How to set pricing?

[sinking]

I've started having people notice the work I've done on my own cars and have inquired about my services and how much I would charge. I really have no idea where to begin. I don't need to charge as much as professionals because I am not trying to run a business but I do need to make it worth my time and pay for my products. My products aren't cheap as I like Menzerna, Pinnacle, Wolfgang, Blackfire, Klasse, and Griots.

The current car in question is an '03 Lexus RX300. I haven't seen it yet but the owner describes it as being a "challenge". Just going by what else is on the road like that I am expecting about 8+ hours.

Any thoughts on where to begin with pricing?
This is in Austin, Texas if that matters.

[Flash Gordon]

Come up with an amount per hour you need to make. You should take into account your lack of expierence (I'm not trying to insult you)

I wouldn't do ANYTHING for under $20 pr hour

[sinking]

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

Come up with an amount per hour you need to make. You should take into account your lack of expierence (I'm not trying to insult you)

I wouldn't do ANYTHING for under $20 pr hour

I agree. While I get very nice results I don't have the experience professionals have so I am not trying to get top dollar but I do have to make it worth my time.

Is $200 out of line for a job that will likely take all day on a weekend? Or is that cheating myself?

[Flash Gordon]

Originally Posted by sinking

I agree. While I get very nice results I don't have the experience professionals have so I am not trying to get top dollar but I do have to make it worth my time.

Is $200 out of line for a job that will likely take all day on a weekend? Or is that cheating myself?

$200 seems reasonable to me for Austin TX. Is this exterior only?

Something I've learned. When ppl say 'their car is in terrible shape', it's usually not that bad. When they say 'it's in pretty good shap" it's always a disaster. Thats why I "try' not to ever lock myself in to a set price. Especially without looking at it.

[Nicholas@Autowerx]

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

$200 seems reasonable to me for Austin TX. Is this exterior only?

Something I've learned. When ppl say 'their car is in terrible shape', it's usually not that bad. When they say 'it's in pretty good shap" it's always a disaster. Thats why I "try' not to ever lock myself in to a set price. Especially without looking at it.

[sinking]

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

$200 seems reasonable to me for Austin TX. Is this exterior only?

Something I've learned. When ppl say 'their car is in terrible shape', it's usually not that bad. When they say 'it's in pretty good shap" it's always a disaster. Thats why I "try' not to ever lock myself in to a set price. Especially without looking at it.

Yup, exterior only. I didn't want to lock myself into a price either. I told him without seeing the car the best I am going to give him is a range.

[statusdetailing]

I currently don't charge hourly unless it's a special circumstance, but I will be making the switch in the spring to an hourly system. I will give the customers an average price on my website and will try my best to keep it within that limit. Sometimes vehicles just take longer and it's not fair for me to keep working and losing money. It would also not be fair for the customer for me to cut corners in order to finish quickly.

I've found that many customers are just flat out not honest, but the majority of them just literally don't know how to describe the issues their vehicle has. Scratches to one customer may just mean light swirls while another customer may be talking about major brush scratches from driving through the woods.

To answer the original question, I think you could fairly charge 20-25 per hour as somebody doing detailing on the side. The only problem with charging more is that guys doing detailing on the side (seriously no offense) are generally a little slower than somebody that does this every day. It becomes a little unfair to the customer when a 6 hour job takes you 10 hours. In all fairness, I don't know you personally. you may be super fast and may be able to charge substantially more.

[Flash Gordon]

Originally Posted by sinking

Yup, exterior only. I didn't want to lock myself into a price either. I told him without seeing the car the best I am going to give him is a range.

Smart move!

I should practice what I preach more. I lose money on just about every car I do

[stibuki]

Typically I wont quote it unless I see it. If the person insists I will just shoot them a range.

Another thing I do especially if it's a daily driver is when quoting in person ask them what bugs them the most and areas they would like to see improvement. Remember everyones perceptions and expatiations are slightly different. No sense waisting your time and the customers money on something that is a non issue with them and they are unwilling to pay for even after some education. I do however try to avaid those types in general and can since this is not my main source of income. I had a customer a few weeks back who's car was all swirled but yet the only things that bugged him was a few deeper scratches and the faded trim.