Price list is together....now I need a name....wanna help??

S

Shelpster66

New member
Hello to all.....Things have been crazy at school and work, so I haven't been able to detail too much......but I have been able to put a price list together and will be advertising in the newsletter for my sub-division.....so that should bring in some new business.



EDITED........Here is the breakdown of services/prices......EDITED





The Basic Wash – Starting at $30.00



Exterior Wash

Interior Vacuum

Wheels cleaned

Windows cleaned inside & out

Tires, trim, wheel well dressing

Jambs wiped down



The Basic Detail – Starting at $75.00



Exterior Wash

Interior Vacuum

Hand wax vehicle

Wheels Cleaned

Plastics/Vinyl protection

Tires, trim, wheel well dressing

Windows cleaned inside & out

Jambs wiped down





Intermediate Detail – Starting at $150.00



Exterior Wash

Interior Vacuum

Clay bar

Rejuvenating polish

Carpet Spot cleaned

Paint sealant

Carnuba wax

Plastics/Vinyl protected

Clean Wheels

Air Freshener

Tires, trim, wheel well dressing

Windows cleaned inside & out

Jambs wiped down





The Shelpdogg Special – Starting at $200.00



Exterior Wash

Interior Vacuum

Clay bar Treatment

Carpet Shampoo

Compounding polish

Seats Cleaned

Rejuvenating polish

Dash Cleaned

Paint sealant

Topper carnauba wax

Plastics/Vinyl protected

Clean Wheels

Vents Cleaned

Tires, trim, wheel well dressing

Air Freshener

Windows cleaned inside & out

Jambs wiped down





Let me know if I need to adjust anything.....the prices are a bit on the low side due to me just starting out.



Now....I'm looking for a name for the biz......:idea

I could call it Shelpdogg's Detail Service - "Don't be a dirty dog", but I'm not sure about that one....my wife loves it.

Keep in mind that I'm a weekend detailer as I work 50 hrs a week. I could take a day off during the week if I needed.



C'mon fellas....help a brother out....once I find a good name, I will get some cards made up.
 
First thing first. Put the buffer down and step away and go take some business classes or your going to detail yourself out of business.



Your – “The Shelpdogg Special – Starting at $160.00, Minimum 6.5 hours� - is about $24 an hour!!!! YOUR CAR WASH IS ABOUT $16.00 AN HOUR!!!!!!!!



Take that and deduct about 18% to taxes and such, now you have less than $20.



Then deduct gas, vehicle insurance, business insurance, materials, equipment purchase and maintenance, permits/licenses, etc………….



How much do you think you will have to put in your pocket? You best make sure how much and take it from there.



Good luck to you.
 
Imho, price lists scare the heck out of me. I think they lead to the customer expecting to much for to little.I went to an Oral Surgeon today, and as always, I was trying to land a new account, while this guy works on my teeth. He was very interested, then "The Question" came up, "How much do you charge". I, very politely, asked him how much he charged for Oral Surgery. He said it depended on what procedures had to be done. I smiled and said "Exactly, now lets go look at your car". No suprises for you or your customer. Just my thoughts, Best of luck.
 
Jeez.



$25 for something that can take an hour and a half?? That makes no sense....



Business is about doing a great job in short time, and charging what is reasonable.



The wash you listed should take 25-35 minutes, especially for that price.



Basic detail is sorta the same thing, except with a coat of wax and cleaning the interior. Should take 1.5 hours, max, and charge around $80.



Intermediate detail sounds about right price-wise, but remember that you need to make at least $35/h to run a sucessful business, if not $50/h. So at $120, it should never take longer than 4 hours. Otherwise you're losing money.



Your final package should be the best you can do, which is what everyone will expect if they are paying your highest price.



Because of that, make your highest price high, enough that you can spend up to 8 hours between washing, polishing, doorjambs, sealant, interior thoroughly shampoo and cleaned/protected.



If you estimate it would take you 6 hours on average to do the best you can do, price it at $240, and if you finish faster you can either offer a discount, or add a coat of wax on top of the sealant.



Or charge $200 even and try to do it faster ;)



But for the prices you listed, you would have a very hard time actually MAKING money, you would only be getting enough for your time. You gotta make money to run a business :)



Engine bay rarely needs to be done.



-edit-

I need to make at least $40/h to make myself money, so I simply guess how long the job will take, multiply that by 40, and there is the number, plus tax. Easy, and there is no haggling.
 
Thanks to all for the replies

Your – “The Shelpdogg Special – Starting at $160.00, Minimum 6.5 hours� - is about $24 an hour!!!! YOUR CAR WASH IS ABOUT $16.00 AN HOUR!!!!!!!!



Take that and deduct about 18% to taxes and such, now you have less than $20.



Then deduct gas, vehicle insurance, business insurance, materials, equipment purchase and maintenance, permits/licenses, etc………….
Click to expand...



Thanks...but again....this was a starting price with an estimate being done for every car. I know it's a bit low, but that doesn't mean I can't charge more. Also, I won't be going mobile for some time, so those overhead expenses won't apply.



Pro-Glow..... I like the way you put that....very smooth. I'll try to keep that in mind when the dreaded price quote comes up....thanks



Stumpy....you make some very good points.....this is why I ask the pro's. I want your feedback. I will make some adjustments to the list and go from there. I agree about the "final package" I thought it looked low, but I have never actually charged anyone for that package. Most of the details I have done have been for friends/family/neighbors...etc.

They typically get the "discounted" price....but I want to branch out a bit.....make more money

Thanks again for everyones thoughts. If you guys have any further advice, please feel free to elaborate.
 
I agree 100% about the "friend" discount, as I was there for almost 2 years before I saw the light and raised my prices.



Now I have so many customers paying TOP dollar that I don't have time for my cheap discounted people!
 
Shelpdogg I'm sixteen and I know you probably won't consider my word as much as those who actually own a detailing business, but ... I do work for a guy that started detailing cars when he was only ten years old. He started an actual detailing business when he was 18 years old. For the first five years he worked about 12 hours a day yet his costs were greater than his income but thats what is all about. It's about doing what you love to do and dedicating your time to your customers. If you worry about how much money your making, your business isn't going to get too far. If you worry about exceeding your customers expectations the money will come with it. I think your price list is appropriate for starting off and once you build a reputation like Superior Shine has, you can raise your prices accordingly.
 
I do think you should stick with Shelpdogg's Auto Detailing though you can incorporate some pretty creative marketing ideas into that name.
 
Honestly,

I wouldn't put a minimum price with the idea of raising it. Customers won't want to go in seeing $25 and then find out they have to pay more. If I where you I would just raise the prices now and keep them higher. Trust me when I say people would rather come in thinking they are going to pay $100 and pay it instead of coming in to pay $25 and find out it will be $50. You are just going to waste their time and yours.
 
OK....the list has been edited....



I adjusted the pricing and removed the hourly comment (that was really just for me)
Shelpdogg I'm sixteen and I know you probably won't consider my word as much as those who actually own a detailing business
Click to expand...



I appreciate any input...even from a 16 year old....I was 16 once too my friend. Thank you for your comments.



I like the name too.....I think I could work with it.



Honestly,

I wouldn't put a minimum price with the idea of raising it. Customers won't want to go in seeing $25 and then find out they have to pay more. If I where you I would just raise the prices now and keep them higher.
Click to expand...



Another good point.... I will leave them as they stand now, with the notion of added work will cost more money....does that sound fair? For example....if they wanted the basic wash, but wanted spot removal on the interior, just tell them it wil be $xx.xx amount more.



You guys are really helping me iron out some details.....no pun intended.
 
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