Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

[Grand Am GT]

A neighbor's coworker asked me if I would detail his 2007 White Ford truck (which I've seen), and is going to call me in a few days to get a price.

I don't know the exact model, but as best as I can tell via the net, it's an F-450 (possibly bigger - it's massive), and the bed has a top to it.

He said that he tried washing it himself one time and had to get a six-foot step ladder to do it. Fortunately, he has since found a place that will wash it for him, and it only costs him $10, which he is willing to do, and then drop it off at my place to save me some time. Though I'd still have to get a ladder.

He didn't mention wanting any correction work, so it's probably going to be a clay/wax/tires/wheels.

What do you think would be a fair price? 250, 300, 350? And what about if he wants the interior done?

Thank you.

[AdvanceDetail]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

Hi,

IMO, you should first see what the owner wants and needs, never give a price over the phone without looking at the car or talking to the owner, that way you know better about what price to charge, also if its correction work, you should know what level of correccion he wants, theres no need to work that much (and the owner to spend that much) if its going to be a DD or a work truck. it all depends. work on the owner first, then the truck.

on prices i cant help you because iam in another country. but for me 300dlls is the minimun price i charge for correction

my 2 cents.
Good luck

[Grand Am GT]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

Thanks for your input!

I was out doing my car, and he asked what I did to keep it looking so shiny. I told him that claying was an essential part of detailing, and explained what the process did. Based on our conversation, I didn't get the impression he's that knowledgeable about detailing, but wants to keep his truck looking good.

I've seen his truck up close, and it definitely needs claying.

He also said if I wanted to do the tires and wheels, that's fine.

So based on all of this, I got the impression that he wasn't even thinking correction work, but I understand what you're saying about asking him. I just wanted to try and get some sort of idea on pricing.

Thanks again.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

Give him an hourly rate. Charge between $25-$30 per hour. If no correction is needed, then washing, waxing, and claying shouldn't run you more than 6-8 hours (if that)

[CieraSL]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

You could use this F-650 that Tuck91 did as a reference point for what kind of work you need to do and what to charge. If Tuck charged $350-$400 for that F-650, then I think around $300 would be fair.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35060

[Grand Am GT]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

I should also mention that at this point I don't have a polisher.

[AdvanceDetail]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

I should also mention that at this point I don't have a polisher.

well i think you might be better off detailing it with out paint correction, doing a truck like that by hand would be crazy.

[Tuck91]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

doing a truck like that by hand would be crazy.

Not if your using an AIO such as M20, ColorX, M06 etc.

[roushstage2]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

I'm not too sure about the hand thing on that size vehicle. Those things are massive. I am tired by the end of an F150 or Expedition, let alone something 3-4 times that size! Good luck either way!

[gsxr310]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

as far as paint correction, i wouldn't do a f-450 by hand! i have a gmc sierra 2500hd and tryin to do a paint correction by hand will take a full day (sometimes i break it off in days). it seems that the 450 owner (the average consumer) just wants the typical wash n wax. since you'll be doing this by hand, i would just clay and color x. maybe even top it off w/ nxt2.0 if your hands don't fall off by then. how much is the owner willing to pay you? what other products do you have at your disposal?

[sullysdetailing]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

IMO see what the owner wants. Second dont let someone else hack up they car with the way they wash it. Use 2 bucket method with Megs Gold or Megs NXT soap. Do the wheels, tires, and wheel wells. After you finish that see what else he wants done.

If he wants it
wash, clay, wax, vaccuum/windows - $125
wash, clay, polished, waxed vaccum/windows, $200
It is a daily driven car you should use Megs Cleaner Wax with a DA and Orange or White pad at level 5 and be down with it. Why put a Flawless finish on something that is just gonna get scratched again?

[Tuck91]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

I charged $500 for this, M66 Quick Detailer on the D.A knocked some of the swirls out.

[cnfowler]

Re: Pricing For Detailing A Ford F-450

Grand Am, an F350, 450, and 550 are the same size. Its not till you get to the F650 (the above picture) that the size skyrockets. Hope this helps.

Colin