Maintenance washes?

clnfrk · 10-21-07, 04:29

How much do you all charge for a "basic" wash, vac and interior wipedown for your regular customers? How in depth do you go with these in between full detail washes? Most of my regular customers go from 2-3 weeks without a wash and it usually takes me approx. 1.5-2hrs (full size SUV's) and I charge $40-45 plus a $10 tip from a couple of my customers. Its more like a mini detail to me rather than a simple wash and vac. Everything pretty much gets wiped down in the interior along with it being air purged. Wheel wells and backsides of wheels (if accessible) get cleaned also. If I can't get to the entire backside I will at least clean what I can reach with a brush. Door and trunk jams get thoroughly wiped down and so on.

I'm just trying to get an idea on how my level of service with maintenance washes and what I charge compares with others.

SShine · 10-21-07, 05:40

I price my work out so I make $50/hr, so a wash and wax I usually try to bang it out real fast and I charge the $50....of course it all depends on the size of the vehicle.

If the wash and wax takes me 2 hours, its $100.....

I'd rather not do these types of jobs lol

bdaly84 · 10-21-07, 05:42

My regular customers that are on my maintance plan are paying $30.00 for the following process:

1-2 times a month:
Interior complete vac and spruce
Glass cleaned w/ IG
All wheels, tires, and wells are ONR washed and dressed
ONR wash body
Re-wipe jams, doors, trunk/hatch
Any addition problem areas that I see, I correct for them(stains, scuffs etc.)

Most of my regulars are very responsive to the qaulity of work and will always tip accordingly. So, usually my 30 turns into 45-55. And yes, my regulars LOVE it. Some can't get enough.

One of my goals during a maintance wash, is I try to at least hand 1-2cards to on lookers, neighbors, other employees. When the prespective customer is interested, Its great to show them how the my maintance program works and what the final result is of the return washes in between the details. I know 30 sounds a little low, but the regulars are my bread and butter and they know what to expect everytime. I treat them great and they treat me great. Referals are the best business.

I think you are on the right price range and process. It can take me as well sometimes twohours to do a maintance wash.

clnfrk · 10-21-07, 08:29

Thanks for the responses!

What about those who do not tip? In your opinion, do you feel that they are violating some sort of ethical code or something? Two of my customers, who just happen to drive the full size suv's never tip even though they are always thrilled with the end result. Even though I am charging them $40-45, I know very well that I am earning every cent of it and then some.

For instance, today I did a maintenance wash for one of the suv drivers with an '07 black Expedition. The car gets pretty trashed in between my visits due to the pre-teen and teenaged kids that are in the family. So, this is one of the washes that takes me approx. 2hrs and its not due to me working slow either. This was actually the first time that one of the kids didn't come out and ask me how much longer I would be. On all my other previous visits I encountered this small annoyance. Anyways, on my prior visit I had pointed out some scratches that I saw on the hood and passenger doors. She asked me if I could get them out and I told her yes.

So, she called me up a couple of days ago wanting to make another appointment for a wash and to have the scratches removed, which I performed today. After completing the work I was hoping they would ask how much they owed me with the scratch removal included, but apparently they just assumed it was a complimentary service and I received my usual check of $45. Not even an even $50 for the extra trouble.

I guess in a way I kind of offered my scratch removal service as a freebie since I never quoted them a price for it, but you'd think they'd at least show some sort of appreciation. Hell, even when I'm not happy with a haircut I'll still tip the stylist $3 or so. Although, now I always go to the same person and tip 5 or 6 dollars on a $13 haircut. So, I would think at least the same amount on a $40-$45 premium wash service should be customary?

mshu7 · 10-21-07, 09:21

At this point in my early months of business, I'm not offering a basic wash service because I don't find it worth while. By the time I travel, unpack, perform the service, pack up, and travel back home (or where ever), making $30-$50 just doesn't seem worth my time. I strive to make $40-$50 per hour. My lowest package is a "maintenance detail" that starts at $100. I keep the price high to discourage new-comers from selecting this service. Although, I offer a discount on the service to repeat customers.

imageautodetail · 10-22-07, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshu7

At this point in my early months of business, I'm not offering a basic wash service because I don't find it worth while. By the time I travel, unpack, perform the service, pack up, and travel back home (or where ever), making $30-$50 just doesn't seem worth my time. I strive to make $40-$50 per hour. My lowest package is a "maintenance detail" that starts at $100. I keep the price high to discourage new-comers from selecting this service. Although, I offer a discount on the service to repeat customers.

fleet style, 2 car mininum??

mshu7 · 10-22-07, 05:18

Yeah, I guess that's an option. I don't really want to do fleets, but I guess if a person owned 2+ cars and wanted a basic wash service I'd probably do it.

brwill2005 · 10-22-07, 07:18

My wash and vacuum packages starts at $50. If the customer agrees to have me do the service once a month or bi-weekly, I will drop the price a bit. If it is being done a scheduled basis the cars stay very clean, and the job can be finished much quicker.

mshu7 · 10-22-07, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwill2005

My wash and vacuum packages starts at $50. If the customer agrees to have me do the service once a month or bi-weekly, I will drop the price a bit. If it is being done a scheduled basis the cars stay very clean, and the job can be finished much quicker.

I like your system. I'll have to keep that in mind...thx!

EDIT: brwill2005, what all do you do for your wash and vacs?

brwill2005 · 10-22-07, 04:58

Dust/vacuum interior, wipe all surfaces, clean windows, wipe jambs, clean tires, wheels, wells, hand wash, and dress tires.

mshu7 · 10-22-07, 06:48

Great, thanks!

imageautodetail · 10-22-07, 06:56

just do a two car mininum, a great way to bring in new clients at someones place of employment, they want there car done and get a co worker, a great domino effect, also I dont offer a basic wash unless they are on a program atleast twice a month, otherwise it becomes to time consuming or becomes an express detail. If someone comes in and asks how much for a wash, I go right into an express detail, it turns a lot of people off, but they are not ones I want for customers, if they havent cleaned there car in 6 months, they can go spend 8 bucks at the gas station