Rockpick, Boss and others

I need some advise on detailing prices. I leave in south central Kentucky about 2 hours from Louisville. I used to detail cars while in college many years ago, so I’m not really sure about what price to charge. I keep my truck and explorer looking very nice inside and out put forth a lot of effort doing so. I have a few people that are want their vehicles detailed. They are want to know what I would do and for how much. I pretty much know what I would do, the only thing I’m not certain is if these clients would want a two-step polish-wax or possible two layer wax or just an all-in-one wax. The results they have seen are my 2005 Toreador Red super Crew. On it I apply a coat of #9, then FX Synwax followed by two coats of Reflections Top Coat. On my wife’s explorer I only put one o coat of Top Coat. The one vehicle is a 2005 Tahoe with silver paint in pretty good condition that has never has anything done.

What I think would include in the package.

Inside:
Vacuum and spot clean carpet and mats where needed
Clean and protect the dash, door panels, and all cracks and crevices
Clean and protect all leather seats, two step
Clean all inside glass
Basically back to as close to new as possible

Outside:
Wash
Apply dressing to tires and wheel wells
Clean all glass
Two coats of Synwax or NXT to insure complete coverage, I have no problem applying a polish if needed.
Not sure to apply an additional coat of a non-abrasive protective layer as mentioned above
- Does anyone offer this for an additional charge? Would the normal client see the value of this setup?

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I’m certain when I start doing this again between church family, my wife’s work, and my work that I will get several clients. Most people refer to me as having the cleanest and sharpest vehicle in the area. People already ask me how I get my results, but most are not willing to put forth the effort.

Just looking for some baseline pricing to get started. I don’t want to take advantage of anyone nor do I want to do good work that other’s won’t do for nothing.

Thanks!

 

I do everything you do except I only give them one coat of wax/polish. I do not Q-tip all the vents but I do have a small detail brush I get all I can. I also vacum everything then spot clean the carpet, I do not shampoo the entire thing. I charge 60 to 100 bucks.

If they want the mean green clean machine treatment? thats another 15 to 20.

WASH AND wax only? 25 to 30

And I will not do peoples trucks or cars that have no respect for me.
What do I meen buy that? I had one kid when he brought his truck up and told me "have fun" after a good night of mudding with his buddies, I handed him his keys back and told him to have fun.

Or the lady that brought her mini van up loaded down with no less than 20 bags of dog food that she wanted me to unload and then reload after I was done! Her husban had bird dogs.

Or just the nasty people that have not cleaned there cars out in a year or two and want to sell them..... so they bring them to me to look new. I hand them a 50 gallon trash bag and tell them to remove the stuff.

Am I a jerk? yes? No? Ive done this as a part time buisness since 1992 and have some good clients that understand To at least pick up your trash inside or wash off the caked on mud. It will allow me to do a much better job on the "DETAILS"

 

I have detailed vehicles on the side in the past and initially found myself in your position. The first thing I would do is shop around locally and find out what the "pros" are charging. Then, I would decide on a couple of different levels or "packages" that I would offer and what I would charge for them (as a general rule). Whenever someone asked me how much I would charge for whatever.....I learned to tell them I wanted to see the vehicle and then we both could discuss their expectations and agree on a price. You would be amazed at the wide range of different peoples expectations. At that time you could also identify any preexisting damage on their vehicle and any trouble spots it may have as well.

Be carefull what you quote for a price.....when I first started, I underestimated the amount of labor it would actually take me and was quoting some pretty low prices. I soon found myself slaving away all day on a car for a measley $50 bucks or so. And, you can bet that if you give someone a really low price and you do a good quality job, they will tell their friends/relatives and pretty soon you'll be busting your back for a lot less than you should be......hope this helps and good luck.

 

I agree with the other posts--do some "comparison shopping" to find out what the other detailers in your area are charging.

Are you offering a mobile detailing service? If so, then make sure your vehicle and/or trailer is as clean and organized as possible. Most folks who care about their cars are pretty hesitant about letting an unorganized looking person touch their vehicle.

Word of mouth is the best advertising, so offer your regular clients discounts for their referrals.

Also, you can offer a monthly package to your clients to maintain the detailing job you provided. For example, $50 - 60 a month--bi-weekly wash, vacuum, interior cleaning, and maybe 1 wax. This way, you should always have customers on a consistent basis if you plan to detail cars full-time.

 

FX4Crew,

The others have given you some good advise... I'll add my 2 cents.

First, a couple quick things...

You missed "dressing the exterior trim" in your "Outside" package.

I wouldn't go with two coats of any wax or sealant. Unless the client asked for it and is willing to pay extra. Most "won't" see the value.

Now, there are all kinds of "packages" you can have...

As for how much to charge, figure out about how long it takes you to detail a vehicle. This will depend on the "package" you are doing (and the size/type vehicle you are working on). Then, decide how much you think you should make per hour. Of course, you will need to keep the local competition and the area you are working in mind. Some areas you can charge more... some you can't. RP might be familiar with that area, and might be able to help.

If your work is "top-shelf" (and it should be - or don't do it), I wouldn't work for anything less that $25 to $40 per hour... again, depending on what your area will absorb. Remember, this includes your time, cost of products, detailing tools, water, electricity... Etc. Once you know how long it takes for various packages, and different size/type vehicles, you'll be able to set your rate based on what you think you should make per hour.

Also remember that you don't want to under charge either. This sets a precedence that's hard to overcome if you decide to get into it more seriously latter on.

Do "GREAT" work, and charge for it. If people don't want to pay, find something more enjoyable to do with your time... like detailing your own vehicle.

