Most Expensive Auto Detailers

[vanev]

I recently became aware that there are auto detailers in Europe that charge between $5000 and $10,000 for a complete auto detail.

Gurcharn Sahota
Britain's most expensive car wash takes a month and charges £7,200 to clean luxury motors | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295926/Britains-expensive-car-wash-takes-month-charges-7-200-clean-luxury-motors.html)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2sbh54_g2c

Paul Dalton
Profesional car detailing and paintwork correction by Paul Dalton - Miracle Detail (http://www.miracledetail.co.uk/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXtCS9Jf2Q


While I am sure there are auto detail projects for top of the line US detail professionals that can exceed $1000 and more, I have no knowledge of any US detailer that charges a baseline price point of $5000 - $10,000 for a complete auto detail.

I would like to know what this community thinks of this price scale for auto detail?
I would also ask that whether anyone agrees with it or not, do you think it forces the profession as a whole to do a revaluation of the worth of auto detail as a profession, as well as a revaluation of the business model itself?

[rlmccarty2000]

When people are willing to spend in excess of 1 million dollars for an automobile what is 5 to 10 thousand more for the car to be right. People that follow the posts on this forum have seen some of the exotics coming out of the factory with scratches, holograms, and swirls. The cars should not be coming from the factory in such conditions, but they are. If I was purchasing such a car I would gladly pay a small percentage of the sale price to have the car immaculate. People with money will pay for quality work. I don't see it as outrageous.

[GSKR]

Some people with gobs of cash will be reversed they will drive a 349000 ghost and bicker about pricing on a detail ,I've never encountered that situation ,but have good friends in the industry that have,it boils down to discresenery,on how they or what they want to spend for something.I see people who have earned it will be anal about taking care of stuff and won't question you cause you're earning it .Old cash they don't care till they go bankrupt .

[haagendasz]

I know someone on my country who have "higher pricing" for detailing. They charge around $1000+++ which is really out of mind for average people, but they surely delivered excellent results.

So the people who used their services mostly the owner of luxury cars.

But if I have exotic or supercars which cost hundred thousand dollars I would gladly leave its maintenance to the best people in the industries. And I would not care about the cost.


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[RTexasF]

No offence but if you are just now discovering this then you must be new at the job. Those detailers are old, old, old news and they make a nice living by serving only the wealthy. The services provided, and the prices, are set by those that are willing to pay it. It is indeed fair if you think like a Prince not like a pauper. There are folks in the USA that travel exclusively to service collections and rare cars, they just don't broadcast where they go or what they charge.

[vanev]

Great comments guys, keep them coming.

The obvious thing about this subject that stands out is the price gap between high end auto detailers in the US and Europe, such as the two gentlemen mentioned in the OP.
There are certainly some of the world's best auto detailers right here in the US.
It could certainly be true that price point may be closer to scale, and not advertised, and I just not know about it.
In some cases, such as super rare cars or super expensive, it might be.

I have to say, I think I would have heard about this happening in the US by now.
A lot of the top US auto detailers have websites and list their prices.
None of which are even comparable to $5000 - $10,000 a car.
Also consider the time frame.
60 - 90 days is a considerable amount of time.
While that is reasonable for high end paint and body work, I have simply no knowledge of any auto detailer in the US advertising such time frames to start and finish a complete detail.
It certainly could exist and I not know of it, but have not seen any of this advertised here in the US.

Returning to the subject of price gap.
There are several questions that stand out.
1. Are US auto detailers under charging for their work?
2. Is there a US market for such high price points?
3. If not such high price points, how high will the market bare?
4. Is it time for US high end and established auto detailers to seriously reavaluate their professional worth?
5. Is the current business model of volume as the focal point on how to make an actual living in the industry the right approach?

There are just as many rare cars, high end cars, and world's most expensive cars right here in the USA.
While I admire what the gentleman mentioned in the OP are doing for the industry, and I am sure their skills are high end, the US auto detail industry wrote the book and redefined it when it comes to auto detailing.

So, the main question is still unanswered.
Are the top auto detail professionals in the US charging appropriately for their work?

[cardaddy]

No offence but if you are just now discovering this then you must be new at the job. Those detailers are old, old, old news and they make a nice living by serving only the wealthy. The services provided, and the prices, are set by those that are willing to pay it. It is indeed fair if you think like a Prince not like a pauper. There are folks in the USA that travel exclusively to service collections and rare cars, they just don't broadcast where they go or what they charge.
:iagree:

There are guys all over that tend to cater to the 'exclusive' crowd, and quite honestly... don't have time to talk to you if you only want a "car wash". In fact, there are a couple expensive guys here in Atlanta, one has also been flown in to do exclusive vehicles, the other I've done some jobs with... better not mention him or he'll pop in here saying what a creep I am.

The reality is, if you can build a business model on prices that are two, three, five... heck even TEN times what the 'common folk' charge, AND that business model keeps people coming, then you've done a darned good thing! Overall, it really doesn't take that long either. The second guy easily gets $2K and up back when he was only 5 years into the business, working out of his truck. Tried to get my son to realize just how easy that is, problem is... he doesn't LIKE detailing! :rolleyes:

Do what you love and you'll be good at it. :xyxthumbs:

[GSKR]

In big metro cities people always no there gonna pay more as to suppose to to Florida

[FUNX650]

As many different "areas" that there are in the World...
there will often be as many different prices that are
being charged to detail vehicles in those areas.

