Need help establishing cost system

Hello! I'm new here but I've followed some pro detailers on facebook for a while, and I've done some side detailing for about two years. I've gotten pretty good with swirl/scratch/compounding/polishing and I'm putting in a lot of effort to make a car as good as it will look. I have a few cars that come to me a month, but my pricing system for my work is not concrete, which means people have a tendency to get me down price a bit. I'm in college, fyi.

Anyhow, I wanted to really get a good customer base going, but have not much of an idea on how to charge people. Per hour? Per job?
What would you recommend I start at? What did you start at?

Thanks a bunch.

This is just a facebook page where I keep my pictures of what I've worked on. I will update it more with summer coming up.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Redline-Detailing/210540892322772?fref=ts

Jesse

 

You should look and see what other shops are charging in your area and go from there. What kind of detailing do you want todo and I charge per job. I make about $35 hour and sometimes a lot more depends on the car and job.

 

Good idea. Well, I have a DA, and a few pads. With these I can remove the normal swirl/spiderwebs from the paint. I can compound, polish, then wax. I also can clay, and do interior cleanings. I have a shop vac I put to good use. Sorry if I'm being too vague, not sure if that's exactly what your looking for.

 

Jesse, I am a new detailer just like you. I went around in my local market to see what others are charging and then came up with a plan for myself. I have this system:

MINI DETAIL
​

Exterior Process:
​

• Hand wash and dry exterior
• Tar and grease removal
• Clean inner fenders and door jambs
• Clean wheels and dress tires to restore shine
• Clean glass inside and out

Interior Process:

• Complete vacuuming of interior and trunk
• Blow out all vents, crevices and dashboard gauges
• All Vinyl, plastic and rubber cleaned and dressed

Price:

$ 40.00 (Small and Mid Sized Cars)
$ 50.00 (Mid Sized Suv's/Vans/Trucks)
$ 60.00 (Full Sized Suv's/Vans/Trucks)

FULL DETAIL
​

​

Exterior Process:
​

• Tar and grease removal
• Clean innder fenders and door jambs
• Clean around all trim pieces and crevices of body emblems
• Pre soak with foam and all purpose cleaner using a foam gun
• Hand wash and dry exterior
• Decontaminate paint with clay bar and iron remover
• Apply 1 coat of premium wax or synthetic paint sealant

Interior Process:

• Complete vacuuming of interior and trunk
• Steam-clean door jambs
• Blow out all vents, crevices and dashboard gauges
• Steam-clean and dress all interior surfaces including seats
• Detail trunk including jambs
• Clean and Polish Glass inside and out

Price:
$ 80.00 (Small and Mid Sized Cars)
$ 90.00 (Mid Sized Suv's/Vans/Trucks)
$100.00 (Full Sized Suv's/Vans/Trucks)

A LA CARTE SERVICES
​

Wheel Rim Waxing
Process:

• Wheels protected with premium wax or polymer sealant

Price:

$ 8.99 (Includes all 4 wheels)


Headliner Fabric Detail
Process:

• Headline cleaned and santized
• Steam-Clean and spot removal

Price:
$ 15.99 (Headliner must be intact)


Headlight Restoration
Process:

• Sand with coarse sandpaper to remove haze and oxidation

• Sand with medium grit followed by fine grit sandpaper

• Machine compound and polish to restore clarity

• Apply premium sealant to preserve clarity and protect from UV damage

Price:
$ 50.00 per pair


Engine Bay Detail
Process:

• Clean and degrease dirt in the engine bay
  
• Dress all engine covers, hoses and fluid tanks

Price:
$ 25.00


Carpet Reconditioning
Process:

• Pre soak carpet in carpet shampoo
• Remove salt and water stains from the carpet

Price:
$ 19.99 (includes front and rear carpets)






Since I am not allowed to advertise my website here cos I am not a pro member, I would recommend doing your homework also try and make a website and get some business cards. I used webs.com for my hosting and domain and it costs me $10/month to keep my website running

 

That is a really good system you have. Looks well thought out. I may take this format if you don't mind. ha I like everything, except I have a DA and foam pads and can polish paint to get out swirls/spiderwebs/clear coat scratches from the paint. I wonder how much that is worth...It just takes hours to do.

 

Jesse you may want to invest in MENZ FG400 and some Uber microfiber pads. you can get them at detailersdomain.com and make sure to use the code DB to get 10% off. now i sound like phil's advertiser but he is great to work with. And Jesse, I dont mind if you use my format. If you need help with creating a website shoot me a PM. I will help you free of charge.

 

Hmm, I have to ask.... You go on reddit occasionally?

 

Did anyone else catch this ?

 

wow small world

 

I did just now.

 

Know your worth and don't settle for less. If you do good work, people will recognize it, and word will spread naturally

 

Edit* I love cats

 

If I am starting a business, I would start with just a few simple package such as wash,clay wax, 1-stepper and interior wipe down.
I think a lot of people seems to go for the 1-step polish route so I suggest you to charge per job.

 

Jesse - we have received several complaints from members in regards to your anti-Jew comment in your posts. This will not be tolerated. We expect a public apology from you, which will be followed by a ten day time out. Should you not wish to do this, and continue posting deratory remarks on this public forum, you will be permanently banned.

 

Welp, I honestly did not expect such backlash from a comment, but I am new here and did not now how relaxed the style was here. I am deeply sorry for anyone I offended, and wont be doing so again!

 

As per the request of Jesse, I am now closing this thread.