Fair Price for Detailing??

[Tom R]

I am planning on getting mt Land Cruiser (04) detailed. I have used the car wash detail service but have read enough on here that I would like to find a local detailer that does more than just a wash and buffer wax.

What would be a "normal" price range for a thorough detail on a Land Cruiser? My guess is that it is not too much more than the car wash version...but a much better job.

Tom R in Minnesota

[AeroCleanse]

Depending on what you want doing $100 to $200. The more that needs doing the more its going to cost you.

[Largebore]

A fair price for a full detail would be more than anyone would pay. Considering the work that goes into a"real" detail.
If I had to put a number on it I would say $500.

[Lowprofile]

Talked the other day to a lady with a mini van that got a quote from a dealership for $500 for her van. Largebore, what do you consider a "real" detail?

[redboost10]

this will help me. ive had some relatives wanting me to detail their rigs, usually like a three step polishing process and a coat of carnuba/sealant. ive been saying 200?? im happy, it keeps me busy and is fun to me and you learn new things everytime.

[Lowprofile]

Is polishing part of a full detail? Wouldn't that be 'paint correction' and an added price to a full detail? New to this, so not sure. Some people I talk to do not want to spend a lot of money for 'paint correction' but still want a fully detailed car. Good thread...

[redboost10]

haha, i dont know, i would assume a full detail includes paint correction as well as interior.

[macman3130]

my brochure shows a full detail on a large SUV is around 150 give or take depending on what you want... thats no polish or clay or finish, just superior wash inside and out and wheels, trim, windows and a top of the line high gloss wax... any polishing is 40$ an hour or usually around 300$... so id charge you 150 for a detail and bout 400 or so for a "full detail". hope that helps ya out.

[macman3130]

A fair price for a full detail would be more than anyone would pay. Considering the work that goes into a"real" detail.
If I had to put a number on it I would say $500.

:whs: most ppl wont pay for what its worth, just depends on your car and your love of your car

[redboost10]

detailing reminds me of fabricating/welding when it comes to pricing the stuff out...if you charge a flat rate, your kinda cheating yourself, charging by the hour is a must it seems

[macman3130]

detailing reminds me of fabricating/welding when it comes to pricing the stuff out...if you charge a flat rate, your kinda cheating yourself, charging by the hour is a must it seems

:whs: word

[Largebore]

Talked the other day to a lady with a mini van that got a quote from a dealership for $500 for her van. Largebore, what do you consider a "real" detail?



[1] Wash and clay
[2] Two levels of polish
[3] Glaze
[4] Wax
[5] Plastic trim clean and treat
[6] Wheels clean and sealant
[7] Interior leather and vinyl clean and replenish
[8]And whatever else begs to be taken care of.
[9] The detailers passion to get it done perfect. Thats what worth the money.

But most people won't pay for that. I mean take the work of TOTO, how do you put an hourly price on that.
Hey whatever he charges, it is worth it. Pay him and thank him. And of course he is not the only one into perfection. Most of this forums posters are like that. Cool.

[Lowprofile]

This may sound like a stupid question but who exactly is TOTO? You kinda lost me here. (My apologies if the answer is obvious...still new here) But everything TOTO does is what I thought was basic (except 'paint correction'...which I feel is an add on) So I can totally see how a $500 price tag would be justified if one had to use a Flex or Makita. Actually, I think $500 would actually be pretty low considering the amount of time. But my only problem is, most people don't want/need a machine polish and would be just as happy spending $250 on a full detail minus the machine work. The ones who know would most likely expect to pay the $250 for the full detail PLUS the $45 an hour to do correction IMO. Am I right or wrong? If I already spend up to 6 hours on just the detail (which includes 4 steps) why would I add the machine for another 3 steps (minimum) for another $250? and how long would it take me to make that other $250?? So a "full detail" should include "paint correction?" I always viewed "paint correction" as another job...but I am new...What do I know. :)

[Brian_Brice]

Considering the size of your vehicle, if you aren't apending a minimum of $450.00 you can pretty much bet you aren't getting much of an elite correction service.

[DiPaoro]

I had my Boxster detailed for $150 last year.

Awful job...!

I had more swirls after this was done but my car looks awesome now. Spent lots of time and money for the products right here. All three cars were done and very happy with the results.

For the amount of labor and cost for the products, I'd say between $250- $500 makes sense in the NY area.