Charging for "Extras" - Do you?

Spilchy

Spilchy

New member
I work on cars during the warmer months for profit for friends of the family and their neighbors who see the results of my work. I'm not a professional, buy have all the products.



Every detail shop in my area charges $150 for a sedan for a full detail. This does NOT include any clay, compounding, glaze, window polish, wheel waxing or plastic polishing. This is all extra.



Some of you include it. I include claying of hood, roof and trunk only as well as a glaze. I also include polishing of all chrome and treating all exterior rubber with 303 or Black Again. I can get $175 a pop for this, convincing them to spend the extra $25 because I clay and glaze (a bargain if you ask me).



For those who don't include some of those things, how much do you charge. I mean, I personally can take up to 1 hour on cleaning, polishing and coating my wheels. How can I not charge extra for that? Do you charge for window polishing? I use AIO on all the windows and Autoglym on the windshield.



In essesnce, what are some of your "extras" that you offer that you would charge for??



Thanks.



(Wish I had a camera to post my work :( )
 
I do detailing on the side and its gotten so big over the last few years that I have a price list. I charge per package and have about four differant packages. From $50 for a wash/wax/windows & vaccume. To the full bore inside & out for $160. I charge extra for SUVs, Vans, & Full-size Trucks. Three of the four packages include claying/polishing and/or glazing before waxing.



This way the customer can pick what they want done. Seems to work. I do offer some extras that I do charge for accordly.



email [email protected] me if you want a copy of my price list. Hope this helps. :wavey
 
I charge more for claying, extra polishing steps (for paint in need of more work than normal or for show prep), swirl removal, very dirty interiors, etc. Stuff like removing minor scuff marks on a car I am detailing, I normally won't charge for. My general rule of thumb is that if it takes 5 minutes extra or less, I don't charge. Other than that, you do have to charge for extra work. You can't give your work away.
 
Some jobs I charge by the hour for. If they want just the exterior done then I have an hourly rate that I work out in my head based on how long I think the job will take. I am happy to make $35 or $40 dollars an hour while detailing and that translates into usually $120 for a polish job that requires clay and swirl removal. If all they want is the exterior done then sometimes I can talk them into getting the engine done or something like that. I've got everything broken down into what its worth to me based on my hourly rate. Customers don't need to know I do it that way, but I expect that most people do it similar to that as well. When I'm doing a job for free then I pull out all the stops usually. When its for money then you can't give away the store or else people who talk to that person get bent when they find out they paid 30 dollars more for the same job just because you didn't throw in an engine detail or stain removal treatment or something like that. Trying to be consistent is my challange this year.
 
My basic detail consists of a hand wash, polish and wax, all the exterior trim gets dressed/polished, tires dressed, windows and mirros inside and out, doors jams polished, interior vacuum, shampoo, leather seats conditioned, dash/console/panels gets dressed, air freshener, etc.



I charge more for claying, fallout wash, compounding, swirl removal, paint sealant, fabric protectant, dirty interiors, excessive tar. Prices vary depending on the job.



I don't like offering customers a variety of packages because they tend to pick the cheapest one. Instead I will explain to them what needs to be done, why and the price.
 
"I don't like offering customers a variety of packages because they tend to pick the cheapest one. Instead I will explain to them what needs to be done, why and the price."



Words to live by :up
 
Pretty much each thing I do has its own cost. If they just want polish and wax, then that is what they get.



I usaully include a basic service charge ($20 for cars, $25 for SUVs) that includes the wax, clean wheels/tires/wheel wells, vaccum inside out, clean windows, dress dash, etc. The stuff my basic package includes. Ontop of that then we can add clay, compounding, polishing, acid bath, carpet extraction, sealant, engine cleaning, etc.
 
Wow, thanks guys. I appreciate the input. I only offer one package and that's for a full interior / exterior detail. But, I can just do the exterior or interior and charge accordingly. I also do a basic wash, vac, interior wipe down, tire dress, QD.



The idea that if it takes 5 minutes or less, don't chrge extra for it is a good concept. it takes me a few minutes to AIO the windows.



However, now that I think more about it, wheel waxing will cost extra along with compounding. I also mentioned that excessive contamination will cost more (sap, tar etc...)



The minor swirl, minor scratch removal I wouldn't charge extra for since it can be taken care of in the polish step, whether it's #9 or DACP.



Thanks again. Maybe when I'm done some of you would like to see it.
 
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