New to the business

Joe's Detail

New member
I just started a mobile detail business and i've got a lot of great information from this website. I was just wondering how much you charge for a full detail?

When i do a detail it includes:
Wash
Polish
Wax
Quick Detail
Clean tires/Wheels/Wheel wells
Clean interior/Exterior windows

Interior
Vacuum
Shampoo Carpet/Seats/floormats
Clean Door Jambs
Clean/Protect interior
Scothguard protectant on carpet/Seats/floormats

I dont do the engine

I charge 100$ for a small car, like a honda civic and i go up as the car gets larger. Am I not charging enough? or should i be doing more?

any suggestions?
 
That depends on where you are located , pricing your services can be some what tricky. First and for most you need to make a profit , second you don't want to be the cheapest price in town either. That'll just bring in the low ball customers who have trashed cars and want the best detail for $100.

As a rule of thumb you should be making $40+ an hour. Personally I my prices start at $300 for a full detail that includes everything up to a mid-size sedan and smaller SUV'S. I up-charge $100 for full size SUV's and pick-ups , as well as a $100 up charge for black vehicles. So my most expensive detail can run $500 plus depending on vehicle conditon.
 
A detail usually takes me 3.5 hrs by myself and 2 hours if my brother helps. The most expensive in my town is around 125 for a smaller car, so i guess the price is kinda low around here. I figure i usally make about 30 an hour.

If you don't mind answereing, When u do a full detail for 300$, what does that include? and how lond does it take you?
 
Whoa...$300 a detail? I thought Anthony Orosco was the only one getting those prices. I guess I need to increase my prices also. I am getting $125 for small cars up to $275 for large vans and Burbans.
 
If you don't mind answereing said:
My full detail takes me at the minumum 6hrs most of the time I am getting close to the 8hr mark. Here's a brief over view of what I include.

complete hand wash , claying of entire vehicle , wheels dismounted and cleaned inside and out , all interior surfaced cleaned and carpets shampooed , for the paint I usually do a three step correction process and then finsh off with two coats of sealant , two coats to ensure proper coverage. I also polish the glass and apply aquapel. The engine is also cleaned and dressed. Alot of my time is spent in the details , roof rack come off and are cleaned , if the seats need to be removed to clean the carpets they are , wheels wells are cleaned and dressed ,liscence plates are removed and cleaned behind & polished themself, exposed exhaust tips are polished ect , ect.
 
detailbarn said:
My full detail takes me at the minumum 6hrs most of the time I am getting close to the 8hr mark. Here's a brief over view of what I include.

complete hand wash , claying of entire vehicle , wheels dismounted and cleaned inside and out , all interior surfaced cleaned and carpets shampooed , for the paint I usually do a three step correction process and then finsh off with two coats of sealant , two coats to ensure proper coverage. I also polish the glass and apply aquapel. The engine is also cleaned and dressed. Alot of my time is spent in the details , roof rack come off and are cleaned , if the seats need to be removed to clean the carpets they are , wheels wells are cleaned and dressed ,liscence plates are removed and cleaned behind & polished themself, exposed exhaust tips are polished ect , ect.


Nice way to go ..I don't know how long I could keep that up . lots of work .


I charge 125 to 150 for avg cars and 200 to 250 for full size. I give myself alittle lee way for extra bad paint or messy stained interiors.

Engines get done by request or when upselling to a full detail .

I charger 40 extra for paint sealant and 30 for scothguard ..
 
Hawaiianelement Thanks for the compliment.

yeah it's alot of work but I do it out of passion , don't get me wrong I like to get paid for it but it's not my main source of income so I do it more to cater to the car fantic crowd who really take pride in their cars. Funny thing is though I get just as many daily drivers.

So how's the weather in Hawaii , :) I lived in Honolulu a long time ago. I would love to go back.
 
And 6 to 10 hours for a full detail? The longest it ever took me for a full detail is 4 hours on a dirty Excursion.
 
detailbarn said:
Hawaiianelement Thanks for the compliment.

yeah it's alot of work but I do it out of passion , don't get me wrong I like to get paid for it but it's not my main source of income so I do it more to cater to the car fantic crowd who really take pride in their cars. Funny thing is though I get just as many daily drivers.

So how's the weather in Hawaii , :) I lived in Honolulu a long time ago. I would love to go back.


Yeah I'm really impressed with your services available. I love to see peoples faces after I get done with a full detail. Your customers must be very satisfied to say the least.

Its rained for 3 dasys . WE had 3 hurricanes off the island chain . Its been blocking the tradewinds and then bringing rain. I think its clearing up now. Just in time for some weeekned detailing.

Take care and happy detailing. :beer: Aloha
 
Back
Top