A Professional Detailer Quandary

[JonC]

Forgive my ignorance, and this may seem like a dumb question (one of which I may answer myself whilst typing this post), but why does a particular professional detailer quoting £685 for correction work, whilst others are around £300? I appreciate that the firm in question are right at the top of their game and they really seem to know their beans, but is their work simply that good, premier league, unbeatable and cannot be improved upon and worthy of such cost? I'm not knocking such firms, far from it. I have a lot of respect for their business model, but as I want to now employ a professional detailer to do some corrective work on my car (I can only do so much by hand and with amateur knowledge), I'm trying to grasp how such a firm can charge so highly compared to other professional outfits which are highly regarded. What's the difference between a detailer who charges circa £300 for some mild corrective work (to include protection work too and a days work no problem) to a detailer who charges near £700. Is it because they spend 2 days on the car and that justifies the cost of the labour, products and overheads etc?

[steelwind101]

Hello,

Do both quotes include an wax/LSP if so they might be different, eg: a Zymol wax or a just normal sealant or wax.

Also check how many "steps" are involved in the detailed. Some might use a strong polish then a more milder one then apply the protection. Other may choose to do a "jeweling" type stage at the end to improve the gloss.

Check the cheaper quote includes claying and isnt simply just for buffing the paintwork. IMO i would have thought somewhere around £400 to remove most of the removal defects, including claying and protecting the paintwork inc. the wheels on a A4 size car was about the going rate.

The higher quote might simply be b/c they "can" so speak. The more your in demand the more you can charge. I would ask to see portfolio of work from either detailer and if you cant see much difference then go for the cheaper option! I would consider how your going to up the keep the car as well, i mean the first price seems quite high infact, you could have your detailed by the first quote twice!

Geoff

[JonC]

Thanks Geoff; I was hoping you'd respond! The "expensive" quote's portfolio is second to none, but surely other professionals could do the same level of work?

What's LSP and jeweling?

[Custom Detailers]

I'm trying to grasp how such a firm can charge so highly compared to other professional outfits which are highly regarded. What's the difference between a detailer who charges circa £300 for some mild corrective work (to include protection work too and a days work no problem) to a detailer who charges near £700. Is it because they spend 2 days on the car and that justifies the cost of the labour, products and overheads etc?

Most of it is to cover majorly big overheads, staff wages, cost of unit(if applicable) and other costs (products, time farting about on the mobile hence spin it out for two days lol)

LSP is Last Stage Product (something that SHOULD be included in the cost)

[steelwind101]

Hello!

LSP as mentioned is the wax or sealant they apply.

Jeweling is another step, after say compounding or using a quite abrasive polish detailers will step down to a finishing polishing. After this you can apply the finishing polish again with a "finishing pad" this tends "burnish" or "jewel" the paintwork adding more gloss.

Geoff