One of the first steps of how to start a car detailing business is determining your price guide. From express waxes to dent removals, car detailing can get your customers' vehicles back to tip-top shape. But how much should you price your auto detailing services?
Car detailing prices depend on several factors. These factors include service type, location, and vehicle size. You can also opt for including detailing packages.
In this guide, we’ll discuss all you need to know about how to price car detailing. That way, you can be better prepared to exceed customer expectations while growing your business.
Different cars may need different types of auto detailing services. Whereas one vehicle may simply need a thorough washing, another may need a complete interior detail. As a result, knowing the different service types is many people’s first step toward accurate pricing and supporting a thriving detailing business.
Here are the five most common types of car detailing services:
Let’s take a closer look at each of these types.
Interior detailing involves cleaning a car's interior until the inside is completely spotless. In doing so, interior detailing services typically detail the following:
To perform an interior cleaning, car detailing services may use:
You may want to shampoo carpets and floor mats when providing interior detailing, but only if the carpet is removable or covered with a lot of stains.
A complete interior car detailing service can cost anywhere from $150 to $225. This price depends on the vehicle’s size and the thoroughness of the detail.
If interior detailing services clean a car’s inside, exterior detailing services clean a car’s outside.
As a result, the exterior detailing checklist looks like this:
Some exterior detailing services even take care of components beneath the hood. This includes scrubbing the engine and related parts. The detailer may also apply rubber protectants to engine parts to prevent them from cracking in extreme temperatures. You may see it fit to develop a personalized detail package that meets your customer's exterior car needs.
The average cost of a complete exterior detail is $150. However, you may charge $75 or more extra for engine detail.
Because of their convenience, accessibility, and price, mobile car washes are many customers' first choices for simple detailing. These services typically offer tiered packages based on customers’ specific cleaning needs.
If customers only need a quick cleaning, a basic package could suffice. Conversely, if they need you to clean their rims, tires, and windows, a more advanced package can get the job done.
Mobile car washes typically handle the following:
These detailing services usually come in one of two forms:
Some mobile car washes provide the best of both worlds. After receiving an exterior detail via the drive-through automatic wash, vehicles may receive a manual interior detail.
Mobile car wash prices can vary widely by service package and location. For basic services, you can typically charge anywhere between $20 and $50. However, this price can quickly increase based on add-on services.
When it comes to detailing classic cars, detailing services may charge a little bit more than they would for “normal” vehicles. This price increase stems from the higher value of classic cars and therefore the extra care that needs to go into their detailing.
Classic cars may also have different cleaning requirements due to their fabrics and materials. While some materials may still be in use, others may not. As a result, the detailer usually has to find specific products for specific components.
A classic car detail service will typically include cleaning a vehicle's interior and exterior by using:
As stated above, you can generally charge a little bit more for classic car detailing. That said, it’s always best to state this price increase upfront.
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Asheville Car Detailing is a small business that knows the big impact visible pricing can have. Their website’s pricing section lists cleaning prices based on the vehicle’s type. That way, if customers have a classic car, they can be prepared to spend a little extra on top-notch service.
By taking a page out of Asheville Car Detailing’s book, you can help provide much-needed transparency to your potential clients and let them know the value of your expertise.
Full car detailing provides the best of both worlds: interior and exterior detailing. Consequently, full car detailing tends to be the most expensive when it comes to detailing packages.
On average, full car detailing costs around $300. This cost takes into account the charges for interior and exterior detailing. That said, the price can increase based on the vehicle’s type and service add-ons.
Speaking of add-ons, if you plan on charging more for additional services such as headlight restoration, it may be wise to visibly list these charges. To do so, you might consider a Business Page from Nextdoor .
Nextdoor enables small businesses to connect with their communities. By creating a Nextdoor Business Page for your car detailing business, you can list:
Given that detailers need to use more supplies, time, and energy to detail larger cars, larger vehicles typically cost more to detail than smaller vehicles.`
To estimate the car detailing price based on size, let’s break down vehicles into several categories :
While size can give you an estimate of how much to charge, size isn’t everything. As we’ve seen, you’ll also need to consider other factors when deciding on pricing. You might even need to charge prices on a case-by-case basis.
Car Detailing Albuquerque is a small detailing business that knows how important it is to gather as much vehicle information as possible before quoting a price. That’s why their website doesn’t list prices. Instead, it asks customers to first call for a quote.
As a result, Car Detailing Albuquerque can offer customers accurate prices for each individual customer—not ballpark estimates.
Offering a variety of individual detailing services and add-ons can enhance your auto detailing business and cater to the specific needs of your customers. Here are some popular services you can include, along with associated costs:
Like the price of most goods and services, professional detailing prices largely depend on the detailer’s location. That’s because some areas are more expensive than others. Consequently, the price of goods and services increases.
Several factors may be responsible for detail price variations based on location:
Car detailing prices can vary widely by state . In Florida, for instance, the average cost to detail a vehicle is $151. However, in New York, the average cost is $300.
For current pricing information, look at car detail prices in your community. Compare your car detail prices with other detailers in your community by joining Nextdoor . As much as you want to beat the competition by offering the lowest prices, you also have to factor in how much you want to profit. After all, the profit you make can also fund your business’s necessities, like car detailing advertising costs.
As a car detailing business owner, it’s essential to guide potential clients on how to select the best car detailing service. Here are some tips to share with car owners, which can also reflect the strengths and values of your business:
Before opening your professional auto detailing business, you should note several factors affecting car detail prices. These factors include service types, location, customer vehicle sizes, and any additional services you want to offer.
The good news is that Nextdoor makes identifying these factors easier than ever. That’s because Nextdoor connects you with other car detailing businesses in your community. As a result, you can see what other detailing businesses are charging and adjust your prices accordingly.
Whether you specialize in interior, exterior, classic, or all of the above, Nextdoor can help you price your services. Now that’s a hot ride.
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