What should I charge?

**Booger** · 04-13-2004, 11:29 AM

What would you charge to clean a year old lexus that the owner uses for the night out or so. I`ve supported myself for over a year detailing, but have got out of doing it so much in the last 8 months with another job. I usually charge around 25 - 30 for exterior wash, interior dust and vac. That usually takes (with the customers I have...) around an hour or hour and a half. I rarely get people wanting polish or wax or much more than the tires to shine and the inside to be junk free..

This one I`m thinking of claying and then wolfgang...

So from my say 30 bucks + clay and sealant, what should I charge?

**scottabi** · 04-13-2004, 11:34 AM

depends on the area you live in and the going rate...but thats not what you want to hear

so I charge $60-75 for a wash and wax. if there is polishing involed the price goes up.

**Beemerboy** · 04-13-2004, 11:36 AM

Look at the car and estmate the time that it will take you to finish. Then charge by the hours with a plus and minus. I`d say based on what you said about $75 bucks! or in that area.

**Booger** · 04-13-2004, 11:59 AM

Thanks. Its really hard to get people in this small town to pay much since there is one of them 20 buck drive though car washs with about 6 people on a car... (includes brushs on the drive though)that a guy who, previously did detailing without help. Everyone is praising this ````ty work that is put out through there. But most people think that is `the` detailing place. The person who`s car I will be doing has used me before to clean their h2 so I`m sure they know the job I will do. Its really hard to keep people from fear of overcharging around here.

Beemerboy I think that sounds pretty fair. I`d love to live where I could have my own shop and do full details all the time. I got tired of the 30 bucks here or there for a clean up..

**NEW AGAIN** · 04-13-2004, 12:15 PM

For that service you should charge $135.00

BUT EXPLAIN YOUR SERVICE and what claying is, What polishing is and What Protecting the paint is It`s that simple also tape a small area of and do the procedure AND SHOW OFF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND QUALITY OF WORK

**Ringo** · 04-13-2004, 12:19 PM

Booger....

Once the job is completed, ask the owner if they would be interested in having you maintain the car on a regular basis. You can set your own maintenance program but you could offer to apply another coat of wax every 4-6 weeks or something like that. If you do good work, the word will spread and you`ll have several people contacting you for your services.

**Beemerboy** · 04-13-2004, 12:39 PM

I quoted a job not long ago and was $50.00 higher than the other shop in my area. I told the guy would you rather have a guy that is being paid $10 an hour, will use a check list, has no idea what products he using or how to use them, and will be working on 10 cars that day. Or me with 30 years, with many years of product knowledge and experence with them.

Sperate yourself by quality of work, and service and then do your best to deliver. My customers come to me because I delvery above there expectations of quality and service

**dr_detail** · 04-13-2004, 02:34 PM

Its really hard to get people in this small town to pay much since there is one of them 20 buck drive though car washs...

What is the price of quality???

I can`t tell you what the market will bear in your specific area, but chances are good that if you use an educated analogy, and teach your prospects on the process and the differences in detailing, they will pay what ever you ask. If every one else is charging $45 and your quality is by far better, why not charge for it... Many have been conditioned by Madison Ave Marketing to think that if something costs more it`s got to be better. Think about it... If someone want`s the best, they are willing to pay for it... What exactly separates a fully loaded Camry from Lexus besides some trim and badging?? Education is the king and cures all ignorance -- show the client what a brush does to a car, explain the thickness of paint and what happens if the thin and delicate clear is damaged, let him feel the difference that clay makes, Point out what separates you from others, explain the difference between quality and quantity. Also try to focus on the convience -- you are mobile and coming to them. Try not to be arrogant or smug in the process (for that can many times be a deterrent) but honestly teach -- for once educated, chances are you will have a happy client for a long, long time.

P.S. For heaven`s sake don`t ask the customer what separates a Lexus from a Toyota!!

**Booger** · 04-13-2004, 02:43 PM

haha on the yota, Ill try not too.

Most of the people I clean cars for have known me for the majority of my 19 years. The people with the lexus have a son that is one of my friends. Its just hard trying to explain proper technique etc. On top of that... they have their own (large) coin op bay wash and drive through car wash (toughless) ....

**dr_detail** · 04-13-2004, 02:59 PM

In that case, give `em my resume... am willing to re-locate for the right price...
:lol

:rolling

**BaDm0theR** · 04-13-2004, 09:44 PM

Dr. Detail, i want to personally applaud you for that post. Direct, efficient anf to the point. You summed it up beautifully, and i strongly beleive it is to EACH and EVERY high-end Detailers advantage to briefly/efficiently educate them on your work, how you differ and the caliber of your results.

Be confident in your services, be confident that you are using the very best products & be confident in your prices...ultimately the results will speak for themselves.

Goodluck, and godspeed!