How much do you charge?

Beason

New member
I have always wondered when I detail cars whether or not I am charging enough or over charging my clients so I was wondering what yall charge? Please list the steps/process you use and the price. Thank you, I will start.





Package 1 - $20

Hand wash and dry

Vacuum interior

Windows inside and out

Clean wheels and dress tires



Package 2 - $45

Hand wash and dry

Wax exterior

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Vinyl and Dash Protection

Windows inside and out

Clean wheels and dress tires



Package 3 - $75

Hand wash and dry

Polish Exterior

Wax Exterior

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Windows inside and out

Vinyl and Dash protection

Clean wheels and dress tires

Clean engine

Polish chrome and apply rubber protectant



Package 4 - $100

Hand wash and dry

Clay Bar

Swirl Remover

Polish

Sealant

Wax

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Vinyl and Dash Protection

Clean wheels and dress tires

Clean engine

Polish chrome and apply rubber protectant





I normally charge an extra 15 for small trucks and SUVs and another $20 for large trucks and SUVs
 
Man, I dont see how you can be making money. Im not trying to embarass you, but it just seems that your prices are around half of what you probably should be charging. Maybe Im just way too expensive. If you spend a whole day doing a car from bumper to bumper, you need to charge 200 bucks just to be making 25.00 an hour. I personally have to charge 30.00-40.00 an hour just to make anything on it after my expenses and labor.

Of course I should also add that I pass up quite a bit of work because of what I charge. The way I look at it,I would rather do 2 cars a week at 250 rather than 5 cars ,at say 125. I would make 100 more on the 5 cars but work 2 1/2 times as hard for it.
 
No way am I embarassed about what I charge, Im still in High School and this is just something I do for a little extra cash. Its something I enjoy doing and It helps pay for mods to my car. I have several regulars that keep my busy and I also wash a few airplanes believe it or not (only wash and wax with Gold Class) and those are hard to do, but the pay is good for some. Also another thing to keep in mind is location, where I live there isnt a whole lot of people who want there car detailed. I am one of the only few true detailers in my city that due a decent job. Location is a key in pricing too, if I lived in a big city like New Orleans where the is a high demand for detailers and people who have the money to take care of their cars, i would probally charge more. I just wanted to get some more info on pricing. Keep them coming
 
Beason said:
I have always wondered when I detail cars whether or not I am charging enough or over charging my clients so I was wondering what yall charge? Please list the steps/process you use and the price. Thank you, I will start.





Package 1 - $20 I charge $30

Hand wash and dry

Vacuum interior

Windows inside and out

Clean wheels and dress tires



Package 2 - $45 I charge $95

Hand wash and dry

Wax exterior

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Vinyl and Dash Protection

Windows inside and out

Clean wheels and dress tires



Package 3 - $75 I charge $145+

Hand wash and dry

Polish Exterior

Wax Exterior

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Windows inside and out

Vinyl and Dash protection

Clean wheels and dress tires

Clean engine

Polish chrome and apply rubber protectant



Package 4 - $100 I charge $175+

Hand wash and dry

Clay Bar

Swirl Remover

Polish

Sealant

Wax

2-Step Leather Treatment

Vacuum

Vinyl and Dash Protection

Clean wheels and dress tires

Clean engine

Polish chrome and apply rubber protectant





I normally charge an extra 15 for small trucks and SUVs and another $20 for large trucks and SUVs



You need to boost your prices!!
 
These are my charges for my business. I am a small time new start up and do everything by hand. It pays well if I get 2-3 cars a day and most of the jobs are not nightmares.



PACKAGES:



1. “BasicNova� $25.00

(Suggested every 2 weeks)

Time: 1-1.5 hours



1. 100% Hand Wash and Dry

2. Vacuum

3. Bug and Tar removal

4. Clean Glass

5. Clean Wheels

6. Clean Dash, Door and Trunk Jambs

7. Wipe-Down Vinyl and Upholstery



“Nova� $60.00

Time: 2 hours



1. “Basic Nova�

2. Quick Wax exterior

3. Dress Tires

4. Wheel wells cleaned

5. Wipe-Down Interior with Armor Clad

6. Vacuum Trunk



“SuperNova� $90.00

Time: 3-4 hours



1. “Nova�

2. Interior Highlight (see below)

3. Exterior Highlight (see below)

4. Shampoo Mats

5. Fragrance



“SuperNovaPlus� $150.00

(Suggested every 3-4 months)

Time: 4-5 hours



1. Includes “The SuperNova�

2. Engine Clean

3. Remove surface contaminants and apply Carnauba or Teflon Wax.

4. Window Rain-X* treatment
 
Beason said:
I have always wondered when I detail cars whether or not I am charging enough or over charging my clients so I was wondering what yall charge? Please list the steps/process you use and the price. Thank you, I will start.





'Find a need and fill it'



Maybe you need to ask yourself the following question; Are 'you' meeting the needs of 'your' clients?



That's what being in business is all about. Try to think about the service that you offer more from the clients' point of view, rather than from yours.



It's not about; "am I charging enough or over charging my clients?' or how much does everybody else charge?



It's much more important for you to focus on doing a good job and to make certain that you are meeting the needs of your clients.



Believe me, you'll know when it's time to adjust your pricing.
 
~One man’s opinion~



The price would vary some by part of country, I am in agreement with NoseBleedSpeed,, and charge about the same. But I detail for money but not as a profession, but I do ‘professional’ grade work and charge accordingly.





Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



~ justadumbarchitect ~so I question everything ~
 
Uhhhh...guys? He's still in High school! He just wants to make some extra cash on the side. If he were to pursuit this full time after high school then I would see this being a problem.



The guys are right, detailer's should never charge low prices...it degrades the value of your work...but since you are still in school, and I'm assuming you are only targeting friends, relatives, relatives of friends, etc. then prices really don't matter...but still of course do a good "Autopia Style" job!:xyxthumbs Packages 2,3,4 in your situation, I would just up maybe $10-$20 more for now, and if you decide to pursuit this full time after high school, then I would go with "Superior Shine's" pricing model.



:xyxthumbs



Good Luck!



ajbarnes
 
My beginning prices are 59% higher than your top detail......course im in So Cal....
 
I'd start raising prices if I were you. Your age isn't as important as the job you do. You can't double your prices overnight, but 10-20% immediately, then gradual 10% increases until you can average $30-40 an hour.



You should also call your competition and see what they are charging. If you are well below what they are getting for the same work, you may be losing business by being too cheap. If you focus on low price, all you will get are bargain hunters who have no loyalty. Someone cheaper comes along and they go to them. People with high end cars will think at such a low price you can't be doing a thorough job or be using quality products.
 
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