Here is a fun group project for all of us! I received a call this morning asking if I would undertake a huge project. I need some help generating a quote for one of my customers. He is a fairly new client, however he has proved his worth by sending work my way. None-the-less....here we go. The Project: 1989 Fleetwood Pace Arrow RV (41 foot long, 12 foot high, tanden axle) Light Tan with dark brown vinyl stripes. Full retracable canopy/awning. Chrome wheel covers. Lots of black vinyl bumper trim and aluminum window trim. Very similar to this picture. (This is not the RV in question.) The Problem: As I undersand the story, the RV was purchaced brand new in 1989 by a family member. It was used pretty heavily in the first two years of ownership, then only a couple of times during the next 8 years. (50,000 miles driven in the first ten years.) In 1999 the RV was mothballed into long term storage in a not so great warehouse where it has sat idle for the past ten years. My client claimed the rights to the vehicle about a month ago and brought the RV out of storage and had it towed to a local RV dealership where it is undergoing mechanical maintnence to bring it back to operational status. The RV ( to his knowleage) has NEVER been washed in 20 years, other that mother nature. When it was dragged out of the warehouse he said that the dust was a thick as a layer of sand. My challenge is that he wants a COMPLETE detail done on this beast. We are talking top to bottom, inside and out, bow to stern. Every square inch, with special attention paid to the interior. Shampooing/deodorizing, extracting of all carpet and fabric surfaces. All aluminum trim polished, stainless steel shined.....you get the picture. Exterior wise, all painted surfaces must have (as requested by my client) a two step process followed by a UV sealant, topped off with two coats of a durable paste wax. Engine clean and all of the lower compartments must be cleaned very throughly. Shine and wipe the rest as usual. Now here is where it gets complicated. I have to drive to where the RV is.....almost 70 miles away from where I am now. But the real kicker is that I only have one day to pull this off. This Thursday. Actually I only have 18 hours total work time as he must have the entire family on the road to there vacation site by 06:00 Friday AM. The Plan: I have enlisted the help of two other detailers, for a total of three including myself. All of the gear needed to do this job is mobile. If we can be setup and start work between 06:00-07:00 I think we have a strong chance of pulling this off. The question: I have not accepted this job as of yet due to fact I have not produced a quote. I am set to deliver a quote at 17:00 tomorrow afternoon. Based of the above info and taking into consideration the distance as well as the extra workers not to mention the short notice and time frames also I have not seen this vehicle with my own eyes or pictures of...................what would any of you charge to do this job?
I would contact Ken of Autowerkes for some advice on this one. Typically work is charged by the foot or by the hour and considering all that this guy wants done, if he is serious about it and really wants this thing back in good condition I think you are in for a very long week and a very nice payday. Do you have any experience with RVs? I think you need to spend some time looking over the vehicle..
I've done two RV's in my days. Both were late model (the one was brand new) and they were simple wash, wax, glass and wheels/tires. No interiors. Even then I remember that they took me almost six hours just to that. The thing is the size of semi trailer - quite literally!!:wall:
Where is the RV? If it's north of Philly, I can help you guys out, I'm free Thursday, PM me. I would say somewhere around 2,500 or 3,000, that thing is massive.
By Thursday is supposed to be in Vineland, NJ. I would appreciate the help......many hands make work....well.....oh, who the hell are we kidding!!! This this is a ton of work!:yikes:
Oh man, that's in the complete opposite direction of me, 115 miles! And I only have my 5.7L jeep that gets 14 miles per gallon ha. Wish I could help, good luck. I would focus more on the interior than the exterior. If you ever need any help with jobs northish of Philly, let me know. It'd be great to meet some members!