If you start getting into it more seriously, you will want to consider insurance (Garage keepers, Liability, Workers Comp, Etc.). Also, don't forget taxes. Uncle Sam, and other tax "ferries" have eyes everywhere. You never know who will turn in their detailing bills as allowable "expenses" on their tax return. You don't want to get slammed when they check those receipts back to you!

Hope this helps.

 

PRECISELY what I ran into when I first started my weekend work.

Some folks want precision, others want a 'wax job'. I pride myself in working on the 'precision' side versus the 'bulk' type of job. There's a place in the market for both. Decide if you want both sides or want one side. I, personally, find the precision side much more rewarding.

By precision, I mean going ALL OUT to make the vehicle as good as you can make it. If that means 4 polish applications, so be it. If that means a full wet-sand on a couple of panels, so be it. You get the picture.

I don't do many 'wash and wax' jobs. Again though, there is a place in the market for that.

Yes and no. I try to keep my finger on the pulse and also subscribe to a couple of trade magazines/publications (web based) that help keep a finger on that number. From what I can tell, every region (even town within the region) varies.

For example, in Louisville, if you're in an upper-middle class area, you're going to be able to demand considerably more than what you could if you're doing work in a lower-middle class area. I don't mean to be sterotypical and I'm not saying that you'd do any different level of work but, the client is different.

I've managed to function successfully by catering to the client. Take that as you will but, I like to work with 'higher end' vehicles as, for one, I find the result more rewarding and, for two, like was earlier mentioned, I don't want to work on Bubba's muddin' machine (and will not for that case).

Another quick and dirty tip... walk the vehicle with the client and discuss the potential and the realistic. If you cannot buff out a scratch, tell them. That way they're not suprised when they get the vehicle back. If the clear is toast in an area of the vehicle because the last bafoon burned it, point it out and explain that you're not going to be addressing that area because you could accelerate the problem....

In short, be 200% up front and honest with them. If they don't have an expectation, you won't let them down.... if they do have the expectation of you removing that scratch and you don't, in their eyes, you will not have done the job to their satisfaction.

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Scope any level of competition out there. Odds are, you'll know what level of work a shop is doing if you stop by to 'check on a price' (I've done this several times posing as a customer -- I know it's not exactly 'kosher' but, I've been successful in establishing the level of work that certain shops are doing and what they're charging for it... I'm not trying to be sleezy or undercut anyone but, I do want to know who all is doing work in an area that I consider myself a specialist). Secondly, I don't want to price myself out of the market because I'm probably not the absolute best game in town because I simply can't maintain certain levels of equipment (ozone machines, extractors, etc) but, I will do an A++ job with what I have. I suggest you adopt the same attitude with whatever level of machine experience/ownership that you have.

I'll average out around $55 / hour and, for the level of work that I see coming out of other shops versus what I do (and I'm not trying to toot my own horn here), it's on the low end. Many detailers (ultra-high end) pull closer to $75 / hour. Also, remember that your clients will be accustomed to a price. People HATE when prices go up. Try to keep yourself 'safe' there. A fair price for a killer job will be the best advertisement that you could possibly utilize... that advertisement is WORD OF MOUTH. It's more powerful than ANY type of media... ask ANYONE. At this point, my entire client base is word of mouth with the exception of one person -- the very first person that I detailed for who gave me a chance.

Boss has been doing this A LOT longer than I have (he's an old guy! LOL!) but, in my short time doing this, that's EXACTLY correct. The almighty dollar is a driving force behind you doing what you're thinking about doing but, by the same token, don't let it consume you. Enjoy what you're doing and enjoy the money you make. Don't get greedy on either end.

Legal fees may also be a reality at some point in time. While I haven't had to belly up on anything, you could make a serious mistake and find yourself in front of a judge. It happens and I read about it frequently in some of the online resources I follow... I have explored my general liability with an attorney (fortunately though, he's family and the service was free). A one-man operation is, obviously, less liability than having a staff of 10 but, the liability is still VERY present.

For this simple reason, I won't do an engine. I can't afford an engine on a 740i (I haven't forgotten about you RC! Think Spring!!!).

I hope that adds a little insight. Good luck!

RP

 

Excellent point, and absolutely crucial to follow! It's "amazing" what some people think a $100 detail will solve. Many years ago, we had one client who thought a "detail" was supposed to remove the small "dents" in her vehicle! There are also some "shisters" out there who will try and blame you for scratches, dents, and other problems just to get them fixed for free at your cost. Trust me, if you do this long enough, you will run into all kinds of people! Most of them good, but some bad.

 

This is sad, but VERY true!

 

You know I was just poking at you... LOL! I'm glad you're an old foggie in all honesty... I've learned more 'detailing stuff' from you than you'll ever know. I guess you could say, "I appreciate your age and experience...".

Check your email D... Final Detail located!

RP

 

I know you were!

Thanks! "You've done well young grasshopper"!

 

I specialize in the "bulk" end of the spectrum. I get a pretty good premium for what I do as well. $170 on a car, $190 on an SUV. ANd there is no two step about the wax. Its one coat, happy go lucky. I do do the full exterior work, with a buff and the works, but they are lookin to spend at least =$150 on the exterior for me to go to all that effort, and even though its good money it really pisses me off when they do want to do it because thats one job I do myself. (instead of letting my employees do it) I have gone as far as to "overcharge" in an attempt to get someone not to want service from me, only to have them accept (well, I ain't turnin down excessive money) I had a job once, paint removal, charged this woman $580. Totally didn't want to do it, came up with an off the top of my head random severely high number, and she responds that "its cheaper than the last guy said." Well, chit, I'll do it then.