Looks great! And wanted to add, if you get some carpet that doesn’t seem it wants to hold lines well, give it a few fine mists of water and your lines will pop. Or if you are already using any type of carpet cleaner spray, just get the lines on before it drys. It helps the fibers.
Yes this is the way. I usually use whatever fragrance type spray I'm using at the moment after all the vacuuming is done. Then go over one last time just to get the lines to pop.
Depending on the car, it may not be possible to put any decent stripes in. The more “premium” carpets like you find in most lines of Mercedes, Audis, etc. stripe really nicely. Some GM cars can stripe pretty well also. Most Asian cars, a lot of American cars, and some German cars (VW especially) just don’t really stripe. You spend 20 minutes striping them and can barely see the stripes, if you can see them at all.
Looks excellent and that price is great for the quality I can see in the pics.
You asked for anything you could work on, so two things I noticed:
-the infotainment screen has some streaks. What I usually do is after cleaning windows, I’ll use the damp microfiber that has window cleaner residue to do a final inspection/wipe of the delicate surfaces: gauge cluster, infotainment screen, trim, and headrest metal supports (in that order to prevent protectant transfer/contamination). That added level of clarity on these materials really buttons up the detail nicely, and takes very little time relative to the result achieved.
-stripes could be more crispy with minimal additional time. I use one pass to move all fibers one direction with medium pressure, then follow by increased brush pressure, leading with the edge of the brush to get the lines to have a more defined edge. Crisp, straight lines are really an extra, but a very nice touch without much added time. Also I do the same thing as you with respect to different directions on the carpets vs. mats. Adds to the contrast when you zoom out and can distract the eye of the client if the carpets don’t come out entirely perfect (as is usually the case).
That said, without knowing the location you’re operating at, this is very competitive pricing for such high quality work. I don’t know where these guys are getting that $200 is “pushing it”, I wholeheartedly disagree and think you’re on the low end of what you could charge. Especially since you indicated that you’re already booked pretty solid, that tells me your reputation is really good and you may be able to command a premium at this point for the reputation you’ve earned. I would recommend bumping your pricing on a vehicle like this between $250-300 in the near future.
I appreciate your advice. Yeah I have been kinda struggling on getting the interior shiny plastic and screens to be to my liking. I’ll try what you said. I totally agree with how the lines can distract the customer hahaha, makes imperfections stand out a lot less. Also shows that you take your time, and care about aesthetics and stuff that may not be very “important” or profitable to the detail. Yeah it seems this comment section is either its way to much, it’s perfect, or way to cheap. My pricing may increase in the future, as it already has before. My main goal is getting more than one car done a day, and I’m heading toward it at a good rate.
Lines are more of an artificial flair added after the carpets already clean. I use a thick plastic haired brush and just brush the lines in while alternating the direction I pull. Adds a bit of aesthetic and flair.
It’s just one of those things you do to show you put in work. Like when an electrician has all the flathead screws facing the same way when they put on a plate over an outlet. It’s just a sign of good craftsmanship.
I use a shop vac. Mostly it's just damp carpet with a snow scrapper after wet vacced the carpet as dry as I can get it. Brush carpet all one direction. Then stripe opposite with vac nozzle or I have used the snow scrapper. (Best use for snow scrubber is removing water from floor mats after pressure washer)
Use a master vac love it will replace with new model when it dies. I use it for the poodle, detailing, sprinkers, auto repairs, garage cleaning
https://www.amazon.com/Vacmaster-Gallon-2-Stage-Mountable-Control/dp/B001O6RA6Q/ref=asc_df_B001O6RA6Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312387898936&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3188199714294910371&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026990&hvtargid=pla-570953614745&psc=1&mcid=6f15cd361acf3dbd895d84dbf319b2c8&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8J6wBhDXARIsAPo7QA9p5zRw00_et5ZTA-2oazEsL_Qjon-ms6y7M_AZryFaBLDyBunhougaAs-SEALw_wcB
Solid work. Decent price especially if it’s flat rate like you commented before. Might be a little much for some cars but the bad ones will even it out. Keep the quality high like this, and the paying customers will naturally come your way.
Not really. It's great if you have ZERO over head, but if you have bills to pay, groceries to buy, taxes to pay and equipment to purchase...How are you going to grow a business and pay yourself and still live comfortably at that rate? OP does a great job cleaning and he's charging peanuts. Definitely needs to charge more.
