Mobile Detailing Prices: What to Expect
Ever wondered how your neighbor’s car always looks like it just drove off the showroom floor? Spoiler alert: they’re probably not spending hours in the driveway with a sponge. Chances are, they’ve discovered the convenience of mobile car detailing. An increasingly popular professional service that brings high-quality car care right to your door.
If you’re thinking about trying it yourself or even starting your own detailing business, there’s one big question: How much does mobile car detailing cost? In this guide, we’ll answer that and walk you through the ins and outs of mobile detailing prices. Perfect for whether you’re booking a service or setting your own rates.
What is Mobile Car Detailing?
Mobile car detailing means professional car cleaning and restoration that comes to you. Instead of waiting at a shop, a trained technician arrives at your home, office, or wherever your vehicle is parked, with all the tools and products needed.
Unlike a standard car wash, detailing is all about precision. It can include services like hand washing, clay bar treatment, wax application, vacuuming, leather conditioning, engine cleaning, and more. It’s not just about looks. It’s about protection and long-term care
Mark from San Jose recently tried mobile detailing for the first time. He was skeptical at first, but after he watched the detailer work their magic on my three-year-old SUV he was impressed.
The Reasons Why Auto Detailing Is Vital for Every Car
Before discussing prices, let’s understand why detailing matters:
- Preserves Value: Regular detailing helps maintain your car’s value by preventing permanent damage from contaminants and wear.
- Extends Lifespan: Proper cleaning and protection of surfaces prevent premature aging and deterioration.
- Enhances Appearance: A well-detailed car simply looks better, with restored paint shine, clear glass, and clean interior surfaces.
- Improves Health: Interior detailing removes allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants that affect air quality inside your vehicle.
- Prevents Issues: Regular detailing helps identify small problems before they become expensive repairs.
Sarah, a real estate agent, considers detailing an investment. Her car is essentially her mobile office. Having it professionally detailed every few months helps her make a great impression with clients while protecting her investment.
How Often Should You Opt for Car Detailing?
The ideal frequency for detailing depends on your lifestyle:
- Drive daily? Park on the street? Live near the coast or desert?
Aim for every 2–3 months. - Mostly garage-kept? Light usage?
You may be fine detailing 2–3 times a year.
How Much Does Mobile Auto Detailing Cost?
Cost depends on where you live, but let’s use San Jose as an example. Residents there can expect to pay between $150-$300 for basic mobile detailing services. Premium packages with additional services like paint correction, ceramic coating, or leather treatment can range from $300-$700 or more.
Several factors influence these prices:
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles (SUVs, trucks) typically cost 20-30% more than sedans
- Vehicle condition: Extremely dirty vehicles may incur additional charges
- Service level: Basic, premium, or luxury packages offer different levels of service
- Specific services: Add-ons like headlight restoration or engine bay cleaning increase the price
Jackie from San Jose paid $225 for a full detail on my Tesla Model 3. It included interior deep cleaning, exterior wash, clay bar treatment, and wax. For the quality and convenience, it felt like a fair price.
What Is the Price of Car Detailing Nationally?
Here’s a national average breakdown to compare:
| Service Type | Average Price Range |
| Basic Exterior | $50-$125 |
| Basic Interior | $75-$150 |
| Full Detail (Basic) | $150-$300 |
| Premium Detail | $250-$550 |
| Luxury Detail | $500-$1,000+ |
Specialty services cost extra:
- Paint correction: $250-$500+
- Ceramic coating: $500-$2,000+
- Headlight restoration: $50-$100
- Engine bay cleaning: $50-$150
- Odor removal: $75-$300
Remember that mobile services typically charge 15-20% more than fixed location detailers due to travel expenses and the convenience factor.
How to price your car detailing services
If you’re starting a mobile detailing business, setting the right prices is crucial for profitability. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
Determine your labor costs
Calculate how much you need to earn per hour to make your business viable. Include:
- Your desired salary
- Employee wages (if applicable)
- Benefits and employment taxes
If you want to earn $60,000 annually working 40 hours weekly, your base labor rate would be approximately $30 per hour ($60,000 ÷ 2,000 working hours per year).
Add your material costs
Track all products and consumables used for each service:
- Cleaning solutions
- Waxes and sealants
- Microfiber towels
- Brushes and applicators
- Vacuum bags/filters
These costs can range from $15 for a basic wash to $75+ for premium detailing services with high-end products.
Calculate your overhead rate
Overhead includes all the non-labor, non-material expenses required to run your business:
Types of overhead costs
- Vehicle costs (payments, fuel, maintenance)
- Equipment (pressure washers, vacuums, polishers)
- Insurance
- Marketing and advertising
- Business software and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Professional services (accounting, legal)
To find your overhead rate, divide your monthly overhead costs by your expected billable hours.
If your monthly overhead is $2,000 and you expect to bill 120 hours per month, your overhead rate would be $16.67 per hour ($2,000 ÷ 120 hours).
Apply your markup
Your markup ensures profit beyond just covering costs. A common approach is to use a multiplier on your labor and material costs.
