Pricing question

hernandez.art13 said:
Thank you very much!

But if I'm not known how do i become known?
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To be very honest...As others have said you need to start small, friends family,,WORD OF MOUTH that your work is worth customers coming to you or even wanting to come back


Wish had a dollar for the countless number of guys i see here each week saying they are starting there own detail biz, most I never see here again.

Its the type of job almost anybody can say they can do, it requires no degree or certifications for the most part. The problem with this is that "some" guy can say hes a car detailer,,as he sprays windex on your tinted windows and says that will be $20 bucks.

I guess what Im trying to say is....Start small, if your any good, people will seek you out and want your services, if your NOT good you will have a shelf full of supplies being unused.

Its almost unrealistic in simple terms to say your gonna start your own detailing biz without the knowledge of how to really, properly detail cars, especially show cars. Not questioning your detail skills what so ever but I would rethink this and maybe consider detailing as a part time thing until your name gets out there,,hopefully in a positive light
 
cleanmycorolla said:
You seem to have a lot of questions, and thats always good! You should look at this book if starting this as a career. It wil help you out a lot and maybe consolidate down many of your questions.

I say learn as much as you can, than worry about what you're going to charge.

How to Start a Home-based Car Detailing Business, car detailing book, best auto detailing books
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+1 on the book.

140 is severely low. I charge 300-400. It's very difficult work. It will burn you out if you aren't getting paid enough to make it worth it. Try to make around 30 per hour while your getting started. A 4 step should be taking you 6-10 hours or more.
 
statusdetailing said:
+1 on the book.

140 is severely low. I charge 300-400. It's very difficult work. It will burn you out if you aren't getting paid enough to make it worth it. Try to make around 30 per hour while your getting started. A 4 step should be taking you 6-10 hours or more.
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Hey there status..long time no see..

I finally got me a steamer :)
 
Nice, steamers are great! I'd figured it's time to get my butt back on the forum. We should start another post about steamers. I've learned a lot over the past few months. Especially what they can damage!

Hernandez, Dude! You seem like a cool guy. Don't be afraid to charge more. I think I remember you posting something about how this is like a hobby for you and you have another source of income. Charge more and do good work. The business will come, especially if you've got a good website and advertising. Eventually you might be able to make this a full time thing.

Good luck!

Doug, I'm headed to start a steamer post, now!
 
Nice to see you back on forum status..

Please do share some of your thoughts on another thread regarding steamers...
 
statusdetailing said:
Nice, steamers are great! I'd figured it's time to get my butt back on the forum. We should start another post about steamers. I've learned a lot over the past few months. Especially what they can damage!

Hernandez, Dude! You seem like a cool guy. Don't be afraid to charge more. I think I remember you posting something about how this is like a hobby for you and you have another source of income. Charge more and do good work. The business will come, especially if you've got a good website and advertising. Eventually you might be able to make this a full time thing.

Good luck!

Doug, I'm headed to start a steamer post, now!
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Yeah it is a hobby i'm not on here to learn how to make money. I am on here to learn how to do the work I do and stopping charging materials only. (Losing money)

I basically charge Omakase meaning (it's up to you) cos I just get really excited when I see a car that i know can be bring back to life and it has resulted in me making to little or no money even money coming out of my own pocket.

I did this for a guy who flipped cars, he paid me $150, compound, polish and wax all by machine and he said the value went up like $500-$1000 more.

At first I didn't care, but I should be making that money since I am doing all the work.

Thanks everybody I have learned that all the jobs I've been doing I have been basically getting ripped off. (In a way) but now I know the work i am doing is high valued work. I'll start with close friends and family and take the loss there or little pay, it wont hurt me much since it is my close friends and family.
 
Oh and it's also a hobby of mine since I do have another source of income and I am currently going to College
 
hernandez.art13 said:
Oh and it's also a hobby of mine since I do have another source of income and I am currently going to College
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Nothing wrong with giving close friends and family a significant discount. I try to do my friends and family's cars during the slow season.
 
statusdetailing said:
Nothing wrong with giving close friends and family a significant discount. I try to do my friends and family's cars during the slow season.
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Ok good to know, yeah I am just trying to learn as much as possible but not really trying to build a clientele. But when i do get that guy that comes up to me and asks me how much? Now i know what to charge.

Last year I was in a wheel chair (not being able to walk or talk) eating food that was in pudding material.
Living at the hospital but now I am back on my feet and moving around actually doing something,

Gym,school, buffing (practicing what I used to do professionally full time 3 years ago, buffing)

There's thing I cant do or have to work at doing normally again, and there is things that I can do, like buffing. So I am concentrating on everything.

It might take me a little longer (I lightly fell too the other day when I was doing the Green Machine lol) and after I'll be exhausted but it's a good physical therapy. Even mental and I love it.
 
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Dougw4355 said:
To be very honest...As others have said you need to start small, friends family,,WORD OF MOUTH that your work is worth customers coming to you or even wanting to come back


Wish had a dollar for the countless number of guys i see here each week saying they are starting there own detail biz, most I never see here again.

Its the type of job almost anybody can say they can do, it requires no degree or certifications for the most part. The problem with this is that "some" guy can say hes a car detailer,,as he sprays windex on your tinted windows and says that will be $20 bucks.

I guess what Im trying to say is....Start small, if your any good, people will seek you out and want your services, if your NOT good you will have a shelf full of supplies being unused.

Its almost unrealistic in simple terms to say your gonna start your own detailing biz without the knowledge of how to really, properly detail cars, especially show cars. Not questioning your detail skills what so ever but I would rethink this and maybe consider detailing as a part time thing until your name gets out there,,hopefully in a positive light
Click to expand...

I don't think I would ever do this as a full time bread earner job. I like to do it as a hobby. I am going to college for a Computer Science degree. When I do work full time it isn't going to be working on cars. I want to be in a comfy office working on computers.

So if you don't hear from me in the future it might be cos I found a comfy office computer job
 
hernandez.art13 said:
Yeah it is a hobby i'm not on here to learn how to make money. I am on here to learn how to do the work I do and stopping charging materials only. (Losing money)
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Sounds to me like you are trying to make money or am I confused? :buffing:?


Derrick
 
Derrick said:
Sounds to me like you are trying to make money or am I confused? :buffing:?


Derrick
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Not how to make money just charge accordingly. If I do 1 or two a month, I'll be happy starting off and build my clientele that way.

I just didnt know i was charging way to cheap. But with the help of you guys now I know.
 
Read Doyles book. Seems like many pros will tell you that they underestimated the business side opposed to the actual detailing side of running a successful business.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
I plan on charging a la carte as well.

Some clients wont need all 4 steps, maybe just a polish and wax.

For

Clay=?
Compound=?
Polish=?
Wax=?

My uncle said to remember that I am so working off the street and barely starting up.

I figure I could charge $35 for each step.

Would total $140 if they asked for all 4 steps.

I would include a quick detail as part of my package as well. So it could be more presentable.

(After typing this it made me realize what you guys were saying about customers caring more about the interior, a friend of mine she would care for the total package interior/exterior)

Well I don't mind about the work flow. So just a help with pricing each category will be fine thanks.
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Ok you totally confused me now..asking what to charge customers ect,,and then changing your questions saying your doing it just for friends and you have a job,,,
 
6supersport7 said:
Read Doyles book. Seems like many pros will tell you that they underestimated the business side opposed to the actual detailing side of running a successful business.
Click to expand...

Yeah it seems that is only going to be my only solution.
 
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