what should I charge?

I just did a full detail on a '02 Subaru Legacy wagon and was wondering what's a fair price to charge. The local garage owner goes to auction then sells the old cars out front so I don't know exactly what I'm running into. Here's what I did;

HP wash/clay
bring wheels back to life
detail engine
m105/m205
BFWD for sealer
dress tires/wheel wells
interior vacuum and shine up
clean windows

other little tidbits too, in all it was about a 12 hr day, here's some pics, and those wheels were the worst I've ever worked on! the paint was also chipped in a lot of spots really bad and there were some terrible touch up jobs (you can actually see some in a few pics).

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Well, looks like you did a fantastic job. I'm sure the owner will think so too. The problem dealing with ppl who sale auction cars, are that they are notoriously cheap. However, if you can provide them with these type of results time after time and be dependable they may be willing to spend a little more (not much more though)

Another great thing about doing auction cars is it gives you a chance to cut your teeth on some methods that you probally wouldn't be able to try otherwise. Afterall, in a week from now that car will have a new owner :o

I don't know what area you are from. Coastal areas seem to be able to charge more then us folks stuck in the mainland, but I would say anywhere from $100-$150 is about what this guy is going to want to pay you

Did the price never come up before you started this project
 
I agree with Flash, you did a great job. I have also done some work with my old roomate and we did cars for the same kind of person. He got all huffy if the price was over $100. I dont know if this guy values true paint correction but ours did NOT at all. We didnt give him paint correction because he didnt see the difference and did not want to spend money for it. The most we would do to paint would be a quick one step with D151 which was great for those jobs. Find out what his price point is and work out what is fair for you and him.

Best of luck!
Jon
 
Thanks for the praise guys, makes me feel warm, especially since this was my first "customer" car. I didn't negotiate a price because he was using a shop a few towns over, I wanted him to see the difference, kind of wow him. It's an old car, I know, and I tend to go overboard but I like to do things right. I was expecting around 150-175. Oh, and I'm in western MA, no silly Boston folk out here.
 
I agree with Nick.

That is a lot of work to do for any less then $175. How long did the job take you? I generally charge between $34-$45 per hour. I would calculate how long it took you and try to determine what the hourly rate is where you are from. Then you can use that price as a starting point for all future jobs you do for this guy.

The problem with package pricing, is that you never know what you will run into. You don't want to skip steps because you will be undercutting yourself.

Always tell this guy that this is the price unless there are additional problems that you might see. Let him know upfront that you may need to adjust your price as you are going along.

Btw, great job on the detail:thumbup:
 
that's why I love this site, the advice is remarkable! BMW5541, that is sound advice. I'm hoping once he sees everything then I can hit him with that and let this first one go for 175. It will definitely move the car off the lot way faster. Next up is a '93 Audi S4, I drove by for a sneak peak...sheesh! gonna be a project if he wants me to yield the same results.
 
i have a bad feeling he wont wanna pay more than 100.. good luck tho. always in the future give the price before.

step 1.) see the car and what needs to be done 2.) tell customer price 3. do job.
 
honda2112 said:
Thanks for the praise guys, makes me feel warm, especially since this was my first "customer" car. I didn't negotiate a price because he was using a shop a few towns over, I wanted him to see the difference, kind of wow him. It's an old car, I know, and I tend to go overboard but I like to do things right. I was expecting around 150-175. Oh, and I'm in western MA, no silly Boston folk out here.
Click to expand...

Your right ppl from Boston are a strange bunch

I'm afraid the wow factor your looking to get will come from your price. You gotta remember you are competing with auction detail hacks who I've seen charge as little as $35 for exterior rotary swirl special. Theres no doubt your work is 100% better, but at the end of the day it all comes down to the bottom line. These wholesalers have very little sentimental value for these cars. As long as its shiny and the tires are greased up there happy

Regards,

Killjoy :-B
 
:iagree::iagree:

Unfortunately, I would agree with Flash (or should we call him Dr. Downer in this thread :rofl: )

Is Granby near Orange?
 
honda2112 said:
that's why I love this site, the advice is remarkable! BMW5541, that is sound advice. I'm hoping once he sees everything then I can hit him with that and let this first one go for 175. It will definitely move the car off the lot way faster. Next up is a '93 Audi S4, I drove by for a sneak peak...sheesh! gonna be a project if he wants me to yield the same results.
Click to expand...

Good luck with this and hope he pays you what you want !

I would still ask yourself if you want to do that amount of work for what comes out o be about 15.00 an hour?

You could tell him thats a special reduced rate because he is a new customer and if he wants them all to be like that it will cost more in the future.

Otherwise you are doing a lot of work for not enough money IMO unless you just want the work and experience :)
 
grungy said:
:iagree::iagree:

Unfortunately, I would agree with Flash (or should we call him Dr. Downer in this thread :rofl: )

Is Granby near Orange?
Click to expand...

You all make valid points and I am listening to them all! And I'm not too far away from Orange, unless RT. 202 has slow drivers.
 
For me that was a 400-600 dollar job, but you show your work there by going beyond what the customer is looking for and it shows it. Try to see what others are charging for that type of work in your area, if there are some, and next time just do a one step with D151 one coat of wax and let it go for 130-150 and do it under 6 hrs. Don't go and kill yourself for no money but learn from it and remember to take many pictures of your work and show them off in a web site and photo album for new customers to see your work. For those auction jobs, keep it under 150 and everyone else over 175-300
 
I would charge $175 also. However if this is the first car you ever did for this guy, you should give him a break say $150. Espically since he can give you more work in the future. That way once you have proven yourself and he has confidence in you, you can charge him more per car in the future
 
honda2112 said:
Yes, he was impressed! got $200 for the job, now in my driveway is a seriously messy 1993 Audi S4. And here...we...go!
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I am glad that you got what you wanted on this one. Just make sure in the future, you negotiate the price before you take the job.:rockon:
 
honda2112 said:
Yes, he was impressed! got $200 for the job, now in my driveway is a seriously messy 1993 Audi S4. And here...we...go!
Click to expand...

Cool Beans :thumbup:

You would be terribly disappointed working for wholesalers around here. Maybe this guy really does appreciate a fine looking finish and is willing to pay the price. Glad its all working out well for you Da Rules!
 
when i pull the machine out of bag my prices jump....:judge:

you can quote him before the job by estimate the time you do the job , or just give him a price you think is worth for you to do all that.
 
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