, wipe down interior, wipe down door jambs type of deal.

$100 is much too little for full interior, engine bay, machine polish with sealant type deal. Even when you are starting out.
 
Since you're starting off with actual paying customers, I wouldn't worry about charging accordingly

What you should focus on (which will determine how much you can charge) is the TIME it takes you to finish it

I would track every phase of the detail

- 8 to 8:10= got all the tools and area set up
- 8:10 to 8:30= cleaned all 4 wheels
- 8:30 to 9:15= washed vehicle
- 9:15 to 9:25= dried vehicle
- and so forth

This will help you in a lot of ways:
1) It's a good overview of what you did
2) See where you're wasting time and where you can save time
3) Figure out a hourly rate you can charge
 
You need to tell us what your actually doing for a $100.
 
VP Mark said:
That really depends on what you are offering. For $100 that is a wash, spray wax, vacuum, spot clean carpets, wipe down interior, wipe down door jambs type of deal.

$100 is much too little for full interior, engine bay, machine polish with sealant type deal. Even when you are starting out.
Click to expand...

:iagree: You need to decide what kind of detailing you want todo. I only do one car and make $300+ a day on average.
 
How long does your $100 detail take you?

What is your goal for dollars per hour?
 
Why the Double Post in the same section on the same morning?
 
I'm not really sure how that happened? I only made the post once but there are like almost 30 mins apart
 
That took me 4 hours. Haven't really thought about a per hour pay scale....
 
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