What an auto detailing estimate is for
Detailing prices jump with vehicle size and condition, and the customer often learns that when they pick up the car. A written estimate after a quick look, naming the vehicle, the package and the add-ons like pet hair, sets the price before you start. For coatings and correction, it also states what results to expect.
What to put on an auto detailing estimate
- The vehicle: year, make, model and size.
- The package and what it includes.
- Add-ons for condition, like pet hair or stains.
- Paint correction or coating, with the product.
- What cannot be fully removed.
- Mobile fee and water or power access.
A worked example
A three-row SUV with dog hair in the back, coffee stains on a seat and dull, swirled paint. The owner wants it ready to sell.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full detail, SUV | 1 | each | Your price |
| Pet hair removal | 1 | each | Your price |
| Carpet and seat shampoo | 1 | each | Your price |
| Clay bar decontamination | 1 | each | Your price |
| One-step polish | 1 | each | Your price |
| Headlight restoration | 1 | set | Your price |
Note in the notes that deep scratches will look better but not disappear with a one-step polish. A seller who expects showroom paint from a one-step will be unhappy otherwise.
Line items detailers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior hand wash and dry | each | Wheels, tires and door jambs. |
| Interior vacuum and wipe-down | each | Seats, carpets, dash and console. |
| Full detail, sedan | each | Inside and out. |
| Full detail, SUV or truck | each | Larger vehicles take longer. |
| Clay bar decontamination | each | Before polish or protection. |
| One-step polish | each | Light swirl removal and gloss. |
| Paint correction, multi-step | hour | Priced by time after inspection. |
| Ceramic coating | each | Name the product and the durability it claims. |
| Carpet and seat shampoo | each | Hot water extraction of fabric. |
| Leather clean and condition | each | Seats and trim. |
| Pet hair removal | each | Surcharge for heavy hair. |
| Headlight restoration | set | Both headlights. |
| Engine bay cleaning | each | Low pressure with covered electrics. |
| Mobile service fee | each | If you charge to come to the customer. |
Terms and deposit language for auto detailing
- Deposit. Coatings and paint correction often take a deposit to hold the day. Washes and standard details usually do not.
- Payment. Due when the vehicle is handed back, after the customer has looked it over.
- Warranty. Coating durability claims come from the maker and depend on upkeep; say what you stand behind and what voids it.
- Some scratches, stains and odors cannot be fully removed; say so before you start.
- Remove valuables from the vehicle; you are not responsible for items left inside.
- Mobile jobs need water and power access or a fee for bringing your own.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for auto detailing
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for detailers: how detailers run on Koira.