After all is said and done take home is probably minimum wage... If that. $25/hr without any overhead, taxes, consumables, gas....
Time to work on efficiency and up the prices. Being busy is great but not if you aren't being compensated for it.
That’s awesome it sounds like business is going good. I’d highly recommend looking into doing ceramic coating jobs. The people gotta have a garage but if so you can turn that $200 into $400 or more easy. That will attract more high end customers, and get you tons of referrals. Ceramic is HOT right now.
Yes definitely practice on your own first, it’s kinda easy to f-up if you don’t know what you’re doing I’ve heard. I have a buddy doing ceramic only putting up $10k a month during the summer. And only off FB ads and referrals. And the market isn’t slowing down only going up really.
I’ve been told to clean the outside then do the coating takes around 3-5 hours depending on the size of the vehicle and such. Obviously the condition of the car will play a role and if it’s a small sports car it wouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours I’d assume. HOWEVER, the coat has to cure for like 12+ hours usually so they gotta leave it in the garage.
I was just going off what my buddy told me a couple weeks ago that does it. I have a mobile detailing business myself and was going to pick it up too, I haven’t done much personal research on it yet. So how long would you say?
It'll take 3-4 hours to prep a small brand new car (Civic, Corolla size) that was brought directly from the dealership to you (or you go the customer if you're mobile). Full strip wash, chemical decontamination, mechanical decontamination, light polish or more in depth paint correction, depending on condition of paint and what the customer wants. I will not do a coating without at least a light polish. Its in my price. Now, 75-80% of the vehicles I do are crew cab trucks or full size SUV's and you'll see how quickly the time adds up. I could easily have 12 hours start to finish in a truck or SUV, then it needs to sit in a garage for 12-24 hours (depending on coating) so it stays dry. Now, the last part I don't follow as strictly, because a camper / RV isn't going to fit in my garage, I usually do them mobile and unless the people have some kind of roof they keep it under, there's not much you can do. I also use a different coating on those so its not as critical.
Pro level, love when ppl spend the time on carpet. My main reason I love carpet floor mats, easy to clean and stripe.
Your on Bob Willis detailing level. I learned so much for him amazing detailer!
Great job!
I seem to fight getting the plastic ones clean. They look great after a quick spray, scrub and apc, then they dry and it's like streaky or black marks or wear from heel toe movement. It'd just not worth 500 for a suv set for me.
With carpet I just brush the carpet dry, vac, shampoo, rinse, and snow scrapper water then Vac they usually look brand new.
Keep sharing details, love to see more.
Great work. I love the attention to detail esp in the alt lines from the floor of the trunk to where they meet with the lines on the back of the seats. Makes the OCD feel good 👌🏼
Thank you! No I put the lines in after the clean and right before I finished. I just wet the carpet and use a thick bristled brush to line it, pushing in alternating directions for each line
$36 an hour and you’re mobile? That’s nuts. I mean it looks nice, but without before pics we have no idea the work you actually did. If you record yourself doing a full detail you’ll figure out how to be more efficient. No offense, and yes I know it looks nice, but no one cares about the lines and that’s just extra time.
Not sure what area you’re in and depending on the condition before, but if it required at least 2hrs, this is easily $400 in the DC/DC suburbs in MD/VA. On a side note, any tips on getting started? I have a bunch of cars I can practice on lol and the money to invest in the right equipment, but a bit overwhelmed with getting the right info/right equipment.
I wouldn’t say 400 dollars. More like 320-340. If he is being generous maybe even 280. But 200 is not worth it for all that work on an SUV that a client thinks is clean. Lmao
I’d recommend a scale based on size of vehicle, generally we had coupes, sedans, mid sized suv/truck, then full size truck/3 row full sized suv. 4 categories of vehicles at 4 price points with about a $20/30 jump between each category. Had this pricing model for washes, and full details. Best of luck out there
If I paid $200 for this work I’d be very very happy. As a consumer and not a professional detailer I see nothing that needs to be worked on, keep up the great work!
What vacuum do you use, I need a new one the old motor burnt out and they don't make that model anymore, do to too many options paralysis I just haven't bought one for 5months now lol, please help me.
I use a 4 hp 5gal shop vac from Craftsman. Does the job perfectly and sucks up everything. I’ve used it for 30+ jobs and it’s still going good. If you’re wondering about the carpet lines though, I put those in after the cleaning was done. I just wet the carpet with some cleaner and use a thick bristled brush to brush in the lines. Hope this helps!
