what would you charge?

[Skibrett3211]

I don't have a clue what to charge to wash, do minor scratch removal, tire and wheels, and full interior detail. It's a lifted f-350.

[Tuck91]

Re: what would you charge?

What sort of scratch removal are you doing? Size, location, number of scratches?

Do you plan on claying the truck as well?

Its hard to just give out a price since that depends on your location, size, condition of the truck, skill level, what the customer & you consider to be a "detail", etc.

For a Pressure/foam gun wash, truck bed cleaning, clay, one step polish w/sealant, & full interior cleaning I am in the $250 - $500 range.

Like I said, tons of variables and in the end you have to price the job accordingly.

[Skibrett3211]

Re: what would you charge?

I'm not planning on claying the truck at this moment, the only scratch removal I will be doing is on the door handles and a couple of other spots here and there. The customer is the boss at the company I work for (I detail on the side), and I am pretty new to detailing but have all the tools and materials I need to make this truck look brand new.

http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/j329/Brett_Hill/?action=view&current=IMG_0240.jpg

[Tuck91]

Re: what would you charge?

I would clay and if possible IronX to remove all of the embedded contaminants.

A power washer is almolst a must for large trucks, once you use one you will not want to be without it.

Keep in mind too, that its not always the tools & products, but rather methods & good technique.

Good luck.

[Skibrett3211]

Re: what would you charge?

Well I would love to do the works on his truck but its my first real detail and his first time getting it detailed. I will probably end up claying but then should I just follow up with a single polish or wax? I want him to be impressed, but he's not going to want to pay $250. My methods are from meguiars and auto geek videos I have watched so its not bad, but definitely not up to scale with where your at.

So since its my first real detail (to someones car other than one in my family) I figured, for $175.
-Wash
-Clay
-Single Polish or Wax
-Full interior

[weavers]

Re: what would you charge?

Find an hourly rate and give an estimate on how long it will take.

For me I charge 15-20 an hour. Since its a large truck the 20 an hour. I would also attempt the educate the customer on the importance of claying, same with waxing and what other services you may provide. To me it sounds like a 3-4 hour job, i would say to the person 3-5hours if its in bad condition maybe 4-6. Thats my typical turn around time for that sort of job.

I am a mobile detailer and I know i charge very little. by not charging much you get cheap customer. Those are customer that expect the world for no money at all. IE, 50 dollars for a complete detail inside and out regardless of how dirty, they expect a brand new car for 50 dollars. I am trying to build a client base first.

[Tuck91]

Re: what would you charge?

Well I would love to do the works on his truck but its my first real detail and his first time getting it detailed. I will probably end up claying but then should I just follow up with a single polish or wax? I want him to be impressed, but he's not going to want to pay $250. My methods are from meguiars and auto geek videos I have watched so its not bad, but definitely not up to scale with where your at.

So since its my first real detail (to someones car other than one in my family) I figured, for $175.
-Wash
-Clay
-Single Polish or Wax
-Full interior

Wash
Clay
AIO cleaner wax. ( M66, ColorX, M20 etc) by hand or PC.
Interior detail.
Door jamb cleaning.
Tire/wheel well dressing.

Charge at least $200.

[DRT BRD]

Re: what would you charge?

Wash
Clay
AIO cleaner wax. ( M66, ColorX, M20 etc) by hand or PC.
Interior detail.
Door jamb cleaning.
Tire/wheel well dressing.

Charge at least $200.

This.

You don't want to undercut yourself on what the job is actually worth. Sometimes you can but for a job this 'big', it's not worth it.

[steve's detailing]

Re: what would you charge?

A power washer is almolst a must for large trucks, once you use one you will not want to be without it.

Keep in mind too, that its not always the tools & products, but rather methods & good technique.

Good luck.

so true!!!!

[Tuck91]

Re: what would you charge?

so true!!!!

The reason I had said that was because the OP stated he had the products to make the truck look "brand new".

A skilled detailer should be able to put together a "good" detail with just basic OTC products sold at the store. It really is more technique than anything else.

[steve's detailing]

Re: what would you charge?

^^ i couldn't agree more. detailers learn alot of tricks over the years !!!

[Hemitom]

Re: what would you charge?

A few months ago I Detailed a neighbors 2004 Ram 3500 DRW. I think it had never been detailed. but is never been really worked. I charged $200.00. it looked so nice after i was done I had a few more jobs lined up after that. so the price you charge you also have to think if the possibilities of you getting other jobs after others see what you can do with what you have.

[Selectchoice]

Re: what would you charge?

I think in this case the OP may be torn as to what is a fair price as it's a job for his current employer. I assume he is trying to avoid ruffling any feathers, which can be wise sometimes in the grand scheme of things.

In a general case of what to charge, there are many variables that have already been mentioned, but asking a few questions about what your client is looking for in regards to a result they will be happy with never goes astray.

I remember when I was detailing professionally a new client told me I was charging too much for his liking. He had heard of, and was attracted by the quality of my work though. Well I asked him to give me a rundown of exactly what he was looking for from my services and it turns out I could do considerably less than most of my other clients were wanting and be able to charge what he was looking for, give or take. Result: happy client and businessman.

Remember though that good business is always about keeping the client happy as clients pay the bills! If a client has unreasonable expectations, be honest and tell them you can't provide your level of service for the price they expect. They have a choice of paying a fair price for your work and skill level, or choosing a lesser quality, cheaper detailer who will most times not satisfy their expectations and they will return to you to get the job done correctly at a price you are happy charging.