Why Are Professional Car Detailing Services So Expensive?

Money in piggy bank

Professional car detailing services are expensive for several reasons. But first, the term expensive is subjective. What one person considers expensive, another person might consider cheap. We price ourselves with the knowledge of the value we provide. If someone doesn’t see that, we simply say thank you for your time and move forward. However, today we are going to discuss why some people consider detailing services expensive. Here are some points to get started:

1. Quality materials: High-end detailing services use premium materials, such as high-quality waxes and polishes, to ensure a top-notch result. These materials are more expensive than their cheaper counterparts, and the cost is reflected in the final price of the detailing service.

2. Skilled technicians: The technicians performing the detailing are highly trained and skilled professionals. They undergo extensive training to master the techniques required to produce a high-quality result. This training and experience command a higher wage, which is reflected in the cost of the service.

3. Time-consuming process: Detailing a vehicle is a time-consuming process that involves many steps, including washing, waxing, polishing, and protecting the surfaces of the vehicle. This takes time and labor, which adds to the cost of the service.

4. Equipment: Professional detailing services use specialized equipment, such as high-pressure washers, specialized polishing machines, and specialized cleaning solutions, to get the best results. This equipment is expensive and must be maintained, adding to the cost of the service. A carpet extraction machine alone costs $1390+ and polishing machines can cost $400+. A good generator will cost $1,000+. Altogether a professional detailing setup can cost $10,000+ on top of the cost of a van.

5. Location: The location of the detailing service also affects the price. Services located in urban areas, for example, typically have higher overhead costs and therefore charge more for their services. An example of this is taxes in California. The taxes of businesses account for approximately 30% of the cost.

6. Travel time: the travel time between appointments can add up to 30-45 minutes of labor that needs to be accounted for.

In conclusion, professional car detailing services are expensive due to the quality materials used, skilled technicians, time-consuming process, specialized equipment, and location. However, the end result is a well-maintained and visually stunning vehicle that provides long-lasting protection and value.