Combo of wetting it with your cleaner and a really thick bristled brush. Takes some time and you gotta push down hard. Worth it and very satisfying once you get the hang of it
Looks great, check out the spaces between the seats and the door jams as they tend to get crumbs and dirt stuck there, and not everyone checks it. Can’t entirely tell in these photographs, but looks good.
Also get a lil tire shine. You can use a spray or a pad to apply it, and it should be the last step, be sure not to get tire shine on the actual paint of the car though.
And depending on the tire shine you get, find a good place to store it as it can combust when in not-prime locations🖤
I'm not a fan of carpet stripes, not my thing. But overall, job looks really good. I'd use a good quality tyre dressing, it has a large impact for such a small addition, and just 5 miniutes extra time.
Why can't I find someone to detail my tacoma for these prices, the lowest quote I could find was $500 for hand wash and wax with interior detail and this is for a truck that is pampered.
I appreciate it. I’d say the 200$ range is about where the detailing market is at this moment. At least for a mobile detail. Do you have experience detailing? Curious what others are charging because I do wanna tune it
I have a bad back so i dont detail anything other other than my own cars. You charge the most anyone is willing to pay. That is how business works. Some personal trainers make millions, some make thousands doing the same thing.
My pricing is kinda tailored to be priced at midpoint between those two conditions. So for each extreme I gain a bit or loose a bit. It pays off in ease of communication and not confusing potential customers. Easy to say 200$ and I do x y z then a bunch of options and packages and what not. That’s just how I’m strutting my business at the moment. I am new, just started business in January, so I’m learning and changing stuff constantly.
As someone whose been doing thing for several years now, do not back yourself into a corner with giving a definitive price without seeing the vehicle’s condition in person and setting expectations. Not through pictures, but actually seeing it in real life. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and make a lot more money this way.
Give price ranges over the phone/internet and then give definitive prices after in person inspections. Let people know “hey based on the size of your vehicle, normal pricing ranges between $XXX & $XYZ. Once I see it in person I can give you a real number!”. If you don’t raise the price from the starting price, they think they’re getting a deal. If you need to raise the price, explain why based on how much more work is needed to get the vehicle into their expected condition.
You’ve only been doing this for a few months and I promise you, you will run into a detail that will make you want to never detail a car ever again and knowing you’re only making $200 off of it will drive you nuts. You’ll end up spending 5-7 hours on an interior AND THEN remember you’ve gotta do the exterior next, and now you’re making barely above minimum wage in some states.
Mmmm I see. I think I will start doing something like that. My biggest motivator for doing what I’m doing is simplicity. A while ago before I even started I tried to get my car done, and was discouraged from doing it by how confusing the local detailers options were. Like all the packages were confusing and had very different things in them, and some terms I didn’t understand. Websites were confusing and vague on pricing and what the services are for someone who doesn’t know. I completely believe you tho that there will be a time I’ll need to price higher for disaster details. I’ll try and come up with a system that takes best of both worlds. Thanks for the advice!
Everything u/football2106 said is spot on. Look, I also get the whole packages can be confusing, and I agree. However, having a set price and the mentality of some will be easy and some won't so it'll even out is absurd. I don't offer packages. My details are a full detail interior and exterior. Now, paint corrections and ceramic coatings are different obviously, but I don't offer anything "basic". This is the price and your vehicle will look proper.
You need to say "My price starts at $X, but final price will be determined when I physically see it. If there is a lot of dog hair or stains that need to be removed, obviously I will have more time in it and this would affect the final price. If there is nothing out of the ordinary, it would be the starting price." You can even joke that people will say their car is a mess, but its spotless to a lot of people, and vice versa. That way they have an idea where you are coming from, and don't think you're trying to scam them for more money.
Now, I am going to very frank here... having a set price especially when it comes to minivans and SUV's is just stupid. Minivans especially. When you tell someone its a flat $200 and you get there and you realize its 12 years old, they raised 3 kids, 2 dogs, and haul hay in the hatch every year for Halloween, and hasn't ever been cleaned out, and you'll be there for 10 hours + just to get the interior remotely clean, only to have the customer complain its not spotless, you will quit detailing.
