i recently did this job on a lexus gx470 (wash, clay, wax, interior cleaning etc: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=758167) for $75, but i feel like i undercharged. how much would you LA people be willing to pay for A) a full detail (1 step polishing) B)wash and wax and C) a basic wash (no wax)? Using high end products (not from wallmart etc).


I'm just trying to see what demographic i'm working with.. :help\


btw bimmerforum members 15% off :cool

I would have charged minimum $150 for that job

I would have charged minimum $150 for that job

I agree.

same, more if you did the inside as well.

same, more if you did the inside as well.

i did the inside too.

i was thinking anywhere above $125 would be steep w/o polishing (that was for free b/c i want some more experience) :dunno.

thanks for the advice so far guys, how about some input from people that aren't detailers, but are looking for one (like, how much do you guys think you should spend to have your car looking nice?)


thanks! :redspot

If you ask the consumer they will tell you they want a quality full detail for $80 because that is what the car wash charges. are you detailing as a hobby or as a business? Are you having people pay you to practice on their cars (other than family and friends) because that is not smart if you are not insured? If you are serious about detailing do it the right way and get formal training, get insured and a business license. If you want to make money detailing then people will respect and pay a premium for a professional they can trust. I hope I don't sound rude and I'm only trying to help you and the people's cars you work on.

Thanks alot and good luck,
Evan

If you ask the consumer they will tell you they want a quality full detail for $80 because that is what the car wash charges. are you detailing as a hobby or as a business? Are you having people pay you to practice on their cars (other than family and friends) because that is not smart if you are not insured? If you are serious about detailing do it the right way and get formal training, get insured and a business license. If you want to make money detailing then people will respect and pay a premium for a professional they can trust. I hope I don't sound rude and I'm only trying to help you and the people's cars you work on.

Thanks alot and good luck,
Evan

i was thinking after i posted this that the customer might want something for like $80. :embarrasm I am going to attempt to make this a successful business, and am not using people cars to practice on, i'm just trying to see if there's a market there.

you don't sound rude, thanks a lot for the advice :)

I would've charged ~$200 or so for that job. I've had a part-time detail business since high school and I'm currently in college so it's a great thing to bring in some $ and enjoy neat cars. No insurance or business license here...don't really need it at the moment. I do mostly late model cars that at the worst need claying so I don't even use buffing machines.

For example one car I did today was a few years old C-class. Customer wanted it cleaned thoroughly inside/out and a wax...it really needs a clay but some customers don't care to pay for that stuff. So I go through the interior with microfiber towels and my vaccum...leaving it mostly spotless. They didn't ask for any dressings or leather conditioner. Washed/waxed/tire dressing for the exterior. Do the windows inside/out. In the end it looks spotless...told them the p/s fluid (pump was whining) was low so I ran home to grab some ATF which in the end gave me a take home of $95 for a $80 bill. 2-2.5 hours spent.

I wouldn't pay over 60 bucks for an exterior "detail" without the guy busting out the porter cable. Wash and Wax would take like 1.5 hours tops and clay would be another hour. Tire dressing and wheel wax would take around 30 minutes, so that's 3 hours of work. That comes out to be 20 bucks an hour, which is hella good already. And from your post, you said interior cleaning which is probably a vacuum job and a wipe down (no leather conditioning or interior protectant products), which is a pretty basic cleaning that I wouldn't pay over 10-15 bucks for. So that comes out to be about 70-75 bucks. I'd say you are charging just about right, not undercharging.

I charged my parents 40 bucks for a wash, clay, HGAS spray, wax, tire dressing, wheel wax, and interior detail (leather rejuvenator, vacuum, protectant, windows in and out). That's over 50% off what you are charging and the job isn't as thorough. Even if they weren't family, I'd charge 75-80 tops for that.

With the polishes, glaze, and sealant applied with a buffer/Porter Cable, I'd charge in the 100s. That's like 6-7 hours of work right there.

Wash and wax only, probably 20-25. Wash only, 10 bucks. There really isn't a high quality product you can use not from walmart because all you use for a basic wash is a sheepskin washmitt and suds/soap.

