Your Definition of a Basic Exterior Detail

Im with pureshine...
My basic is $25
Clean & Dress wheels and tires
Foam pre-soak & wash
Dry


BASICS only. Next step up does things like 2 bucket wash & spray wax for $45

Plenty of people around here BALK at the $25 even!!! Geesh.
 
I am completely mobile and the rig doesn't move for less than $50 and that's if it's close by. I couldn't sustain a business doing $25 washes for 1-2 hours of work. You have to play your market and see what your worth and what people are charging around you.

I have a supervisor that also runs a detailing business on the side and he tells me all about how he goes everywhere and knocks out 3 or 4 cars a day for 20-35 bucks a piece and is usually home by 2. I told him I can spend time on 1 car and pull that just for a basic wash and spray wax. He kind of gave me a dumbfounded look on his face like he just had an epiphany.

The worst part is I still get told on a regular basis that my prices don't do my work justice. Although I don't feel comfortable raising my prices, the referrals I get from happy customers gets me tenfold or more what I'd make if I charged more.

As far as a basic exterior detail goes, wheels, gas cap, and tires cleaned, 2BM, ww towel dry with D156 as a drying aid. If you're consistent and effective, you'll have a repeat customer and the possibility of more work.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using AG Online
 
I wash dealers cars and only do exterior washes using the dealers water. I hand wash the car twice to make sure I don't miss any dirt, scrub the tires and wheels, dry the car, and dress the tires for $5 a car. Some dealers turn me down on this price because they feel it's too high.
 
Real Riders said:
I wash dealers cars only and only do exterior washes using the dealers water. I hand wash the car twice to make sure I don't miss any dirt, scrub the tires and wheels, dry the car, and dress the tires for $5 a car. Some dealers turn me down on this price because they feel it's too high.
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Damn! That's rough. I'd try to get of the dealership thing and using your experience to transition into higher end vehicles.
 
One man, or two?
Real Riders said:
I wash dealers cars and only do exterior washes using the dealers water. I hand wash the car twice to make sure I don't miss any dirt, scrub the tires and wheels, dry the car, and dress the tires for $5 a car. Some dealers turn me down on this price because they feel it's too high.
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hernandez.art13 said:
So the $25 wash package doesn't get the 2BM?
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Nope, it gets the foam in front of wash mit wash. Also I work a full time job, deliver pizza 1 night a week so I am BY FAR not doing this for money. I love doing it and it relaxes me/enjoy seeing peoples faces when I finish their cars
 
Vegas Transplant said:
One man, or two?
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I cleaned 16 cars two weeks ago for $80 by myself. I washed every car twice, scrubbed the tires and wheels, dried all 16 cars and dressed the tires on all of them -- $5 each x 16 = $80. I may not be charging enough.
 
Real Riders said:
I cleaned 16 cars two weeks ago for $80 by myself. I washed every car twice, scrubbed the tires and wheels, dried all 16 cars and dressed the tires on all of them -- $5 each x 16 = $80. I may not be charging enough.
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I hope your joking thats is horrible sorry:(
 
Real Riders said:
I cleaned 16 cars two weeks ago for $80 by myself. I washed every car twice, scrubbed the tires and wheels, dried all 16 cars and dressed the tires on all of them -- $5 each x 16 = $80. I may not be charging enough.
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Good Lord.

That is a lot of money.......in 1972.......
 
Pureshine said:
I hope your joking thats is horrible sorry:(
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Nope I'm not joking, I wish I could charge more but dealers are very hard to deal with . Wonder what is a good price to charge new dealers in the future for this same service?
 
Real Riders said:
Nope I'm not joking, I wish I could charge more but dealers are very hard to deal with . Wonder what is a good price to charge new dealers in the future?
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I don't any detailer getting paid $5 a car. Thats not even min wage! You should least get $20 a car 16x20=$320 and definitely not be washing them twice for $5 that means your only making $2.50 a car.
 
I would agree about the $20 per car. I wouldn't be dressing their tires or much else but spraying them with a hose for $5 each.
 
Pureshine said:
I don't any detailer getting paid $5 a car. Thats not even min wage! You should least get $20 a car 16x20=$320 and definitely not be washing them twice for $5 that means your only making $2.50 a car.
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Thanks for the advice and info, I will try negotiate a better price at the next dealer
 
Real Riders said:
I cleaned 16 cars two weeks ago for $80 by myself. I washed every car twice, scrubbed the tires and wheels, dried all 16 cars and dressed the tires on all of them -- $5 each x 16 = $80. I may not be charging enough.
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You're above par with $5/lot washing. But what matters is your time frame.
Most lot washers I know make two fitty - $3, but do 30 cars in 2-3 hours tops. Have 2-3 lots per day.
Gonna be hard to negotiate from now until tax season opens up.
 
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