A few notes of giving estimates and quotes...
- Thread starter lpandroc
- Start date
Cybercowboy
New member
After you wash and dry the outside of the car is the time to attack the jambs. They will be wet from the washing and rinsing, so wipe them down good. Use two towels or MT's if the jambs are bad and have gunk on them (one for the dirty spots, one for the cleaner spots.) I have used a dilute solution of car shampoo as a cleaner spray to clean up greasy or dirty areas. QD will work for you also.
Then make sure you apply sealant to these areas at least every other time you do the rest of the car. After you get a few coats on the jambs will just wipe clean with almost no effort.
Then make sure you apply sealant to these areas at least every other time you do the rest of the car. After you get a few coats on the jambs will just wipe clean with almost no effort.
Street Dreams
New member
Some tips I have found help me to give more accurate quotes to customers, what to look for, what to account for, and most importantly how to avoid getting screwed on price (but hey it happens to everyone, and sometimes ya just cant help it)
When doing a real estimate where you see the car in person either at your place of business or a customers house always bring a few key items with you. If you are doing one over the phone in a case where getting the car to you or you seeing it in person is just impossible than be sure to account for as many things as possible.
1) Paint gauge, if you have one this a great tool for obvious reasons mainly checking for repainted areas as they almost always cause trouble in the correction process *More time = more cost, a repainted drivers side could take you 4 more hours to polish which you did not expect when giving a quote! If you can take lots of readings before giving a quote. Also letting a customer know a panel has been repsrayed BEFORE you get your hands on it can save you some headache. Many people who buy a used car may not know a door or bumber has been re-shot, telling them AFTER detail is never fun because they choose not to belive you "Well the dealer said this car was never touched" .... hmmmm. Let them know issues with the paint while they are standing next to you and show them to avoid any questions later on.
2) IPA - this I find is a big help. I always ask if I can wipe down a panel before looking at it under a light. As we have all seen after a good prep process many cars have old wax or glaze fillers which hide the true finish. You may look at a car and think it only has minor defects and then after your get it in for a detail and strip everything off you find its really messed up. Obviously is a customers car is very dirty and your not washing it than doing a wipedown must be forgone as you will just marr the finish right in front of them and look like tool in the process
3) Lights - No need for explanation. Easiest thing would be to bring your handheld light with you, I prefer the Fenix LED's over Brinkmanns but thats your choice. I usually bring a infratech with me as well granted the owner has a power-source to let me plug it in. Sometimes LED's dont pick up everything so having a backup light source is nice. Estimates done at my house are easier as all my lights are there already.
4) Account for paint type - This is a very important point. Quote higher for hard clear cars, thats it. They take longer to correct! I will take you at least several hours more to correct a metallic silver audi than it will a silver Lexus. Also take into account very soft clears and sticky paints. If you know getting a particular color to finish down without holograms will take some extra time, include that in your quote and tell the customer the reason for it.
5) Ask questions - Ask the customer if the car has any problem areas (maybe bird etching dead center of the roof you may not see initially) and especially repainted areas. Also ask to see any dents or damage before you take the car for a detail... we all know people out there look to place the blame on you for a dent they got at Costco's parking lot 3 weeks ago.
When doing a real estimate where you see the car in person either at your place of business or a customers house always bring a few key items with you. If you are doing one over the phone in a case where getting the car to you or you seeing it in person is just impossible than be sure to account for as many things as possible.
1) Paint gauge, if you have one this a great tool for obvious reasons mainly checking for repainted areas as they almost always cause trouble in the correction process *More time = more cost, a repainted drivers side could take you 4 more hours to polish which you did not expect when giving a quote! If you can take lots of readings before giving a quote. Also letting a customer know a panel has been repsrayed BEFORE you get your hands on it can save you some headache. Many people who buy a used car may not know a door or bumber has been re-shot, telling them AFTER detail is never fun because they choose not to belive you "Well the dealer said this car was never touched" .... hmmmm. Let them know issues with the paint while they are standing next to you and show them to avoid any questions later on.
2) IPA - this I find is a big help. I always ask if I can wipe down a panel before looking at it under a light. As we have all seen after a good prep process many cars have old wax or glaze fillers which hide the true finish. You may look at a car and think it only has minor defects and then after your get it in for a detail and strip everything off you find its really messed up. Obviously is a customers car is very dirty and your not washing it than doing a wipedown must be forgone as you will just marr the finish right in front of them and look like tool in the process
3) Lights - No need for explanation. Easiest thing would be to bring your handheld light with you, I prefer the Fenix LED's over Brinkmanns but thats your choice. I usually bring a infratech with me as well granted the owner has a power-source to let me plug it in. Sometimes LED's dont pick up everything so having a backup light source is nice. Estimates done at my house are easier as all my lights are there already.
4) Account for paint type - This is a very important point. Quote higher for hard clear cars, thats it. They take longer to correct! I will take you at least several hours more to correct a metallic silver audi than it will a silver Lexus. Also take into account very soft clears and sticky paints. If you know getting a particular color to finish down without holograms will take some extra time, include that in your quote and tell the customer the reason for it.
5) Ask questions - Ask the customer if the car has any problem areas (maybe bird etching dead center of the roof you may not see initially) and especially repainted areas. Also ask to see any dents or damage before you take the car for a detail... we all know people out there look to place the blame on you for a dent they got at Costco's parking lot 3 weeks ago.
bmw5541
New member
Good info Dave!
Thanks for posting this. I am sure many of us will bennefit from this.
Thanks for posting this. I am sure many of us will bennefit from this.
michakaveli
New member
Great Tips Dave!
Street Dreams
New member
If anyone has things to add do so, this could be a good thread as I know there are more tips out there we could all benefit from.
michakaveli
New member
Dave... gonna go out on a limb here... Regarding the IPA wipedown. Would it be worth the risk to wipe down an area with an ONR and a MF towel.. then in a area within the ONR'd region, spritz some IPA and wipe off, up to a few wipe-downs to clear through any fillers....
rockymountaindetail
New member
Most of my quotes are over the phone. Some key points I hit:
1.what is the year and type of vehicle? (this one seems obvious but I can't tell you how many people call for a quote and a detail for their "car" and after further questions it turns out to be a Suburban!)
2. rate the condition of your vehicle 1-5. (this works interior or exterior and of course the may fudge a bit or have a different view on it than you. but it does give you SOME idea of what you are starting with)
3.when was the last time your vehicle was detailed? (also gives and idea of detailing vs. restoration )
4. is there any major pet hair or kid grime? (both of these are real times suckers)
5.is this vehicle used for work? (lots of my customers are contractors....mud, concrete and grease all take more time )
I can't tell you how many times the answers to 3, 4, and 5 are NEVER, YES, AND YES. !!! :banghead:
I always try to gauge what they are expecting before I quote the job. Are you looking to have it just cleaned up or are you looking to have it brand new again? That's the final "decider" on price. And if all else fails and you are unsure just quote them an hourly rate and protect yourself.