• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Thinking about getting in detailing game

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Thinking about getting in detailing game

    So I have decided to get into the detailing game. I have done my neighbors cars and he is really impressed so he is asking if I can do some of his friends cars. I was wondering if I could get some advice on the prices I will charge them.

    1) Just a normal hand wash with tire dressing, cleaning windows inside and out, vacuum the interior, and dust the plastic dash in side. $35

    2) Wash and wax
    everything in the first package plus a wax (65)

    3) Interior Detail
    Everything of first package plus shampoo carpet (80)

    4) Exterior Detail
    Everything of first package plus claybar, swirls and minor scratches removed. (175)

    5) Everything (200)



    Thanks for any help
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

    Item number 4.... could take 2 hours, could take 20 hours. You may want to define this better or leave it open.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

      What do you mean by that?

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

        Originally posted by Newguy View Post
        So I have decided to get into the detailing game. I have done my neighbors cars and he is really impressed so he is asking if I can do some of his friends cars. I was wondering if I could get some advice on the prices I will charge them.

        1) Just a normal hand wash with tire dressing, cleaning windows inside and out, vacuum the interior, and dust the plastic dash in side. $35 If you could get this done in 2 hours you make $17.50 an hour

        2) Wash and wax
        everything in the first package plus a wax (65) If you could get this done in 3 hours you would make $21.66 an hour, what about taping trim- molding- and chrome ect, plus think about the coast of the products you would be using on this one detail.

        3) Interior Detail
        Everything of first package plus shampoo carpet (80) Now I'm giving you 4 hours time that's $down to #20.00 an hour, what type of machine do you have or are you doing this by hand and a scrub brush?

        4) Exterior Detail
        Everything of first package plus claybar, swirls and minor scratches removed. (175) 6 to 8 hours that's $29.16 to $21.87, now that's not all that bad but I have only run into a couple jobs that went smooth and most of the others were well a lot of time, run into problems on most.



        5) Everything (200) Not touching this one, but an extra $25 for? My almost everything was alittle over 14 1/2 hours on a 2 month old metal flake black dodge car. Had my tent and everything and more with me 45 miles away and I beleive the hottest day of 2008 and didn't run into any troubles but boy did I loose my butt that detail and was pretty sick from the heat.



        Thanks for any help
        Not by any means trying to discourage you but think about your prices-time-products, trying to make you think alittle more like others will do because theres always the wait I forgot this-didn't think about that-man is this job giving me more troubles then I'm going to make. And if you stay in this and you start getting alot of clients and you see that your not charging enough and need to up the cost so you don't loose money and then word of mouth between 2 clients talk and one gets a better deal then the other and it just keeps on spreading that you charge differently for the same job.

        One last thing try to stay around $25.00 an hour and you would be in the ball park. Not all can do this I certainly didn't. It isn't a bad thing to be in, detailing is most of the time a joy and I loved it alot as well as the others on here!

        Good luck and all the best, and any time you need help or have any questions just ask they are many great and fantastic detailer on here.
        ''USE THE LEAST AGGRESSIVE PRODUCT TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT''
        You Don't Know What You Can Do Until You Try '' TECHNIQUE IS EVERYTHING''
        Test Hoods Are Cheap And Most Of The Time Free

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

          Originally posted by Newguy View Post
          What do you mean by that?
          Every vehicle is different. If it only took you 2 hours for paint correct would you feel right about charging so much? What if it too 20 hours, would you feel you charged enough? You might have a minimum or a charge for xx hours of work but to charge the same for something that could take such a wide range of time...

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

            Okay so I took some of your considerations into though and came up with a new business plan and I hope its better this time.

            1) Wash, Wax, Windows cleaned, tires dressed {50} I can do this in 2 hours which comes out to 25 per hour.

            2) Wash, clay, cleaner polish, wax, windows, tires, {75} I have done this in 3 hours which will come out to 25 per hour. If I need 4 hours then i would make 18.75 per hour.

