Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

[agp423]

I work part-time at a local golf club, and today I talked the head chef and the manager into letting detail their cars. How much should I charge for the following?

Complete Exterior Wash:
Exterior Wax:
Exterior Claybar:
Exterior Polish:
Exterior Paint Correction/Swirl Removal:

Interior Detail:
Interior Carpet Cleaning:

Any other hints and tips on starting my own little detailing service?

[Tuck91]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

are you doing this by hand or machine?

[Sudz On The Run]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

MIN 85 Max 125, Your call

[Calais]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

MIN 85 Max 125, Your call

No way. If he is doing paint correction his minimum should be $125 and up $250 depending one how long/how much product/what kind of shape the paint is in.

Unfortunately my first customer got into a car accident right in front of my eyes. It was terrible, shook me up quite a bit. Luckily he is okay (broken elbow) but his car was pretty thrashed, not totaled but definitely thrashed. He is going to need a new hood, nose, two fenders, headlights and God knows what engine wise (though, its running). I'm going to line up some appointments once I order my G110, M80, M105 and a whole bunch of other things.

[agp423]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

are you doing this by hand or machine?

G110 will definitely be used for paint correction. But polish and wax will be done by hand.

[Tuck91]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

anywhere from 180-220 sounds fair.

[agp423]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

180-220 for everything... how much for just wash or wash and wax?

[Tuck91]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

180-220 for everything... how much for just wash or wash and wax?

Which do you think you will plan on doing?

If your going to just wash it and wax it then you might wanna at least clay it.

[Calais]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

180-220 for everything... how much for just wash or wash and wax?

How long does it take you? I am maticulous when I wash/dry a car so I would charge ~$50 and up (depending on sized and soiling). I would also suggest claying first, wax just doesn't spread/shine well if the surface is not well prepped.

[agp423]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

So how much for wash, clay, and wax? And it takes me anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.

[john m.]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

Well for me, for a wash, clay, wax, and a quick once over on the interior is 125 and it can take me a while. Cheaper if I do only wash, and a little more when adding clay and wax.

If I do paint correction my min starts at around 220 probably will never charge that low unless I get a near flawless car. It seems expensive starting out but to me you should start out charging what you want to make.

[john m.]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

How much do you want to make an hour for yourself? Than consider how much of each supply you use and price it out. Also, you can call around to local areas and see what other detailers are charging if there are any.

For wash, wax, and clay, dressing all trim and tires I would charge starting at 75 or so. Up or down depending on the car

[Tuck91]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

Yeah, the claying can take forever if its bad enough.

[Calais]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

Yeah, the claying can take forever if its bad enough.

I find it goes faster if you use diluted Gold Class shampoo, it has better lubricity than QD in my experience.

[john m.]

Re: Got my first 2 customers... what should I charge?

The lubricity has nothing to do with how fast it goes though...I think he meant that when a car is heavily contaminated with fallout and **** that you are going to need to spend more time on that car than one well kept car.

You will notice if you get the chance to use both the white clay from the SS clay kit and the blue mild clay that the blue works much faster than the white.

(hope I didnt sound rude or arrogant, just read it and dont want it to come across that way )