For the Pros...

[SL1CK]

I got a question for all the professionals out there, with thier own businesses n such.

I've read on the forum that many of the detailers on here, or any pro-detailers for that matter, can get paid ATLEAST 20$/hr. Yet, I have a question regarding pay.

Do most detailers get paid by the hour? I just wonder because wouldn't some customers worry that one may work as long as possible to get as much money out of them as possible?

Or are there also detailers that charge based on the amount of work they may have to do? For example, inspecting the finish/paint and then charging for the work that they will have to do, not how much they'll get paid by the hour. I thought some give estimates and quotes and stuff like that, i.e. charging more if heavy duty rotary use in needed, etc.

Hope you guys understand what I'm trying to say. I'm still grasping alot of the concepts that PROFESSIONAL detailers use and implement.

[inthedetails]

My prices are based on an hourly wage. But I don't necessarily tell the customer "I get $30" and hour.

When I look over the car I will quote a price to the customer. The quote is based on (my hours) x (my rate). Also figured into the hourly rate are the costs associated with the detail (product, electricity, water, etc)

[SL1CK]

Ok, but, how do you know how long you will take on the car?

[MaxImage]

Originally posted by SL1CK
Ok, but, how do you know how long you will take on the car?

The greater majority of professional detailers have done enough vehicles by which they can more or less gauge how long it will take them. For example, an average wash and wax for a sedan or compact suv, including dressing the tires should take between 45 minutes to an hour. Or doing the same type of car, but washing, claying, rewashing, waxing, vacuuming, cleaning the interior plastics, cleaning and conditioning the leather seats if applicable, and dressing the tires should take between 3-4 hours, and between 4-5 for a larger SUV or truck. Speed is relative though, since some people work faster than others, some vehicles are more dirty than others, etc. Something else to take into consideration is quantity versus quality. I was told a story once (and true to the best of my knowledge) that a group of 5 detailers did 63 cars in one day, whereas a team of 2 detailers did only 12. But what the first group did included new cars and the work that they did not have the quality of the 12 cars that the latter group did.

Some do give quotes and most do charge extra if rotary work or wet sanding is involved. The more time you invest in a car, the more money you should be earning. Some markets are very tight and competitive, and in these markets a lot has to do with reputation as the driving force behind price setting. As you can see, there are many different ways to set prices. None of which are "wrong" per se, however, if you do good work, most won't question how much they have to pay for your services.

[inthedetails]

What he said.......

[SL1CK]

Originally posted by MaxImage
The greater majority of professional detailers have done enough vehicles by which they can more or less gauge how long it will take them. For example, an average wash and wax for a sedan or compact suv, including dressing the tires should take between 45 minutes to an hour. Or doing the same type of car, but washing, claying, rewashing, waxing, vacuuming, cleaning the interior plastics, cleaning and conditioning the leather seats if applicable, and dressing the tires should take between 3-4 hours, and between 4-5 for a larger SUV or truck. Speed is relative though, since some people work faster than others, some vehicles are more dirty than others, etc. Something else to take into consideration is quantity versus quality. I was told a story once (and true to the best of my knowledge) that a group of 5 detailers did 63 cars in one day, whereas a team of 2 detailers did only 12. But what the first group did included new cars and the work that they did not have the quality of the 12 cars that the latter group did.

Some do give quotes and most do charge extra if rotary work or wet sanding is involved. The more time you invest in a car, the more money you should be earning. Some markets are very tight and competitive, and in these markets a lot has to do with reputation as the driving force behind price setting. As you can see, there are many different ways to set prices. None of which are "wrong" per se, however, if you do good work, most won't question how much they have to pay for your services.

PERFECT!! THANK YOU!! THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!

[RZ Autodetailing]

First of all you have to take into consideration your overhead ,such as insurance , gas for vehicle, generator,powerwasher,water, chemicals ,advertising ,and rent if your a fixed location.Then depending on your experience and quaility of work you do ,you come up with an hourly rate. Every vehicle i do is usually a different price depending on the condition, size of the vehicle,and what they want done.My regular customer prices are pretty much the same all the time because i keep their vehicles maintained often.This is what works for me , i dont know how some of the other guys are doing it, but i wouldnt mind hearing how they set their prices..

[MaxImage]

Originally posted by SL1CK
PERFECT!! THANK YOU!! THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!

Welcome, glad I could help.