Detailing business guide
How to price a detailing job
Pricing is where most detailers leave money on the table — either underquoting a filthy car they can't see clearly in photos, or scaring off a customer with a number pulled from thin air. Here's a repeatable way to price detailing jobs that protects your margin and your reputation.
The five factors that set the price
- Vehicle size. A compact car, a full-size truck, and a three-row SUV are three different labor jobs. Tie your base prices to size tiers.
- Condition. The single biggest variable. Light maintenance vs. a neglected interior with stains and pet hair can double your hours.
- Services requested. A wash-and-wax, a full interior, paint correction, and a ceramic coating sit at wildly different price points. Build a menu.
- Your labor rate and time. Estimate the hours honestly and multiply by the rate you need to run a profitable business — not what you wish you could charge.
- Your local market. Price to your area and your skill level. Undercutting to win jobs trains customers to expect cheap work.
Sample price ranges by service
Use these only as a starting point — set your own numbers from your market and menu:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Exterior wash & wax | $50 – $90 |
| Interior cleaning | $80 – $140 |
| Deep interior detail (shampoo, stains, pet hair) | $150 – $300 |
| Full detail (in & out) | $200 – $400 |
| Paint correction | $300 – $800 |
| Ceramic coating | $600 – $1,500 |
Why you should quote a range, not a flat number
The customer texts you three photos and asks "how much?" Photos hide swirl marks, contamination, odors, the depth of pet hair, and stains under the seats. If you commit to a flat price sight-unseen, you either eat the extra hours or have an awkward re-quote in the driveway. A range — say $180–$280 — sets expectations honestly: the low end assumes the car is as good as the photos suggest, the high end covers what photos usually hide. Then you confirm the final number on-site. This is how experienced detailers already quote; it just takes discipline to do it every time.
Common pricing mistakes
- • Quoting a flat price from photos, then losing money on a car that was worse in person.
- • Forgetting a condition surcharge for pet hair, biohazard, or smoke odor.
- • Pricing by "what the last guy charged" instead of your own hours and rate.
- • Not itemizing — customers accept a higher total more readily when they see the line items.
- • Taking 20 minutes per quote by hand instead of standardizing the process.
Speed it up
If you're quoting from customer photos all day, DetailPilot drafts a condition report and a price range from the photos or a 20-second walk-around video, using your own service menu and prices. You review and approve every number — the AI never sets the final price — then send it as a link the customer can accept, which turns into an invoice. It's built to do exactly the process above in about 60 seconds instead of 20 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge a flat rate or a price range for detailing?
Quote a range for anything beyond a basic wash. Condition varies enormously and photos hide swirls, pet hair, and stains. A range (for example $180–$280) protects your margin while staying honest; confirm the final number on-site once you can inspect the vehicle.
How much should I charge for a full detail?
For a mid-size car in average condition, a full interior-and-exterior detail commonly runs $150–$300; trucks, SUVs, and heavily soiled vehicles push higher. Set your own range from your local market and your service menu rather than copying a competitor.
How do I price a heavily soiled or pet-hair vehicle?
Add a condition surcharge. Excessive pet hair, biohazard cleanup, heavy stains, or smoke odor can add 50–100% because they multiply your labor hours. Note these as line items so the customer understands what they're paying for.