Start with time, not with your competitors
Competitor prices tell you what the market will tolerate. They don't tell you whether a job pays you. Start with your own numbers:
- Your target hourly rate. What you need to earn per hour of work, after product, to make the business worth it.
- Hours per job. How long the service actually takes you, on a typical car of each size.
- Product cost per job. Chemicals, pads, towels, coating, everything used up.
The basic formula:
Then check it against what people in your area charge. If you're far above, find where the time goes. If you're far below, you've been underpricing.
Set your size tiers
Most detailers use three or four tiers. Fewer tiers are easier for customers to pick from.
| Tier | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|
| Car | Sedans, coupes, hatchbacks |
| Small SUV / crossover | CR-V, RAV4, Model Y |
| Large SUV / truck | Three-row SUVs, full-size pickups |
| Van / oversize | Minivans, cargo vans, lifted trucks |
Price each tier from how long it actually takes, not a fixed percentage on top. If you'd rather use multipliers, time a few jobs and set them from that.
Charge for condition, fairly
Size isn't the only thing that changes the job. Pet hair, sand, mould, heavy staining and swirl-heavy paint can double your time.
Two ways to handle it:
- Condition levels. Light, moderate, heavy, each with a surcharge.
- Specific add-ons. Pet hair removal, odour treatment, stain extraction.
Whichever you pick, explain it before the job. “Heavy pet hair adds $40 to $80, I'll confirm when I see the car” avoids the argument at pickup. Photos at check-in back you up if it comes to that.
Add-ons: extra money without extra confusion
Add-ons let customers upgrade without you building ten packages. Good add-ons are:
- Quick to explain in a few words
- Priced so they’re worth your time
- Related to the service they’re booking
Engine bay, headlight restoration, glass coating, leather conditioning and pet hair removal are common ones. Give each one a time estimate so your calendar stays honest.
Show the price before they book
Hidden prices mean more messages. “How much for an SUV?” is a DM you answer a hundred times. Putting your size tiers on your booking page answers it once.
Showing prices upfront also filters out people looking for a $40 full detail before they take up your time.
- Price from your time and product cost, then sanity-check against your local market.
- Keep it to three or four size tiers.
- Charge for condition with clear levels or add-ons, and say so before the job.
- Give every add-on a price and a time.
- Show prices upfront so customers pick their own tier.
Work out your numbers
Use the free detailing price calculator to turn your hourly rate and job times into a price list for every size.
When you're ready to take bookings, Detailvio lets customers pick their vehicle size and add-ons on your booking page and shows the right price automatically.
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