Does detailing suffer from the public underestimating how much work goes into it?

[Ed Abbondanzio]

Does detailing suffer from the public underestimating how much work goes into it?



Hey guys this has been on my mind a lot lately, even more so as business slows and I became a little more lax on the jobs I'll go after.

Is detailing one of those fields where people are more prone to underestimate the amount of work that goes into it, or is there just a percentage of the population that will always expect a lot of work for a little pay?

My rates are pretty low for my overhead ($35 - $50 /hr) and even then a good amount of people will think that's high. Last week after giving a price estimate over the phone some guy said "man, I'm in the wrong business" and all I wanted to say back was "nah you'd probably get tired of all the people thinking you'll work for less than minimum wage" (I didn't). Instead of starting an argument I'll deflect and play dumb asking if they want some time to think on it to give them a way out. But with winter approaching this conversation gets all too common.

What do you guys do? Should I start smoking my lunch to cope? Lol



:buffing:

[TTQ B4U]

IMO most people, average people, who aren't car people, just want a clean car. I have a basic polish and protect, just posted one in the Show and Shine Section, that is a quick 2-3 passes with a polish and of course something I can upgrade to a quick ceramic on as well. I do quite a few of them. People like this just don't want to spend a lot of money. My goal is normally $100/hr but this fall I've been knocking them out in the evenings and tossing in GYEON CanCoat for no charge. Normally I ask $95 for it as an upgrade but I bought some new toys and wanted to recoupe my spend quickly and it worked.

I don't mind sharing my pricing: The below is typically an AIO product but I offer upgrades too.

Small-Medium 2-4 Door Coupe/Sedan Civic, Accord, Cruz, Altima, A4, Fusion, WRX, Sonic $250
Larger 2-5 Door or Small Hatchback Charger, Avalon, A6, 535, SHO, Genesis, G8, E-Class, Camaro, Mustang, Volt, GTI, Vibe $275
Small SUV, 5 door Med Hatch/Wagon Escape, CR-V, Tesla S, Rogue, Forester, Edge, 2 row seating $295
Large SUV, Van Wagon, Hatchback Explorer, Pilot, Yukon, Wagons, Wrangler, 3 row seating $375
Extra Large SUV, Van, Full Size Truck Full size truck/van, Chevy Suburban, Toyota Sequoia $425

[PaulMys]

I only do my own vehicles, and I have always expressed how much respect I have for you guys who do it for a living.

After detailing my own truck I have had enough! There is nothing easy about doing the job right.



I would say that the people you are talking about Ed, are just ignorant to most things, especially how much works goes into a real detail job.

They probably think "Hey, I can run my car through a tunnel wash for 15-20 bucks and get the same thing".

Like Mike P always says: "They don't know the difference between a swirl & squirrel."

[TTQ B4U]

I only do my own vehicles, and I have always expressed how much respect I have for you guys who do it for a living.

After detailing my own truck I have enough! There is nothing easy about doing the job right.

Props. For me it's a weekend gig for side money/cash. I knock some out in the evenings when wife and kids have events I'm not attending. Keeps me busy and from watching too much TV or what not. A hobby that pays for toys and fun stuff. it is a lot of work but over time it's gotten pretty easy. I avoid the nightmare jobs and my work is 100% word of mouth.

You're right overall though. I saw some local social media chatter that involved a detailer that may likely even be on here but they were Groupon oriented chats and I don't nor would I ever do that. Who knows, he may have a real business to run but in the end, I'd still avoid it.

To Ed's point, people don't realize that it takes 1-2hrs to wash and fully decon and prep a car for my polishing. IMO that's key. Key to better results, faster results and no doubt keeping my gear and pads in great shape. Even on interiors, it's all about the dry first thus why i love my Tornador and corresponding Velocity Vac. Without it, the extractor is just a sludge factory. Back to the point, these $100-$150 "details" people find are nothing more than a strong wash with some hand products applied.

I address questions and comments but simply directing people to my web site, portfolio and testimonials. I have hundreds and where picture tells a thousand words, I challenge them to review my photos there and tell me which is my entry level package and which is full correction and coating package for 5x the cost. Stack my work up against the $150 dude and it's very clear that what he finishes with looks no where near what my entry level packages comes in with.

Ed, keep up the good spirits. Reach out if you need insight or want to banter. PM Me anytime.

[dgage]

One thing you could say is, well I wish I got that much per hour too but after expenses and equipment and material costs, it is not even close to that. Mention you have top notch equipment, materials, and tons of time invested testing to find the best products. Heck tell him you have X invested in microfiber towels as each has a purpose...glass, polish, buff, dry, etc. Don’t be snarky just be straight forward and say you’ve worked hard to be an expert and professional to take each person’s vehicle and paint to the highest level possible.

[Ed Abbondanzio]

IMO most people, average people, who aren't car people, just want a clean car. I have a basic polish and protect, just posted one in the Show and Shine Section, that is a quick 2-3 passes with a polish and of course something I can upgrade to a quick ceramic on as well. I do quite a few of them. People like this just don't want to spend a lot of money. My goal is normally $100/hr but this fall I've been knocking them out in the evenings and tossing in GYEON CanCoat for no charge. Normally I ask $95 for it as an upgrade but I bought some new toys and wanted to recoupe my spend quickly and it worked.

I don't mind sharing my pricing: The below is typically an AIO product but I offer upgrades too.

