Hey guys! Do you have any recommendations where I should look for other detailers' pricing schedules that include the kind of services we do? I know there are a great deal of them online, but it seems like all I am finding are your regular, run of the mill detailers with simple packages, and nowhere near the complex polishing/swirl removal correction we do. Things like headlight restoration and wheel care are easy to price, based on certain factors, but how do you definitively price swirl removal, paint correction, and paint cleansing? These services vary so much with different vehicles finish and condition of clearcoat... what to do? How do you list different prices for different vehicles who require different care? some of which can't even be determined until you see the paint in person... I don't know if you guys would be willing, but if you have a pricing schedule (or know someone similar who does), could you forward me a copy / post up here? I feel that I am at the point where I really need a solid pricing point. Lots of weird requests for certain details have come up and I'd feel a LOT more comfortable with a solid schedule. Thanks! Best, Jake
Well setting a price is a bit difficult, it's not as simple as coming up with a number. First factor you'll need to take into consideration is where your located. What I mean is what will the market bare around your neck of the woods. You don't want to price your self too high where even though people want your service the price is just too high, you need to be competitive with the market. So even if I were to suggest you charge x amount for a paint correction service it may not be relevant to your location. This may not help but just sharing :2cents:
Thanks both! I wanted to find a balance between set prices and hourly rates so I can account for more/less expensive chemicals and products and I think I found it (Thx Jakerooni on autopia) I'm most likely going to still keep a set price for a starting point. Say a detailing package costs 250 as a baseline, and if the job goes over the average amount of time for a regular job (nothing too out of the ordinary that takes more of my time), then I will institute an hourly rate after that time had passed. I don't know if that was as clearly worded as I'd like it to be, but its a fairly complex pricing scheme... I have had too many details where I have put in more hours of labor than I would have liked to for the money I was paid (Usually I came upon something that needed more time to clean/correct). Nica, you bring up a GOOD point too. Are there any detailers on here (or Nica / Denzil if you could refer me to anyone) in the Southern California area who has a pricing schedule or copies of other detailer's pricing schedules for me to compare? I feel like I have a somewhat competitive price in mind, but want to make sure I can balance profit with labor as much as possible. This summer I will only be working as a detailer, no school, other job, etc... so I really want to make this business model work :]]
To throw my 2 pennies at you i would say be careful with quoting a price and then going hourly after that...instead be logical in your thinking beforehand, and always quote on the high side when talking about how many hours you will be taking to complete the job. People dont like being told a base price and then all of a sudden it is more money, they feel ripped off i bet..even if you did a helluva job...so clff notes is add 2 or 3 hours to whatever number you have pop in your head on the time it takes to complete it and you are good...but if you take 5 extra instead of 2 or 3 dont charge them extra.
Pricing is one of those things that will drive you up the wall because, unless you have a bunch of clients willing to pay you hourly, its never perfect. I know you are worried about not getting paid for your time but until you are willing to do more than you are getting paid for, you will never be paid more for what you are doing. In the beginning, charge fairly, but spend whatever time is necessary to do the job right. As your client list grows and you get a name for yourself, you can begin to raise your prices. My advice to you is to start with two packages. A wash and vacuum package and a wash and vacuum with wax. Have engine shampooing and leather conditioner as options. Keep it simple and concentrate on doing these packages perfectly. Be very thorough with these two packages and I promise you will not have time for anything else. When I do a wash and vac for a client, I guarantee that I leave it cleaner than most shops do when they do a full detail. Do not offer correction work until you are capable of producing excellent results. Hope this helps.
Damn, that's really well said. I had never considered an approach like that. Not that I'm going to start a biz, but that's just flat using your head!
Very well put! Most of us here have a very keen eye and see the need for correction on every vehicle, it's sometimes hard to rationalize a job. A lot of people just want a clean car, something that is just second nature to us. Thanks again! :applause:
:applause: Are you a writer 911? Because as others have said, that was really well said. Your post was extremely helpful thank you :thumb: Edit: How much did everyone start charging at first for these "entry level" packages? (I know this was brought up in another thread but I can't seem to find it.)
I am just getting my service off the ground. I am kind of stuck in a hard Niche in new england tryingt o drum up business by being selective. I have found that for 150-200 $ i can get most everyone in the door. I am also throwing the house at some of the vehicles - mainly the wife's car at this point as they try me out - So I can gain access to the Merc and Bimmers and lotus in the garages...... Should be getting my first Merc SL in a few weeks. Then we talk real services for real cost. I have cavaet'd every job I have done to date - 15 so far - THESE ARE INTRO PRICES - I want your repeat business and in that vein you are getting a 200-300$ job for essentially half price.....Your repeat visits will be typically be 100-150 should nothing get horribly out of shape between visits. As i said I am just starting to turn my hobby into a money maker and as with any good business you have to spread it by word of mouth and be dedicated to the final product. If you build it they will come - We won't be getting 1000$ details on Ferrari's in the first few months - unless you are that well connected - but they will come after they start seeing your work on other people's cars. So I find that almost anyone is willing to part with 100-150 $ and if you dress the rims, quick clay, finish polish, a quality wax - 303 the plasstic inside and vaccum - they will come back. nd over time you will get them paying for the sealants and the second coat of the expensive Wax etc.... Once you have them hooked on what a real detail is they won't be able to go back to the car wash - and settle on a simonize mess. Just my 2 cents. This stuff is fun!!!!!! ben
Good advice.....thanks. I am just starting out too...have done only a couple of cars - one for free since he's my friend, and he knows a lot of people and is helping me get this off the ground. Said his car looked better than when he picked it up at the dealer. It's hard to convince people that the $150 car wash quicky detail is not what I am doing. When I say paint correction, they just stare at me funny. Most people are not willing to part with $300 or so when they don't know what to expect. They just can't imagine what their paint will look like after correction. A few of my neighbors saw my friend's BMW when I did half the hood. They were blown away by the difference, and immediately asked me how much I charged. No, they haven't bit yet, but I'm hopeful. Maybe I need buy a used hood from the junkyard, and polish half of it for show and tell. Yes, you're right....this is fun. I'd rather be detailing than playing golf. Sick, I know.
