Hi everyone. I have a coworker that wants me to clean up a black suburban. They just want me to shine it up real nice, no paint corrrection or anything. I checked prices in my area for just a basic hand wash, dry, 1 coat of wax, and clean up the wheels and wheel wells. Most places are in the area of 70-85 bucks. I will be using a polish, sealant, and a couple coats of wax. I originally told them around 75 bucks, but that was based on the detailers in my area who only put one coat of wax, no polish or sealant. Anyway, he also said he wouldn't me get it done. so...with all that said what do you guys and gals think?
help with price
- Thread starter blkgt
- Start date
stiffdogg06
New member
PoNyUp said:
You said you aren't doing paint correction? Why would you polish the car then?
Do a basic hand wash, dry, 1 coat of wax and clean up the wheels and wheel wells for 90-100. I am saying this because "hopefully" you do better work than a local detailing shop.
If he thinks it's too much. Give him directions to the nearest detailers shop. Don't drop your price just to get business.
HeadnSouth
New member
I'm only a weekend warrior when it comes to detailing but your talking a suburban and not a mini. I wouldn't do it for $75. That a lot of truck to clean and your talking a couple of coats of wax. .2 worth
With all that you are going to do, wash, polish, sealant, and 2 coats of wax.....I'd charge at least 170.00. That is a lot of work. It will probabbly take you a good 4 hours (well it would take me at least 4 hours). I personally charge 90 just to wash and wax a Suburban. Given you are on this site says that you use a higher quality product than the fast food car washes in your area. I agree with stiffdogg06.
CalgaryDetail
Mike
everyone will give you a price but it all depends on what your area is like. I know here in calgary I can charge upward for 125 for a wash and 1 coat of wax and people think im inexpensive (time for apirce hike)
you said they do a half *** job and charge around 75 (well im assumin from your comments). I would withan extra coat of wax, 25 more, for a sleaned added antoher 35. Thats just what I would do if I was if your area, with the prices you have said.. i dont knoew enough to really figure it out but i would say 135 for all that.. just my opion
you said they do a half *** job and charge around 75 (well im assumin from your comments). I would withan extra coat of wax, 25 more, for a sleaned added antoher 35. Thats just what I would do if I was if your area, with the prices you have said.. i dont knoew enough to really figure it out but i would say 135 for all that.. just my opion
danEz_yoda
New member
Skip the glaze and use a filling wax to hide the swirls. 1 coat and done.
imageautodetail
New member
danEz_yoda said:
Great Idea then after 2 washes they will have realized that they got screwed and will never give him a shot again...
If you already quoted $75 bucks, ethically you are stuck there unless you can upsell them on some other processes, I would have told them 225 to start
imported_JoshVette
New member
My prices are set, so I don't deviate. But for what you are talking, and on a suburbanway too cheap??
You could get more accomplished with a simple, wash, clay, and seal. It will pop after you properly clay it. That would probably take you about 2 1/2-3 hour total. I wouldn't charge less then $160 since you're not doing the interior at all.
Or just do it for $75 to honor your word, but I promise you you'll never make that mistake again. See how long it takes you to do it and then figure out what that time is worth per hour and come up with a better price for the next one.
You could get more accomplished with a simple, wash, clay, and seal. It will pop after you properly clay it. That would probably take you about 2 1/2-3 hour total. I wouldn't charge less then $160 since you're not doing the interior at all.
Or just do it for $75 to honor your word, but I promise you you'll never make that mistake again. See how long it takes you to do it and then figure out what that time is worth per hour and come up with a better price for the next one.
Thanks guys. Yeah i figured I'd probably have to eat this one, but he is a coworker, so hopefully i'll pick up some more work from this job anyway. People see how anal i am about my car, and when they see his i think they will be willing to give me a shot. Thanks again for all the info.
imported_weekendwarrior
New member
PoNyUp said:
Just make sure you tell your co-worker to keep quiet about what you charged him. The last thing you need is him blabbing to other co-workers that you washed and applied 2 coats of wax to his land yacht for $75. If he starts blabbing, the others will think you should be able to do all this to their Camry/Accords for $40.
SuperBee364
New member
PoNyUp said:
Personally, I try to get around 25 to 35 bucks per hour. But I'm also just a for-fun detailer, and I'm not using it to pay the bills. I also will not do the type of job your customer is asking for. The process you're suggesting is offered by most of the Swirl-O-Matics around me, and normally for quite a bit less than what I'd charge. Plus, the service you list doesn't *really* improve the finish of the car; it's just a clean car with a layer of wax. Not my forte. I specialize in swirl/defect removal. If they want a corrected finish and are willing to pay my hourly rate, great, come see me! If they want a clean car with a layer of wax on it, there's a Swirl-O-Matic just down the street.
Having said all that.. there's alot of detailers out there that do it all: wash and wax, maintenance on corrected finishes, complete interior/exterior jobs, etc. That's what's so great about detailing for yourself: you get to chose what you'll do and what you won't.
The important part is to remember to set an hourly rate range that you think you are worth, and charge it. And stick to it. Take your best guess at the time involved for what the customer wants done, multiply it by your hourly rate, and that's your quote for the customer. Start out with the high range of your hourly rate, and if they balk, back-and-forth it til you get to your low limit. If they still say no, show them the door.
