How much to charge for detailing
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
How much to charge for detailing
Got a guy who wants me to clean and detail his ultra classic. It is freaking loaded with chrome and has a$$loads of money in it. He is asking me due to the fact that I am so freaking detailed and **** with mine. Anyway he wants to pay me and I have no idea what to charge. I like cleaning and working on bikes so its not like I want to make a big deal out of it. Plus I like the guy. I have only ridden with him twice but he is very cool and respectful so I certainly don't want to look like I am asking too much. Any ideas what you guys would charge?
Another thing is he rides with quite a few guys and from what I understand I could get more bikes my way for cleaning, oil changes, tranny etc.
Another thing is he rides with quite a few guys and from what I understand I could get more bikes my way for cleaning, oil changes, tranny etc.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: USA
Takes me about 8 hours to do a true detail. I'm talking cleaning everything down to bolt head recesses, under carriage, hidden parts, wheel detailing and polishing, strip old wax, buff, polish, and wax, detail cables, engine bright on the engine (including between cooling fins, polish cooling fin edges, etc.. I wouldn't consider it for less than $250.00, and believe me, your body will feel like you earned every penny.
Now if dude is asking for a wash, wax and just wiping down major components, then $75.00 - $100.00 wouldn't be out of order.
Now if dude is asking for a wash, wax and just wiping down major components, then $75.00 - $100.00 wouldn't be out of order.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Wow I am a cheap b#stard LOL. I was thinking less but maybe I am selling myself too short. I normally spend about 6 hours total to go over my bike. Maybe I need to talk to the guy to see just how detailed he wants. Thanks guys.
And I know what you mean about your body being tired. My back is always killing me the morning after detailing my bike. Its all good though since I was around my bike!!
And I know what you mean about your body being tired. My back is always killing me the morning after detailing my bike. Its all good though since I was around my bike!!
Last edited by 2006FLST; Jul 13, 2012 at 07:01 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
Likes: 64
From:
Careful what you ask for, if you take this on YOU will be responsible for the bike: safe keeping, as in insurance and liability, any scratches, damage,(real or imaged), before or after you get the bike, even if you ID them before you start, Did you start the bike (even if you didn't you did) and it now has a problem, (you did half to move it) etc.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 754
Likes: 24
From: Southern Maine
A day's work is a day's work. Charge accordingly, and be aware of the liability issues with his bike in your care. If you're doing it as a favor, then let him "donate" to the cause, a couple of cases of this, a couple of bottles of that... :-)
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Before I got my Harley I used to barter my Brother. I would detail his bike if he let me have it for the weekend. Not saying that works for you but you should seriously charge what your time is worth because as you said he rides with other people and if you do good job they will be wanting same kind of deal and then you are bustin your butt for way too little money and you start to get a negative feeling about it. Obviously you do good work or he wouldnt have asked so charge accordingly I think around 200 is great price for a good detail if its got chrome. Plus it depends on who is providing the cleaning supplies.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Big Bear City, CA
Got a guy who wants me to clean and detail his ultra classic. It is freaking loaded with chrome and has a$$loads of money in it. He is asking me due to the fact that I am so freaking detailed and **** with mine. Anyway he wants to pay me and I have no idea what to charge. I like cleaning and working on bikes so its not like I want to make a big deal out of it. Plus I like the guy. I have only ridden with him twice but he is very cool and respectful so I certainly don't want to look like I am asking too much. Any ideas what you guys would charge?
Another thing is he rides with quite a few guys and from what I understand I could get more bikes my way for cleaning, oil changes, tranny etc.
Another thing is he rides with quite a few guys and from what I understand I could get more bikes my way for cleaning, oil changes, tranny etc.
I say do it! Determine what you'd like to make as an hourly rate then estimate the time required for different levels of detailing and offer firm quotes. $35.00 to $50.00 per hour is not at all out of line.
Careful what you ask for, if you take this on YOU will be responsible for the bike: safe keeping, as in insurance and liability, any scratches, damage,(real or imaged), before or after you get the bike, even if you ID them before you start, Did you start the bike (even if you didn't you did) and it now has a problem, (you did half to move it) etc.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 5
Charge what you think your worth you can always come down easier than go up ...... on a personal level i dont think i could give the love on someone else's ride as i do for my own even with money involved .....