how much would you charge???? just curious

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Good question. For a really good friend that wants to learn, I do stuff for free, esp if I have excess product like coatings. For those who just want a bunch of free labor, or want to take advantage, I charge them 70+ an hour, plus material. I do this for my own hobby. Don't mind helping friends who want some help and will do their best to take of the results. Other trying to avoid the cost by using up my minimal free time, pay, or pass.

[GSKR]

Im not a professional detailer by any means. I guess you would call me a weekend warrior or garage enthusiast. I like to wash cars. I like to keep them clean and looking nice

I get asked alot if i would be willing to clean up cars for family, friends, neighbors etc


I usually turn them down, i found out in the past that most people are hoping you will do if for free or next to nothing, but im very curious on what you guys think is a reasonable charge. Maybe if i come up with a price sheet, maybe its a way to earn a little bit of cash, or atleast buy my supplies

all of the cars are DD's. Most keep them fairly clean (no mud or heavy layers of dirt) But have the usual "been driven" bugs, dirt, brake dust etc


So if i were to do the following, what would you charge

1. Rinse the car down with pressure washer
2. spray on wheel/tire cleaner
3 power wash off the wheel and tire cleaner
4. soap car with a good soap (chemical guys, PDP) thru foam cannon
5. hand wash car
6. hand dry car with mequires d156 to add shine and protection on neglected cars
7. vac out interior
8. wipe down interior with chemical guys silk shine or similar product
9. windows with stoner invisible glass
10. apply spray tire shine


Basically what most of us "weekend warriors" do to our rides to keep them clean. Whole process would take about a hour (give or take)

materials i use is basically all mequires professional series. Very diluted. Wash would be chemical guys or PDP.

Im using good products...not walmart stuff


What would something like that be worth to a customer of yours? Id like to know just so i can say i have reasoning for that price.

45..00

[GSKR]

Alot of places around me charge 100-130 for all those steps but they only do the exterior. I guess since its family you could charge a bit less like 10-15 off.

you would need to clay and apply protecting type products too

If there is compensation provided it meets my work or its more direct friends, and family, its free

130.00 for a wash? Where do you live silicon valley.

[custmsprty]

130.00 for a wash? Where do you live silicon valley.

[Eldorado2k]

130.00 for a wash? Where do you live silicon valley.

Relax, I'm sure you're part of the $10-15 off crowd... Suddenly it's not so bad eh?


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[LydiaGP]

45..00

+1

OP, I think your $50 sounds fair. For close friends I personally would charge less, but most of them have helped me with things before at low or no cost. However, I think it's completely legitimate to charge something to recoup supplies and some money toward time spent. Family, I might do for free but really it would be more like payment for something they've helped me with.

I'm fortunate to have good friends that wouldn't expect or ask me to do it for free. I offer them a significantly discounted rate, and they usually tip very well.

[Eldorado2k]

I did a full and thorough interior detail on a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan that a good friend of mine bought earlier this week. It was previously used as a company van to diesel mechanics, and believe me that thing was Thrashed... I completely turned it around, steamed all vinyl panels, scrubbed all the carpet, cleaned all the windows, fogged any remaining smells out... Took me 6+hrs.



He's usually a generous friend when it comes to having his vehicles detailed, but of course we don't actually discuss a price beforehand.. He was gone when I finished, so ATM I don't know how much I'm going to get compensated, but I put everything I had into this 1. [They just welcomed a newborn to the family so I made to go all out on this 1]




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[DogRescuer]

Hey sir/ guys, how do you find out what the local shops abd mobiles are charging?

your best bet is to check local shops and mobile guys to see what the range is. its going to vary a lot by location and what the area can afford, my prices are higher then the 5 closest mobile guys but im not washing anything for $15 bucks. also figure out how much your time is worth to you. is it $45 an hr, or $65 an hr. my prices have went up and down to try and keep up with whats popular but I got tired of that and was offering to much so im down to really 3 simple things with everything by appointment and at $65 an hr starting. if you really want to see a price sheet PM me your email and ill shoot it over to you to look at.

[DogRescuer]

Hmm money or people wanting to come off their money is so different in my area of VA. But I get so much satisfaction from the customers reaction. I have one shop in town that people are soooo dedicated to . Those customers will use him if for no other reason than their entire family line have been going there. I believe if I could pull just 1 or 2 of those customers away, forgetabtiit. Let me say this though unfortunately race has a lot to do with the way things are around here.

[LSNAutoDetailing]

You need to charge something, anything and make a profit. How much, that's up to you... This forum is a vast GEO area. Check with local shops as others have said.

But here is something that may have not been mentioned:

I'm not a tax specialist, check with your tax attorney. If you charge, you can create a small business entity and take a deduction on the percentage the business uses for space/garage/utilities etc.. It's called the home office deduction. There are pro's / con's to doing so, I'm not here to debate it, just letting you know there is an avenue to work the existing tax-code to your advantage. That's between you and your tax specialist.

Hope this helps.