Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakerooni
I tend to ask the question.. Just how good do you want it to look? A DD can look good from a few feet away and 99% of the people out there are perfectly fine with that. (usually a 1-3 step polish and on your way ya go) Some want it to look good when you're nose touches the paint (many more steps of correction required)
Knowing your own process and how long it takes you on average is the key to pricing by the hour. And let the customer know full well estimates are estimates and things may change pending on how the correction process goes. I list a starting price on my website. To me it's the minimum I'm willing to do what's listed for regardless if things go quickly or take a little extra time. I will go up from there pending on correction needed/wanted. and condition of the vechile to start with. But if you don't know how long it takes you on average to do a 1 step polish on a soft clear coat you're going to find it difficult to price it out right. This is where experience comes into play. You may burn yourself on the first one or two but you'll learn very quickly your timing for things and what it takes... Don't be to afraid to price things wrong at first... It just keeps you from working... Price it as you think it fits. And tweak it when you figure it out.
|
That was VERY well put, thats jakerooni and got wax! I was too focused on setting prices for every service and product I used... didn't think to factor in the price by hour method into my scheme. Just for the hell of it a few details ago I started keeping a log on how long it took me to do some various things; I'll try and use that to build a price model.
Jakerooni, I went to your website and I was amazed at all I learned from looking at your pricing and website layout. I haven't looked at a detailer's website who pays attention to the paint correction step of detailing, and it taught me a lot about how I might lay out my pricing.
Jake, you have a PM :]
Thanks a lot!
-Jake (#2?)