what do you charge?

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webringtheshine

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whats the going rate for a package including:


  • clean wheels & tires
  • bug removal
  • wash
  • dry
  • clay
  • express wax
  • dress tires
 
We have no package that doesn't include the windows inside and out and at a minimum a thorough wipe down and vacuum of the interior. And we don't use express wax of any type in any package.
 
For me I would charge at the very minimum $80 for that. I never did this professionally and it was a more of a building up my business type of thing. But I’m sure if you have the setup(meaning nice/professional working area) and you can produce good results and maintain a good customer interaction most people mind paying at least $120. Pricing is a very subjective statement. Look online at what other professional detail shops in your area are charging and this will give you a good idea of what to charge.


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I think that's the key. No matter what you think your time is worth, your time is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. The area that I live is in wealthy, but it's more like blue collar wealthy, so I can't get Hollywood movie star money. I see guys in IG doing $25 washes because that's all their market will bear maybe until they establish a name and a customer base for themselves. Our average ticket has climbed to right around $200 and average price span is probably around $125 to $350. We don't do a lot of jobs below either end of that spectrum. We offer a basic wash starting at $45 for a small sedan (which typically turns into $55-60 after tip), but we RARELY do washes, maybe 1-2 a week sometimes none. Even when somebody books a basic wash using our online booking software, I can usually upsell them something else once I get there. Add on a wax or some leather steam cleaning/conditioning or buff out some scuffs, literally anything to get that ticket up.
 
Just as Suds mentioned, the base price is just that, a base price to get them to raise their hand and contact you. Do some Googling and find out what other detailers in your area are charging and put yourself in the ballpark with those numbers. There are a lot of factors that go into pricing and all it takes is some research to figure out what works in your situation.

Down here in South Carolina I start my basic service at $55 for sedans and $75 for trucks double cab or larger which covers:

Hand wash
wheels/tires cleaned and dressed
interior vacuum
interior wipe down
I brush all the buttons with a make-up brush and blow them out as well.
windows spotless/streak free

I add a wax for an additional $15 (hand or machine applied) or a sealant for $25. most people go for the sealant as it lasts longer and shines more. People like even numbers so that $80 mark is just right for them.

I just had a client call me about this service and the biggest reason she was calling me is because all the places that she took her car to beforehand either didn't do a complete job, used dirty rags to wipe clean surfaces, or weren't very nice to her. Always ask questions that lead to objections they've had with other detailing services so that you can avoid those mistakes.
 
we charge $75-125 for en exterior detail and can complete it in about 1.5 hours with 2 people
 
On my menu, that's my: Option 1 - "Wash & Wax".

I do a quick machine application of a cleaner wax / sealant.

$125.00 cars / $175.00 trucks / suv.
 
cars 150-175 , suv 170-200 , truck 170-250

* depends how heavy is with bugs , and also overall condition
 
In california, you have car washers and detailers which are not the same
Guys are driving around in unbranded astro vans washing cars for $25, calling it a detail. It's very important to brand yourself and your vehicle. This separates yourself from the cookie cutters. These car washers are the same guys who sell their van and equipment on local app ads after a few months. It's also important to make sure your rig is clean exterior and interior. Practice what you preach
 
Cosmin said:
i like my van dirty :) , i know i am busy when is dirty....
usually get`s a wash when rains
Click to expand...

+1

I just had time to detail my rig last week for the first time in a couple months. I've run a hose over it a few times to knock off the big stuff, but detail it, no way, just not enough time in the day when you're busy every day. And I mean every day.
 
webringtheshine said:
whats the going rate for a package including:


  • clean wheels & tires
  • bug removal
  • wash
  • dry
  • clay
  • express wax
  • dress tires
Click to expand...

How long does it take you? What do you need to make an hour? Is this weekend warrior money, part time gig, full time?

My prices in suburb of Az are probably super high compared to someone in urban Kansas ...and probably low to someone in Bay Area Cali - so you’ll need to keep that in mind.

