How much should I expect from a one time deal?

Z

zimmerDN

New member
A friend of my sister asked me to detail his car for him before putting it away for the winter. I am not a pro detailer, in fact I just started this hobby 3 months ago. He's always had other ppl to do for him (friend's son) and my sister told him about me.



He has a 2000 Corvette in good condition but black. I haven't seen this in person yet so I can't say for sure.



How much does it usually cost for a wash, clay and wax? What about polish and scratch removal? I am kind of new at this and I am slow at it but I just bought a PC hehe. :grinno:
 
Partly yes partly no.



First nobody can tell him what to charge. I need to get $50 aan hour min. to cover my exspenses and make a fair profit. If he has no exspenses or very little he can charge less. Also I charge based on how long we will take. I can maybe do it faster than he, that gets added into the figure as well.



It isn't uncommon for us to get $500- $1200 for a show car polish.
 
Time plays a factor yes but its also aboutt he area. A full detail on a corvette will take us no more then 4 hours the car is small afterall. Also in this area corvette or not most owners wouldnt pay over $200 for a full detail on one. If we go to NJ we can charge higher but most area's in PA no.
 
Mazz said:
Time plays a factor yes but its also aboutt he area. A full detail on a corvette will take us no more then 4 hours the car is small afterall. Also in this area corvette or not most owners wouldnt pay over $200 for a full detail on one. If we go to NJ we can charge higher but most area's in PA no.
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You got that right. :(
 
I only do this as an amateur too, so I was a little confused about pricing but I think it comes down to where you're located, and how long you think it will reasonably take you. I determined that for my time and the costs associated with detailing other peoples cars, I need to make $40-$50 an hour for it to be worthwhile, so I charge based on that rate. 2000 corvette, assuming wash, clay, one step polish, wax? $200-$250 if he doesn't want any interior cleaning. If he wants serious compounding, scratch/chip repair or interior work who knows, have to see the car first.



zimmerDN said:
When you guys say full detail, what does that include?
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Depends on the detailer. I think when Joe says "show car polish" he means the all out, top of the line detail that he offers, which I am sure is pretty mind blowing. A "full detail" for me would be the best damned detail I could do, interior and exterior, and the price would be totally dependent on the condition of the car.
 
Mike Phillips would get an easy $500 but he'd spend 12 or so hours on the exterior but it would be as scratch and swirl free as the clearcoat thickness would allow.



Joe Blow working out of his ragged out van using dirty towels and cheap bulk wax might charge $45 to wash and wax it.



Try not to be Joe Blow. Point is, figure out what you want to make an hour and base the price on how long you estimate the job will take.
 
4830Deuce said:
Wash, Clay, Wax from me costs about 70



Wash, Clay, Polish, Wax costs about 90 for somthing like a vette.
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Wow that doesn't sound like you are making a whole lot of money. When you guys say polish does it mean paint cleansing or swirl removal?
 
4830Deuce said:
Wash, Clay, Wax from me costs about 70



Wash, Clay, Polish, Wax costs about 90 for somthing like a vette.
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I'll wash, clay (horizontals) and apply a sealant for $90, in my shop, with my insurance



Add the polish, I'll charge $35 more, so $125. Add $25 for Black Cars...



Quite a bargain, methinks...



Maybe I should move to SoCal- I like the sound of those prices!!!!



Then agin... Nahhh.



Jim
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Maybe I should move to SoCal- I like the sound of those prices!!!!



Jim
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I guess you had a flashback to May 2004 when we were out in California and gas was well over $2 a gallon back then!



I'm with ya Jim, I'll stay in flyover country!
 
My first Corvette was an interesting experience. After all the buffer swirls were removed, and one more polishing step with FP, polishing pad on the rotary, there were still wheel marks. I wish I had a PC back then.



Corvettes seem to be very finicky. I would not touch one for under $175 for a full job now. But if you're just going to do a light swirl removal with PC, I think you should be fine charging $100 for that plus clay, and a waxjob.



-Shaun
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
I'll wash, clay (horizontals) and apply a sealant for $90, in my shop, with my insurance



Add the polish, I'll charge $35 more, so $125. Add $25 for Black Cars...



Quite a bargain, methinks...



Maybe I should move to SoCal- I like the sound of those prices!!!!



Then agin... Nahhh.



Jim
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$3.15 for gas now. 1950s homes, 3 bed/2bth, 1400sqt for about $725k. There's a reason we gotta charge more out here. :wall :) Not that I paid that much. That's the price for the house that just sold down the street.
 
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