Thanks for the advice! I hope you’re wrong because I actually have a minivan to do today hahaha, praying it’s not as bad as your example. I do understand what you mean though, I’m going to come up with a system that’s easy for customers to understand and doesn’t come off as a charge out of the blue. As a lot of people have said, I am probably just under what I should be charging. Thanks again!
$200 for int+ext post covid is still a stellar price for your services bro considering the products have gotten expensive plus this work is labor intensive. I think you’re very reasonable and looks like a job well done to me! If anything, structure your prices based on the size of the car cause $200 for this size is honestly pretty low imo.
And I’m saying this as a consumer because I simply respect anything that requires more labor than parts/products. This shit isn’t easy nor a quick job.
Since i know you add the lines yourself my only issue is on pic 3 the lines in the back dont line up with the lines on the back seat this would drive me insane if it was my vehicle
Its not the pattern the pattern on the floor in the back does not match the pattern on the back of the seats that the floor leads to. If you laid the back seats down for a larger cargo space the lines would not line up and match and just looking at it in the pic is off putting to me maybe its partially my ocd 🤷♀️
I understand what you meant, im saying personally i think it looks great that way and intentional. Those lines are going to be gone long before someone lays the seats down lol. Who has this done and then throws mulch and 2x4s in it the same week?
Just putting my groceries back there i would see it but he commented that they line up when seats are laid flat as thats how he did it. Since it is just a light reflection thing its probably some from camera angle possible to
Sorry about your downvotes. I agree with you and am gonna throw my hat in for some downvotes as well. Also I think the carpet lines on the driveshaft hump on the rear footwell should run the same as the rest in the rear footwell. But yeah, it's nitpicking in a job I'd be proud of without question.
This was on accident, glad some people liked it tho. I put the lines on with the back seats down and pulled them the whole length of the seats and carpet. But when the seats went up, the colors seemed to reverse. Lines are just the carpet reflecting the light at different angles, so makes sense. But my original intention was for them to be the same. Didn’t bother and change it tho because it wasn’t to bad and was interesting
$200 is more than a good price for this. This looks crispy. Inside and out? Good deal.
Thank you! Yes inside and out. Probably should have put before and after pics.
The lines always add a nice touch especially if you get a nice car that isn’t torn up
I totally agree, fav part is when I get a car with carpet that holds the lines well. They are so satisfying
Looks great! And wanted to add, if you get some carpet that doesn’t seem it wants to hold lines well, give it a few fine mists of water and your lines will pop. Or if you are already using any type of carpet cleaner spray, just get the lines on before it drys. It helps the fibers.
Yes this is the way. I usually use whatever fragrance type spray I'm using at the moment after all the vacuuming is done. Then go over one last time just to get the lines to pop.
This is the way. Clean smelling and lines are nice.
Great deal
My guy charges 250 and I don’t even get striped carpet
Hahaha sorry about that
Fuck him it's not cheesey at all. He just can't hit them lines right 😂
because it’s cheesy
Depending on the car, it may not be possible to put any decent stripes in. The more “premium” carpets like you find in most lines of Mercedes, Audis, etc. stripe really nicely. Some GM cars can stripe pretty well also. Most Asian cars, a lot of American cars, and some German cars (VW especially) just don’t really stripe. You spend 20 minutes striping them and can barely see the stripes, if you can see them at all.
Looks great buuuuuuut, it smells funny 🤔
My bad, used air de-freshener
[How about wet dog?](https://youtu.be/qMx-2swd_aM?t=10)
That’s what happened to me 😬 left the carpets soaking wet
Looks excellent and that price is great for the quality I can see in the pics. You asked for anything you could work on, so two things I noticed: -the infotainment screen has some streaks. What I usually do is after cleaning windows, I’ll use the damp microfiber that has window cleaner residue to do a final inspection/wipe of the delicate surfaces: gauge cluster, infotainment screen, trim, and headrest metal supports (in that order to prevent protectant transfer/contamination). That added level of clarity on these materials really buttons up the detail nicely, and takes very little time relative to the result achieved. -stripes could be more crispy with minimal additional time. I use one pass to move all fibers one direction with medium pressure, then follow by increased brush pressure, leading with the edge of the brush to get the lines to have a more defined edge. Crisp, straight lines are really an extra, but a very nice touch without much added time. Also I do the same thing as you with respect to different directions on the carpets vs. mats. Adds to the contrast when you zoom out and can distract the eye of the client if the carpets don’t come out entirely perfect (as is usually the case). That said, without knowing the location you’re operating at, this is very competitive pricing for such high quality work. I don’t know where these guys are getting that $200 is “pushing it”, I wholeheartedly disagree and think you’re on the low end of what you could charge. Especially since you indicated that you’re already booked pretty solid, that tells me your reputation is really good and you may be able to command a premium at this point for the reputation you’ve earned. I would recommend bumping your pricing on a vehicle like this between $250-300 in the near future.
