Complete Autopian Detail Price?

weekendwarrior said:
Well, I have heard several sources for that expression. I once heard an old guy say that in WWII, the aircraft gunners bullets were in 27 foot lengths (or 9 yards). Once they ran all 27 foot of bullets through the gun, they had unloaded "the whole 9 yards".
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:heelclick thats what i heard too. "give 'em the whole 9 yards"
 
I charge X/hr for all standard detailing services and I charge X+10/hr for any paint correction work. I find on the less intense details where the customers are not as enthusiastic its easier to charge a little less when there is no correction work being done. I plan on raising my rates within the year, I consider myself a bargain with what I charge right now:hmph:.
 
dsms said:
I charge X/hr for all standard detailing services and I charge X+10/hr for any paint correction work. I find on the less intense details where the customers are not as enthusiastic its easier to charge a little less when there is no correction work being done. I plan on raising my rates within the year, I consider myself a bargain with what I charge right now:hmph:.
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i charge $50/hr on package deals and $60/hr for full correction deals
 
I was always interested in detailing but never became serious about it until I wanted to have my car detailed and found the price to have someone with experience and a GOOD reputation do the work. Their abilities are well worth the rate they were asking but my time isn't that valuable just yet and now with a catalyst, I decided to go full steam ahead and detail my own car. The work is methodical and in some ways calming (other ways frustrating) but I'm glad I chose the route I did. I hope that detailer wasn't offended by my not using their talent but the opportunity to learn and the cost of my own time really put me on target.



I plan to charge hourly if I take on any side work outside of my own vehicles but probably somewhere under $25/hr. That is about where I feel my time is valued at present and can still allow me to come out ahead of my product investment over time, it also is a good rate as most post-collage graduate professions start slightly above this, which makes it a value to those busy individuals who want to keep their cars pristine but don't have the time, talent or materials.



I like weekendwarrior's stance on quoting and would like to reach that goal but I don't have enough experience to accurately quote time frames yet, so that may be something that takes a bit of acclimating to benefit from.
 
On a full correction detail I charge $375.00 for the first 8 hours, after that my rate is $60.00 an hour.



That way it's fair to the customer and myself.



The final cost is determined by the customer based on what level of correction they want.



There are people out there that want a quality detail and don't mind paying a higher price for top notch work, then there are people who think a detail is nothing more than a car wash and won't pay more than $90.00 for a detail.



The way I see it there's different types of details for different people, you just have to pick the client base you want to work with and run with it.



If you do top notch work don't be afraid to charge accordingly, don't shortcut yourself.
 
I agree with Richie today I did a G35 Infinty coupe black and spent 9 hours total exterior only I charged the customer $350.00 after deducting an hour for cell phone calls. She also gave me and $80.00 tip. Grand total 430.00 for 8 hours. I charge by the hour when doing all over sand & buffs $ 60.00 an hour at an average of 24 hours.
 
I am 6 ft 290 pounds I don't think it had anything to do with me just my work and the fact that most of my clients are sick rich this car was for her 16 year old daughter.
 
I need to be detailing where he's at!



For me, Im relatively inexperienced in the field, Ive mostly detailed my cars, or my family, or friends, never charged before. I figure since I dont have a rep, I wouldnt charge more than $100 for a detail, now obviously, as my skills enhance and I learn new things from other detailers around the country I will re-asses my fees and go accordingly, I think I'll prolly always keep the $100 detail as a "base price" so for the people who do think a detail is nothing more than a car wash and bark at the idea of paying more than $100, it'll give em something to be happy with.



At the same time, I need to keep a low overhead as much as possible, so I've already told the family and friends they no longer get free details...they gotta shell out $50. Well except for my mother...I guess she gets a pass...girlfriend too....psh.



But yeah, I spent about $400 on start-up, including the business license and my first "round" of supplies, figure that should keep me goin for the first month, which all in all shouldnt be too busy, but im hoping it is. ;-)
 
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