a few of my friends have asked me to wash their cars now that we're getting a warm spell around here, and they wanted to know how much id charge them?

so what do you normally charge for just a simple wash/dry, wash/clay/polish and wax, and what do you add on for interior and engine bay?

 

www.detailking.com

Mike

PS: I have a set price that is a little high to some standards... but when I get cars that aren't as nice as others, i'll give them a price cut.
So if I do a benz, they pay regular price.... a Honda accord= I'll cut em 10-25 bucks....
That way people will get the feeling that you're always giving them great deals (which you are), and will refer to others.
Just make sure that you use the right equipment and do a good job.... NO RUSHING!!!

Goodluck!

Mike

 

For a simple wash, Id say $15 maybe more, touchless washes are at least $10. Look at what prices detailers are charging in the area, around here just exterior details are 150-200. Last time I did a detail for a friend I charged 80 and he gave me a big tip anyways. I spent about 4.5 or 5 hours on it.
It all depends on how good you are, how long you are going to spend on the car, how easily impressed your friends will be with a PC, and how much you want to d1ck them over

 

I go by "If you want the job done right do it yourself"

But full detailing goes for $15-20 around here.

 

$20 minimum if it includes wash/ clay, and wax

 

Of course that's mininum...clay bars cost at least half that!

 

Fifty for friends, not sure I could do it for less and be happy about it. I wouldn't trust anyone doing a full detail for $15-20.

 

I usually charge $150-200 for doing a full exterior and light interior detail. $80-100 is what I charge to just complete a Compound, Polish, and Sealant on the exterior paint.

I figure about $20/hour, thats how I come up with my numbers. I fully cleaned out my boss's avalon in about 8hrs. Charged him $150. It was a nightmare though, worst car ive ever detailed. Fulltime smokers car, I probably raised the value atleast $2000. The paint went from looking 20 years old, to looking 3 years old.

 

Charged my Mom $50 for a wash/clay/wax/interior vacuum.

 

you charged your mom?????

 

Haha, yup...I'm not taking 5 hours out of my day for nothing...especially when it involves sitting on the garage floor scrubbing with a claybar! She would have gone to a much more expensive detailing shop if I hadn't done it.

 

Anything in that price range should never EVER be considered a detail. A real detail done to car that is in decent shape should have that car looking showroom. def. not gonna get showroom for 15-20 bucks.

 

i used to charge like 45-60 depending on the vehicle. i think it was a little to good of a deal, i would just wash and wax.

 

I have been charging $65 for a car, $75 for larger vehicles. That includes a really good wash including scrubbing the inside of the wheel wells and everything, wax, interior steam cleaning with a bissel home steam cleaner, dust, vynal clean everything applicable, cleaning all the little creavices, the trunk, tire foaming shin to tires, topped off by a little interior scent. it just depends on your loaction and off course how much money peolpe have around you, and that is not very much for the area around me

 

Im gonna start doing jobs on the side when it gets warmer here in CT. Im gonna be charging like 50 for a wash/polish/wax job which at my job usually goes for a 100. i'll use a buffer for the polish and hand wax then prolly vacumm and do the windows and some tire shine

 

i charge 60 for the exterior and 80 for full detail. my price is low i feel you could make more. but i DO buff so if you dont plan to buff i wouldnt charge much more than like 25 because it aint true detailing unless you are buffing, gettin out small scratches, swirls, and oxidation.

 

Agreed wholeheartedly. I hope to get a good 5-10 details in over the summer, quick/enjoyable way to get some cash besides my regular job(s).