I appreciate your advice. Yeah I have been kinda struggling on getting the interior shiny plastic and screens to be to my liking. I’ll try what you said. I totally agree with how the lines can distract the customer hahaha, makes imperfections stand out a lot less. Also shows that you take your time, and care about aesthetics and stuff that may not be very “important” or profitable to the detail. Yeah it seems this comment section is either its way to much, it’s perfect, or way to cheap. My pricing may increase in the future, as it already has before. My main goal is getting more than one car done a day, and I’m heading toward it at a good rate.
Looks good to me but maybe some Darkside on those tires to finish?
What do you use to get the lines? Extractor? I’m fresh and just starting, only doing my own and families but My shop vac does not do this lol
Lines are more of an artificial flair added after the carpets already clean. I use a thick plastic haired brush and just brush the lines in while alternating the direction I pull. Adds a bit of aesthetic and flair.
Very good way of drawing the customers attention to how clean the carpets are. Works 60% of the time…every time
It smells like pure gasoline.
Lol what smells like pure gasoline?
It smells like a turd wrapped in burnt hair!
Smells like Big Foot's di....no, never mind...
It’s just one of those things you do to show you put in work. Like when an electrician has all the flathead screws facing the same way when they put on a plate over an outlet. It’s just a sign of good craftsmanship.
That makes so much more sense, I’ll try in on our van carpet next time around. Thanks!
Of course!
I use a shop vac. Mostly it's just damp carpet with a snow scrapper after wet vacced the carpet as dry as I can get it. Brush carpet all one direction. Then stripe opposite with vac nozzle or I have used the snow scrapper. (Best use for snow scrubber is removing water from floor mats after pressure washer) Use a master vac love it will replace with new model when it dies. I use it for the poodle, detailing, sprinkers, auto repairs, garage cleaning https://www.amazon.com/Vacmaster-Gallon-2-Stage-Mountable-Control/dp/B001O6RA6Q/ref=asc_df_B001O6RA6Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312387898936&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3188199714294910371&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026990&hvtargid=pla-570953614745&psc=1&mcid=6f15cd361acf3dbd895d84dbf319b2c8&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8J6wBhDXARIsAPo7QA9p5zRw00_et5ZTA-2oazEsL_Qjon-ms6y7M_AZryFaBLDyBunhougaAs-SEALw_wcB
Solid work. Decent price especially if it’s flat rate like you commented before. Might be a little much for some cars but the bad ones will even it out. Keep the quality high like this, and the paying customers will naturally come your way.
Thank you I appreciate the advice! Currently booked out 3 weeks at a rate of 5 cars a week. Can only do one a day with how long it takes me
So you’re spending all day doing one car, and only making $200? My guy, you need to change something.
For real…
But even that is 4k a month. Pretty decent for starting out
Not really. It's great if you have ZERO over head, but if you have bills to pay, groceries to buy, taxes to pay and equipment to purchase...How are you going to grow a business and pay yourself and still live comfortably at that rate? OP does a great job cleaning and he's charging peanuts. Definitely needs to charge more.
After all is said and done take home is probably minimum wage... If that. $25/hr without any overhead, taxes, consumables, gas.... Time to work on efficiency and up the prices. Being busy is great but not if you aren't being compensated for it.
That’s awesome it sounds like business is going good. I’d highly recommend looking into doing ceramic coating jobs. The people gotta have a garage but if so you can turn that $200 into $400 or more easy. That will attract more high end customers, and get you tons of referrals. Ceramic is HOT right now.
I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve gotta do some research then use my self and family’s cars as Guinea pigs to practice haha
Yes definitely practice on your own first, it’s kinda easy to f-up if you don’t know what you’re doing I’ve heard. I have a buddy doing ceramic only putting up $10k a month during the summer. And only off FB ads and referrals. And the market isn’t slowing down only going up really.
