Pricing?

[96TexasZ]

heres what i have so far should i go any higher or lower?

1.Complete Interior and Exterior Detail - $75
(add $20 for large Trucks and SUV, additional charges will be incurred for heavily soiled vehicles)

2. Full Wash, Claybar, Sealant and Interior Detail $100
(Additional $25 for Trucks and SUV’s)

3. Stage 1 Machine Polishing $175
(Recommended for very lightly scratched, swirled, hazed and oxidized vehicles)

4. Full Paint Correction and Reconditioning $40/hour
(Typically a 6-10 hour process depending on the condition of the paint)

5. * Interior Shampooing $40
* Engine Bay Detailing $40

[dr_detail]

heres what i have so far should i go any higher or lower?

1.Complete Interior and Exterior Detail - $75
(add $20 for large Trucks and SUV, additional charges will be incurred for heavily soiled vehicles)

This could be misleading.... some people would interpet this as a complete detail -- a full interior and exterior detail -- such as polishing, waxing, bug and tar removal, complete interior detailing (including shampooing), leather treatment, basicily a "complete detail"
It might be a good idea to call this something else, say perhaps an express detail, or a mini detail, or a maintience detail -- `cause in my experience, a 75 buck "complete detail" not only atracts those beater vehicles who are expecting miracles, it also congers up visions of (around here) that slam bam I don`t care about quality detailers (here today gone tomorrow) but more importantly hurts us all (professional detailers)...

2. Full Wash, Claybar, Sealant and Interior Detail $100
(Additional $25 for Trucks and SUV’s)

sounds better

3. Stage 1 Machine Polishing $175
(Recommended for very lightly scratched, swirled, hazed and oxidized vehicles)

might be a little low, but you know what your market will bear

4. Full Paint Correction and Reconditioning $40/hour
(Typically a 6-10 hour process depending on the condition of the paint)

once again this might be a little low, but you know what your market will bear

5. * Interior Shampooing $40
* Engine Bay Detailing $40

I would go higher, interiors take at least an hour add in materials and an extractor machine maybe $65 motors no less than $50 plus the cost of the wash

Just some input on pricing....

"A detail isn`t always the same detail everywhere you go. A recent surge in mobile detail companies has lead to consumers seeking a `bargain` from detailing companies when in reality quality is being compromised. Let`s say Mr. Auto is shopping around for a detail. Mr. Auto will tell detailer B that detailer A is charging $25 less. Detailer B falls into the trap and quotes a price to beat detailer A and a price war erupts. The winner here is not Mr. Auto nor the detailer. All three parties have lost in this scenario. Detailer B lost because he now has to compromise on products or labor to keep a profitable margin. Mr. Auto lost because he is going to get a detail that might look good at the time of completion but will quickly diminish in appearance after the first wash. And finally, the detailing industry loosing because no one is raising the bar and giving Mr. Auto and his friends a great product and most important of all, VALUE FOR THEIR DOLLAR. When consumers understand what is being done to their vehicle and how it will affect the end result, they can decide for themselves who truly has a better value. There are consumers that don`t care about quality or value; they just want the cheapest service. That`s why there are low-end detailers that cater to that market segment (hmmm... a $75 `complete detail`)....

also keep in mind -- an oil change at jiffy-lube is about the same nationwide, mechanics labor rates are too, so are body shop repair rates as are the cost of a new vehicle -- why the !@#$% shouldn`t our rates be too?? Don`t ever forget -- WE ARE SKILLED SERVICE WORKERS -- if it was easy, and anyone and everyone could do it, everyone would be painting their cars in their driveway and preforming kidney transplants in their bedrooms.

[96TexasZ]

wow i totally agree with the last part... sounds like a declaration of detailing. As for the pricing i appreciate your help and knowledge of the business side of things. is there anything i might add to attract business?

[96TexasZ]

should i include the express detail with 3 and 4?



