autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24
  1. #1
    Junior Member 97Avenger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Bradenton, Fl
    Posts
    53
    Post Thanks / Like

    Am I charging too much?

    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.

  2. #2
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    260
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    Quote Originally Posted by 97Avenger View Post
    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.
    2003 Lancer Evolution VIII
    Buschur TBE, Apex'i intake, Hallman Pro RX MBC, Evo 9 and Forge DV's, Swift Sport Machs, FP Green, ETS 3.5 FMIC and piping, Megan coated mani, Megan O2 housing,injectors, Walbro 255, HKS 272's, ARP headstuds, and Cosworth headgasket

    381 AWHP, 91 octane and 25psi

    272 AWHP (DynoDynamics, 312AWHP DynoJet) 93 oct
    252 AWHP (DynoDynamics, 292AWHP Dynojet) 91 oct
    ^^^Old numbers

  3. #3
    Newbie Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    3
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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.

  4. #4
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    League City, TX
    Posts
    115
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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...
    -Steven

  5. #5
    Super Member A1monky's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Glenwood Springs, CO
    Posts
    293
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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.

  6. #6
    Regular Member BigFloppy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Posts
    142
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mickelson'sProDetailing View Post
    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 ?

  7. #7
    Regular Member bfowkes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    124
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

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

  8. #8
    Regular Member karburn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Overland Park, Kansas, USA
    Posts
    172
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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! ]
    Kevin Arburn
    Overland Park, Kansas USA
    1987 MB 560SL
    2006 Mini Cooper S
    2003 MB ML320

  9. #9
    Newbie Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    28
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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.

  10. #10
    Super Member Deep Gloss Auto Salon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Metro Detroit Area
    Posts
    2,038
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Am I charging too much?

    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
    www.deep-gloss.com

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon / Fine Automobile Detailing - Metro Detroit's Paint Correction Specialist


    For Discriminating Automobile Enthusiasts Who Demand The Best


    South East Michigan Automotive Detailing - Rochester Hills, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Farmington Hills, South Lyon, West Bloomfield, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Brighton, Grosse Point, Shelby Twp, Utica, Beverly Hills, Berkely, Walled Lake, Livonia, Novi, Wixom, Waterford, Clarkston

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Man talk about under charging
    By Beavis in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 40
    Last Post: 11-19-2015, 04:26 PM
  2. Charging Customers
    By popcornplayer28 in forum Hot topics & Frequently Asked Questions
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-15-2014, 10:17 AM
  3. Charging by the hour vs...
    By theclock12 in forum How to make money detailing cars
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 06-10-2013, 05:29 AM
  4. am I charging too much??
    By flb18r in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 01-02-2010, 09:32 AM
  5. Charging How Much?
    By Bhut8807 in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-31-2009, 12:13 AM

Members who have read this thread: 0

There are no members to list at the moment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456