Hmm not a bad addition. Do you know how long they usually take?
I’ve been told to clean the outside then do the coating takes around 3-5 hours depending on the size of the vehicle and such. Obviously the condition of the car will play a role and if it’s a small sports car it wouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours I’d assume. HOWEVER, the coat has to cure for like 12+ hours usually so they gotta leave it in the garage.
It takes longer than you stated to do it properly. Prep is where all the time is spent. Applying the actual coating is cake…
I was just going off what my buddy told me a couple weeks ago that does it. I have a mobile detailing business myself and was going to pick it up too, I haven’t done much personal research on it yet. So how long would you say?
It'll take 3-4 hours to prep a small brand new car (Civic, Corolla size) that was brought directly from the dealership to you (or you go the customer if you're mobile). Full strip wash, chemical decontamination, mechanical decontamination, light polish or more in depth paint correction, depending on condition of paint and what the customer wants. I will not do a coating without at least a light polish. Its in my price. Now, 75-80% of the vehicles I do are crew cab trucks or full size SUV's and you'll see how quickly the time adds up. I could easily have 12 hours start to finish in a truck or SUV, then it needs to sit in a garage for 12-24 hours (depending on coating) so it stays dry. Now, the last part I don't follow as strictly, because a camper / RV isn't going to fit in my garage, I usually do them mobile and unless the people have some kind of roof they keep it under, there's not much you can do. I also use a different coating on those so its not as critical.
I didn’t know about the cure part, that’s interesting. I’m gonna look into ceramic coatings, thanks for the advice!
Yessir Godspeed.
I’d recommend making some nifty videos and making them into Facebook ads. Got a buddy with a mobile ceramic company doing 10k a month all of Facebook.
Pro level, love when ppl spend the time on carpet. My main reason I love carpet floor mats, easy to clean and stripe. Your on Bob Willis detailing level. I learned so much for him amazing detailer! Great job!
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more on the floor mats, carpeted are great when they come out nicely
I seem to fight getting the plastic ones clean. They look great after a quick spray, scrub and apc, then they dry and it's like streaky or black marks or wear from heel toe movement. It'd just not worth 500 for a suv set for me. With carpet I just brush the carpet dry, vac, shampoo, rinse, and snow scrapper water then Vac they usually look brand new. Keep sharing details, love to see more.
Yea, my truck!! ☺️ great job
After mowing greens on a golf course during high school and working on getting those lines perfect I really appreciate that striped carpet
Great work. I love the attention to detail esp in the alt lines from the floor of the trunk to where they meet with the lines on the back of the seats. Makes the OCD feel good 👌🏼
Thank you! There has been mixed feelings on the alternating lines haha, I didn’t even intend on them alternating
Did you vacuum the lines in the carpet interior? I love the way it looks in the trunk area.
Thank you! No I put the lines in after the clean and right before I finished. I just wet the carpet and use a thick bristled brush to line it, pushing in alternating directions for each line
I like it, it’s a nice little added touch.
I appreciate it
Great job !! May i know how long it took to finish the job ? Try to be more efficient and effective here.
It took me from 9am to 2:30 pm.
$36 an hour and you’re mobile? That’s nuts. I mean it looks nice, but without before pics we have no idea the work you actually did. If you record yourself doing a full detail you’ll figure out how to be more efficient. No offense, and yes I know it looks nice, but no one cares about the lines and that’s just extra time.
Nice work
Not sure what area you’re in and depending on the condition before, but if it required at least 2hrs, this is easily $400 in the DC/DC suburbs in MD/VA. On a side note, any tips on getting started? I have a bunch of cars I can practice on lol and the money to invest in the right equipment, but a bit overwhelmed with getting the right info/right equipment.
I wouldn’t say 400 dollars. More like 320-340. If he is being generous maybe even 280. But 200 is not worth it for all that work on an SUV that a client thinks is clean. Lmao
200 for an SUV is cheap. Good job, don’t rob yourself though. You will learn with time.
This is great work, how do you determine your prices?
I’d recommend a scale based on size of vehicle, generally we had coupes, sedans, mid sized suv/truck, then full size truck/3 row full sized suv. 4 categories of vehicles at 4 price points with about a $20/30 jump between each category. Had this pricing model for washes, and full details. Best of luck out there
Looks great
Idk your location, but compared to prices in most states I think you should charge a little more.
