Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    341
    Post Thanks / Like

    What should I charge?

    Since this is a hobby with me, I have someone who wants their 3 series BMW, washed, wax and interior cleaned and treated. Interior is not super dirty.

  2. #2
    dcjredline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Near Rochester, NY
    Posts
    788
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Figure out how much per hour your time is worth and factor in how good of a friend they are, then guess how long the work will take. Time value x Hours to complete.

    No one can tell you what you should charge cause there are so many factors involved.
    1. Labor costs in your area
    2. Skill level
    3. Actual condition of the vehicle
    4. Tools you have at your disposal to make the job quicker or take longer
    etc
    etc
    etc
    Don

    1989 Formula 350
    2004 Saturn Ion Quadcoupe

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    341
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by dcjredline View Post
    Figure out how much per hour your time is worth and factor in how good of a friend they are, then guess how long the work will take. Time value x Hours to complete.

    No one can tell you what you should charge cause there are so many factors involved.
    1. Labor costs in your area
    2. Skill level
    3. Actual condition of the vehicle
    4. Tools you have at your disposal to make the job quicker or take longer
    etc
    etc
    etc
    Northern Idaho
    Skill level comparable to the professionals
    Daily driver but well kept
    Tools - don`t own a steamer, but do own Q tips. Doesn`t want a detailed job, so the interior would just need vacuum and treatment of the seats
    I will have to do a AIO on the paint, obviously. Probably use my DA with M66.

  4. #4
    dcjredline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Near Rochester, NY
    Posts
    788
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by bcgreen View Post
    Northern Idaho
    Skill level comparable to the professionals
    Daily driver but well kept
    Tools - don`t own a steamer, but do own Q tips. Doesn`t want a detailed job, so the interior would just need vacuum and treatment of the seats
    I will have to do a AIO on the paint, obviously. Probably use my DA with M66.
    Those weren`t questions buddy, they were a guide for you, to help you decide what you need to charge. No one else can tell you what to charge someone for your work.
    Don

    1989 Formula 350
    2004 Saturn Ion Quadcoupe
    Likes ShakingHorizons liked this post

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    341
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Thanks Don. All things being equal, just wanted some guidelines and idea what other people are charging, then I make adjustments accordingly.
    Nevertheless, the gentleman ended up wanting the same treatment I gave his girlfriend`s vehicle.

  6. #6
    Wax Waster Ronkh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    SwFL
    Posts
    27,090
    Post Thanks / Like
    Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It`s good to be da King !!!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    LI
    Posts
    4,448
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    As much as you can, less the good frkend factor. I met a guy who wanted his car done by me after seeing my Infiniti and talking about my detailing philosophy. I did his car At my price and got it. You need to make enough money so you are happy not taking short cuts. Also get a 100 percent waiver of liability no matter what !

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Cincy
    Posts
    373
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by bcgreen View Post
    Since this is a hobby with me, I have someone who wants their 3 series BMW, washed, wax and interior cleaned and treated. Interior is not super dirty.
    Then double it. Doing a car for someone else (especially the first time someone is paying you for it) tends to take much longer because you want to impress them.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    341
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by brownbob06 View Post
    Then double it. Doing a car for someone else (especially the first time someone is paying you for it) tends to take much longer because you want to impress them.
    Got a text from his girlfriend and she says he can`t stop talking about how great the car looks. I told them "this is friend price and if anyone wants to know how much, don`t tell them what I charged you."

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    895
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    I cant get excited for 100 an hour or less. At 100 an hour it should be an 8 hour job, for 2 or 3 hours, you should pencil in 150 an hour, or just work on other things that build your business.

  11. #11
    House of Wax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Roscoe, IL
    Posts
    3,521
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by JBM View Post
    I cant get excited for 100 an hour or less. At 100 an hour it should be an 8 hour job, for 2 or 3 hours, you should pencil in 150 an hour, or just work on other things that build your business.
    Holy cap I`m getting ripped off

    Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    64
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Always the best post

  13. #13

    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    775
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by JBM View Post
    I cant get excited for 100 an hour or less. At 100 an hour it should be an 8 hour job, for 2 or 3 hours, you should pencil in 150 an hour, or just work on other things that build your business.
    Jeez.....how do you manage to sell those prices!?
    Current: Nothing

    Previously: 2004 Milano Red Acura TSX, 2014 Jet Black Mica Mazda 6

  14. #14

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    895
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What should I charge?

    Quote Originally Posted by ViperGuy21 View Post
    Jeez.....how do you manage to sell those prices!?
    I dont sell detailing, I sell stone work and masonry work, but isnt it all relative? A guy who did my tattoos charges 150 an hour, my mechanic charges 80 an hour for a shop, plumbers charge 80-100 an hour.

    A professional isnt a professional unless he makes somewhere around 80-100 an hour minimum.

    For an example, sometimes people will call me for literally 1 lose brick on their steps, and I tell them 300 to fix it. 15 mins of work, but I have to drive there twice, match the brick, so on and so forth.

    The best detailer is the one who makes the most money, everything else is b.s.

    The only people who will demand you get more money, is you.

 

 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. TURBO-CHARGE or SUPER-CHARGE?!?!?
    By hftw Audi 6 in forum Body Shop & Mechanical Modifications
    Replies: 67
    Last Post: 02-21-2005, 09:35 AM
  2. How much should I charge...
    By White95Max in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-19-2004, 08:04 PM
  3. How much to charge, PLEASE!
    By audipower in forum Professional Detailer General Discussion
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-16-2004, 09:36 AM
  4. How much to charge?
    By Ramolap in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-14-2004, 06:54 PM
  5. What Should I Charge?
    By 02 LTZ in forum Professional Detailer General Discussion
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-17-2002, 03:10 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •