How Much Does Car Detailing Cost?

A comprehensive guide to how detailers come up with their detailing costs

Cars are a big part of our life here in Pasadena. Many of us have commutes of over 30 minutes and so are spending at least 90 minutes or more in our car every single day. Having the option of a drive-through car wash certainly helps get our cars shiny and a lot of the dirt out but as any car owner knows, there are nooks and cracks where dirt and grime love to live despite best efforts.

The benefits of having your car professionally detailed include

• Improving the shine and appearance of your car 
• Removing the built up grime and residue that comes from using a car often 
• Treating all the scratches and chips that may have accumulated
• Restoration and preservation of paint, plastic, trim, leather, or other surfaces in your car

There are a wide range of detailing services available and the price points vary as well. This article is intended to share with you the best way to make sure you are getting great value from your detailer and that you have a solid understanding of all the prices associated with those services.

STEPS OF CAR DETAILING

Detailing a car takes into account many more factors than a standard driveway wash with a bucket of soap and a sponge. Some of the steps (but not all) include:

Washing your car to prepare it for detailing

Drying it completely

Cleaning / removing stains from interior carpets

Interior leather treatment 

Interior treatment of any plastic

Cleaning the wheels, tires, door frame, and door jambs 

Window cleaning

Odor Removal

Paint Treatment

Wax

The ideal is to have a vehicle restored as close to it’s original position as possible. Most professional car detailers, like Wax On Mobile Auto Detailing, use their advanced training and techniques to bring out far superior results to your corner car wash facility. 

HOW OFTEN TO DETAIL A CAR

The simple rule of thumb is that the more you use your car the more you should have it detailed. If you are spending hours in the commuter traffic your car will take a larger beating from the elements than one typically in a garage most of the day. If you are driving near the coastline regularly your car may suffer even faster decline due to the salt in the air.

If you are using your car moderately and going to the coast only semi-often then getting your car detailed 2-3x/year will be enough as long as you are regularly washing, vacuuming, and waxing your car.

If you want to go to the detailer even more often you can - most detailers should know how to keep your car detailed without having any kind of negative impact. 

WHAT IS THE COST OF CAR DETAILING?

We have a lot of questions asked of us but the majority are “how much does it cost to detail my car?”

There are a couple factors that determine the cost of your auto detailing. The most obvious is the size of your vehicle. Larger cars require more work and therefore cost more. No detailer can price a minicooper and a tour bus the same rate.

Another factor is your trim package. Each time your car has more trim that means more work for your detailing crew. Cleaning and detailing every piece of a complex trim package takes more time than a car with less features. 

The last big factor is the add-on services. Certain services like dog hair complicate a detail job. But other services may make sense for you that do not come standard for every car like headlight restoration, mold removal, or ceramic coating.

In the LA today the average cost to have your car detailed is in the neighborhood of $200. Some detailing services go lower to around $99 and some can go as high as $600 depending on all that is included in the packages. 

As Wax On Mobile Auto Detailing our packages include a Full Detail for a Standard Size car at $299, Interior Detailing only for $179, or a Full Detail Large size for $399.

It’s a simple conversation to make sure you get setup with the best package!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CAR DETAILING SERVICE

Choosing the best detailer for you should boil down to trust. Handing over the keys to your car should be comfortable and not give you a second though. Even if the cost is a few dollars more for one than the other it’s worth it when it comes to the quality delivery. 

A couple things to look for to make sure you have a quality company:

Are they using high quality materials? 

Are their tools in good shape?
Do you see high quality microfiber towels being used on your car?
Is your vehicle being polished by hand? 

Do they use grit guards in their bucket when handwashing?
Are the employees happy and being treated well?
Are they taking their time to do the job right? 

Summary

How much does car detailing cost? It depends but should range between $99 and $600.
Prices change based on your vehicle size, level of trim, and add on services. 

Look for a detailer that is doing the little things right - that always means they are likely doing it right where you can’t see, too. 

We hope this helps you hire quality auto detailers for your next job. At Wax On our team has an eye for the little things and has the experience to make a great impression. Just give us a call at (626) 669-3123 and we will be there.