Just voicing my opinion and giving you thoughts about starting a detailing business.

You are running a business and need insurance whether you detail 2 cars or 200 cars a week. Is the $95 in your pocket worth a huge lawsuit if someone hurts themself while you are detailing in their driveway or wherever. If they file a claim against you who is going to win the crazy money hungry client or the detailer operating illegally?

Just because I've never had an accident driving doesn't mean I don't need auto insurance...be careful you never know what will happen.

Anything over 70 bucks must include a happy ending. :eyebrows

Srsly, 120 for a complete interior cleaning and conditioning, exterior clay, polish and wax, engine bay treatment aswell.

That's what I paid last time I had it done.

Right now I pay $125 for a full detail with clay bar, shampoo, engine, etc. $15 for a wash every week. It's on the lower side of what I normally pay, but they do a great job and come to my office for me every week.

I wouldn't pay over 60 bucks for an exterior "detail" without the guy busting out the porter cable. Wash and Wax would take like 1.5 hours tops and clay would be another hour. Tire dressing and wheel wax would take around 30 minutes, so that's 3 hours of work. That comes out to be 20 bucks an hour, which is hella good already. And from your post, you said interior cleaning which is probably a vacuum job and a wipe down (no leather conditioning or interior protectant products), which is a pretty basic cleaning that I wouldn't pay over 10-15 bucks for. So that comes out to be about 70-75 bucks. I'd say you are charging just about right, not undercharging.

I charged my parents 40 bucks for a wash, clay, HGAS spray, wax, tire dressing, wheel wax, and interior detail (leather rejuvenator, vacuum, protectant, windows in and out). That's over 50% off what you are charging and the job isn't as thorough. Even if they weren't family, I'd charge 75-80 tops for that.

With the polishes, glaze, and sealant applied with a buffer/Porter Cable, I'd charge in the 100s. That's like 6-7 hours of work right there.

Wash and wax only, probably 20-25. Wash only, 10 bucks. There really isn't a high quality product you can use not from walmart because all you use for a basic wash is a sheepskin washmitt and suds/soap.

Just voicing my opinion and giving you thoughts about starting a detailing business.
In the deatil pictured above, there was a wash, clay, wax, wheel dressing, stain removal, interior wipedown, cleaning some stains off the doors, vacuuming and protecting (basically a full interior detail with a wash, wax and clay). i just broke out the porter cable and did the hood for free so i can get a feel for lexus clear coat.

now that i think aobut it, i should charge mabye $100 or so for a sedan and this job, and mabye 15% more for an suv.

i'll give you guys a link to the temporary site when i get back home and update the pricing :)

Let me add something. Just like painting, the QUALITY of the labor is what sets apart the competition. Price is just what may get you in the door.

I had a friend of mine charging $100 for a complete detail, and his work was top shelf. He generally got lower to middle class clients, and not much regular business. I told him to RAISE his price. It's called perception of value. As far as MY personal experience, a $100 full detail just screams "AMATEUR", and the price alone probably scares off the higher end customers.

He raised his price, and now he has MUCH MORE business. His price fits his quality, and his clients are different now. Most of his clients are now regulars, with weekly/monthly appointments... and they tip well. :) The ONLY thing he changed was his price, and his business has more than doubled!

Do not lowball your work just to get some customer that wants you to work 6 hours for some chump change. :P YOU know what your work is worth. Set a fair price, do great work, stick to your guns, and you WILL get business. Finding a GOOD detailer that sticks to his appointments, finishes up on time, and gets the job right every time, can be hard to find.

Just some food for thought.

Do not lowball your work just to get some customer that wants you to work 6 hours for some chump change. :P YOU know what your work is worth. Set a fair price, do great work, stick to your guns, and you WILL get business. Finding a GOOD detailer that sticks to his appointments, finishes up on time, and gets the job right every time, can be hard to find.

Just some food for thought.

very true:buttrock

Thanks BenDF!

here's the temp site btw JC-Detail (http://jcdetail.1111mb.com)

Everything includes an interior vac :)