1. Express Detail* $75
Exterior- Includes washing all exterior surfaces including wheel, tires, fender wells, windows, and body panels.
Interior- Includes vacuuming carpets, seats, cleaning dash and console, windows, and slight spot removal.
(Add $20 for Trucks and SUV, additional charges will be incurred for heavily soiled vehicles)
2. Full Wash, Clay bar, Sealant and Interior Detail $100
Includes Express Detail* plus removal of contaminates on the paint with the clay bar and applying sealant to the exterior of the vehicle.
(Additional $25 for Trucks and SUV’s)
3. Stage 1 Machine Polishing $175
(Recommended for very lightly scratched, swirled, hazed and oxidized vehicles)
4. Full Paint Correction and Reconditioning $40/hour
(Typically a 6-10 hour process depending on the condition of the paint)
5. * Interior Shampooing $50
* Engine Bay Detailing $50

[RyansAutoDetail]

i saw this topic and i figured i would include my current pricelist and see what needs inflating LOL

Full Wheel and Tire Assembly Detail
-wheels rinsed
-tires scrubbed and cleaned
-wheels cleaned
-rinsed and wiped dry then tires dressed with long lasting gel application
done while you wait
$10

My Basic Wash
-rinse
-wheels cleaned
-tires scrubbed
-chamois dry
-windows washed
-tires dressed
(takes up to an hour tops)
$20

Interior Only Detail:
-full vacuum and carpet shampooing
-dash and doors dusted, wiped, cleaned and protected
-seating surface cleaning and stain removal where needed
-fabrics febreezed
-mirrors and windows washed
(up to 3 hours work)
$50

Full Basic Detail
Includes All Above
(requires minimum 4 to 5 hours)
$70

Add Ons:
Clay Bar with liquid hand waxing - Add $15
Spray Wax with wash - Add $5
Clay Bar with Spray Wax - Add $10
Under Hood degreasing/wiping - Add $5
RainX - Add $5

[Beemerboy]

i saw this topic and i figured i would include my current pricelist and see what needs inflating LOL

Full Wheel and Tire Assembly Detail
-wheels rinsed
-tires scrubbed and cleaned
-wheels cleaned
-rinsed and wiped dry then tires dressed with long lasting gel application
done while you wait
$10

My Basic Wash
-rinse
-wheels cleaned
-tires scrubbed
-chamois dry
-windows washed
-tires dressed
(takes up to an hour tops)
$20

Interior Only Detail:
-full vacuum and carpet shampooing
-dash and doors dusted, wiped, cleaned and protected
-seating surface cleaning and stain removal where needed
-fabrics febreezed
-mirrors and windows washed
(up to 3 hours work)
$50

Full Basic Detail
Includes All Above
(requires minimum 4 to 5 hours)
$70

Add Ons:
Clay Bar with liquid hand waxing - Add $15
Spray Wax with wash - Add $5
Clay Bar with Spray Wax - Add $10
Under Hood degreasing/wiping - Add $5
RainX - Add $5

There is some great advice here from Dr-Detail...but Ryan your pricing reads like a restaurant menu, with a bunch of side dishes..I would suggest that you come up with some packages like above so that you are not getting people that are going to pick and choice off you price sheet.

Come up with the basic, premium and full detail is what I am saying.

Also your prices seem WAY low...see what others in your area are charging and factor in drive times and all of that

[RyansAutoDetail]

There is some great advice here from Dr-Detail...but Ryan your pricing reads like a restaurant menu, with a bunch of side dishes..I would suggest that you come up with some packages like above so that you are not getting people that are going to pick and choice off you price sheet.

Come up with the basic, premium and full detail is what I am saying.

Also your prices seem WAY low...see what others in your area are charging and factor in drive times and all of that

yeah i think they are low but then again i am only aiming to make more than double per hour what i would be making full time at 10.00 an hour so im looking to make 20/hr or close to it ..

ie my 3 hour job interior is only 10 off 20 an hour labour 60 knocked down to 50 .. but i could easily charge 30 for wash and spray wax and 60 for interior only then charge 80 or 85 for a full detail without polish and paint restoration

[lonewolf525]

what about the products that will be used to do the work? People are you going to be using OTC or premium products? i would think that if you use premium products that you could ask for a higher price. also what customers are you targeting? what is the average clay, wash, tires and wheels cleaning, wax, interior dressing, vacuum, and glass cleaning go for. Lets say 2007 525 bimmer. the clay kit can be Megs kit comes with clay and lube. tires and wheels get p21s and total auto wash. car wash soap by PBs. dry with waffle weave, dress tires with optimum tire shine, waxed car with poorboys wax and sealant. Glass gets stoner in and out. the interior is vacuumed and the interior is cleaned and dressed with Dp surface protectant. Would you still charge 20, 50, 75, 100 or more for this detail. thanks

