Start with a small menu
Name each service in plain words. List the work included, the work excluded, and the kind of car it suits. State whether the displayed price is fixed or a starting estimate.
Describe the result. A customer needs to know that you will vacuum the seats and clean the glass. They do not need a list of every brush you use.
| Service | Example scope |
|---|---|
| Exterior wash | Wheels, wash, dry, and outside glass. Excludes polishing, heavy tar, and paint repair. |
| Interior clean | Vacuum, hard surfaces, light spots, and glass. Quote heavy stains or pet hair separately. Refer mold, pests, and bodily fluids to a specialist. |
| Interior and exterior | The two services above. The same exclusions still apply. |
These are sample scopes, not promises about what every car needs. Add protection only if it is part of the service you can deliver.
Count the whole job
The pricing calculator needs five inputs:
- Time: include driving, setup, cleaning, and packing away.
- Your pay: the amount you want for each work hour, before your taxes.
- Job costs: products, disposable supplies, travel, and parking.
- Business costs: a share of insurance, software, and other ongoing costs. This is called overhead.
- Payment fee: what a payment service charges on the sale.
Use the cost-per-detail calculator to estimate supplies from the amount used. Avoid counting the same travel or supply cost twice.
The result is a minimum planning price for those inputs, before tax. It does not prove customers will pay that price. Set aside any tax you owe and confirm how to handle sales tax locally. The business guide has the tax and insurance checks.
Compare local services fairly
Look at services in the area you can reach. Compare the same vehicle size, condition, included work, and travel policy. A lower price for less work is not a direct match.
Ask possible customers what they need and what makes booking difficult. Use their answers to improve your service. Do not copy a competitor’s price if it cannot cover your costs.
Inspect before you confirm the price
Ask for photos and a description before booking. Ask about pet hair, stains, damage, and any recent film or coating work. Photos help you plan, but some problems need an in-person check.
At arrival, agree on the work, price, time, and exclusions. If you find extra work after starting, pause. Explain the added cost and get the customer’s approval before doing it.
Do not promise to remove every stain or scratch. Do not accept a job that needs skills or equipment you lack.
Make extra work clear
An add-on is a separate task with a clear price and result. Examples include extra pet-hair removal or an approved spray protection step. Describe when that extra charge applies.
Quote polishing only after inspecting the paint and deciding what is reasonable. Use the polishing guide for its limits. Leave child seats and safety parts out of a basic interior service.
Set a service area and minimum booking price. Show any travel fee before the customer confirms. Include required wash-water collection and disposal in your costs.
Check your price against real jobs
After each job, record the actual time, supplies, travel, and any return visit. Compare these with your estimate. Change the price or scope when the work takes more than you allowed.
Use the break-even calculator to check equipment payback after job costs, overhead, and your pay. Money left after buying supplies is not all profit.
Do this next
Calculate your service price, then use the menu and quote builder to put the agreed work in a clear document.
Sources
- SBA: plan your business — Business planning and market research resources. Checked September 11, 2026.