We don’t have a package like what you described. We have a wash/seal (includes all of what you said except a clay bar...but adds on a vac and wipe down and windows). We do $180 for cars. If you’re just going the express wax route $99-$125 is likely a better price and then try to up sell to a sealant.
 
As others have said, depends on your area, and how much competition you have. If I lived 50 miles west of me, I could probably do coatings all day (wealthy people) And I could charge much more than I do. Where I live though, lots of cheapskates and 2 person detail teams in plain white vans who will "wash" your car for $15. I see one of these vans at a strip mall around the corner every day. I bet they do 25 cars a day. After expenses they probably make around $150 each a day, not good for non stop out door work. It also doesn't help that 70% of people I talk to about me being a detailer think a "full detail" is a wash + wax + vacuum. And it better be $40'ish 50 max.

My rates for what you asked:
Wheels & Tires - I have 2 packages, a basic one, and one where I use an Iron remover and a tire coating that lasts 2-3 months.
Basic - $30
Upgraded - $60


Wash (waterless with AMMO Frothe)
$30 for a compact car
$35 for a sedan.
$45 for a truck, SUV or Minivan.

Clay - Nanoskin Autoscrub $60

Spray Sealant (no express wax) $60 - Lasts 6'ish months.

I have 3 packages, and my Al La Carte menu has 24 items. A couple are duplicates depending on the vehicle size. If someone wants strictly Al La Carte, I have a $35 minimum, and if they get 3+ things it's 10% off, 5+ 15% off.

I just started last week, so my prices aren't set in stone. My town's full of quick, cheap, good enough where it looks clean van dudes. So I can't compete with them on pricing or speed, a lot work in pairs. And even the solo ones just bang thru, where I don't rush. Since I'm mobile only, if I have to travel over 5 miles, I charge a buck a mile. I'd say for the products I use, and the attention I give the cars my prices are a bit low. But as other have mentioned in a lot of parts of the country I couldn't even charge what I do.
 
077F9172-9DE0-4C9C-936E-AC3B75C597C2.jpeg



Bob
 
Be flexible but don’t give them too many options most of them don’t know the difference between wax and sealant. Throw in something free for first time customers. If you do mobile when you start the folks will see the hard work and it helps in tips. I have sealants and ceramic I’ll throw a free waterless wash in 6 months so I get to recontact the customers That are first time this usually hooks them. I do it during non peak times. Corvette groups are great find your local organization try to contact them.
 
j.williams@perpetualradiance said:
As others have said, depends on your area, and how much competition you have. If I lived 50 miles west of me, I could probably do coatings all day (wealthy people) And I could charge much more than I do. Where I live though, lots of cheapskates and 2 person detail teams in plain white vans who will "wash" your car for $15. I see one of these vans at a strip mall around the corner every day. I bet they do 25 cars a day. After expenses they probably make around $150 each a day, not good for non stop out door work. It also doesn't help that 70% of people I talk to about me being a detailer think a "full detail" is a wash + wax + vacuum. And it better be $40'ish 50 max.

My rates for what you asked:
Wheels & Tires - I have 2 packages, a basic one, and one where I use an Iron remover and a tire coating that lasts 2-3 months.
Basic - $30
Upgraded - $60


Wash (waterless with AMMO Frothe)
$30 for a compact car
$35 for a sedan.
$45 for a truck, SUV or Minivan.

Clay - Nanoskin Autoscrub $60

Spray Sealant (no express wax) $60 - Lasts 6'ish months.

I have 3 packages, and my Al La Carte menu has 24 items. A couple are duplicates depending on the vehicle size. If someone wants strictly Al La Carte, I have a $35 minimum, and if they get 3+ things it's 10% off, 5+ 15% off.

I just started last week, so my prices aren't set in stone. My town's full of quick, cheap, good enough where it looks clean van dudes. So I can't compete with them on pricing or speed, a lot work in pairs. And even the solo ones just bang thru, where I don't rush. Since I'm mobile only, if I have to travel over 5 miles, I charge a buck a mile. I'd say for the products I use, and the attention I give the cars my prices are a bit low. But as other have mentioned in a lot of parts of the country I couldn't even charge what I do.
Click to expand...

