Detail Price Question

[NewGT4me]

Alright guys and gals, over the weekend I did a full detail on my colleagues 1999 Mustang Cobra (Wash, Clay, 2 step polish, hard wax, glaze, glass and interior). It was in relatively rough shape, and he worked with me so he could learn and below are the results. That said, we've gotten so many compliments from coworkers and questions about how much we would charge to do it to their cars.

We're thinking of starting out own side gig doing this, but we need some help on coming up with prices and the like.

I'm not new at this, but I'm certainly no expert so I don't expect to charge what pros do. But at the same time, I do use premium materials (Adams Polishes exclusively, they've never failed me), so I need to account for that as well.

The basic structure should be along these lines and whatever else you think should be added or removed.

-Basic Wash
-Basic Interior clean
-Basic wax (liquid wax)
-Premium wax (hard wax, not a liquid)
-Clay and Polish
-Glaze
-Package deal(s)
Etc...

Any help you all can provide will be greatly appreciated!!!

My 2004 GTO (before I got the Mustang)



My colleagues Mustang (overcast day so the pictures don't do near the justice)

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[NewGT4me]

Alright, I've been doing research what local places charge and below is what I have as my price model. Any and all opinions are welcomed as I'm really interested in getting this side thing going.

Only premium cleaners, waxes and protectants used.

Express
1. Hand Wash – $30 - Wheels, wheel wells, door jams, windows inside & out
2. Hand wash & quick wax - $50 - Wheels, wheel wells, door jams, windows inside & out and quick wax
3. Interior Clean – $40 - Vacuum, clean all surfaces + windows
4. Full Service – $50 - Interior and Exterior (no wax)
5. Full Service Plus – $100 - Full Service plus quick wax

Ultimate Care
1. Exterior – $250 - Wash, Clay Bar, polish (remove swirls), premium wax
2. Interior – $150 - Vacuum, carpet clean, deodorizer, leather conditioner

Platinum
1. Ultimate Care Exterior + Interior - $350

Again, I'd like everyone's feedback so please let me know whether you think I'm too high or too low or if I need to add or remove things.

 

[GT P-TREE]

I think your prices look right.

 

[SVTFreak]

A whole lot less than I eould charge to do it for someone else.

 

[Legacykid]

Id say right off the bat get rid of the glaze.

Looks good but I think polishing seems a tad cheap. For a 1 step polish, and your using boutique items and have a partner?, I dont see how you are making money on that package. I am a part timer, I am no where near the fastest nor at the best I can be yet. But it takes me 12 hours to wash decon polish and wax, plus basic interior ( vac/ wipedown) the mustang lets say. I charge 350 that comes out to $29 per hour.

Look at your market and see what you can charge ( I believe you have done this) and find the best products and best way to use your time and you can make it work out great!

Also check out autogeek and autopia

Its a great side gig and very enjoyable, keep us posted on how things go!

 

[Zemedici]

A whole lot less than I eould charge to do it for someone else.

This.

 

[NewGT4me]

Excluding the wash, it took my friend and I 5-6 hours total to do everything mentioned above on his Mustang, and by myself it took about 9 hours to do the GTO (again excluding the wash). That was only the second and first time, respectively, I have done any kind of polishing, so once I get a good rhythm down, it'll go a bit quicker I think as well.

Honestly, I don't think I'd offer anything below a wash & wax and the upper end full packages because the little stuff wouldn't be worth the time/effort unless I did do those by myself. But I suppose the high end prices do seem a bit on the cheap side now that I'm looking at it again.

Now the only bad part is with winter approaching in Indiana, this is the worst time to launch something like this as most people will just wait until spring to get details done. I guess its good to at least get my name out though so its there for that spring rush.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[Zemedici]

Excluding the wash, it took my friend and I 5-6 hours total to do everything mentioned above on his Mustang, and by myself it took about 9 hours to do the GTO (again excluding the wash). That was only the second and first time, respectively, I have done any kind of polishing, so once I get a good rhythm down, it'll go a bit quicker I think as well.

Honestly, I don't think I'd offer anything below a wash & wax and the upper end full packages because the little stuff wouldn't be worth the time/effort unless I did do those by myself. But I suppose the high end prices do seem a bit on the cheap side now that I'm looking at it again.

Now the only bad part is with winter approaching in Indiana, this is the worst time to launch something like this as most people will just wait until spring to get details done. I guess its good to at least get my name out though so its there for that spring rush.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

do a few freebie cars to help get your name out there. And get some UV lights, and be sure to use quality product.

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