I don't detail cars for anyone else, but I'm a firm believer in not underselling yourself. Most people who want someone else to perform services for them, be it car detailing, painting or mowing their lawn are willing to pay the going rate or else they would do it themselves. Don't spend a complete day and use your expensive products and only charge a few bucks. If someone detailed my car like you said you detailed that Jetta, I would certainly expect to pay 150-200 for it. If someone wants you to work for nothing, then they shouldn't be your customer. As the population ages, more and more people (and people of substantial means) will be looking for people to do jobs they can't or won't do themselves. I would expect to earn at least $25/hour plus enough to cover my supplies and other expenses.
hours of detailing?
- Thread starter Dtail
- Start date
T4RRunner02
New member
Guys, i'm reading these posts regarding the amounts charged and time spent. It seems to me that some of you need to work faster or charge more for your time. I detail my own for two reasons: 1) it's theraputic and 2) nobody that I've used in the past has a clue as to what their doing. The details that I do on my own vehicles should be billed at a minimum of $200.00 (4hours) assuming of course you know what your doing.
Lowejackson
New member
At the other extreme is Concours where several hundred hours is normal
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
I concurr with everyone else that it depends on the car and what I'm doing to it. I can get the exterior on most coupes and sedans in 2-3 hours start to finish, interior 1-2 hours. If it's in bad shape, add an hour or two to that.
For instance I did a pontiac boneville which usually would've been about 3.5 hours outside, and I spent more like 10 on it due to some extreme paint touch-up work that needed to happen. To the other side of that, I did a Z28 camaro hardtop which was pewter/black roof. The roof alone took me about an hour and a half, the whole rest of the car was done in about 45 minutes.
For instance I did a pontiac boneville which usually would've been about 3.5 hours outside, and I spent more like 10 on it due to some extreme paint touch-up work that needed to happen. To the other side of that, I did a Z28 camaro hardtop which was pewter/black roof. The roof alone took me about an hour and a half, the whole rest of the car was done in about 45 minutes.
I take almost an hour to wash and dry & QD. that includes thorough wheel cleaning and wheelwells.
I just polished my car (1st Time) with IP and FP and then 2 coats of Z5 and it took 9 hours. I would have expected to pay 3-400 bucks for someone to do it.
People get $75 to do a crappy wash and wax in about 1.5 hrs here.
One day I'll post pics of my freshly polished car. Unfortunately 2 days after the polishing I got oversprayed and haven't calmed down enough to clay it off and start over.
I just polished my car (1st Time) with IP and FP and then 2 coats of Z5 and it took 9 hours. I would have expected to pay 3-400 bucks for someone to do it.
People get $75 to do a crappy wash and wax in about 1.5 hrs here.
One day I'll post pics of my freshly polished car. Unfortunately 2 days after the polishing I got oversprayed and haven't calmed down enough to clay it off and start over.