            Then for my interior I will have help with a little green machine. So my process will be: Vacuum, shampoo, dress the plastics and clean all cup holders and all of that for about 50 dollars. I did a minivan Honda Odessey by hand and that took me about 3 hours. That made only 16.67 an hour which ***** now that i look at it. Maybe with the help of the LGM it will speed it up to 3 hours. (I will need help with this priceing)

            When I get more practice with M105/M205 and I add it to my list, then I can figure out how much to add to it.


            Hows that so far?

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

              Sounds better. I would contact your local detailers in your area. Ask them to give you ball park figures for your different packages. This way you could see how your prices compare for your area. Then (hopefully) adjust them higher if need be.

              Good luck.
              quality creates its own demand

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                Yeah, now your thinking! and don't stop. Always question your decision before making a conclusion don't short change yourself, after all it's you that's providing a service.

                J.A. Michaels has another great idea by checking/looking around at your competions prices at what they offer for their services and what's included in them so you can get an idea.

                Which LGM do you have,1425 with pro heat?
                ''USE THE LEAST AGGRESSIVE PRODUCT TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT''
                You Don't Know What You Can Do Until You Try '' TECHNIQUE IS EVERYTHING''
                Test Hoods Are Cheap And Most Of The Time Free

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                  Thanks for the feed back guys. I feel more confident now. I have the Bissell 14254 ProHeat.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                    Originally posted by Newguy View Post
                    I have the Bissell 14254 ProHeat.
                    the better one
                    ''USE THE LEAST AGGRESSIVE PRODUCT TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT''
                    You Don't Know What You Can Do Until You Try '' TECHNIQUE IS EVERYTHING''
                    Test Hoods Are Cheap And Most Of The Time Free

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                      Yeah I saw that a lot of people on here recommend it so I just had to get it. I I was wondering how much money do a lot of these people who "detail for dollars" bring in?

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                        In my case I have to think about the size of area that I live in and how much would I be able to make a small profit. Plus I am just starting out and still would like to have it just as a hobby. I get by with charging $100 for a full detail for a car and pickups. For SUVS and vans I charge $125 for a full detail. $35 for a wash and wax. While I will charge $70 for a wash wax and clean the interior. I also have told the people that I detail for that if they give me two references, that work out, then I will come wash and wax their car or truck for free.
                        Sleepy

                        Love the Classics!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                          Originally posted by sleepy View Post
                          I also have told the people that I detail for that if they give me two references, that work out, then I will come wash and wax their car or truck for free.
                          That's fine and really nice of you but $$$$$

                          If I was going to do something like that I would at least tell them half price! Because think about it, they will end up telling there family and friends any way and usally if they like your work and price there family and friends may want your services any way.

                          So why give a free detail for nothing. If thats your way of appreciation then why not start having some form of a thank you card made up with a logo or something that informs of you and your services (but short and sweet) And for the ones that give you 2 references you could have something like a coupon made-up for half price or just a free wash job only and give it to these clients.
                          ''USE THE LEAST AGGRESSIVE PRODUCT TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT''
                          You Don't Know What You Can Do Until You Try '' TECHNIQUE IS EVERYTHING''
                          Test Hoods Are Cheap And Most Of The Time Free

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                            Originally posted by stang_krazy View Post
                            That's fine and really nice of you but $$$$$

                            If I was going to do something like that I would at least tell them half price! Because think about it, they will end up telling there family and friends any way and usally if they like your work and price there family and friends may want your services any way.

                            So why give a free detail for nothing. If thats your way of appreciation then why not start having some form of a thank you card made up with a logo or something that informs of you and your services (but short and sweet) And for the ones that give you 2 references you could have something like a coupon made-up for half price or just a free wash job only and give it to these clients.

                            I see what you are saying, but I just started last year with only 5 jobs. 2 being my inlaws. Did not make any $$ there, but did not expect to. Any extra work is better than nothing.
                            Sleepy

                            Love the Classics!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Thinking about getting in detailing game

                              Thanks again for all the feed back. I have another question though about an easy up. Whats the easiest way to pop one of these up by your self? I just pulled mine out of storage and tried to do it by myself and after 30 min I called my girlfriend out to help me out. I hope there are some short cuts.

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Your Privacy Choices
                              Working...
                              X