i am looking into doing some detailing on the side
i have a few questions though
1. how much to you charge to do different things?
2. what supplies do you use?
3. how long does it usually take to do a good detail?
4. what all do you do when you detail?

 

I asked the first question you asked a while ago and one of the experts on here told me something and it is so very true. Location, location, location!!!! Do you see Mercedes, BMW's, and so forth in your area on a regular basis like the domestics? If so then you'll probably make alot. Full detail 300 bucks and up. If it's more like Ford's and Chebby's then not much Full detail 150-200 bucks. I don't know for a fact but this info is just from what I've read on here and it makes scense to me.

My .02

 

ya i live in a smaller town where there isnt to many high end cars but there is a good amount of nicer cars in my area
i was just goin to get a general price range of what people charge

 

for a full detail of the outside of the car, id ask around 125 for the work i do.


for inside and out id ask around 175 - 200. but thats because all thats around here are fords chevy's dodges etc

 

One thing that you may want to try is to go to a business that does detailing and see what they charge and then charge a percentage of what they do. I am thinking about doing the same thing, just need to go to the business up the road where my father-in-law takes his truck and get an idea. Maybe I can get my father-in-law's business and some good recommendations. It will just be real hard for me until I can get a D/A. Funds just aren't there right now. I think that would make a big difference and make it a little faster. Right now I am spending too much time on my truck doing the detailing by hand. The Deep Crystal system is working really good though.

 

I'll trow my .02 in here.

Lots of factors.

I wouldn't quote a price until you see the car and determine how much is needed to correct and this also helps you determine from owner how much they are committed to and what look they want. A showroom type or a AIO prep for resell or trade.... Both bring different costs.

You can also charge a Luxury or Premium for Mercedes, BMW's that have Cerami-Clear paint. Takes different products that cost more and also more time. Time is money. Steps are money too.

Location is also key but more key than that is your ability. Can you honestly differentiate from other detailers? Do you do anything differently?

Add on services? Undercarriage treatment and dressing, taking wheels off to detail, headlight restoration.

I have checked local detailers around me, and its pretty standard to get upwards of 300+ for details. I have seen price sheets for 500 and up.

Another factor is your reputation...if you are good, you can get more as long as you have customers willing to pay it and seek you out.

Until you get established you may have to do it for less until you get to a point where you can get more...

Best of luck.

RR

 

I dont do it as a side business, just for fun and extra cash for some friends. $50 - $100 per vehicle i usually ask. Spend 3 hrs on a wash, clay, wax, interior cleaning.

 

geezus who would pay $300 or more for a detail?
I don't know about where i am now but when i was living/working in Michigan we used a guy that charged $150 for the inside and out and he did an amazing job, he even made my brothers 94 tempo look almost brand new.

 

The going rate here for a detail is 50 bucks. The definition is wash it, vacuum it, wipe the interior down with 409, and polish it with 3M stuff on a rotary.

 

the two biggest factors are the detailer's ability, and the owner's expectations. the better the detailer, and the higher the expectations, usually the higher the $$$.


people have different expectations when talking about a detail. some people expect a quick wash and wax, some people expect perfection.

the ability to understand what the client wants, and then to deliver the result they expect for whatever price you are charging is always the big challange.



the best way is to di a little research, and find out what people in your area are charing for the same type and quality of work you will be doing, and then price yourself in that range.

 

Just make sure you know what you are doing before you take someones vehicle to work on.
I have about a dozen regular customers, and their vehicles appearance have prompted many who have seem them to call and ask "how much" will you charge to do mine?
Rolling Rock was right on when he said he would not quote a vehicle until he had seen it and gone over it with the customer. Same with me.
Before I will touch anyones vehicle I require them to go over it with me and we discuss exactly what I can do for them. (I have turned customers away solely because they had no idea what a full detail was, and only wanted a wash and wax)
To do a full detail the way I think it should be done takes me between 8 and 10 hours...Thats exterior, interior, inside the trunk, under the hood, clean the chassis, and remove the wheels for detail if I deem it needs it.Of course all glass is throughly cleaned also.
There are far too many car washers out there that claim to be detailers.
Good Luck.

 

I do it on the side, 1 or 2 a week...

 

i do mine for a flat $100, thats wash, wax, clean the windows, armor all, and vacum everything, seats, under the seats, floor mats,

i use rain x car wash detergent, wax (not real sure what its called) eagle 1 wheel and tire cleaner, tire shine, chrome polish, microfiber towels, and windex and lots and lots of shop towels takes a good 3-4 hours and i use the $0.75 vaccum at the car wash

 

Here are my standard prices. This includes outside Wash,clay,wax dress fender wells and plastics. On the inside, Shampoo carpets, clean and dress interior panels.of course windows inside and out. Estimated time between 6 - 8 hours.

Cars - $125
Small SUV's - $135
Large SUV's and Trucks - $145

For a Full Detailing Including Polishing and correction steps. Estimated time: 12-14 hours.

Car - $200
SUV's, Minivan's, Trucks - $250

 

man are you serious 12-14 hours?