Mobile detailing customers are paying for two things: a clean car and not having to drive anywhere. That convenience is worth money, and new detailers often forget to charge for it. Here is how most mobile detailers set their prices and build a menu that is easy to say yes to.
Typical mobile detailing prices
- Exterior wash and wax: about $60 to $120
- Interior detail (vacuum, shampoo, wipe-down): about $100 to $200
- Full detail, inside and out: about $150 to $300 for a sedan
- Paint correction or ceramic coating: $400 to $1,500 and up, once you have the skills and gear
These are rough US ranges. Check three or four local detailers to see where your market sits, then price yourself in the middle until you have reviews and photos to justify more.
Charge by vehicle size
A minivan with three rows of crushed snacks is not the same job as a two-door coupe. Most detailers set a base price for sedans and add a size upcharge: something like $20 to $40 more for small SUVs and trucks, and $40 to $80 more for large SUVs, minivans and full-size trucks. Put the vehicle type on your booking form so the price is clear before you show up.
Build three packages
Three options works better than one price or ten. Customers compare them, and most pick the middle one.
- Basic: exterior hand wash, wheels, windows, quick interior vacuum.
- Standard (your most popular): everything in Basic plus a full interior wipe-down, floor mats, door jambs and a spray wax.
- Premium: everything in Standard plus seat shampoo or leather conditioning, clay bar and a longer-lasting sealant.
Add-ons and surcharges
- Pet hair removal (often $25 to $75, because it can double interior time)
- Odor or smoke treatment
- Headlight restoration
- Engine bay cleaning
- Excessive dirt, sand or mold
- Travel fee outside your core service area
Be upfront about surcharges on your website. Customers do not mind paying for pet hair. They mind being surprised by it.
Know your cost per job
Before you settle on prices, add up what each job really costs you: products, water if you carry it, fuel to get there, wear on your pressure washer and extractor, and the time spent driving. Then decide what you want to earn per hour. If a full detail takes you four hours including travel, a $150 price may be thinner than it looks.
Turn one-time jobs into maintenance plans
The steadiest detailing income comes from maintenance customers. Offer a discounted maintenance wash every two or four weeks to anyone who has had a full detail. The car stays cleaner, each visit is faster, and you get predictable income on your calendar.
Want the booking site done for you?
Our mobile car detailing starter kit includes a package pricing page, booking with address and vehicle type, a before-and-after gallery and a review request flow. It gets built once 25 people vote for it, and voters get 20% off at launch. Vote for the detailing kit, or read how to start a mobile car detailing business.
Prices here are rough US ranges to help you plan. They vary a lot by area, so check local rates before you set yours.
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