Car Detailing

A legitimate full job takes 4 to 8 hours. Divide the quoted price by estimated hours.

Below $40/hr effective rate, the shop is cutting steps. A $150 quote on a 2-hour turnaround means thin margins after products and equipment, and quality suffers when margins are that tight.

• Full sedan details run $100 to $300; large SUVs and trucks add $75 to $150 on top
• Heavy soiling, pet hair, or neglected interiors add 30 to 50% to any base quote
• Mobile detailers typically charge 15 to 25% less than fixed-location shops for identical work
• A 6-hour job priced at $150 works out to $25/hr labor, which should raise quality questions
• January and February bookings save 10 to 15% over spring and fall peak-season pricing

A basic exterior wash and vacuum takes 30 to 60 minutes and runs $50 to $125 for a sedan. Interior-only work adds shampooing, leather treatment, and glass cleaning for $60 to $150. Combine both with clay bar treatment, polish, and sealant, and you're at $100 to $300.

Paint correction is where prices jump. Single-step machine polishing removes light swirls for $200 to $500. Multi-step correction for deep scratches and oxidation pushes $500 to $1,200. Ceramic coating adds $500 to $1,500 for a sedan, $800 to $2,500 for larger vehicles.

Switch the service tier dropdown above to see the difference. BLS data puts auto technician wages at $19.34-$26.14 nationally, and each tier multiplies labor hours.

Vehicle size is the single biggest multiplier. A midsize SUV adds $50 to $100 over sedan pricing. Large trucks, full-size SUVs, and vans push $75 to $150 higher because surface area nearly doubles and interiors have more seats, carpet, and headliner to clean.

Condition matters just as much. A daily driver with routine upkeep fits standard pricing. Heavy kid mess, pet hair embedded in fabric, or smoke odor triggers a 30 to 50% surcharge because labor time jumps from 4 hours to 6 or 8.

Change the vehicle size and condition inputs above to see how your combination shifts the estimate.

BLS occupational wage data confirms auto service technician wages at $19.34-$26.14 nationally. Detailers typically earn less, closer to $14 to $18/hr, but shops bill at $80-$120 for independents and $140-$220 at dealerships.

The gap between $31 loaded labor and an $80 billing rate covers polishers, extractors, coatings, water reclamation, and rent. Shops investing in better products and equipment tend to deliver better results, so a higher rate isn't automatically a ripoff.

BEA Regional Price Parity data shows service-sector pricing in Hawaii, California, and New York running 15 to 30% above the national baseline (index $85-$125, US average = 100). Massachusetts and Connecticut follow close behind.

Mississippi, Arkansas, and West Virginia run 10 to 15% below average. A $200 full detail in Houston might quote at $260 in San Francisco and $170 in Little Rock.

The state comparison table on this page adjusts the calculator's output for your location. If your quote deviates more than 25% from what the table shows, ask the shop to itemize.

A two-bucket wash, microfiber drying, and thorough vacuum handle 80% of maintenance cleaning. Products for a year of DIY washes run $40 to $80 total. You break even after the first session compared to a $50 to $125 professional wash.

Skip DIY on anything involving machine polishing. A dual-action polisher runs $100 to $300 and requires practice to avoid burning through clear coat. One mistake creates a paint correction bill of $200 to $500 that wipes out any savings.

Hot water extractors pull embedded grime from carpet and upholstery that no consumer vacuum can reach. Professional ceramic coatings need controlled environments and cure times that garage work can't replicate.

DIY ceramic kits exist but typically last 6 to 12 months versus 2 to 5 years for professional application. If your vehicle needs stain removal, paint correction, or coating, pay the professional rate and skip the rework.