Field guide · Pricing your work
How Much to Charge for Mobile Detailing
There is no one price that fits every car or market. A useful quote reflects the job in front of you, the travel it takes to reach it, and the business costs your price has to carry—not simply what a nearby competitor charges.
What changes a detailing price?
First, define the scope: what is included, what is excluded, and how long the work is likely to take. Then account for the size of the vehicle, its current condition, and your travel time. A compact car with light dust is a different job from a three-row SUV with embedded sand, pet hair, and neglected paint.
Be clear about the difference between correction and protection. A one-step polish aims to improve the finish by reducing some visible defects; it is not the same as a multi-stage paint correction. Wax, sealant, and coating work also vary in preparation, products, application time, and aftercare. Quote the result you can deliver, not an open-ended promise that every scratch will disappear.
Typical US price ranges to use as a starting point
These are broad examples, not a national rate card. Local demand, experience, service details, vehicle condition, and travel make a real difference. Use them to frame a quote, then test your own costs and time against the work you actually do.
- Basic and packaged services
- About $150–$400
- A typical broad range for bundled mobile detailing work. Scope, location, vehicle size, and the amount of interior or exterior work included can move a package within or beyond this range.
- Sedan interior plus wash and wax
- Starting around $120
- A starting point for a sedan in manageable condition—not a promise for every vehicle. Heavy soil, pet hair, stains, or extra protection should change the quote.
- Full one-step polish
- Around $200
- A rough starting example for a one-step polish. Paint condition, vehicle size, preparation, test spots, and the finish the customer expects all affect the time and price.
- Premium or high-minimum mobile work
- $500 or more in some cases
- Multi-vehicle appointments, high-end clients, long travel, or a more involved correction and protection scope can support a $500 minimum or larger ticket—but only when the value and work involved support it.
The rookie mistake: pricing only to get the job
New detailers often set a low flat rate because they are building a portfolio or want to match the cheapest listing nearby. The trouble is that the job rarely ends when the wash does. Driving, setup, messages, payment fees, laundry, restocking, cleanup, insurance, and taxes take time or money too. If a job runs twice as long as expected, an underpriced quote can turn a busy day into a poor hourly return.
Introductory offers can be reasonable if you deliberately limit the scope, set an end date, and know what you are measuring. Do not let a temporary discount become the only price you know how to charge. Track actual hours and supplies after each job, then revise packages when the evidence says they do not work.
Set the price around costs and required bookings
List recurring monthly expenses and the job-level costs for supplies, fuel, payment processing, and any help you hire. Add the owner income you need and a buffer for taxes and slower weeks. Then compare that total with the number of jobs you can realistically complete, including travel and admin time. If the required weekly bookings only work at an unrealistic pace, adjust the average ticket, service mix, or operating costs before committing to the plan.
Make every quote easy to understand
Ask about the vehicle, condition, location, and desired result before quoting. State the included work and any limits, explain how heavy soil or extra correction changes the price, and get approval before adding work. Clear expectations protect the customer relationship and help you learn which services are worth offering.
Price for the business you want to run
Enter your income goal and the free DetailLaunch planner shows the pricing and number of bookings it takes, using your costs and available work time.
Turn this into a plan — try the free DetailLaunch planner