By Owen Mercer
Before you accept a booking
Check registration, permits, insurance, tax, and wash-water rules first. Follow the business setup checks. Confirm the rules for each place you work.
Only accept work within your skills, equipment, and insurance. Do not learn a new repair or paint process on a paying customer's car.
1. Agree on the work
- Ask for the car's year, make, model, and photos that show its condition.
- Ask about pet hair, smoke, spills, stains, damage, and special finishes.
- List what the service includes and what costs extra. Do not guarantee stain or scratch removal.
- Confirm the address, parking, water, power, keys, and time needed.
- State payment, deposit, cancellation, and weather terms before the customer books.
Ask about paint protection film, window tint, wraps, and coatings. These can need special care or a wait before washing. Get the product's name and follow its maker's current instructions. For example, XPEL publishes care rules for its products.
2. Check the price
Count all your work time: cleaning, travel, setup, laundry, and messages. Add materials, travel costs, card fees, and a share of monthly bills.
Use the Pricing Calculator to find the minimum that covers those inputs and your pay target. Then open Menu & quote to make a customer quote. Check tax and confirm the car's condition before agreeing on the final price.
If you do not know a cleaner's cost per job, use the Cost-per-detail Calculator. Enter its bottle price, label mix ratio, and the amount you use.
3. Inspect the car on arrival
Park safely and keep access clear. Walk around with the customer when possible. Ask permission to photograph damage. Confirm valuables, child seats, keys, alarms, and areas that must not be cleaned.
If the car needs more work than agreed, stop. Explain the change and get approval for the work and price before you start.
4. Follow the job checklist
Open the Checklist Builder and choose Client detail. Read each product label. Use the required gloves, eye protection, and other safety equipment.
Keep wheel tools and dirty towels away from paint. Use cleaners approved for each surface. Stop if a surface reacts, damage appears, or you find work outside the agreed service.
Before returning the car, check glass, mirrors, handles, door edges, wheels, and drips in good light. Remove tools and waste. Keep pedals and controls free of slippery products.
5. Return the car and record the job
- Walk through the result with the customer. Show stains or marks that remain.
- Explain any drying or care steps. Give the maker's instructions for protection products.
- Collect payment as agreed and provide a receipt. Record any approved extra work.
- Write down the actual time, materials, travel costs, fees, and problems.
- Ask for an honest review after the customer checks the work. Do not write the review for them.
Use what you learned to update your next quote. Buy more equipment only when it solves a problem you have seen in your own work.
Sources and limits
The business guide links to the SBA, IRS, and EPA for setup and rule checks. Follow your local rules and the instructions for each product. This guide is a work plan, not a promise of results or earnings.
About Owen Mercer
Owen brings nine years of detailing experience to guides on equipment, pricing, and starting a business.
Meet Owen and read his guides