They say we charge to much?

[NuWhit_AutoSpa]

I'm new in the detailing business but not new to detailing. Is $100 more then modest for removing stains, shampoo carpets, clean leather condition leather, protect the leather, clean the windows w/o the streaks left, clean the headliner, clean off all dirt and scuff marks on the interior, dust the vents and little crevices on the panels, clean the dash board and protect it. I'm new starting out and don't have enough money to get the right equipment but still work at a normal level of performance and quality. How do you guys convince your customers that the work is worth it, in my case, a lot more because mine is more labor intensive.

[BigAl3]

Originally Posted by NuWhit_AutoSpa

I'm new in the detailing business but not new to detailing. Is $100 more then modest for removing stains, shampoo carpets, clean leather condition leather, protect the leather, clean the windows w/o the streaks left, clean the headliner, clean off all dirt and scuff marks on the interior, dust the vents and little crevices on the panels, clean the dash board and protect it. I'm new starting out and don't have enough money to get the right equipment but still work at a normal level of performance and quality. How do you guys convince your customers that the work is worth it, in my case, a lot more because mine is more labor intensive.

are you offering exterior services as well?

[Got Wax]

Yesterday, I had my first deadbeat for a service. But, I charge $125.00 for a basic interior. I think that not only your level of service but, demographic and marketing plays a large part in your ability to capture higher rates.

Andy

[brwill2005]

$100 is not unusually high for a full interior detail. You should not be charging more, however, because you do not have the proper equipment to do the job quicker and more thorough. Equipment is an expense, and should actually warrant an increase in your rate. The customer though would be getting a better service and your image would improve. What if someone came to your house to clean your carpets with a shop-vac, a bucket and a scrub brush? You would not see him/her as professional, and the results would not be of professional quality. You would also not approve of him charging you more because he did not have the proper equipment to do the job in a reasonable amount of time.

[Rhino]

$90-$100 is pretty typical for a full interior detail. Add extra for uncommon messes ie; blood, pet messes, vomit, etc..

... But, please do yourself and the customer a favor if you intend to charge extra for these services and let the customer know before you go ahead and tackle them so you don't end up with a surprise when it comes time to collect payment. (Check out the thread started by "Got Wax" to see what I mean.

Good luck!

[NuWhit_AutoSpa]

Originally Posted by BigAl3

are you offering exterior services as well?

Na, That's just the interior. I really do a true thorough job. Since I I'm not certified and don't have the money to get the rotary yet (just starting out), I'm not offering a full detail. I have a PC w/ Wolfgang pads but it doesn't do work like a rotary.

Originally Posted by Got Wax

Yesterday, I had my first deadbeat for a service. But, I charge $125.00 for a basic interior. I think that not only your level of service but, demographic and marketing plays a large part in your ability to capture higher rates.

Andy

I read about that one. You had the cops come out for theft of service because he did want to pay you in full. I tell everyone exactly what I do ,in a detailed manor to avoid confusion, in my brochure.

Originally Posted by brwill2005

$100 is not unusually high for a full interior detail. You should not be charging more, however, because you do not have the proper equipment to do the job quicker and more thorough. Equipment is an expense, and should actually warrant an increase in your rate. The customer though would be getting a better service and your image would improve. What if someone came to your house to clean your carpets with a shop-vac, a bucket and a scrub brush? You would not see him/her as professional, and the results would not be of professional quality. You would also not approve of him charging you more because he did not have the proper equipment to do the job in a reasonable amount of time.

, The bucket, shop-vac and scrub brush is pretty much my line up for now, aside from a nice array of products. I really don't have heavy duty equipment. I understand the part of not taking me serious when I have the right tool for the job.

Originally Posted by Rhino

$90-$100 is pretty typical for a full interior detail. Add extra for uncommon messes ie; blood, pet messes, vomit, etc..

... But, please do yourself and the customer a favor if you intend to charge extra for these services and let the customer know before you go ahead and tackle them so you don't end up with a surprise when it comes time to collect payment. (Check out the thread started by "Salty" to see what I mean.

Good luck!

Thanks for the good luck. The vomit, blood and pet messes are included in the clean-up. I do EVERYTHING when I detail a interior. I have sort of a ocd thing when detailing, I like to go above and beyond. I like the factor when they see their car again.

[BigAl3]

Originally Posted by NuWhit_AutoSpa

I have a PC w/ Wolfgang pads but it doesn't do work like a rotary.

if you don't have to have a rotary to achieve excellent results. in the right hands, a PC with the right pads/products will do...

[toyotaguy]

i get some damn good results from the PC alone! rotary just makes things faster!

You should offer a wash and wax/interior package to boost sales...pitch it as 75 for interior and 50 for the exterior or however you want...it will make the customer think they are getting a deal!

interior only - 100
interior and exterior - 125

its the marketing ploy the local car washes use all the time..."for just $25 more you can have the exterior detailed too" =

[NuWhit_AutoSpa]

Originally Posted by BigAl3

if you don't have to have a rotary to achieve excellent results. in the right hands, a PC with the right pads/products will do...

So you say the PC can eliminate swirls marks when done right? It may sound funny because I'm new to the on hands experience with the machinery.

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

i get some damn good results from the PC alone! rotary just makes things faster!

You should offer a wash and wax/interior package to boost sales...pitch it as 75 for interior and 50 for the exterior or however you want...it will make the customer think they are getting a deal!

interior only - 100
interior and exterior - 125

its the marketing ploy the local car washes use all the time..."for just $25 more you can have the exterior detailed too" =

That's not a bad idea. I still want to know if you guys deal with people that say we charge too much for what we offer.

[bufferbarry]

Me personally in 11 years i have never not once needed a hot water extractor for any detail i have done. does this mean im not a professional? does it mean someone bring me work because i only use a shop vac? im curious on why you think someone wont take me as a professional because i do interiors with a scrub brush shop vac air compressor. and yes a pc can correct serious paint defects!

[Got Wax]

I have charged as much as $4500.00 and, yes...some people will always be looking for the cheapest service.

[Jakerooni]

Originally Posted by bufferbarry

Me personally in 11 years i have never not once needed a hot water extractor for any detail i have done. does this mean im not a professional? does it mean someone bring me work because i only use a shop vac? im curious on why you think someone wont take me as a professional because i do interiors with a scrub brush shop vac air compressor. and yes a pc can correct serious paint defects!

Yep. I'm with Barry on this one. I picked my extractor up just 2 years ago. For the 13 or so years before that it was just a shop vac and scrub brush with product of choice. The machines don't nessecerally make you better they just make it faster for the most part.