How Much Will A Detailer Charge?

L

lrwagner

Black 2007 Honda CR-V
Hi,

I'm a new member that just purchased a BLACK 2007 Honda CR-V SUV. I plan to wash it myself and use a detailing spray to keep it clean. However, I want to hire a detailer to do the rest. How much do auto detailers in the Baltimore-Washington area charge to do waxing and whatever other maintenance would be necessary on a new car? I just bought the car two weeks ago and it is kept in our garage most of the time (I'm a stay-at-home mom). When will I have to get the first detailing done?
 
What they will charge depends on whether you are using a mobile service or if you drop it off. If you find a mobile guy to give you a deal then you can expect probably between $40 - $60 for a wash and wax. You'll have to call around to get an estimate for your area. My prices are in line with what you can expect to pay out here, but it is a different market. Yours could be saturated with mobile detailers and the price could be lower. Or they could be one in 100 miles and he charges twice as much.

You can never start too early with proper detailing. Any leather you have needs to be conditioned right away. That kind of thing isn't done by the dealership. You also need a good sealant or wax on the surface as soon as possible too. Just because it is new doesn't mean the sun and elements show it any regard. When I bought my new car I spent several hours on it the very first chance I got. All it probably has on it right now is a weak glaze if anything. It could still have residue from the protective sheets used in shipping. It could have rail dust from transport. There are a number of reasons to begin proper car care from day 1.
 
"What they will charge depends on whether you are using a mobile service or if you drop it off. If you find a mobile guy to give you a deal then you can expect probably between $40 - $60 for a wash and wax. You'll have to call around to get an estimate for your area. My prices are in line with what you can expect to pay out here, but it is a different market. Yours could be saturated with mobile detailers and the price could be lower. Or they could be one in 100 miles and he charges twice as much."

I just started doing a bit of research on how much it would cost to have my car washed and waxed (basic detailing) with a mobile detailer. We live in a high cost of living area (the Washington, DC suburbs). So far, I have discovered that the prices average about $200 for an economy detail. I would have to say our market is quite different from the market in Salt Lake City.
 
$200 sounds a bit steep, I live on Long Island (another high COL area) and You can fnd express details done for about $100-$125. I can't picture that the COL in the DC area is THAT much more than it is here.

"J"
 
jaybs02 said:
$200 sounds a bit steep, I live on Long Island (another high COL area) and You can fnd express details done for about $100-$125. I can't picture that the COL in the DC area is THAT much more than it is here.

"J"
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I'm still looking. I did find one that would charge $160 for a basic detail. That's the cheapest so far.

We live in Howard County, which has the 3rd highest income in the US. Everythings costs an arm and a leg around here.
 
lrwagner said:
I'm still looking. I did find one that would charge $160 for a basic detail. That's the cheapest so far.
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If your main concern is the finish and you can handle the inside yourself then you should be able to get a good job done for under $120.00. For a small SUV I usually charge $120.00 for a good exterior detail with some vacuuming and conditioning (leather and dash). I charge $85.00 if I use a one-step wax on the finish (wash and wax or express exterior detail) which I have a feeling you would be happy with.
 
I'm talking about the price for a regular customer who is having me come out on a monthly basis for a simple wash and wax. For that vehicle $200 is near what I would charge for a full detail. I'd probably do $160 - $180 depending on how far I had to go to get to it. For just maintance on a vehicle that I regularly service then it would be much less. Most mobile outfits are like that for their regular customers.
 
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