If this Guy is as Anal sounding as I picture Him I would Pass on this Job. How well do you know him? If he persist, I would charge$1,850-$2,200, and only after me and the Owner have come to an understanding that this thing will be perscentable again, but as far as looking New :shead:....No Way Hosa, See You Another Day.:giggle: You and 2 others with at least mid-expereince will be able to do it in 18hrs :support: I would split the pay 60/40
Thats a big job you got yourself there. It'll be one for the record books for sure. I've done a bunch of 40'ers in my day. For an outside wash, wax ( one coat Colli 476 ) clean tires/wheels and dress tires I charge $10/ft. Every extra coat of wax is an extra $5/ft. So two coats of wax alone would be $600 not including any sealant, polishing or interior work. Not to dampen your spirit, but with the time given, you won't be able to get his entire list done. He's left it too late. You'll need to concentrate on specific items first. Have you seen the condition of the gelcoat/fiberglass? Polishing a vehicle that size will take one guy an entire day, not including wash or wax time. I would tell him you will wash it, hit it with a one step to brighten the paint and give some protection and concentrate on the interior for now. Make it livable for his family while they are on vacation. Go back and make it mint after the holiday. I can't believe you only have one day. Thats nucking futs!!
As I stated before he is somewhat of a new client, but he is definitly anal. That was kind of a secondary plan. I never like to rush my work. To me quality of work is so much more important than time constraints. However, My though is that due to the short notice, extra help, travel time, etc.......I think the quote is going to be..... $2800.00 - Full AP wash, two stage polish, UV sealant, Collenite LSP, wheels, glass, full interior. I'm bidding high because of all issues and if he takes it....lock and load!! If he passes for this time, no big loss. We can set something up for a later date. But I'm definitly not letting this fish get away.
I don't blame you 1 bit to quote $2,800, if ppl will pay $700+ to correct an Automobile, then $2,800 is a Bargain. With 3 ppl working together I feel 18 hours will work. It would be nice to have an extra day, but o'well. A Rotary will be a Must have, along with a dozen or so wool pads + finishing pads. I would wash this thing with straight APC, that will remove loads of oxidation and save you tons of time. I've got 2 late model Prevost Buses I mantain 3-4 times a year and I get &750 each on them and am done in 12 hours(by myself)
Well the gentleman has been contacted........and it would seem that Murphy has reared his ugly head. The RV was supposed to have all of the mechanical work completed today.....however there is a suspension part that is needed for the proper repair.......it is not due to arrive until sometime Friday morning. His whole vacation is now in jeopardy. This may have worked into my favor! Needless to say I didn't play my hand with the quote.....he was a little high strung at this point in time. This thing is going to become a crusade. I can feel it.
Well what did you end up quoting? The full $2800 or did you cut him a bit of a break due to the suspension being toast?
No, I didn't even bring it up. He was very upset at this whole situation. Apparently he had to be at his vacation spot no later that early Saturday morning as he had an important appointment at 07:30 AM which he will probably miss now. :thud:
Just so you know...I am not doing the interior on this thing. :loud: Unless........ Ok. It will cost you.
:shead:This guy sounds Shaky, ScatterBrained. I would be leary of even doing this thing.If you do, at least now if you need to spend a couple days on it you can eace: :shead:RV's are actually not as Hard to do as they appear,as far as the Interior...Its kinda like cleaning up a 1 bedroom Apt. The windows are all flat with plenty of room to maneuvure. :dance: It'll be Fun, you'll see:giggle:
Why on earth would you plan a holiday with a vehicle that has sat in storage idle for more than 10 years? Normal people would get the thing fixed first, test it for a bit, make sure it's 100% in running and operating condition, THEN schedule a holiday. I bet his wife would be CHUFFED if they broke down with that thing halfway to their destination!
I was thinking the same thing, this Guy must have a world of trust in the guy working on it now.:shakehead: If these ppl ending up going on a road trip in this heap, Hollywood could probally make a Movie out of it(Chevy Chase R/V) I can icture: it now, broke down on the side of the Highway, with a Guy standing there. His Wife and Kids Nagging the crap out of him :bla2: :bla2: :bla2: :giggle:
:applause2: Broke down on the side of he highway, in a SHINY RV!! In a twist of fate, it is a great thing that this did not materialize for today. It is currently raining all throughout south east PA and into south NJ. It would have been a mess! Someone upstairs cares!:applause2:
