$75-100 an hr????

M

MCWD

New member
So I am here in Clearwater attending the mobiletech expo, and I am having fun learning as much as I can. In meeting a few big wigs, I come across a guy named Mel Craig. Apparently he is a big trainer for Meg's. I said to him that I recently made the switch from packaged prices to hourly rates. He said no way would he do hrly. He said you need to at a minimum pull 75-100 an hour. The only way he does it is by packages. I personally can not see myself detailing a car in 2-3hrs. I just wanted to see what all of you think. People pay me for my attention to detail, and my work ethic. I charge 60 an hour, and of course I would love to make more, but do any of you stick to packages where you are making 75-100 or more even an hour? Do you put a time cap on those services so that you are able to ensure your income at those levels?? I am hoping I start a good thread with this.
 
paint correction involving wetsanding and 3-5 steps paint correction get billed by the hour. otherwise, its a package rate for me
 
Packages for me + I typically have 2-3 hours of correction allocated to each package and I charge per hour if more time is involved. This has been simple and successful for me, and it is easy for customers to understand.
 
It seems to me the hourly rates are getting way too unrealistic. Believe me I would love to charge 75-100 an hour, but I think it is just not realistic. Even in one of the wealthiest counties in America (Loudoun), people have trouble paying 40-50 an hour for detailing. This is especially true in the current economic situation. Prices are going down across the board, not up. I was able to raise the prices to most of my maintenance customers 5-10%. Not really an issue to them because they know what type of quality and service I provide. New customers would simply balk at the idea of rates above $50 an hour. Sure there are certain people who may pay that and higher, but they are few and far between. I think the best way to make more is to lower expenses and create efficiencies to get more done in less time; whether this means buying better equipment or hiring some help. This aspect of running a business is often overlooked.
 
Does every detailer charge $50+/hr for their services.......NO.



Can you charge $50+/hr in certain(many) cities.......YES.



Is it unrealistic.........NO. It's just what the market will bear "for someone how has the ability to sell their services". I personally don't charge by the hour, but I'm able to price out a job with enough knowledge of what it will take to do it based on set customer expectations in advance. I'd much rather charge someone $1000 for a 2 step correction w/interior that could take 12-14 hours instead of XX per/hr. I also know a few people who do quite well charging by the hour too. I guess I'm just use to bidding on jobs where the bottom line is what matters.



I think the biggest thing that's overlooked by detailers is learning how to sell themselves. If you sell yourself, price shouldn't matter.
 
A) I charge by the hour (in the amount bracket you mentioned).

It works for me because I am (for the most part) a one person show. If I had a 'crew' of detailers, I could charge less (since I would pay way less, take a cut of their man hour charges) ect, but because I want to maintain one man quality (ie not watch over a crew) I have to charge more. My clients understand that. If I could not make a decent wage for the quality of work I do, I would simply higher a crew, teach them to bang out cars in succession, and make money on them.



My principals are simply. One person quality means a higher labor rate (per man hour). I am also paid to take my time and do the job do the highest standard. Obviously this model will not work for everybody.



B) I was at the mobile tech expo today as well, but only stayed for a short while. I did catch Jason Rose seminar and get a chance to shoot the crap with my buddy Joe Fernandez, but that was it.
 
Here's how to make $99/hr.



Wash and wax for $99.



Wash car, apply wax (we use OCW for cars that already have a "base"), and collect $--most profitable service we offer. :D
 
David Fermani said:
Does every detailer charge $50+/hr for their services.......NO.



Can you charge $50+/hr in certain(many) cities.......YES.



Is it unrealistic.........NO. It's just what the market will bear "for someone how has the ability to sell their services". I personally don't charge by the hour, but I'm able to price out a job with enough knowledge of what it will take to do it based on set customer expectations in advance. I'd much rather charge someone $1000 for a 2 step correction w/interior that could take 12-14 hours instead of XX per/hr. I also know a few people who do quite well charging by the hour too. I guess I'm just use to bidding on jobs where the bottom line is what matters.



I think the biggest thing that's overlooked by detailers is learning how to sell themselves. If you sell yourself, price shouldn't matter.
Click to expand...



yep

A) I charge by the hour (in the amount bracket you mentioned).

It works for me because I am (for the most part) a one person show. If I had a 'crew' of detailers, I could charge less (since I would pay way less, take a cut of their man hour charges) ect, but because I want to maintain one man quality (ie not watch over a crew) I have to charge more. My clients understand that. If I could not make a decent wage for the quality of work I do, I would simply higher a crew, teach them to bang out cars in succession, and make money on them.



My principals are simply. One person quality means a higher labor rate (per man hour). I am also paid to take my time and do the job do the highest standard. Obviously this model will not work for everybody.
Click to expand...



same here, My schedule is full, my time is valuable. I'm looking for solid 8-10 hour days. I d does not make sense for me to drive from one car to the next. That is lost money and time.
 
ebpcivicsi said:
Here's how to make $99/hr.



Wash and wax for $99.



Wash car, apply wax (we use OCW for cars that already have a "base"), and collect $--most profitable service we offer. :D
Click to expand...



A wash alone takes me an hour on most cars, sometimes more if they are filthy or particularly large. Then for me to wax with a normal wax (Not OCW) would be at least another 30 minutes. Being the OCD kind of guy I am, I would also need to do all of the windows inside and out, and the wheels and tires if a basic wash and wax package.



I would have to charge for 3 hours of labor at least for a basic wash and wax, and I don't think anyone is going to pay $300 for that :rofl Anyone willing to pay $300 for a basic wash and wax will likely want a correction too! :laugh:
 
Lumadar said:
A wash alone takes me an hour on most cars, sometimes more if they are filthy or particularly large. Then for me to wax with a normal wax (Not OCW) would be at least another 30 minutes. Being the OCD kind of guy I am, I would also need to do all of the windows inside and out, and the wheels and tires if a basic wash and wax package.



I would have to charge for 3 hours of labor at least for a basic wash and wax, and I don't think anyone is going to pay $300 for that :rofl Anyone willing to pay $300 for a basic wash and wax will likely want a correction too! :laugh:
Click to expand...



I get what you are saying, but playing devil's advocate....maybe you should look at your process and see if there are areas where you can become more efficient. This doesn't mean lower your quality, just become more efficient. Yes, I could spend 3 hours on a W&W, but because I have a business to run, I'm going to make sure I am working efficiently to complete it in a timely fashion. I don't see a 1-hr. W&W being all that difficult, at least with the use of OCW.



Honestly, I find that I end up making more money per hour with my W&W type packages vs. complete details. Although, maybe that means I need to look at my complete detail pricing or my effeciency for the larger packages. :nixweiss



Generally, I try to get at least $40/hr.
 
I 100% of the time make more money on the W&W details than the correction details, unless its an hourly deal. Reason behind this is because I always try to get the paint 90% or better when I know it will be only 75% based on the two step, but I want to make it a 3 step. Its stupid and my fault, but I dont think its a bad thing, especially when I only have the one car for the day, not multiple cars.



best way to make 100/hr and I have done it on multiple occasions - HIRE OUT SOME HELP! when you charge $50/man hour, you are basically charging $100 per hour and if you figure the job will take 6 man hours and you pay the help much less than $50/hr because:

1 - YOU own the business

2 - its your name on the bottom line

3 - you bought the chemicals and supplies

4 - you got the business from the client



Now if your hired help gets you the job, then I would kick him down a couple extra bucks because if it werent for him, you wouldnt have made the money...kind of like the $20 referral bonus most have.



But I generally shoot for 50/hr, if it take me longer oh well, its always over $40/hr unless I am doing car washes, then its only about $25-30/hr, which isnt bad, but isnt enough here in so cal
 
mshu7 said:
I get what you are saying, but playing devil's advocate....maybe you should look at your process and see if there are areas where you can become more efficient. This doesn't mean lower your quality, just become more efficient. Yes, I could spend 3 hours on a W&W, but because I have a business to run, I'm going to make sure I am working efficiently to complete it in a timely fashion. I don't see a 1-hr. W&W being all that difficult, at least with the use of OCW.



Honestly, I find that I end up making more money per hour with my W&W type packages vs. complete details. Although, maybe that means I need to look at my complete detail pricing or my effeciency for the larger packages. :nixweiss



Generally, I try to get at least $40/hr.
Click to expand...



Very good point, and quite possible. I by no means am claiming I couldn't cut some time off here and there, but I have a hard time cutting steps because I treat every car like my own and do everything at every step to make sure I am doing the absolute best job possible.



I read about how some do a quickie style wash and/or skip claying if they are going to do a full paint correction anyway- but the way I think, I still do a slow and thorough 2 bucket wash followed by clay regardless.



Works out for the customers, sucks for me :rofl
 
Todd and Aaron make good points as my situation is just like thier business.



Being able to charge at the highest range is based upon the level of detail you can perform and reputation that is built, if your customer base percieves excellence then you will be able to command a higher price.



All to often the Detailing industry is thought upon as guys who are minimum wagers that damage cars,were things should be is that you charge just like all other Automotive services Motronic,Suspension & alignment ect.... and those services whether they are a dealership or independent charge by you guessed it by the hour. As a matter of fact there are guidelines in the auto repair industry were referred to as "book time" which is a average to complete said repair,the auto body industry does this as well charged as "parts & labor" so you can break down the job for your customer.



By charging by the hour you will also see if you as the service provider are making a profit margin as opposed to really not knowing how much profit you are generating,gross profit margin is a multiplying factor to calculate a mark up from your operating cost as opposed to letting you "customers" set this price.



Healthy profit is not a bad word,it keeps your businees open and you motivated to do your best on every job.
 
Lumadar said:
A wash alone takes me an hour on most cars, sometimes more if they are filthy or particularly large. Then for me to wax with a normal wax (Not OCW) would be at least another 30 minutes. Being the OCD kind of guy I am, I would also need to do all of the windows inside and out, and the wheels and tires if a basic wash and wax package.



I would have to charge for 3 hours of labor at least for a basic wash and wax, and I don't think anyone is going to pay $300 for that :rofl Anyone willing to pay $300 for a basic wash and wax will likely want a correction too! :laugh:
Click to expand...





Should be noted that this would be a car that received a full within 30 days--shouldn't be too dirty.



Here's what we do and one man can certainly do it in an hour if he is properly trained/motivated. We are also set up to be *very* efficient at this process--doesn't hurt.



wash car--two-bucket, mulitple mitts(this should go without saying, but...)

clean behind spokes, wheel-wells, etc

blow car dry

wipe out jams

wipe interior

remove floor mats

vac

wipedown inside

windows inside/out

dress tires

apply ocw



A larger trcuk or SUV may take longer, but we charge $125 for that.



If we haven't detailed the car, it doesn't go in our bay--without an upcharge.
 
I appreciate all of your feedback so far. All valid points that you have been making. The problem that I have is taking the detailed work that I do out of it and doing a detail in 2-3hrs for $150-300. I know he brought up some points how most don't notice what we do, but I feel that I would be cheating my clients if I thought like that. And when I consider how many people detail their car vs. the people that are just car wash location visitors. I def see his points with people not having an eye for it when I consider the people who visit a car wash and think that they provide a good job. Then there are my customers who think that car washes are a joke. I just want to make sure that I am running the business the right way.
 
Here's what I've noticed...I recently started my detailing business and the first car I worked on was my mothers. I tried all new products, and took alot of advice from this forum on the process.



I'll post some pictures soon showing how dirty my moms car was, but the process took me a while...



I started around 9AM, first thing was to do a complete wash, that alone took about 45 minutes - 1 hour because of about 6-7 months of filth and snow, and whatever else you want that had piled onto the car. I then did a polish/cleaner on the car (im still weary about clay bars..) followed by another wash. by this time its about 1pm (I dont have a buffer yet, so im waxing/buffing by hand...no fun I know) then did the windows and wheels, followed by a final wash then a finishing wax. Oh and the interior was shampood and vacuumed, that also took alot of time..



Now, if thats theprocess I take (and I probably will until I can get a buffer) these are ggoing to be all day jobs, I've debated charging hourly or just a flat rate, the economy is hurting, and I don't have the necessary tools at this very moment to JUSTIFY charging 75-100/hr. o for starters, Im simply charging 100 for a basic wash/wax and then 200 for a pre-wash/interior detail, wax, wash, wax.



I honestly think I need to check my style and see where I condense, but at the same time I take alot of pride in my work, and I know that my mother really appreciates it and some of my neighbors who have seen me out there have already expressed interest.



I live in a condominium and im pretty much running my business out of my back yard, so to speak, and I was thinking "how am i going to get some cstomers" and have decided to charge every1 in the condo only 50 bucks for the 200 detail, and of course a tip, but that relies more on my ability to sell myself and my business and let my work speak volumes.



but to get back on topic, I work hard on the cars I detail, regardless of the fact if they are family, girlfriend, friend, whatever, treat em like they are my own. I think that ANYONE in the detail business has to have that "treat it like ur own" mentality or they wont be able to help but cut corners here and there. If I charged hourly, Id probably charge about 35-40 an hour, but im shorting myself for the effort.
 
I charge $65 per hour for paint correction.



I have base-rates for all of the normal stuff. When it's all said and done I make about $55-$75 per hour on the basic stuff.



I too have a hard time doing a full, proper, wash on a typical size vehicle in less than an hour. Speaking of a car that requires a wash and isn't just having one to have one. I also realize I am more meticulous than I have to be. But I want my client happy to pay me $250 for good interior, exterior wash and wax.



I am a mobile business with more expenses than most mobile detailers. I have a Sprinter, insurance(van and business), dedicated cell phone w/ data to answer emails, the best products and all the tools/equipment I require. My basic expenses for a month are still covered in a busy day. I am not out to rape my clients. I want to pay my bills and set aside some money for my wife and I.



In the Atlanta market I have no reason to charge $100 per hour worked. Once I start doing bulk and have assistants, I could see making $150+ hour. But not me, by myself.
 
MrAnderson said:
Here's what I've noticed...I recently started my detailing business and the first car I worked on was my mothers. I tried all new products, and took alot of advice from this forum on the process.



I'll post some pictures soon showing how dirty my moms car was, but the process took me a while...



I started around 9AM, first thing was to do a complete wash, that alone took about 45 minutes - 1 hour because of about 6-7 months of filth and snow, and whatever else you want that had piled onto the car. I then did a polish/cleaner on the car (im still weary about clay bars..) followed by another wash. by this time its about 1pm (I dont have a buffer yet, so im waxing/buffing by hand...no fun I know) then did the windows and wheels, followed by a final wash then a finishing wax. Oh and the interior was shampood and vacuumed, that also took alot of time..



Now, if thats theprocess I take (and I probably will until I can get a buffer) these are ggoing to be all day jobs, I've debated charging hourly or just a flat rate, the economy is hurting, and I don't have the necessary tools at this very moment to JUSTIFY charging 75-100/hr. o for starters, Im simply charging 100 for a basic wash/wax and then 200 for a pre-wash/interior detail, wax, wash, wax.



I honestly think I need to check my style and see where I condense, but at the same time I take alot of pride in my work, and I know that my mother really appreciates it and some of my neighbors who have seen me out there have already expressed interest.



I live in a condominium and im pretty much running my business out of my back yard, so to speak, and I was thinking "how am i going to get some cstomers" and have decided to charge every1 in the condo only 50 bucks for the 200 detail, and of course a tip, but that relies more on my ability to sell myself and my business and let my work speak volumes.



but to get back on topic, I work hard on the cars I detail, regardless of the fact if they are family, girlfriend, friend, whatever, treat em like they are my own. I think that ANYONE in the detail business has to have that "treat it like ur own" mentality or they wont be able to help but cut corners here and there. If I charged hourly, Id probably charge about 35-40 an hour, but im shorting myself for the effort.
Click to expand...



This is my opinion, but if you don't have a buffer (or much experience) you might have a very hard time getting 35-40 an hour. You are a beginner doing entry level work. People go to college for 4 years (I did) to get offered 18 bucks an hour (dont' get a bussiness degree).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top