Professional Prices

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I was wonder what are the average prices a true Professional Detailer charges for thier services. I know I'm not at this point yet but I have a lot of friends and family memebers who ask me to detail thier cars for them. I do enjoy the work and if its profittable I was possibly considering taking classes and starting a mobile buisness.



Could you guys just give me a basic idea of what the average charges are for services like Clay, handwash, interior detail , Polish, Wax/Sealant etc



Thanks in advance!
 
Wash 20-25. Wash and vacuum 30. Wash and wax (no polishing), 40-50. Wash/wax (one step polish), 80-90. Full exterior (multiple polishing steps) 125. Full interior 115. Full detail (inside and outsided) 200-250. These are ballpark prices for a sedan in average shape. Ultimately it depends on long it is going to take you.
 
Thanks brwill2005, That is exactly what I was looking for, Just ballparks.



btw I tried to search for this but didnt come up with anything. Maybe I was using the wrong keywords :nixweiss
 
You could also look at it from the standpoint of how much time you think it's going to take you to complete the service that you are offering. That would be considered the hourly rate that you either want to make or need to make in order to remain profitable. For example, if you aim for an hourly rate of about $40 per hour and a vehicle is going to take 4 hours to complete, then you will need to charge about $160.
 
In addition to what the others said, you also need to consider your area and what kind of pricing it will support. Call around and see what others are charging and position yourself in the upper tier. Do not attempt to compete on price. You get nothing but bargain hunters with trashed vehicles and no loyalty.
 
Scottwax said:
In addition to what the others said, you also need to consider your area and what kind of pricing it will support. Call around and see what others are charging and position yourself in the upper tier. Do not attempt to compete on price. You get nothing but bargain hunters with trashed vehicles and no loyalty.
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Agreed. I'm just unfortunate in that my area is full of cheapskates so even the top-end detailers in the area are undercharging.
 
its sad but in California everyone and their brother opens a detail shop and does a ****** job with most things but a car wash. Back 3-4 years ago i paid good money, around $280 for a detail shop to machine compound, polish, seal, and wax my jeep. I was not pleased with the results as they did not even take off the light overspray the previous owner had gotten while at a construction site. Looking back on it now, i believe all they did was wash/wax and then spent the rest of the time cleaning the engine and dressing it to look pretty. This seems to be pretty typical for detailing shops as whenever i drive by about 3-4 of them each day i see maybe 1 guy using a rotary doing something and everyone else is just washing/drying/cleaning engine bay.



i wish i had some detailers like you guys in my area.
 
im doing a 2004 M3 in gun metal grey and im guessing the paint is in better than decent condition. if he asks for a full exterior, wat should i charge for clay, polish, seal, wax? and also the wheels have to be spotless.



completely off topic but ill forget to ask if i wait, can you use paint sealant on clear coated wheels?????
 
sQuashed said:
Full Detail by a "pro" in my town....$300.00

Me stealing his customers 1 by 1.....$150.00
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Hmm.... that's not exactly the smart way to go about business. You shouldn't be comming in with bottom-feeder prices, especially if you do the same or better caliber work than that "pro" who is charging twice as much.



Not only are you cheating yourself, but you're attracting customers who could prove to be a potential problem down the road. :bestwish:



The most "undercutting" I would do is $250 or $275.
 
Scottwax said:
In addition to what the others said, you also need to consider your area and what kind of pricing it will support. Call around and see what others are charging and position yourself in the upper tier. Do not attempt to compete on price. You get nothing but bargain hunters with trashed vehicles and no loyalty.
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Agreed.



When I first started....let's just say I learned the hard way! :sadpace:
 
ajbarnes said:
Agreed.



When I first started....let's just say I learned the hard way! :sadpace:
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No kidding -- I'm already kicking myself for the prices I've set. They're way low to what I should be making but they're right in line with most of the "pro" shops in the area. :bawling:
 
I was just in the service dept of the local Nissan dealership in Turnersville, NJ. There was a sign on the wall that said $395 for a complete detailing. How does that sound for a professional price?
 
mirrorfinishman said:
I was just in the service dept of the local Nissan dealership in Turnersville, NJ. There was a sign on the wall that said $395 for a complete detailing. How does that sound for a professional price?
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Based on the level of detailing I've seen at most dealerships, I'd classify that as theft. ;)
 
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