Detailing income?

[Details]

How much should a detailer make an hour? Mobile, self contained, insured, high quality meguiars and zymol products, paint measurements, steam cleaning, high speed buffing, two years expeirence but very good, and 80% of my customers are high end...

What do you guys think? how much do you guys make?

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Detailing income?

at least $30 bucks
$50 - $75 for high end, labor intensive projects

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Detailing income?

Whatever the market will bear. You might do well to run a web search of your area detailers and see what they're charging for similar or identical services. For example, prices would probably be higher in car conscious Southern California as opposed to rural North Carolina. By gauging your local competition, you can draw a more effective price structure without pricing yourself too high and out of the market, or pricing your services too low and creating a consumer impression that your low prices might translate into novice or newbie experience.

[reparebrise]

Re: Detailing income?

Definitly not under $60 per hour, with $90 plus being more realistic.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Detailing income?

at least $30 bucks
$50 - $75 for high end, labor intensive projects

Probably around the same as Maserati Mario, it all depends on the job

[Carfire]

Re: Detailing income?

My Scratchless Car Wash is $30.
Personal Message me for my other prices, if you want.
Good Luck!!

[Nappers]

Re: Detailing income?

Depends on your area too (not knowing the economics in your area).

My area, 30 bucks an hour is pushing it. I charge a flat rate after checking the car out.... Generally between 200-300 a car higher for bigger stuff.

It's hard to sell a true 5 step in rural No. California.

My last detail, my customer's buddies laughed at him for paying $250.00 for a "wash and wax" then they saw his truck. I did explain what I did and he told me he told them what I did...... He now wants more business cards to give out.......

[Details]

Re: Detailing income?

anyone else?

[DogParkGuy]

Re: Detailing income?

Please remember that the numbers mentioned here - $30 - $90 per hour are gross earnings. You must pay social security taxes out of that (15.4%), state and income taxes. Plus all your overhead.

Another way to look at it is what you would earn in another business. If you would make $60,000 as a good mechanic fixing cars, why would you want to detail cars and make half of that?

Finally, price is only part of the equation. Customer satisfactions must be utmost in your consideration. If they are satisfied with the work, they will be satisfied with the price - and will tell others about the quality of your work. So make sure you are customer oriented in how you deliver services. Do you meet customer deadlines? Can you arrange pickup and delivery? Do you set expectations when you inspect a car? And don't apologize for your price. Instead, offer alternative pricing schemes. If your price for a full detail is too high, offer a wash, wax and clean interior. (next week I am just cleaning the interior for a neighbor - that's all they want!).

[Krzemienr]

Re: Detailing income?

to be perfectly honest, it varies based on service, but after taxes and all other deduction I usually bring in $35 per hour for regular washes and such, for longer and more corrective details I can bring in anywhere from $75 to $100, PM if you would like specific prices... Thanks

Rafal

[Megafast13]

Re: Detailing income?

I only make about 20 per hour, but I don't charge per hour.

PM me for more info on my rates as well.

[Details]

Re: Detailing income?

any seasoned vets in the detailing game, with any other insight?

[Details]

Re: Detailing income?

professionals???

[Details]

Re: Detailing income?

i guess no other vets???

[kkarasch]

Re: Detailing income?

I'm trying to set my costs as well right now. I was figuring about 30/hr as well as I have low overhead since I'm setting up my garage now for this. I'm going to standardize tasks and the just total the needs of the vehicle basedruck on that. Then also have separate classes of vehicles; Small Sedan, Large Sedan, Small SUV, Large SUV/Truck. Something like this. I'm still working on it.