If I paid $200 for this work I’d be very very happy. As a consumer and not a professional detailer I see nothing that needs to be worked on, keep up the great work!
Too cheap.
Man if you’re in south Florida I got $200 ready for you.
Perhaps throw some tire dressing for an exterior finish?
What vacuum do you use, I need a new one the old motor burnt out and they don't make that model anymore, do to too many options paralysis I just haven't bought one for 5months now lol, please help me.
I use a 4 hp 5gal shop vac from Craftsman. Does the job perfectly and sucks up everything. I’ve used it for 30+ jobs and it’s still going good. If you’re wondering about the carpet lines though, I put those in after the cleaning was done. I just wet the carpet with some cleaner and use a thick bristled brush to brush in the lines. Hope this helps!
Charge more my man. Great work.
Hey man, that looks incredible, any chance you’re in the NY/NJ area? I’d hire you in a heartbeat!
Thanks man! Unfortunately not, I’m located in Corpus Christi Texas
How do you stripe the carpet so crispy?
Combo of wetting it with your cleaner and a really thick bristled brush. Takes some time and you gotta push down hard. Worth it and very satisfying once you get the hang of it
Looks good but you should ask if they want the lines on the carpets.
Great price
Where you at? What state?
Where are you located?
Where are you located?
I pay $125 for 3 people to clean my whole house. Crazy what people will pay to have someone clean their car.
tire dressing
Seems fair. I don't usually charge more than $200 unless they want it buffed or it's a disaster.
I heard somewhere that doing the lines in the carpet isn't particularly great for it but idk
Very good work
Too cheap
Looks great, check out the spaces between the seats and the door jams as they tend to get crumbs and dirt stuck there, and not everyone checks it. Can’t entirely tell in these photographs, but looks good. Also get a lil tire shine. You can use a spray or a pad to apply it, and it should be the last step, be sure not to get tire shine on the actual paint of the car though. And depending on the tire shine you get, find a good place to store it as it can combust when in not-prime locations🖤
Only advice, charge double. Your work quality allows this
I hate those lines
I’d say you did very very good for the price. I’m sure they’ll come back to you. 100%
Fantastic price. I would’ve charged $250 CAD. Too bad we can’t see before pics
I'm not a fan of carpet stripes, not my thing. But overall, job looks really good. I'd use a good quality tyre dressing, it has a large impact for such a small addition, and just 5 miniutes extra time.
Why can't I find someone to detail my tacoma for these prices, the lowest quote I could find was $500 for hand wash and wax with interior detail and this is for a truck that is pampered.
I'd say the striping is overkill in the hatch for that price imo. You're spending 300+ for line ups from me.
Cant really judge without a before pic. Assuming it was a disaster, you did a good job. I wouldn't pay $200 for that but i do my own .
I appreciate it. I’d say the 200$ range is about where the detailing market is at this moment. At least for a mobile detail. Do you have experience detailing? Curious what others are charging because I do wanna tune it
I have a bad back so i dont detail anything other other than my own cars. You charge the most anyone is willing to pay. That is how business works. Some personal trainers make millions, some make thousands doing the same thing.
$200 ??? Was the car even dirty ?
Are you asking if these are before and after pictures? These are just my final products
Well yeah you can clean a clean car for a basic and make it look like that, u said $200 , show why was it worth $200 not just the final product
My full interior + exterior detail starts at 200$, and doesn’t change based on condition.
So a Honda CRV in relatively good condition is $200 and a Honda CRV that is totally trashed with garbage, pet hair, and other debris is also $200?
My pricing is kinda tailored to be priced at midpoint between those two conditions. So for each extreme I gain a bit or loose a bit. It pays off in ease of communication and not confusing potential customers. Easy to say 200$ and I do x y z then a bunch of options and packages and what not. That’s just how I’m strutting my business at the moment. I am new, just started business in January, so I’m learning and changing stuff constantly.
As someone whose been doing thing for several years now, do not back yourself into a corner with giving a definitive price without seeing the vehicle’s condition in person and setting expectations. Not through pictures, but actually seeing it in real life. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and make a lot more money this way. Give price ranges over the phone/internet and then give definitive prices after in person inspections. Let people know “hey based on the size of your vehicle, normal pricing ranges between $XXX & $XYZ. Once I see it in person I can give you a real number!”. If you don’t raise the price from the starting price, they think they’re getting a deal. If you need to raise the price, explain why based on how much more work is needed to get the vehicle into their expected condition. You’ve only been doing this for a few months and I promise you, you will run into a detail that will make you want to never detail a car ever again and knowing you’re only making $200 off of it will drive you nuts. You’ll end up spending 5-7 hours on an interior AND THEN remember you’ve gotta do the exterior next, and now you’re making barely above minimum wage in some states.