For mobile detailing, typical markup ranges from 1.5x to 3x depending on your market and positioning.
Examples of auto detailing prices:
Basic Sedan Detail
- Labor (2 hours @ $30/hr): $60
- Materials: $25
- Overhead (2 hours @ $16.67/hr): $33.34
- Subtotal: $118.34
- With 2x markup: $236.68
- Rounded final price: $239
Premium SUV Detail
- Labor (4 hours @ $30/hr): $120
- Materials: $60
- Overhead (4 hours @ $16.67/hr): $66.68
- Subtotal: $246.68
- With 2x markup: $493.36
- Rounded final price: $499
How much to charge for mobile detailing
Mobile detailing commands premium prices compared to fixed-location services. The convenience factor justifies a 15-25% higher rate.
When setting mobile prices, also consider:
- Travel distance (many businesses charge more beyond a certain radius)
- Water and electricity availability (bringing your own adds to your costs)
- Parking and workspace limitations
- Local market conditions
Mobile detailing pricing list
Here’s a sample pricing structure for a mobile detailing business:
Basic Package – Sedan: $159 / SUV: $189
- Exterior hand wash
- Wheels and tire cleaning
- Interior vacuum
- Dashboard and console wipe-down
- Door jamb cleaning
- Windows cleaned
Deluxe Package – Sedan: $259 / SUV: $309
- Everything in Basic Package
- Clay bar treatment
- Paste wax application
- Carpet shampooing
- Leather/vinyl conditioning
- Air vent cleaning
Premium Package – Sedan: $399 / SUV: $469
- Everything in Deluxe Package
- Paint decontamination
- Machine polish (one-step)
- Premium sealant application
- Fabric protection
- Headlight restoration
- Engine bay cleaning
Add-on services can provide additional revenue streams:
- Pet hair removal: $35-75
- Smoke odor elimination: $75-150
- Headliner cleaning: $50-100
- Scratch removal: $75-200
Building a car detailing package
Creating service packages can simplify your offerings while maximizing revenue. Two common approaches are price bundling and tiered pricing.
What Is Price Bundling?
Price bundling means combining services at a discount vs. buying them individually.
Instead of $100 for interior and $120 for exterior, offer both for $199. That saves the customer money and increases your sale. Customers feel like they’re getting a deal, and they spend more per visit.
What Is Tiered Pricing?
Tiered pricing offers good/better/best options. This gives customers flexibility—and makes your mid-tier look like the best value. After adding tiers, most clients go for the middle option.
Car detail pricing best practices
Follow these industry-tested guidelines to optimize your pricing strategy:
1. Don’t Commit to Pricing Before Seeing the Car
Always inspect first. Quote a range and confirm after a quick evaluation.
2. Know Your Competition
Check out other local businesses. Consider mystery shopping to understand their pricing and services.
3. Consider Your Location
Tailor your pricing based on local income levels and vehicle types. Upscale areas support higher prices. In wealthier neighbourhoods, people want premium services. In budget areas, it’s all about value.
4. Factor in Your Professional Experience
Training and certifications can justify higher prices. If you’re certified by the International Detailing Association, showcase it proudly.
Managing Your Mobile Detailing Business Finances
Running a successful mobile detailing business requires careful financial management. Using the right tools can help you track expenses, manage customer information, and ensure you’re staying profitable with each job.
Many mobile detailers use specialized software to create professional-looking invoices that break down their services clearly for customers. This level of professionalism can help justify premium pricing while simplifying your bookkeeping.
An Invoice Maker tool can help you create consistent, professional invoices that reinforce your brand and make payment easy for customers.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re shopping for mobile detailing services or starting your own detailing business, understanding pricing helps you make informed decisions. Remember that the lowest price rarely equals the best value in professional detailing.
For consumers, consider the convenience, quality of products, and expertise when evaluating prices. A skilled detailer using premium products can transform your vehicle in ways that justify their higher rates.
For entrepreneurs, build your pricing strategy on solid numbers rather than guesswork. Account for all costs, value your time appropriately, and position your services to attract your ideal customers.
With the right approach to pricing, mobile detailing can be both affordable for clients and profitable for providers – keeping more cars looking their best for years to come.
FAQs about Mobile Detailing Prices
Package pricing is generally preferable. It's easier for customers to understand and prevents disputes about time spent. However, you should know your hourly costs to ensure your packages are profitable.
Focus on value rather than defending your prices. Explain the quality of your products, your training, and the results you achieve. Consider offering a smaller service package for budget-conscious clients rather than discounting your standard services.
Many mobile detailers include basic utilities in their pricing but charge a small fee ($10-25) if they need to provide their own water or power. Be transparent about this policy upfront.
Conduct a thorough price review at least annually. Additionally, adjust when your costs increase significantly (product price increases, fuel costs, etc.) or when you invest in new equipment or training that improves your service quality.
Give advance notice (30+ days), explain the reasons (increased costs, improved service quality, etc.), and consider grandfathering loyal customers at the old rate for a limited time. A small gesture like this can maintain customer loyalty despite necessary price increases.
