Home › Mobile Detailing › Car Detailing Prices
Most car detailing price pages are written for someone deciding whether to book. This one is written for the person doing the detailing, deciding what to charge.
Below are current 2026 package prices by service level, the hourly rate they need to clear, and the fleet and dealership pricing that turns a detailer from a solo hustle into a route business.
A standard full detail on a typical vehicle runs $200 to $400. A basic maintenance wash sits at $50 to $150, and premium services like multi-stage paint correction can exceed $1,000.
Mobile detailers generally price at or slightly above shop rates, since there is no rent to cover but real travel and equipment costs instead.
On this page
Package pricing by service levelThe hourly rate behind the packagesMobile-specific pricingFleet and dealership pricingRegional and add-on pricingFAQ
Package pricing by service level
Most detailers sell tiers rather than a single price, which lets a customer self-select their budget without you quoting every job from scratch.
Vehicle size moves every tier. Large SUVs, trucks and vans need more product and labour than a sedan, and most price lists add $25 to $75 per tier for that jump.
Paint protection film is the other premium upsell alongside ceramic coating, and it is worth quoting separately rather than folding into a package. Partial coverage on high-impact panels runs toward the bottom of the $900–$5,000+ range; full-vehicle coverage sits at the top. It takes longer to install than a coating and uses a different skill set, so price it on its own scope, not as an add-on line.
The hourly rate behind the packages
Published effective rates for professional detailers run $70 to $150 an hour, with a slightly wider $75 to $120 range showing up in fast-growing Sun Belt markets.
Work backwards to check your own packages. A full detail taking three hours needs to land between $210 and $450 to hit that rate — which is exactly where the published $200–$400 range sits.
If your full detail takes four hours instead of three and you are still charging $250, you are running closer to $60 an hour once product cost comes out. Time your own jobs before you trust a competitor’s price list.
Not sure your rate actually clears your costs? Our free Hourly Rate Calculator works backwards from your target take-home and overhead to the number you need.
Mobile-specific pricing
Operating from a van rather than a shop changes a few line items, and skipping them is a common way solo detailers quietly work for free.
Most mobile detailers add a $25 to $50 travel fee beyond a set radius, and many set a minimum service fee around $150 so a small job in a far suburb does not lose money on drive time alone.
Water and power access matters too. A property with no outdoor tap or outlet may need a water tank and generator, which is worth a small surcharge if you are supplying both.
Fleet and dealership pricing
Fleet and dealership work runs on different economics from retail, and it is where a solo detailer can build recurring, predictable revenue.
The per-vehicle rate is lower than retail, but you are trading margin for volume, a set schedule and far less time spent selling each individual job. A handful of fleet accounts can fill your slow weeks with guaranteed work.
Regional and add-on pricing
Location moves detailing prices as much as any other trade in this niche. Florida averages closer to $150 for a full detail, while New York markets run closer to $300 for comparable work — and California SUV pricing runs roughly 50% above equivalent Midwest markets.
Common add-ons carry real margin and should always be priced separately rather than folded into a package: pet hair removal, engine bay cleaning, headlight restoration and biohazard cleanup all add $30 to $150 depending on severity.
FAQ
How much should I charge for a basic car wash?
$50 to $150 depending on vehicle size and what is included. A true basic package covers an exterior wash, tire dressing and interior vacuum. Anything involving stain treatment, extraction or paint work belongs in a higher tier.
What is a full detail price for 2026?
$200 to $400 for a standard passenger vehicle, covering a thorough interior and exterior clean. Large SUVs and trucks typically add $25 to $75, and heavily soiled vehicles cost more regardless of size.
How much does ceramic coating cost?
$500 to $2,500 depending on coverage and prep work. Full-vehicle coating with proper paint correction beforehand sits at the top of that range, while a single-panel or trial application costs less. Paint protection film is a separate, pricier service running $900 to $5,000 or more depending on coverage.
Should mobile detailers charge more than a shop?
Slightly more or about the same is typical. Mobile detailers save on rent but carry travel time, water and power logistics, and vehicle wear that shop-based detailers do not, so most mobile pricing sits at or a little above comparable shop rates.
Is fleet detailing worth the lower per-vehicle rate?
Usually yes, if you can fill genuinely slow periods with it. Fleet and dealership rates run 50 to 70% below retail per vehicle, but the recurring volume and predictable scheduling are worth the margin trade for most solo operators building a stable route.
How we researched this: package and hourly figures are cross-checked across multiple 2026 industry pricing guides and detailer-facing resources, then filtered for what a solo or mobile operator actually charges rather than a franchise rate card.
Figures vary by region and market conditions, so treat these as a sourced baseline for setting your own numbers rather than a national fixed rate.
Last verified: August 6, 2026.
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