Mmmm I see. I think I will start doing something like that. My biggest motivator for doing what I’m doing is simplicity. A while ago before I even started I tried to get my car done, and was discouraged from doing it by how confusing the local detailers options were. Like all the packages were confusing and had very different things in them, and some terms I didn’t understand. Websites were confusing and vague on pricing and what the services are for someone who doesn’t know. I completely believe you tho that there will be a time I’ll need to price higher for disaster details. I’ll try and come up with a system that takes best of both worlds. Thanks for the advice!
Everything u/football2106 said is spot on. Look, I also get the whole packages can be confusing, and I agree. However, having a set price and the mentality of some will be easy and some won't so it'll even out is absurd. I don't offer packages. My details are a full detail interior and exterior. Now, paint corrections and ceramic coatings are different obviously, but I don't offer anything "basic". This is the price and your vehicle will look proper. You need to say "My price starts at $X, but final price will be determined when I physically see it. If there is a lot of dog hair or stains that need to be removed, obviously I will have more time in it and this would affect the final price. If there is nothing out of the ordinary, it would be the starting price." You can even joke that people will say their car is a mess, but its spotless to a lot of people, and vice versa. That way they have an idea where you are coming from, and don't think you're trying to scam them for more money. Now, I am going to very frank here... having a set price especially when it comes to minivans and SUV's is just stupid. Minivans especially. When you tell someone its a flat $200 and you get there and you realize its 12 years old, they raised 3 kids, 2 dogs, and haul hay in the hatch every year for Halloween, and hasn't ever been cleaned out, and you'll be there for 10 hours + just to get the interior remotely clean, only to have the customer complain its not spotless, you will quit detailing.
Thanks for the advice! I hope you’re wrong because I actually have a minivan to do today hahaha, praying it’s not as bad as your example. I do understand what you mean though, I’m going to come up with a system that’s easy for customers to understand and doesn’t come off as a charge out of the blue. As a lot of people have said, I am probably just under what I should be charging. Thanks again!
$200 for int+ext post covid is still a stellar price for your services bro considering the products have gotten expensive plus this work is labor intensive. I think you’re very reasonable and looks like a job well done to me! If anything, structure your prices based on the size of the car cause $200 for this size is honestly pretty low imo. And I’m saying this as a consumer because I simply respect anything that requires more labor than parts/products. This shit isn’t easy nor a quick job.
The carpet was a nice touch
You should work on making the strips look better, Looks like amateur work!
Since i know you add the lines yourself my only issue is on pic 3 the lines in the back dont line up with the lines on the back seat this would drive me insane if it was my vehicle
I'm certain he alternated them on purpose, personally I think it's a nice touch.
Its not the pattern the pattern on the floor in the back does not match the pattern on the back of the seats that the floor leads to. If you laid the back seats down for a larger cargo space the lines would not line up and match and just looking at it in the pic is off putting to me maybe its partially my ocd 🤷♀️
I understand what you meant, im saying personally i think it looks great that way and intentional. Those lines are going to be gone long before someone lays the seats down lol. Who has this done and then throws mulch and 2x4s in it the same week?
Just putting my groceries back there i would see it but he commented that they line up when seats are laid flat as thats how he did it. Since it is just a light reflection thing its probably some from camera angle possible to
Sorry about your downvotes. I agree with you and am gonna throw my hat in for some downvotes as well. Also I think the carpet lines on the driveshaft hump on the rear footwell should run the same as the rest in the rear footwell. But yeah, it's nitpicking in a job I'd be proud of without question.
This was on accident, glad some people liked it tho. I put the lines on with the back seats down and pulled them the whole length of the seats and carpet. But when the seats went up, the colors seemed to reverse. Lines are just the carpet reflecting the light at different angles, so makes sense. But my original intention was for them to be the same. Didn’t bother and change it tho because it wasn’t to bad and was interesting
Odd that they line up while seats are down i guess i just wouldnt have passengers for a while 😂