Need serious help with my pricing!

[Da Fats]

I know sully i was just talking about the packages. I do 40 per hour ala cart stuff.

Again any reason you don't dabble in headlight restoration?

[Brian_Brice]

My Price List:

Diamond Package (Detail + Photo Shoot) $500+

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint undergoes multi-step correction to achieve full correction
Wheels are cleaned, polished, and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Brakes are cleaned and sealed; wheel wells are cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
All metal is cleaned and polished
Engine bay is cleaned and dressed
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All plastic is cleaned and dressed
1 coat of sealant or premium wax is applied for maximum protection

Photography Services

Photo shoot with Raymond Neice http://www.raymondneicephotography.com or
Black Simon http://f1photography.blogspot.com/

Show Car Preparation – $40 Per Hour (15+ hours)

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint undergoes multi-step correction to achieve full correction
Wheels are cleaned, polished, and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Brakes are cleaned and sealed; wheel wells are cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
All metal is cleaned and polished
Engine bay is cleaned and dressed
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All plastic is cleaned and dressed
2 coats of sealant are applied for maximum protection. 1 coat of premium wax is applied for maximum gloss

New Car Prep – For Newly-Purchased Vehicles – Only $100-150

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is sealed (4-6 months of protection)
Exterior trim is treated to protect against fading
Interior is treated to protect against fading
Wheels and exhaust tips are sealed

À la carte
Paint Correction – $40 an hour (will take 10+ hours, conducted in shop)

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels are cleaned and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint receives multi-step correction to ensure defects are removed
1 layer of sealant is applied to the vehicle (provides 4-6 months of protection)
Curried wax follows the sealant to provide for a deep gloss

1-Step Polish – $150-$250

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels and tires are cleaned
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint is polished to remove minor swirls and scratches (about 80% corrected)
1 layer of wax or paint sealant is applied

Full Interior Detail – $125-175

Interior is vacuumed
Interior is thoroughly cleaned
All plastic is dressed
Carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned

Aluminum Polishing – Please Email Or Call For Quote

Aluminum is polished
Aluminum is sealed

Rims and Brake Polishing – $100

Rims are removed and cleaned
Brakes are cleaned
Wheel wells are thoroughly cleaned and dressed
Rims are polished and sealed
Brake calipers are sealed

Engine Bay Detail – $40-60

Engine bay is completely cleaned
Engine bay is dressed




Didn't I read a post from you that said no one should charge over $200.00 for a detail? I thought that was very strange you should say that, maybe it was someone else.

[Brian_Brice]

To the OP, I would recommend clocking yourself and seeing how much work you can get done in x amount of time. Then figure out where your skill level is, and charge by the hour. You should know how much you need to make to stay in business so as long as you make that hourly rate you should be fine.

If you wanted to give them an option you can create a whole bunch of packages like others just make sure you can get that particular job done in the amount of time it would take you to earn x amount.

[WindyCity]

Hello and welcome! Which burbs do u work in. I primarly work west burbs. Elmhurst, oak brook, hinsdale... etc. Definitely raise your prices. For mobile I get 180 minimum for wash, wax and full interior. I do use a one step for the exterior so they get a light Polish for that price with the wax. I feel that being mobile should give us a premium price for the convienence to the customer. Check local detail shops including express shops and add 20% for you. Seriously all of my customer love the fact that I am fully equipped and come to them. It saves them time.

[kbaum]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really am taking it seriously and am currently changing my prices based on your recommendations and my research. I figured last season's prices would take heat but still wanted to see what everyone had to say considering my situation and I realize now that those prices just aren't reasonable anymore.

-David (Windy City): I do my work in between warehouses in Elk Grove and occasionally Westmont but get most of my work from the Northwest burbs and North Shore. You're absolutely right about adding a premium for mobile and adding 20% seems reasonable.

Thanks again everyone!

[kbaum]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really am taking it seriously and am currently changing my prices based on your recommendations and my research. I figured last season's prices would take heat but still wanted to see what everyone had to say considering my situation and I realize now that those prices just aren't reasonable anymore.

-David (Windy City): I do my work in between warehouses in Elk Grove and occasionally Westmont but get most of my work from the Northwest burbs and North Shore. You're absolutely right about adding a premium for mobile and adding 20% seems reasonable.

Thanks again everyone!

[Midnight Blue]

My Price List:

Group discounts are available – please call or email us for details

Bronze Package – $30-50

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels are washed
Tires dressed
Interior is vacuumed and wiped down
Windows cleaned
*Please add an additional $10-20 in the case the vehicle is really dirty (link to white VW?)

