charging for detailing with pc

I

imported_tuffluck

New member
a local guy wants me to detail his car. by "detail" i'm sure he means that he wants me to start with something like 83, use some 9, then finish it up with nxt all with a buffer. on a normal sized car, i'm just wondering a good price to charge him. i would have all the products of course. and i would go to him, not him come to me. i'm just wondering what you guys normally charge for this kind of thing. thanks.



Oh, and let's also throw in a cost for doing interior and cleaning an engine bay in addition. let's try to keep these costs seperate just because i'm not entirely certain what all he is looking for me to do.
 
My ballpark is roughly ~20/hr. So for an exterior job (wash, clay, polish, base, and seal) which typically takes me 4-5 hours, I charge about $80-100, depending on the size of the car.



Interior work typically takes me 1-1.5 hours so add another $20-$30.



Engine bay work I've only done twice and didn't charge since I was using their cars to practice on. Hard to say exactly how much time I spent since while I wait for it to dry, I work on other parts of the car. I'd say another $15-20.



So for most complete in and outs, I charge $120-150. I live in an area where poeple can pay this easily and find it pretty reasonable.
 
If you're not going to clay, or deal with oxidation and any other heavy polishing, $150 is very reasonable for a job like this.
 
I'd think your location would be pretty important factor.



I'm curious to hear what others say as I am about to start doing the same thing, however, I know in MA I can't be charging So Cal prices. My skill level also comes into play.
 
thanks, good reply. i live in austin, tx.



i think 4-5 hours with me behind the PC is being too confident. it would take me a few more hours i think...not because i want more money, but because i work slower. still $20/hr is reasonable?
 
tuffluck said:
thanks, good reply. i live in austin, tx.



i think 4-5 hours with me behind the PC is being too confident. it would take me a few more hours i think...not because i want more money, but because i work slower. still $20/hr is reasonable?
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Yes
 
2wheelsx2 said:
If you're not going to clay, or deal with oxidation and any other heavy polishing, $150 is very reasonable for a job like this.
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i wouldn't really want to PC without claying, though. are you suggesting $150 for just throwing some wax on the car and cleaning the inside and out? if i were to add in clay and removing swirls with the PC, how much would you add?



maybe i'm just not certain what work it is that you would be including in that $150...
 
it sounds more like $50 exterior , $100 interior/exterior

(no claying, consumer grade sealant, etc)



of course this largely depends on how "good" you are



fyi, most customers will not agree to an hourly rate, you will have to give him an actual price when you get there and see the car and exactly what he needs
 
LouisanaJeeper said:
fyi, most customers will not agree to an hourly rate, you will have to give him an actual price when you get there and see the car and exactly what he needs
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Agreed. I guess I should have mentioned that. Over time, you'll get better and better and gauging how long it will take to do the job based on the condition of the car. I admit I've short changed myself a few times because it took me longer than I estimated but in those cases, you just have to eat it and learn from it.



You should also check prices around you from other 'detailers'. Many of the Ziebart type places around here do crappy work (although it initially looks good because of the filler glazes they use) but they don't charge a whole lot. You have to take that into account since the average joe won't necessarily understand that your work is a lot better than theirs until after the first few washes. :D
 
hmmmm... Lots of "executive" Hummers in my neck of the woods.... $150.00 wouldnt touch the time and effort... so, you have to really consider size. Sculpting of panels, airfoils, etc- are also a big consumer of time....
 
I'd say 85 for the exterior, 55 for the interior, 140 for both. I always throw the engine in free if they get both, I figure I spend about 10 minutes an engine. (2-3 to tinfoil off stuff, 5 to spray degreaser, agitate and hose off, 1-2 to spray with protectant).
 
What sized car? I did a 740 today for $145 (and his Harley Dyna-Glide for $75). Exterior was easy, deep polished it in the fall, so just #80 with a polishing pad and CMW with a finishing pad. The carpets will still really clean but the mats needed a good cleaning. Leather and vinyl needed some spot cleaning but again, still in great shape from the fall detail. No engine cleaning. If I had to do a full on interior detail, I probably would have charged about $25-35 more.



My cheapest full detail is $110 for Miatas but most cars range from $125-175 depending on size and condition and extra polishing or really dirty interiors cost more. Full sized trucks and SUVs start at $150 and go up from there. I try to price my work so I make $30-40 an hour. Since you are beginning, $20 an hour is reasonable but if you decide to make a go as a full time pro, to cover your costs, taxes, insurance, etc, $30 is the absolute minimum you need to average.
 
My normal full detail is $120-$160+. Engine detailing, more steps in polishing and paint correction, etc., a full detail will then start at about $165-$215.
 
Just to reinforce the fact that location, demand, and level of service dictate pricing I only offer three options:



Complete. Sedans $200. SUV/Van $250.

Interior only. Sedans $125. SUV/Van $145

Exterior only. Sedans $125. SUV/Van $145



Black Surcharge: $25.



Our detail includes literally everthing that the specific car requires, short of touch paint. No extras, no surprises.



There are exceptions, but very few.



I'm certain that my market could accomodate a 10% increase... BTW. But I won't consider it this summer.



Jim
 
I wouldn't charge (especially when you label it a surcharge) someone for having a black car. That's kind of a spit in the face attitude to a customer who likes that color. Besides, I'm sure someone would take it the wrong way and call you a racist. :)
 
regular sized car, ( not black or white ) 80-100 sounds about right.



interior is another 20-40 pending on condition of carpets and if they have leater.



i guess i was not over charging or low balling anyone.



:xyxthumbs
 
I charge 90-100 for a exterior. 130-150 for a complete. 50-60 for a interior. When combined, they get a discount, so thats usually what I do.



With engine, they get hit with 150-160 depending on the size and time needed for the bay clean up.
 
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