How much to charge for car detailing
Updated 26 September 2026
Most detailers sell a few set packages, from an exterior wash and wax up to paint correction, and charge more for bigger vehicles. Work that depends on the car's condition, like pet hair or cloudy headlights, is sold as an add-on so the package prices can stay fixed.
Example car detailing prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior deep clean, SUV, with pet hair removal | $185 | £150 | A$280 | CA$245 |
| Full detail at the customer's home, 3-row SUV | $285 | £230 | A$430 | CA$385 |
| Paint correction and ceramic coating, sedan | $750 | £600 | A$1,130 | CA$1,020 |
Priced with the starting rates in our car detailing template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How car detailers set their prices
Packages by vehicle size
Three or four packages, each with a price for a sedan and a surcharge for bigger vehicles. Customers can choose without calling you, and each package spells out what's included. It's also the easiest model to put on a website.
By the hour
An hourly rate, confirmed once you've seen the car. It suits paint correction and neglected interiors, where two cars of the same size can take very different times. Give the customer a likely range before you start.
Maintenance plans
A lower set price for customers who book a wash every few weeks after a full detail. The car stays in good shape, so each visit is quicker, and the regular bookings fill your quiet weeks.
Sample car detailing price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle: SUV / crossover | +$30 | +£25 | +A$45 | +CA$40 |
| Vehicle: Truck / van | +$45 | +£35 | +A$70 | +CA$60 |
| Vehicle: Large SUV / 3-row | +$60 | +£50 | +A$90 | +CA$80 |
| Package: Exterior wash & wax | $60 | £50 | A$90 | CA$80 |
| Package: Interior deep clean | $120 | £95 | A$180 | CA$160 |
| Package: Full detail (inside & out) | $200 | £160 | A$300 | CA$270 |
| Package: Paint correction | $450 | £360 | A$680 | CA$610 |
| Engine bay | +$40 | +£30 | +A$60 | +CA$55 |
| Pet hair removal | +$35 | +£30 | +A$55 | +CA$45 |
| Headlight restoration | +$60 | +£50 | +A$90 | +CA$80 |
| Odour removal | +$50 | +£40 | +A$75 | +CA$70 |
| Ceramic coating | +$300 | +£240 | +A$450 | +CA$410 |
| Come to me (mobile service) | +$25 | +£20 | +A$40 | +CA$35 |
| Minimum job price | $60 | £50 | A$90 | CA$80 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our car detailing quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Mirror Finish Detailing
Detailing prices for your vehicle
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Charging the same for every vehicle. A 3-row SUV has more seats to shampoo and more paint to polish than a hatch. Our template adds $30 for an SUV and $60 for a large 3-row SUV in the US.
- Pricing every interior as if it were average. Sand in the carpet and smoke smells take far longer to shift than everyday dust. Ask for photos when people book, and have add-ons ready for the bad ones.
- Quoting paint correction from a photo. How deep the scratches go and how hard the clear coat is decide the hours. Give a starting price online and confirm it once you've seen the paint in good light.
- Discounting the first full detail to win a customer. The first detail is the hardest one on any car. If you want to offer a lower price, offer it on the maintenance washes that follow.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- How much more should I charge for an SUV or truck?
- Time a few of your own jobs on each size and set the surcharge from the extra time. Some detailers use a percentage instead of a set amount, so the surcharge grows with the package.
- Should I charge extra for pet hair?
- Yes, as its own add-on. Hair woven into carpet and cloth seats is slow to lift, and the amount varies a lot from car to car. Our template adds $35 in the US.
- How should I price paint correction and ceramic coating?
- Many detailers price correction by the number of polishing stages, or by the hour after an inspection. Sell a coating with its prep included, because a coating seals in whatever is on the paint under it.
- Should I charge more for mobile detailing?
- Mobile detailers usually add a travel fee, or set a service area and build the drive into their prices. Our template adds $25 in the US when the customer wants you to come to them.
- How do I show my detailing prices on my website?
- Build a quote form from your packages. Customers pick their vehicle and package, add any extras and see the price before they send you a booking request. You confirm the price when you see the car.