Am I charging too much?

[97Avenger]

I started doing detailing jobs on weekends, but not every weekend. I am wondering if $100 is too much to be charging? I am not a professional, but I do my own car almost every week like washing, waxing, vaccuming, actually taking my wheels off and do the other side of wheels and tires. I have done 1 truck already. I started off with cleaning the rims with DP Gel Wheel cleaner and scrubed the tires with the same stuff. Then I washed it, waxed it with Poorboy's World EX sealent with Carnuba, vaccumed the inside, scrubbed any spots on the carpet, and cleaned the windows. The guy I did the job for loved it. Now he wants me to do his wifes car, and another person wants their truck and car done, and another guy wants his car done. So in total I got about 5-6 cars to do. Could somebody give me advice on what I am missing or if I am charging too much. It seems that they really don't care about spending that much. But I want to be fair with them.

[tripperfx3]

I started doing detailing jobs on weekends, but not every weekend. I am wondering if $100 is too much to be charging? I am not a professional, but I do my own car almost every week like washing, waxing, vaccuming, actually taking my wheels off and do the other side of wheels and tires. I have done 1 truck already. I started off with cleaning the rims with DP Gel Wheel cleaner and scrubed the tires with the same stuff. Then I washed it, waxed it with Poorboy's World EX sealent with Carnuba, vaccumed the inside, scrubbed any spots on the carpet, and cleaned the windows. The guy I did the job for loved it. Now he wants me to do his wifes car, and another person wants their truck and car done, and another guy wants his car done. So in total I got about 5-6 cars to do. Could somebody give me advice on what I am missing or if I am charging too much. It seems that they really don't care about spending that much. But I want to be fair with them.
Are you doing any sort of polishing (hand or machine) or swirl removal? That seems a little high for what you've listed, but if you can get it than go for it.

I personally do everything you just listed (different products, Menz mainly) plus a single step polish with my UDM for around 100 dollars for a small to medium sized car and 120 for a truck/SUV. If they want a 2-step polish (SIP or other swirl remover followed by a less abrasive polish) I charge 125 for a small/medium sized car and up to 160 for a large car/truck/SUV. Thats including everything you've listed too and add a clay job.

Right now I have about 10-15 jobs lined up for this summer already (weather is holding them back right now). Thats not including a lot job, i guess you would call it that, where a local performance shop is going to be buying a bunch of cars (20 so far), doing some modding to them and than selling them. He wants a wash, 1-step polish, and wax for each car costing him 50 dollars a car for a total for 1000 dollars for all the cars.

I of course charge the guys in my car club about 10 to 20 bucks less for everything, but I have their business too.

I'm in the same boat, basically, as you too. I'm a full time student and just detail on the weekends, so I don't charge much because I'm not a professional and I enjoy doing it too.

[Mickelson'sProDetailing]

It really depends on the quality of service you can provide. you already stated you are not a professional, you just work on your own car. I charge roughly 150 for a complete detail, but thats a professional service including: Carpet extraction, scotchgaurding, exterior polishing, and paint sealant application, just to name a few of the basic. Go get certified, start a business, its a great experience and there are always cars that need a professional detailing service. Let me know if you have any questions.

[shuskan3]

That seems like a fair price to me. The easiet way to figure out how much to charge is to charge by the hour. I have been doing this lately and it is much more fair for both me and my customer.

Mickelson'sProDetailing- that is a really cheap price...

[A1monky]

That is not too much at all. Prices range not only quality of work , but the area in which you work in.
For example, I live in Orlando, and my parents live in Palm Beach county.
I detail cars in both counties, and I definatly charge more in Palm beach. There is more money in palm beach, and most residents are alittle more inclined to spent money of their cars.
But, mare sure you are doin a professional job. Explain to the customer that you are using high level products. Even if you arent using menzerna, mostly everything that you find on AG is a higher level product.

[BigFloppy]

Go get certified, start a business, its a great experience and there are always cars that need a professional detailing service. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hey, I've got a question (I'll bet there are plenty of DIYers that would also like to ask)

WHERE / HOW do you get Certified ?

[bfowkes]

Was just about to ask the same question about getting certified. That would be a nice thing to know.

[karburn]

If you decide to make it a business, take the time and create a Limited Liability Company (or whatever is allowed under Florida law) and keep the finances separate. As far as certification, I am not aware of any national or regional certification process for auto detail companies, unless one of the product manufacturers has a program. Creating a business entity and setting up a separate bank account will keep anyone from suing your pants off, should the worst happen. As far as your price, the biggest mistake most start ups make, whether it's auto detail, carpet cleaning, lawn service or whatever, is pricing their services too low. I would even consider creating package pricing, such as $X for a basic wash, interior clean and ext wax/seal, then offering, for another $50-75 , a wheels-off cleaning of the wheels, wheel wells, sealing of the wheels, etc., then you could offer paint correction services (polishing, etc.) for $X per hour - that way it's based on the severity of the problem. The engine bay is another area to keep in mind. A little creativity might set you apart from the competition, and the stratified pricing might attract more customers. People who will add more services as they get a taste of your work. It's a corny old saying, but there is always room at the top - always put in 150% and be as professional as possible while you're doing it. Word will get around. Like A1monky alluded to, you have to let the customer know why they should use YOU instead of someone else. Good luck. [PS: I am not a pro detailer, but I have started some businesses of my own and consulted with a lot of people. Make lots of mistakes, too! :) ]

[Themightytimmah]

Sounds like your package is reasonably priced for the area/level of service. I charge around 150 for the same, but 85-90% of my clients end up opting for machine polishing (starts at 250).

It's definitely regional - where I am now, price shopping isn't really a problem. If you can guarantee and deliver quality, money isn't an issue.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

WOW, you guys are selling yourselves short!!!

My prices are below and are only starting prices for a small car in good condition:

Wash and Wax $80
Interior ONLY detail: $90
Exterior ONLY detail (1 step polish): $160
Interior & Exterior (1 step polish): $240

[bryansbestwax]

wash 35-50
quick interior 65-80
full outside detail(wash, clay, cleanse, and wax)150

[97Avenger]

At first, I thought $100 was too much but after seeing what other people charge, I think I am alright. I do have to drive my daily driver to do these jobs and they are like 25-30 min away and I do buy my products from here. I clean them like it was my own car so they won't be disapointed. Thanks for the advice!

[richy]

I charge $25.00/hr and my jobs (complete in and out with paint correction, polish and sealant) are usually between 200-300. People will pay for quality and gladly come back.

[karburn]

People will pay for quality and gladly come back.

Amen to that, but still, a lot of the pricing being offered up seems very, very reasonable. Some high-end detailers that I've run across have packages that start at about $350 and go up. That said, these are people that pretty much specialize in Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche, MB, etc. Ya gotta show'em the VALUE in what they're getting.

[djrazr]

WOW, you guys are selling yourselves short!!!

My prices are below and are only starting prices for a small car in good condition:

Wash and Wax $80
Interior ONLY detail: $90
Exterior ONLY detail (1 step polish): $160
Interior & Exterior (1 step polish): $240


Im still trying to understand. How can someone pay for wash & wax for $80, when they can go down the street and get the same thing done for $20??

Im from california, and in my area, there are alot of non english mexican speaking guys driving around in their trucks using quality detail products, doing a job for $20. I dont know, but thats a good way to put a detailer who does it for $200 out of business pretty quick. More than likely you'll lose a customer, because he can get 10 details for the price of 1 from the other guy. The mexican guys does the same exact job.

In this world, it's all about the $$$