Starting to detail cars on the side... advice pls

9

98GTPDriva

New member
I've decided to go ahead and detail cars as a small side-job once the weather gets warmer in my area. I thought of this because I take a lot of pride in cleaning my car, and everyone recognizes me by how good my car looks, plus they think it's a brand new 02, when it's only a 98.



I just need advice on what everyone thinks about my prices, and what else I should include. I plan to put flyers on cars at the grocery store by me, and to also put a flyer on the door of a Shell station too. I also figure that if I do a good job that I could get a tip. Is this possible...? I'm just afraid that if I go any higher, it will turn people away. Do people actually pay a lot for detailing?



Please don't flame me. I'm just looking for constructive criticism on your part. Anything will be appreciated. Here's what I have so far:



I plan to include on the flyer that I have two years experience (plus my car itself).





Here are the packages:



  • Exterior Package: $30 for compact/midsize - $50 for large SUV (approx. 3 hours)



    includes:



    Wash and Wax

    Window Cleaning

    Wheel Cleaning and Tire Shining



  • Interior Package: $30 - $50 (approx. 3 hours)



    includes:



    Vacuuming the Interior

    Cleaning Dashboard, Trim and Seats

    Shampooing Carpets and any Upholstery

    Leather Treatment



  • Regular Package: $75 - $95 (approx. 5-6 hours)



    includes:



    Wash and Wax

    Window Cleaning

    Wheel Cleaning and Tire Shining

    Vacuuming the Interior

    Cleaning Dashboard, Trim and Seats

    Shampooing Carpets and any Upholstery



  • Deluxe Package: $100 - $120 (approx. 7-8 hours)



    includes:



    Regular Package plus:



    Clay Bar (deep paint cleanser)

    Scratch Remover (buff-out fine scratches/swirl marks)

    Leather Treatment

    Quick Clean under Hood and Trunk





Thanks a lot. I appreciate everyones help when it comes to this kinda stuff.



Mike - 98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Silvermist Coupe
 
You're in and around the ballpark Mike, but one comment;



You may want to consider adding the clay to the "regular" package, and add a few bucks if necessary. I know my customers wouldn't be happy paying for a wax job and the rest and still have the car feel rough to the touch afterwards. In my experience it's just something most people come to expect from any wax job, and they will sometimes feel the car when the job is done.



I do it whenever I have to polish or wax a car, it just "goes with the territory" so to speak. Better to ask a few more dollars and do it right IMO.



I like your ideas on everything else I see, good luck.
 
the one thing about adding clay is that you have to add an expense. what I like to do is keep it seperate and explain to the customers about it as an option with an additonal price. then if it isn't as smooth as they wanted you can always explain why. what I do is bring a plastic baggy and have let touch sections of the car letting them know that most of what they feel will still be there but the car will look better, almost always they say yeah go ahead add it on, I throw on another $10 although that is a little low, but it does keep the initial costs lower and that does help people become interested in your services. Just don't underprice yourself, if needed keep the prices high and negotiate a little on them or if they complain about the price add something like a clay or rain-x.
 
98GTPDriva said:
Here is an update to my small detailing business I'm trying to start:



http://www.clubgp.com/forum/topic.a...ailing+cars+on+the+side...+advice+pls:+UPDATE



Tell me what you think of those update prices/packages? :wavey
Click to expand...



Hey, Mike.....



I'm also a member of ClubGP and KC ClubGP.....welcome to Autopia.



You're pricing looks a little low still. Some detailers just charge a flat hourly rate and give an estimate of the number of hours to the customer. $160 is not out of line for 8 hours work.



Also, you could start with your current pricing and raise the fees as you get more experience.



Good luck.........



I'd love to do detailing for my full-time job, but I make too much doing what I do now........I couldn't LIVE!



Bill......
 
Your prices are still kind of low, but your hourly estimates look pretty high. That makes it look like your hourly rate look worse. I don't think it should take you 3 hours for a basic wash (paint, wheels and windows) probaly 2 hours. Or 7-8 hours for a full detail probably 5 hours. looks like you have overestimated the time by 25%-35%.



You also need to figure in your costs for products.



If you are looking to secure some business, try offering some lower 1 time introductory prices for new customers and then if they are satisfied, they come back for the regular price. Say 20-25% discount?



Michael
 
Hey, I am new to getting paid for detailing and I have an idea for you that you may want to think about. I went to a local car lot and offered to detail 2 of their vehicles for free in return they will hand out my cards to customers. Who wants their car looking good more than the new car owner. I won't be losing out since I am new and it can only help to get more customers and get the word about my work quality talked about in town. Not sure how it will work out but YA NEVA KNOW. :nixweiss
 
Thanks everyone for all of your advice. Got anything else? I've updated the post from the Club GP forum if anyone is interested.
 
I might be reading this wrong, but one aspect of your fee schedule doesn't jibe.



Your base price is $30 to detail the interior and $30 to detail the exterior. Fine, no prob.



However, your base price for the Basic package (which according to the list is simply the aggregate of the interior and exterior package less the leather treatment) is higher than if one were to get the interior and exterior packages separately and still get the leather treatment.



Wouldn't it make more sense for the customer purchasing a larger package to be on a fee schedule that provides a lower price per service provided?
 
Well, I think I've finally figured it all out. I made a one-page advertisement on Microsoft Works and uploaded it so everyone can critique it. This is going to go in the windows of gas stations, etc., and I'll eventually make a half-page ad to put on peoples' windshields. Please view it and tell me what other changes I should consider. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed because it has helped me a lot. Let me know how I'm doing. Thanks.



http://www.regap.org/flyerdetail.wps
 
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