How Much for a Detail?

[Devin04]

The word has been spreading that I love to detail my car and wouldn't mind helping others out with theirs. I've had a few people come and tell me they will pay me but I don't know what to ask for. They know I'm not going to try to rip them off and they want me to charge enough so that it's worth my time. My upcoming detail is on a white 08 VW GTI. She has never washed it I'm pretty sure but it seems to be in good condition. My plan is a wash with Dawn to remove any buildup of wax and junk followed by claying and finally some Americana and dressings. I'm guessing it will take me about 5 hrs. Any tips on what I should charge or how to charge? By job, materials used, or time? I wouldn't mind this as a job on the weekends for some extra cash.

[Devin04]

Ha ha here you go. I just logged on and saw your post. I'm not happy with how the pictures came out but better to have some than none.

 

All of the before pics were after I hosed off the car so it looks a lot better than it actually was. The car was really bad I took 2 hrs just to wash it and about another 2 claying it. I noticed a lot of metal flakes imbedded in her paint that were starting to oxidize. Overall it's about what you would expect from a car that has never been clayed and is usually washed by machine. There wasn't much light in the after pics, but it is shiny for white.

 

It ended up taking me about 6 hrs to complete the whole car.

Washed, clayed, 2 coats of Americana, Metal polish on the exhaust tips, BSG on all glass and chrome, VRT on exterior plastics and tires.

Before Pics:

 

 

 

 

 

After Pics:

 

 

 

 

This pic is my favorite:

 

Edited June 8, 2009 by Devin04

[AUTO REVIVE]

I charge $150 to $500 and it takes 4 to 12 hours

[bigred vette]

Great turnaround with that car Devin.:2thumbs::2thumbs:

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

Car looks great, Devin! That's the shiniest white roller skate I've ever seen!

[Mick]

Very nice. I like white cars.

[70'sChevyGirl]

Great job Devin. What an improvement!!

[Devin04]

Glad you all like it. The customer said she was really happy when she saw it. She said she couldn't stop smiling. I told her how much it would be but I think she wants to pay me more. I'll see her at work today, wonder what I'm gona get.

[Loud Pedal]

Great job Devin

[Devin04]

Got my payment for my first detail $150 .

[acxdarlene]

Nice! Great job

[11chevz71]

Got my payment for my first detail $150 .

 

 

Hey that works

[Devin04]

Oh ya I wanted to ask what you all think about offering some sort of discount on a future detail if the person refers someone else to me. What works and what doesn't?

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

Oh ya I wanted to ask what you all think about offering some sort of discount on a future detail if the person refers someone else to me. What works and what doesn't?

 

Nothing wrong with that. Referrals are a good way to build business. Just don't go bananas with it - 10 -15% at the most.

[challenger]

good job devin keep it going man!

[bigred vette]

Oh ya I wanted to ask what you all think about offering some sort of discount on a future detail if the person refers someone else to me. What works and what doesn't?

Thats what I would do, something like a free wash and wax for every 5 referrals.

[Devin04]

How do you charge when dealing with oversized trucks and SUVs?

 

Here's a few more pics.

 

 

 

 

Gota love black. Even when my car is dirty it's shiny.

 

Edited June 9, 2009 by Devin04

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

How do you charge when dealing with oversized trucks and SUVs?

 

Tack on 15%, but normally I farm out the over-sized stuff.

[Devin04]

Farm out?

[bigred vette]

Farm out?

 

Letting someone else do it. That's my guess.

[Superdutytd]

Tack on 15%, but normally I farm out the over-sized stuff.

 

Yea only some of us are fit to detail these 'over-sized' vehicles :jester:

[Devin04]

I had a 91 Explorer for a few years that I took care of. That's tiny compared to some SUVs now.

[GerryC]

Tack on 15%, but normally I farm out the over-sized stuff.

I would add extra cost if the car needs extra correction, not because of extra size. The size of the vehicle is proportional to the amount of work needed to be done, that's why a fixed hourly rate is a better option IMO

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

I would add extra cost if the car needs extra correction, not because of extra size. The size of the vehicle is proportional to the amount of work needed to be done, that's why a fixed hourly rate is a better option IMO

 

Indeed. But the 10-15% is my "Frank doesn't feel like doing this" surcharge I also tack it on to cars as well if I don't like the owner...lol

[GerryC]

If they're automotively illiterate...tell them it cost more because you had to drain the alternator before cleaning the engine.

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

If they're automotively illiterate...tell them it cost more because you had to drain the alternator before cleaning the engine.

 

Like when my girlfriend said her car was making a funny noise: I asked her if she checked her blinker fluid