Detailing-How much?

rickssimpala

rickssimpala

New member
I'm interested in getting my car detailed and was wondering what is a typical price for an exterior job on a black car. The paint has lots of swirls and scratches also looks like a re-paint. Dont think it needs claying but i could be wrong. I'm talking about a full exterior detailing.Theres a local guy that will come to my house and do it for $120. Did any of you "professional" detailers start that way?
 
Yeah, I would say around $175-200 for my pricing. That is exterior only on a black vehicle with lots of swirls. I'm almost definite it will need claying. You get what you pay for IMO, don't get stuck paying $100 for a hack and then have to pay again to have it fixed - do it right the first time. But also, just because someone has lower pricing than what we are saying doesn't necessarily mean they are a hack.



If you are iffy maybe have them do a test panel on the vehicle to see their skill level.
 
Your best bet is to put your location in your profile and then look in the regional section of this forum to see if someone can help you out. That way you can see pics of their work on here.
 
xhaust50 said:
Your best bet is to put your location in your profile and then look in the regional section of this forum to see if someone can help you out. That way you can see pics of their work on here.
Click to expand...



^Agreed, more than likely there will be an autopian in your area more than willing to help you out and do the detail for you.
 
My pricing for a full exterior detail is:



$110 base which of course includes swirl/scratch removal.



Upgrade to a sealant. Since it's black, I'd use WG DGPS: +$25



OR



upgrade to CK's VM, CK's RMG, topped with Souveran Paste: add +$40.
 
Why dont you just charge 150 and include the VM/RMG/Souveran? Let the customer know this of course....



Seems people dont want upgrades, you might be better off including it in the price.



Jim
 
rickssimpala- I'd sure be careful about letting somebody work on your SS, there are a *lot* of hacks out there.



IMO Whitethunder46's price is very reasonable...I'd expect a full exterior on your car to cost a lot more than that.



I'd sure try to find somebody from here you could do the car and then I'd work on getting your wash regimen all sorted out so you don't have to polish it again for a good long time.
 
For the amount of work you guys do on a vehicle (full detail), $150.00-200.00 is nuts. If you are capable of doing an excellent job, there is no way you should charge less than $250.00 at the very least.

The idea is to get paid for your time, travel, wear and tear, materials, clean up (your stuff), and the actual detail work (your expertise) !

Try breaking all these things down and you will see exactly what I mean.



Good grief, get them prices up or you will starve.



Changeling
 
Changeling said:
For the amount of work you guys do on a vehicle (full detail), $150.00-200.00 is nuts. If you are capable of doing an excellent job, there is no way you should charge less than $250.00 at the very least.

The idea is to get paid for your time, travel, wear and tear, materials, clean up (your stuff), and the actual detail work (your expertise) !

Try breaking all these things down and you will see exactly what I mean.



Good grief, get them prices up or you will starve.



Changeling
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I thought we were talking about a full exterior detail? :confused:
 
My price is semi-low because I am new the professional detailing world and trying to get my name out there and at the top of the list. Although, my work is far beyond most detailers around here and I only use top, boutique products, I am new.



Also, the area I live in I really can not charge that much. In fact, I was told the other day someone thought my prices were high ($150 for full detail on cars).
 
Wow 150 is def not high! Hey White thunder how are you going about drumming up new business, and is it working?



Thanks



Jim
 
kleraudio said:
Wow 150 is def not high! Hey White thunder how are you going about drumming up new business, and is it working?



Thanks



Jim
Click to expand...





He's from Ohio, that explains it, LOL! Most people that inquire about my services just about pass out when I tell them the pricing. (Toledo area)



Jeremy
 
You should maybe carry a photo album with you, or detail half of your hood and never touch the other half.



This may help the customer understand why you charge what you charge...



Just some ideas....



Jim
 
Full detail, I charge around $200 depending on size of the vehicle and severity of the job.

Exterior on black with deep swirl removal, $150 sounds about right to me.



With the work that I do, I basically have two prices for my different types of clients:

$300 for a full detail, 5-6 hours of work, scratch/swirl removal, dress, polish chrome/wheels, sealant... the works.

$200 for a 'touch up' detail, 3-4 hours of work, polish, wax, dress, and quick interior.



As for starting out as a detailer, whitethunders price of $150 seems right about on target. If people tell you its too much, ignore them and pull in the higher end clients. People that want bargain prices are not in your market... that's what the $79.99 detail at the local car wash is for.
 
I have a website that has pictures and explains everything I do, etc.



I'm going to try and get a realyl nice portfolilo. One with my logo imprinted on the front and then a lot of info on the inside. I'm thinking a page devoted to each part of the car, I.E. wheels, tires, paint correction, clay, etc. At the top would be pictures before and after, at the bottom would be a detailed description of each.
 
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