Silver Package – $60-100

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels are washed
Tires dressed
Interior is vacuumed and wiped down
Windows cleaned
1 Layer of premium wax is applied (1-2 months of protection)
*Please add an additional $10-20 in the case the vehicle is really dirty

Gold Package – $125-200

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels are cleaned and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All Plastic is cleaned and dressed
1 layer of premium wax is applied (1-2 months of protection)
*Please add an additional $10-20 in the case the vehicle is really dirty

Platinum Package – $275-350

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint is polished to remove minor swirls and scratches (80% corrected)
Wheels are cleaned and sealed to protect your wheels from brake dust
Exhaust tips polished and sealed
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All plastic is cleaned and dressed
1 layer of premium wax is applied (1-2 months of protection)
Paint sealant can be applied for an extra $25 (4-6 month of protection)
*Please add an additional $10-20 in the case the vehicle is really dirty

Diamond Package (Detail + Photo Shoot) $500+

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint undergoes multi-step correction to achieve full correction
Wheels are cleaned, polished, and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Brakes are cleaned and sealed; wheel wells are cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
All metal is cleaned and polished
Engine bay is cleaned and dressed
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All plastic is cleaned and dressed
1 coat of sealant or premium wax is applied for maximum protection

Photography Services

Photo shoot with Raymond Neice http://www.raymondneicephotography.com or
Black Simon http://f1photography.blogspot.com/

Show Car Preparation – $40 Per Hour (15+ hours)

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint undergoes multi-step correction to achieve full correction
Wheels are cleaned, polished, and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Brakes are cleaned and sealed; wheel wells are cleaned and dressed
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
All metal is cleaned and polished
Engine bay is cleaned and dressed
All rubber and plastic trim is dressed with UV protectant
Interior carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned
All plastic is cleaned and dressed
2 coats of sealant are applied for maximum protection. 1 coat of premium wax is applied for maximum gloss

New Car Prep – For Newly-Purchased Vehicles – Only $100-150

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Paint is sealed (4-6 months of protection)
Exterior trim is treated to protect against fading
Interior is treated to protect against fading
Wheels and exhaust tips are sealed

À la carte
Paint Correction – $40 an hour (will take 10+ hours, conducted in shop)

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels are cleaned and sealed in order to protect from brake dust
Exhaust tips are polished and sealed
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint receives multi-step correction to ensure defects are removed
1 layer of sealant is applied to the vehicle (provides 4-6 months of protection)
Curried wax follows the sealant to provide for a deep gloss

1-Step Polish – $150-$250

Hand wash (2 bucket method)
Wheels and tires are cleaned
Paint is clayed to remove contaminants
Paint is polished to remove minor swirls and scratches (about 80% corrected)
1 layer of wax or paint sealant is applied

Full Interior Detail – $125-175

Interior is vacuumed
Interior is thoroughly cleaned
All plastic is dressed
Carpets are shampooed
Leather is cleaned and conditioned

Aluminum Polishing – Please Email Or Call For Quote

Aluminum is polished
Aluminum is sealed

Rims and Brake Polishing – $100

Rims are removed and cleaned
Brakes are cleaned
Wheel wells are thoroughly cleaned and dressed
Rims are polished and sealed
Brake calipers are sealed

Engine Bay Detail – $40-60

Engine bay is completely cleaned
Engine bay is dressed


________

Also my rule of thumb is I dont clay cars unless they are getting a polish or full correction because some paint are very easy to mar. If they want the car waxed or sealed I chemically stipe the car of it wax, clean then wax or seal the car.

Your best bet is to start posting on local car forums and clubs websites. Go to your local meets and car shows, once you land one of those people and they love your work the rest of the club will jump in.

Shawn;

Thanks so much for this wonderful information!

I'm planning to start my own Auto Detailing business this coming spring. I'm now retired from a career in Sales and Marketing but have always loved detailing cars.

As a member and Historian/Photographer for the Mustang Club of Maryland, I participate in a lot of car shows. I plan to use my contacts within the club to build my customer base and expand to other car clubs as well.

Your pricing guide will be very beneficial to me in assuring that I am charging a reasonable rate for my services.

I searched out this website and have really been impressed with the professionalism and genuine interest that everyone is willing to share. Bravo!

I have invested in a professional polisher and detailing products from Griot's Garage and will continue to use this website for other quality products and to educate myself on new products and services that will benefit my new venture.

Thanks again to everyone who shared their ideas and knowledge with those of us just learning the ropes.

Midnight Blue