[flash gordon]

yeah i think they are low but then again i am only aiming to make more than double per hour what i would be making full time at 10.00 an hour so im looking to make 20/hr or close to it ..

ie my 3 hour job interior is only 10 off 20 an hour labour 60 knocked down to 50 .. but i could easily charge 30 for wash and spray wax and 60 for interior only then charge 80 or 85 for a full detail without polish and paint restoration

DR. DETAIL 4 PRESIDENT/BEEMERBOY 4 V.P. I have to agree that menu thing you got going is confusing to me, so I would assume JOE or FLO SMOE would find it confusing.Just because you only use to make $10pr,hr. why are you limiting yourself to only $20.If you put out quality work your prices certaianly need adjusting if not I am gonna assume you are one of these MOBILE hacks that are trying to make tha rest of us lower are standards/pricing. "STEP YOUR GAME UP"

[Lowprofile]

In my area Full Details at a Boutique start at $200 and they don`t even use premium products. Had a lady just yesterday tell me the Dealership gave her an estimate of $500!! For the full detail I do using premium products i believe $200 is fair. Takes about 5 plus hours but it looks better than new. Good thread. I am also looking to do this full time as a business but have learned to never under value yourself and your work.

[Ronkh]

what about the products that will be used to do the work? People are you going to be using OTC or premium products? i would think that if you use premium products that you could ask for a higher price. also what customers are you targeting? what is the average clay, wash, tires and wheels cleaning, wax, interior dressing, vacuum, and glass cleaning go for. Lets say 2007 525 bimmer. the clay kit can be Megs kit comes with clay and lube. tires and wheels get p21s and total auto wash. car wash soap by PBs. dry with waffle weave, dress tires with optimum tire shine, waxed car with poorboys wax and sealant. Glass gets stoner in and out. the interior is vacuumed and the interior is cleaned and dressed with Dp surface protectant. Would you still charge 20, 50, 75, 100 or more for this detail. thanks

On your cost/application, is it really a big difference?
If not, I might think that the fact that you use premium products and they don`t would earn you lots of loyaltty and word of mouth advertising. So is it really worth gettin an extra few $$ today if it brings you $$$$$$ down the road?

[Bunky]

I like the barber thread on Autopia. People pay a barber $10 to $30 for a 15 min haircut yet a "washer" is supposedly only worth $10 to $20 per HOUR. It just shows the value of money by people and it depends on the occupation.

I do not see how anyone can make anything off $20/hr gross especially if you are mobile considering gas, travel time (dilutes your per hour income), detailing supplies (assuming using bulk like Meg`s detailer line), etc.

I thought someone said they were going to post a cost analysis for their business where they tried to itemize all expenses.

[tmacsad]

Had a lady just yesterday tell me the Dealership gave her an estimate of $500!!

She must have owned a van...

If a dealership can do it... then maybe just maybe...

[ewemule]

Guess I`d better reevaluate. Today I washed, de-bugged and 95% de-tarred, wiped down, waxed (Eagle One Nano-Wax), Rain-X outside, wash and wax the rims, dress the tires, scrub the wheel wells, vacuum interior, wipe down vinyl, spot clean upholstery, interior glass clean and a great job in the engine compartment, don`t forget the door, trunk and hood jams. 5.5 hours for $75. Oh, it was a White 2005 Chevy Cobalt. $ 13.63 and hour when I usually am making $15 everywhere else. Hmmm ?
That`s the routine for every vehicle. Starting at $75 for small cars and the rate goes up for bigger and dirtier. Did an Avalanche for $110 last week @ 7.5 hours. No longer. That much work will be $150
Marty

[southerndetail]

Guess I`d better reevaluate. Today I washed, de-bugged and 95% de-tarred, wiped down, waxed (Eagle One Nano-Wax), Rain-X outside, wash and wax the rims, dress the tires, scrub the wheel wells, vacuum interior, wipe down vinyl, spot clean upholstery, interior glass clean and a great job in the engine compartment, don`t forget the door, trunk and hood jams. 5.5 hours for $75. Oh, it was a White 2005 Chevy Cobalt. $ 13.63 and hour when I usually am making $15 everywhere else. Hmmm ?
That`s the routine for every vehicle. Starting at $75 for small cars and the rate goes up for bigger and dirtier. Did an Avalanche for $110 last week @ 7.5 hours. No longer. That much work will be $150
Marty

I don`t know what your markets like, but if i were to charge that I would be out of business, I need to get at least $50 per hr.