What should I charge for detail job?

N

nathansdad04

New member
A friend of mine was admiring the finish on my car and asked me to detail his brand new green Ridgeline. The paint looks great(no obvious swirls etc).
I just plan on detailing the inside/claying the paint/polishing with PWs w/white or gray LC pad/ and waxing with NXT. Also I'll use trim restorer and tire shine.
What is reasonable to charge?
 
This has been discussed plenty on here, but I would advise you to charge him for what you think your time, effort, and experience are worth. You have to find out what others are charging in your area. You can charge a lot more in some cities, while in others, you aren't able to charge as much.
 
I just want to charge a fair price for both of us. I figure
$100 would be fair. He was going to have the local swirl-o-matic dealer shine up the car, but he wised up.
I'm not looking to make a huge profit, but I'm guessing that I'll get a few referrals from this...and I don't want them expecting all that work for $50.
I'm not fooling myself into thinking that I'm some professional detailer....but I wouldn't mind making a few bucks on the side doing simple wash/clay/wax etc jobs.
 
funny that Pockets asks me the same question all the time...he's only 16 and has helped me with my cars, done a few of his family's and friends cars and is eagerly wanting to go out and make money. As Audiboy has stated, make sure you feel you will be fairly compensated for your time, material and remember each job will give you valuable experience towards your next job.:)
The only warning I'll share is that without a lot of experiences, sometime you will run into problems, so be careful because i'm sure your friendship is worth more than you'll make in cash. You may also want to have him help you so that it's more of a friend thing and time will pass faster...then go have a :cheers: on him :D
 
a wash wax, vacuum and wipe down intrerior, 75 would be fair....but to do what you have planned maybe 150, thats alot of work atleast 4 to 6 hours by yourself..... i would go the see if he wants to help you route, and charge 50 or 60, and maybe a dinner
good luck
 
I detailed the Ridgeline today(sorry no pics). I washed, clayed, polished w/ PWs, waxed w/NXT. I also hit the trim with PB trim restorer and used NXT interior stuff on the dash.
The truck came out great and my friend loved it. Took me just over 3 hrs. I'm going to push for referrals now. Unfortunately, it rained 5 hours after I detailed it.
At least, he'll see how well the finish beads-up now that it's waxed.
$75 WAS cheap for the work I did, but if it turns into referrals then it was worth it.
 
$25 an hour is not bad money. and besides, what ever happened to helping friends out. Sounds like you both got pretty good deals.
 
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