You're doing it wrong. If you want to set yourself apart from the "mow and blow" car washers why are you concerned with their pricing, what they're doing, the quality of work they do or any of that ####. Who cares? Set your pricing, stick to your pricing, don't discount anything ever, don't do any jobs ever for $50. The SECOND you pull up to somebody's house and work for $50, you're the guy that does stuff for $50. Every time they think of you, they'll think $50. Is that what you want? Sell yourself, sell your work, do the job right, get paid. If you can't command your price, there's two reasons, you don't deserve it or you're not asking for it.
 
$30? $30? I mean seriously, you have somebody give you $30 for something how in the hell are you going to ask them for $300? $500? You're the guy that charges $30.
 
sudsmobile said:
You're doing it wrong. If you want to set yourself apart from the "mow and blow" car washers why are you concerned with their pricing, what they're doing, the quality of work they do or any of that ####. Who cares? Set your pricing, stick to your pricing, don't discount anything ever, don't do any jobs ever for $50. The SECOND you pull up to somebody's house and work for $50, you're the guy that does stuff for $50. Every time they think of you, they'll think $50. Is that what you want? Sell yourself, sell your work, do the job right, get paid. If you can't command your price, there's two reasons, you don't deserve it or you're not asking for it.
Click to expand...

This post deserves a sticky
 
sudsmobile said:
You're doing it wrong. If you want to set yourself apart from the "mow and blow" car washers why are you concerned with their pricing, what they're doing, the quality of work they do or any of that ####. Who cares? Set your pricing, stick to your pricing, don't discount anything ever, don't do any jobs ever for $50. The SECOND you pull up to somebody's house and work for $50, you're the guy that does stuff for $50. Every time they think of you, they'll think $50. Is that what you want? Sell yourself, sell your work, do the job right, get paid. If you can't command your price, there's two reasons, you don't deserve it or you're not asking for it.
Click to expand...

In my town the people are cheap, they don't care how much higher quality the products I use are, or how I use a technique that won't mar up the paint. $50 in my area for a wash is unheard of, at my prices I'm above all the others by almost double. All my next door neighbor knows if I told him I'd wash his car for $30, and the person who comes to his house does it for $15. I can preach to him till I'm blue in the face about quality, all he see's is I'm twice as expensive. If all I did was correction and coatings, I could maybe drum up a single customer a month. Where you live and what's available plays a big part in what you can charge. Doesn't matter if I was as good as Larry from AMMO or Renny Doyle, if I charged what they do I might never get a single job. 3 of my neighbors laughed at me when I said $45 to wash their ginormous trucks. A raised F250, Chevy 3500 or whatever and another big chevy. There's no market for a high end detailer in my town. I charge $30 for a wash only, which takes me about 35 minutes. The competition all charge 20 or less for the same thing, and by same thing I mean a wash only. I'm going to move next year, but for now this is where I'm at. lol

Jimbo on his detailing podcast has spoke on how where he started, to make it he had to wash cars for 10 hours a day to make $250. You have to start somewhere right? Why I'd rather not do 8 $30 washes in a day day, it sure beats 1 $400 coating every 2 or 3 weeks. *shrug* So until I move, I'll wash and wash and wash and when a coating or correction job comes along I'll gladly do it. I would love to sit down with someone who started detailing and was already successful enough where they only did big jobs. Then I could pick their brain. I guess I just assume everyone starts in the trenches and had to work their tail off to get to where they won't go a persons house for less than $150. Or, maybe they lived somewhere like Laguna Beach where the people are uber rich and drive nice cars and will shell out the $$$. I'm sure it also has to do with me not being some super salesman too.

I totally agree with what you said, believe me I don't want to do $30 washes, but I also don't want to go back to working in a warehouse, so until I can figure out how to make what you suggested work for me. Unfortunately I have to compete with bottom barrel dudes, and I'm still getting told how expensive I am by 90% of people I approach about being their car detailer guy. So while you're in awe why I'd go to someone's house for a measly $45, the people I deal with are in awe I charge that much. It's weird how different people see things so differently lol.
 
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