Small-Medium 2-4 Door Coupe/Sedan Civic, Accord, Cruz, Altima, A4, Fusion, WRX, Sonic $250
Larger 2-5 Door or Small Hatchback Charger, Avalon, A6, 535, SHO, Genesis, G8, E-Class, Camaro, Mustang, Volt, GTI, Vibe $275
Small SUV, 5 door Med Hatch/Wagon Escape, CR-V, Tesla S, Rogue, Forester, Edge, 2 row seating $295
Large SUV, Van Wagon, Hatchback Explorer, Pilot, Yukon, Wagons, Wrangler, 3 row seating $375
Extra Large SUV, Van, Full Size Truck Full size truck/van, Chevy Suburban, Toyota Sequoia $425

Thanks for sharing! I can relate to the recouping money thing lol. Sometimes I'll "wiggle" my prices when I want a quick buck. Exterior wise I only offer AIO jobs with the option to upgrade to a paint sealant +$70 (rarely taken up on). My prices are:
Coupes / sedans: $130
Small suvs $150
Big suvs + trucks $170

Around here I'm one of the most expensive detailers lol. Most of the detailers are old school with no websites, online presence, or advertising. One of them has a grudge against me...



I only do my own vehicles, and I have always expressed how much respect I have for you guys who do it for a living.

After detailing my own truck I have enough! There is nothing easy about doing the job right.



I would say that the people you are talking about Ed, are just ignorant to most things, especially how much works goes into a real detail job.

They probably think "Hey, I can run my car through a tunnel wash for 15-20 bucks and get the same thing".

Like Mike P always says: "They don't know the difference between a swirl & squirrel."

Thanks Paul. I think of Mike's quote a lot. Sometimes I miss when detailing was just a hobby for me. I haven't washed my car in three months now. I guess as the saying goes "the cobblers children has no shoes" lol.

[98CayenneTA]

I don't think some get the work that is involved depending on how in depth of a correction they are looking for.

Myself, I bill out at $80/hr. but usually give a slight break the bigger the job.
Now the first thing I do is give a hourly estimate in hours for as near perfection as possible without compromising the paint so that hours is the first thing they hear then branch out to different routes they can take and show pictures.

The more detailed the correction, meaning am I cutting around EVERYTHING close with the ibrid nano (price goes up) or am I doing a single stage using a da with a 5in. pad and just getting what I can (price goes down) making sure they know the more detailed the more pricey, the more I have to change equipment the more price tends to go up.

I do NOT quote over the phone and do not do interiors (If they want there 3 month old fries picked up from under the seat :laughing: )

I always quote in person and ask for expectations, they have there car sitting there in person so I can point to certain parts and say for example....
Point to badges and maybe around door handles, window sweeps depending on body style and let them know that all that work is going to need to be done with a 1" polisher.

Show them work that would need say a 3" and just make it clear that the details=time.

I just make sure hours is the first thing they hear then I go into what makes up those hours along with pictures and myself really don't catch much flak about cost.

I don't think you were looking for advice but I kinda got on a roll with my routine about informing exactly where there money is being spent.

[PA DETAILER]

Your average person does not know what all go's into a detail. Vehicles are appliances to them. Detailing is way on the bottom of their to do list. Let alone pay for a detail.

Wanted to add, i do not it for money. Weekend warrior that loves the hobby and want my ZR2 looking it's best.

[PaulMys]

Vehicles are appliances to them.

Exactly.

[JT Moto]

I just make sure hours is the first thing they hear then I go into what makes up those hours along with pictures and myself really don't catch much flak about cost.

I love this idea and never even thought about it. Odd since I am in a dealership and everything is in hours. I’m definitely going to take this idea and run with it. It will help staff understand what I’m doing in a way that they can relate to it.



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[IH8SPM]

....... I wrote so much and deleted it. Don't worry about what people believe it's worth and value yourself and your time. Thanks for calling and if you have any questions or would like to set up and appointment.... Please let me know.

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[John U]

I had my Honda at the dealer last week..... $149 an hour. Sure they have high overhead but those customers are conditioned to think $149 is "what it takes"

[DUBL0WS6]

It's like that for most businesses. I once had a customer complain about a bill and I told him that I paid more monthly for insurance than most people in my county pay for a house. He was dumbfounded. People always want you to work for nothing.

[Ed Abbondanzio]

Thanks guys, it's nice to hear I'm not the only one that has to deal with people like that. I'll try to mention the hours into each job more and see if that helps out a bit.

[RTexasF]

The vast majority of folks have no idea what effort, time, supplies, and equipment goes into a full fledged detail. To them "detail" means wash, wax, and vacuum. Much of my detailing work was done in Brownsville TX which is the most impoverished area in the USA. Talk about a tough crowd!

I eventually hooked up with professionals that had the money but not the time or desire to personally keep their rides more than presentable. Due to Covid this might not work today but teachers, professors, lawyers, doctors, nurses, etc., were my target clients. This worked out very well as they told coworkers and my clientele began to build......all through word of mouth.

One thing I never did was quote on the phone. I HAD to see the vehicle, the condition it was in, and talk with the potential client. Were they going to sell it? Was it a surprise for wife, husband, relative, etc.? All of this information including the pointed question "What do you expect/desire from this work?" helped determine the price. If the phone customer persisted without any attempt or effort for me to see the car I politely suggested they go elsewhere. I was willing to go to the car as long as the client was available for conversation. Some would prefer to insist on a phone quote which I absolutely would not do.

Talking to them helps you and educates them as to what is involved. I hope this helps even if only in a small way.