ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

[Andy's Pro Detailing]

Well not so long ago I decided to start a very small detailing biz. I am a college student looking for an extra cash flow, and why not detailing , I really enjoy it. The flexible hours are also great. I am not a pro, I don't have the same skills as some of you around here, but I have been doing detailing for many years on family vehicles and on my own as well. I already passed a couple of flyers last week, I even had my first official customer on monday and everything went smooth. If temperatures allow me (cold central FL ) I am planning to do the whole flyer thing again this weekend. This time I want to be a more clear on my services and rates, if you
guys could give me some input on my prices options, it would be great.

The local market is not so great, Gainesville FL, a lot of poor student population , so I am targeting the local residents that can afford it. Too many "$10 type" car washes around here. I don't want to lower quality but at the same time I can not provide the "car show" perfect detail like some pros do, most people are not willing to pay too much for a car wash, so I am trying to adjust.

I am trying to keep costs to a min, I already got supplies, decent vacum, etc. Just need the clients. I am just going to give it a shot, hopefully it will work.

Thank you
I am offering 2 packages:
Basic Package
- Interior vacuum
- Removable carpets wash
- Interior wipe down
- Tire and wheel cleaning/Dressing
- Hand wash
- Wipe down door jams
- Spray wax/detailer
- Windows Cleaning
Small vehicles: $30
Large SUVs/Trucks: $50

Deluxe Detailing Package (Provides the best finish and more protection/done by hand)
Basic package + the following:
- Interior detail with dressing (at preference)
- Air and carpet freshener
- Multi-step paint treatment: light scratches and swirl marks removal, clay bar application, and paste wax.
- Wheel polishing
- Rain-X weather protection on all windows.
- Exterior plastic and vinyl detail.

Small vehicles: $90
Large SUVs/Trucks: $130

[Andy's Pro Detailing]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

some products I already have on my meguiars arsenal include:
ultimate compound, swirl remover, nxt 2.0 paste wax, clay bar kit, quick detailer, quick spray wax + some of other bunch of stuff.

This is becoming an addiction

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

Basic Package
- Interior vacuum
- Removable carpets wash
- Interior wipe down
- Tire and wheel cleaning/Dressing
- Hand wash
- Wipe down door jams
- Spray wax/detailer
- Windows Cleaning
Small vehicles: $30
Large SUVs/Trucks: $50

Taking your customer base into consideration as you explained above, these prices are still to low for the work you're doing. Just the first 3 things will take you about an hour to do if your fast and good. Washing and drying the average car, to do a good job will take you about an hour, so now you're up to 2 hours of work at $30.00 a car is 15.00 an hour but you still have to do the door jambs, wax the paint and clean the glass.

Maybe bump up your price to $50.00 for small cars and $90.00 for larger vehicles. Don't forget you and your hard work are worth something and if people don't want to pay for your skill and ability they can always do it themselves or higher the other guy that does thing cheaper. Focus on building a good reputation by doing great work at fair prices and always be asking for referrals as word-of-mouth advertising is the best advertising you can get and it's free.

If you want to stick to your pricing, then try to cut out some of the services like washing the removable carpets. Instead just vacuum them and let them know washing or stain removal can be done but there's an extra charge for that.

Deluxe Detailing Package (Provides the best finish and more protection/done by hand)
Basic package + the following:
- Interior detail with dressing (at preference)
- Air and carpet freshener
- Multi-step paint treatment: light scratches and swirl marks removal, clay bar application, and paste wax.
- Wheel polishing
- Rain-X weather protection on all windows.
- Exterior plastic and vinyl detail.

Small vehicles: $90
Large SUVs/Trucks: $130

For these prices don't offer multi-step correction work. Just stick to a good cleaner/wax. Most people don't want to pay for a show car finish and if the car is in fact a daily driver you don't want to sell them a show car finish. Instead of trying to remove swirls just make them shiny, thus wash, clay and cleaner/wax.

Wheel polishing? Make that a separate charge. Wash the wheel when you wash the car and dress the tires, less work and same effect.

Hope that helps a little I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions...

[Carfire]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls


I have a wash and interior detail set at $50

[Andy's Pro Detailing]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

thank you for the comments

[Nappers]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

I charge (for all 3) between 200-250 for a full detail and have been told thats "cheap" for what I do as I explain the process and show them how bad their paint is and how much work is involved.

Ford Excursion was $200.00 introductory price.

Ford Explorer was $200.00 (my Sergeant and he is employing me this spring again)

2004 Dodge Crew Cab for $250.00 (not done yet). It was a birthday gift and I bought some detail stuff locally to add to my arsenal. Can't wait to do this truck. It's for one of my wifes co-workers.

I may raise the prices later but with only 3 paying cars in two years I may not .

This year I'm getting a tax ID and business license. Also getting a separate account at the bank.

The sky's the limit.

[Krzemienr]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

Basic Package
- Interior vacuum
- Removable carpets wash
- Interior wipe down
- Tire and wheel cleaning/Dressing
- Hand wash
- Wipe down door jams
- Spray wax/detailer
- Windows Cleaning
Small vehicles: $30
Large SUVs/Trucks: $50

I would do this as your basic package (in bold)
the carpet wash and tire dressing I would offer as an "add-on" for a couple bucks a piece (this brings up your profit and offers the ability to talk about other services) maybe include rain-x, or headlight/ taillight polish

[Krzemienr]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

Deluxe Detailing Package (Provides the best finish and more protection/done by hand)
Basic package + the following:
- Interior detail with dressing (at preference)
- Air and carpet freshener
- Multi-step paint treatment: light scratches and swirl marks removal, clay bar application, and paste wax.
- Wheel polishing
- Rain-X weather protection on all windows.
- Exterior plastic and vinyl detail.

Small vehicles: $90
Large SUVs/Trucks: $130

I would do this, and again have the other stuff be an add on, just my 2 cents

[akimel]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

I first want to wish you good luck in your enterprise! I hope you prosper this summer.

One question: Should Rain-X be included? I know that sometimes people have trouble with it, at least so I have heard. Why put yourself at risk at all, especially since you will not be carrying insurance (or will you be)? Of course, if there is a big demand for the Rain-X treatment ... but you might then want to make it a separate charge.

[Bunky]

Re: ok can you guys give me yuor thought on this pls

Your prices are not that far off from what I see many detailers asking in our area. I am sure you can command more but it depends if you can actually find those willing to pay more. I think the best approach in a basic wash/wax environment is try to upsell services like extra interior cleaning and headlight correction. You may have to size each customer to see what they may want.

Good luck.