RV pricing lesson learned

[EnvyDetailing]

A year ago I bid on a got the contract with a local RV dealership to do their protection packages. It's a great deal. I don't do any sales or supply any products, I just do the work (usually in the middle of the night) and get paid. I did a tonne of research when bidding on the job and came up with a figure of $5/linear ft. for paint protection and interior fabric/leather protection. I was happy with this pricing until the job I did last night......

I did a pro-pack on a 42ft class A motorhome last night. For interests sake, it's a spray on/ rinse off sealant, a water based spray for fabric and cream for leather. It took me 3 hrs. At $5/ft, that's $210, so $70/hr....... Not bad

I finally found out last night that the dealership charges the customer $58.50/ft for the job I just did for them. That's right, $58.50/ft!!! I'll help you out here, that's $2457!

I couldn't believe it. I don't want to get greedy, because $70/hr for not even seeing the customer is pretty gravy, but this throws all my pricing into question. I was charging $20-$25/ft for full interior/exterior details of motorhomes to my existing clients and was quite happy, I may add.

Anyone have any thoughts on pricing for RVs in general? I know price varies greatly by area, but what do you guys charge? I realize that the dealership has many middlemen that all get their slice of pie, but it shocked me to see what people will pay.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

I remember reading a while back. The price range was somewhere in the $25.00-35.00 a foot range. I do not do any rv's. But this is what I remember reading.

[Poki]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

I think an across the board price would be questionable. Many RVs are just gelcoat with NO clearcoat. These oxidize badly and require a LOT more work. Newer more upscale RVs are clearcoated and full body painted. Typically just once over with a good cleaner/wax will work wonders where the previous can take 2-3 applications of different products. In my experience once over on a non clearcoated RV will leave an uneven blotchy look when viewed from different angles.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

I finally found out last night that the dealership charges the customer $58.50/ft for the job I just did for them. That's right, $58.50/ft!!! I'll help you out here, that's $2457!

They are selling a service/product, which they supply and you apply. Their customers are wealthy clientele and paying $2500 for a protection package on a $100,000 purchase is really not that much more for these folks.

Since you finish a 42 ft motorhome in 3 hours and this is a package for a new vehicle, I'm guessing there's no real intensive polishing or correction being applied. For myself, I would love to make $70 per hour. Extrapolated over a full year's salary ($70x2080) you would be earning $145,600. You're earning doctor/lawyer/airline pilot money!

You could ask for more money, but these guys will do the math like I just did and they may present it as such. Are you looking to double your fee?

[EnvyDetailing]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

Yes the coaches I normally work with are new-2 years old and the paint is usually in decent shape. I only do one or two a month, so it's not like this is my primary source of business income. I spend most of my time on my own clients cars, this is kind of a spin off to my detailing business.

I don't think I'll be going back to them and ask for more, because they could just get their lot attendant guy to do it for the $8/hr that they already pay him. I don't want to "look a gift horse in the mouth".

I agree with J. A. Michaels above, $25-$35/ft seems normal. I just wonder if I should charge more for a job that takes 1-2 days? If "Joe customer" seems okay with spending $2000-$3000 on their coach already, if I charged $40/ft x 40 ft = $1600/ 16 to 20 hrs of work is more in line with the $70-$90/hr that I try to maintain accross the board. Thoughts?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

I still think you will do okay at the 25-35.00 range. $1600.00 for 2 days work at 20 houirs still comes out to your range of pay per hour.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

Interesting thread. I've been working on ironing out the kinks in my pricing too.

I figured there are basically 4 differet things to offer.

Wash

Wash & Wax

Multi-Step (compound,polish,protection) correction

Interiors


It looks like you pretty much always charge by a 'per foot' basis from all that i've read.

I'm leaning towards a $4-5 range for washing

$10-15 range for wash/wax

The $25-35/ft range you guys were talking about....is that for a multi-step exterior (compound/polish/protection) service only, or does that include interior?

I havent figured out what i would charge for a multistep on the exterior...and I dont know what i would charge for interior's either...what do you normally charge for those...and what do you think of my
Wash and Wash/Wax prices?

[Bill Davidson]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

Envy, it seems like you are making fairly good money and the contract already seems to be pretty good (them paying for product etc). It doesn't sound like you are getting hosed, it sounds like the customer is getting hosed. If anything it sounds like the dealership may need to adjust there prices, not you. Maybe it would be better for both you and the dealership. They may sell more polishing packages and you may get more business. There is always a balance point.

Bottom line, you need to be in line with what other guys of your skill level are willing to do the work for. The dealership needs to be in line with what other dealerships are charging.

I'd keep things as is if you are getting the amount of work you desire. You might want to test a higher price on another client, rather than risk losing the one you already have.

Your client may remember you as the guy that didn't gouge them during the good times. They will likely be more willing to keep you around when sales are slim (like the winter months).

Bill

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: RV pricing lesson learned

Envy, it seems like you are making fairly good money and the contract already seems to be pretty good (them paying for product etc). It doesn't sound like you are getting hosed, it sounds like the customer is getting hosed. If anything it sounds like the dealership may need to adjust there prices, not you. Maybe it would be better for both you and the dealership. They may sell more polishing packages and you may get more business. There is always a balance point.

Bottom line, you need to be in line with what other guys of your skill level are willing to do the work for. The dealership needs to be in line with what other dealerships are charging.

I'd keep things as is if you are getting the amount of work you desire. You might want to test a higher price on another client, rather than risk losing the one you already have.

Your client may remember you as the guy that didn't gouge them during the good times. They will likely be more willing to keep you around when sales are slim (like the winter months).

Bill

That sounds like really good advice to me. I know with the couple RV/5th wheels ive done...I gave them a pretty fair price...even took a bit of a hit on my end, but they both said they'd recommend us to their friends and the one said he'd have us back for sure next year, if not sooner.

I just got a call earlier for a wash and maybe a wax on another RV from in the same retirement area...so sounds like they kept their word...I agree, if you're getting the work you need...and your making 70 bucks an hour...I think thats damn good money lol...I WISH i could get a gig like that.....as for the dealership...they're just ripoffs...which is to be expected