@OP:
At what $-level would you now set
as your hourly rate for detailing?



Bob

[vanev]

As many different "areas" that there are in the World...
there will often be as many different prices that are
being charged to detail vehicles in those areas.

@OP:
At what $-level would you now set
as your hourly rate for detailing?
Bob

Economics:
You are exactly right.
The economics of any geographic area will factor into what anyone charges for any service.
Most are really not paid for what they are truly worth in any industry, except the very few.
Everyone is trying to get as close as they can to that price point.
What value that specifically is can be subjective.

Service jobs do not really translate on a global scale.
They can, but auto detailing not so much.
Your service job can have a product to sell, or maybe a franchise, or even a subscription service of some kind, etc...
Economics are always local for service jobs.
The best you can do is put yourself in the best geographic economy you can, push out that geographic location as far as you can, and charge as much as the market will bare.

Pay Scale:
Firstly, I am not currently an auto detail professional by trade.
I do auto detail professional work occasionally, but mainly by word of mouth, and sparingly.
I also am in charge of auto detailing the fleet of vehicles for the company I work for, which consists of 6 - 8 trucks and vehicles.
The budget allocated by the company for this is so small, I would not consider it a budget.
I often bring in my own purchased products from my own personal inventory to detail the vehicles.
I am considering investing myself more fully into the auto detailing industry, and am currently beefing up my inventory of products.

To answer your question specifically.
I never charge by the hour.
I have always charged by the job.
I charge more than most, but almost always offer a two for one type of deal.
Usually a complete detail with a one stage follow up for free.

I will say that after detailing cars in one form or another for more than 20 years, evaluating the true worth of what a professional auto detail brings to the value of the car, and after seeing what others are now charging, and what people are willing to pay, I am seriously re-evaluating the business model and considering a new way of doing things.

[FUNX650]

The economics of any geographic area will factor into what anyone charges for any service.

The best you can do is put yourself in the best geographic economy you can, push out that geographic location as far as you can


Pay Scale:

To answer your question specifically.
I never charge by the hour.
I have always charged by the job.

I will say that after detailing cars in one form or another for more than 20 years, evaluating the true worth of what a professional auto detail brings to the value of the car, and after seeing what others are now charging, and what people are willing to pay, I am seriously re-evaluating the business model and considering a new way of doing things.
My geographical area would never be
able to support your apriorisms.


Bob

[expdetailing]

For the price of paint correction some of these guys charge, one could get a new paint job, and have each layer's orange peel sanded out.
From another angle, consider these guys are spending on average 35 hrs, sometimes 70+, to complete a correction. Now, do they really deserve that kind of money for labor? In my opinion, no way! However, if someone's willing to pay, oh well.
Lastly, I believe if the clients really knew what was involved in correcting paint, there wouldn't be as many willing to pay that kind of money. Some of those customers must think something magical happens to their car when, really, its just some elbow grease and a buffer.

[HUMP DIESEL]

For the price of paint correction some of these guys charge, one could get a new paint job, and have each layer's orange peel sanded out.
From another angle, consider these guys are spending on average 35 hrs, sometimes 70+, to complete a correction. Now, do they really deserve that kind of money for labor? In my opinion, no way! However, if someone's willing to pay, oh well.
Lastly, I believe if the clients really knew what was involved in correcting paint, there wouldn't be as many willing to pay that kind of money. Some of those customers must think something magical happens to their car when, really, its just some elbow grease and a buffer.

Have you ever personally seen the type of work that these guys do? The level of clarity that it achieved in the paint?

The problem with the U.S. is that we always base what we think someone is worth on our current situation. If you made $100/hour, and these detailers made $50/hour, you would perceive that they do okay. On the other hand, if you made $15/hour and these guys make $50/hour, you get mad because you feel it's not worth it. Do you or anyone you know own an Iphone? If so, have you ever looked into the manufacturing cost of one phone? It's miniscule compared to the actual cost to consumers, yet there are lines waiting each time to get the newest one.

Yes, you can go and get a full detail at the local guy and pay him $125 for his time and you may feel like it's a good job, but if you ever put that car beside one of these $5,000 details and really look at each car, you yourself will start to pick out the things that just cannot be taken care of for pennies.

HUMP

[KMG]

The term paint correction gets thrown around VERY loosely the last few years. There is a lot more that goes into "paint correction" then simply whipping out the rotary and hacking stuff up which is what most people are used to and honestly don't know the difference. Pretty much it comes down to the old saying "You get what you pay for". I changed my business model this year and no longer do a car unless it is at least polished with an AIO. There are plenty of others in my area that car slap a sealant or wax on a swirled out mess, but I don't want my name attached to a car that looks like that. I am one of the most expensive in my area, however these is a definite difference between my work and the work that comes out of the high volume shops around me.

[expdetailing]

I just looked at Paul Dalton's site; It seems he stays at $1000 or so for an average maximum. I was under the impression he was charging $7-10k per job.