Cost to clay bar a car?

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Nov 2, 2012 | 10:57 PM
  #31  
Quote: While I agree that $10 an hour is too low, $100 is way too high for a side business.

$20 an hour is over $40k a year, so $40/hr (companies bill at 2x hourly as a rule) seems a much more reasonable fee if you think of it as a business. I think even $50/hr would be a decent price to quote people once you establish a customer base.

Granted, 10 hours is a long time but I doubt he was in a hurry and didn't have other cars to do since I'm seeing this as a side thing he does.

So figure it should take 4-5 real hours at $40 an hour, so $160 - $200 in labor. So $200 all in we'll say on the conservative side since he's a friend.

I'm an accountant so this is what I would advise someone in his position if they were to create a business model.

Remember, you build a cost structure based on what a job SHOULD take, delivery schedule is based on how fast or slow you feel like moving

I just do it on the side once in awhile but when I work for 10 hours, I work for 10 hours. Either way I am getting the same labor amount. I'm not going to waste my time and just mope around. I try to move quickly and efficiently rather than work slowly for a low hourly rate.
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Nov 5, 2012 | 12:14 PM
  #32  
Quote: I just do it on the side once in awhile but when I work for 10 hours, I work for 10 hours. Either way I am getting the same labor amount. I'm not going to waste my time and just mope around. I try to move quickly and efficiently rather than work slowly for a low hourly rate.
Sorry, meant no offense or to imply you were slacking... I was using figured folks above stated as a roundabout.

Then you're looking at $450-$500 for the job. Make sure he realizes he got a 50% discount then, or he may expect that to be your set rate and word-of-mouth advertise to others.

Of course, that's assuming you're fine with billing out at $20/hr as a non-reporting entity.
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Nov 5, 2012 | 11:27 PM
  #33  
nvrmnd
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Nov 8, 2012 | 12:23 PM
  #34  
For $200-250 most people expect a 4-5 hour job. If you are working fast and its taking you approx 10 hours then you might consider adjusting your prices. Its your time and money, and i realize he is a friend. BUT - don't short change yourself. Your time is worth more than $10/hr.
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Nov 17, 2012 | 08:36 AM
  #35  
When I send him the invoice (for his tax write-off) I don't write the number of hours I worked, I just write the total labor cost so he can't figure out my hourly wage. I make $14-$17/hr (not a lot but I am still in high school) at work so I'm not going to detail for $10/hr.
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Nov 18, 2012 | 12:21 AM
  #36  
trust me, he doesnt care about your labor cost! 300 done in 10 hours, or 4 hours, he is comfortable paying 300 for a job well done! If someone says, but you only worked 3 hours, you shouldnt charge 300, you need to drop that client (if they dont drop you) because they are not looking at the real point to them spending 300...for your knowledge, expertise, manual labor, supply cost, etc. Its not just as simple as you worked 3 hours, thats good for $60 bucks when you transformed a car from a oxidized rust bucket to something worth driving again! You arent necessarily selling your time, you are selling the value in your efforts, and getting paid for your time along the way.
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Nov 18, 2012 | 01:52 AM
  #37  
bro to do a full detail job in south Florida u are looking at 200 up to 500 depending on the car
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Nov 20, 2012 | 11:22 PM
  #38  
and do it in so cal and you are looking at 400-800 per day
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Dec 1, 2012 | 06:15 PM
  #39  
Quote: bro to do a full detail job in south Florida u are looking at 200 up to 500 depending on the car
for real... Miami?
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Dec 5, 2012 | 11:59 AM
  #40  
Quote: for real... Miami?
Real quality details typically range about 500-6,000, with the average of about 1,500-2,000. That's for a full paint correction, not just slapping wax and tire shine on the tires. There's guys who won't detail for less than $8,000 per car.
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Dec 15, 2012 | 07:17 PM
  #41  
Around my area Minnesota, i have a friend who claybar/detail my car for $100. It all depends on where or whos doing the work.
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Dec 16, 2012 | 05:00 PM
  #42  
Do it yourself..my 05 truck looks brand new..........did all of the waxing myself!
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Dec 17, 2012 | 12:10 PM
  #43  
just with a wax huh? no polishing/compounding, etc?
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Dec 17, 2012 | 02:24 PM
  #44  
No compound, never go long between waxing............typically I wax, with pro-buffer, twice a year.

I have also tried this year, a spray on wax, after washing, then hand buff, works great!
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Dec 17, 2012 | 09:50 PM
  #45  
I think our definitions of "like new" may be different here...

glad you are stoked on your car! check out optimum car wax if you want a good spray wax!
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