A few notes on giving estimates and quotes...

Some tips I have found help me to give more accurate quotes to customers, what to look for, what to account for, and most importantly how to avoid getting screwed on price (but hey it happens to everyone, and sometimes ya just cant help it)

When doing a real estimate where you see the car in person either at your place of business or a customers house always bring a few key items with you. If you are doing one over the phone in a case where getting the car to you or you seeing it in person is just impossible than be sure to account for as many things as possible.

1) Paint gauge, if you have one this a great tool for obvious reasons mainly checking for repainted areas as they almost always cause trouble in the correction process *More time = more cost, a repainted drivers side could take you 4 more hours to polish which you did not expect when giving a quote! If you can take lots of readings before giving a quote. Also letting a customer know a panel has been repsrayed BEFORE you get your hands on it can save you some headache. Many people who buy a used car may not know a door or bumber has been re-shot, telling them AFTER detail is never fun because they choose not to belive you "Well the dealer said this car was never touched" .... hmmmm. Let them know issues with the paint while they are standing next to you and show them to avoid any questions later on.

2) IPA - this I find is a big help. I always ask if I can wipe down a panel before looking at it under a light. As we have all seen after a good prep process many cars have old wax or glaze fillers which hide the true finish. You may look at a car and think it only has minor defects and then after your get it in for a detail and strip everything off you find its really messed up. Obviously is a customers car is very dirty and your not washing it than doing a wipedown must be forgone as you will just marr the finish right in front of them and look like tool in the process :shakehead:

3) Lights - No need for explanation. Easiest thing would be to bring your handheld light with you, I prefer the Fenix LED's over Brinkmanns but thats your choice. I usually bring a infratech with me as well granted the owner has a power-source to let me plug it in. Sometimes LED's dont pick up everything so having a backup light source is nice. Estimates done at my house are easier as all my lights are there already.

4) Account for paint type - This is a very important point. Quote higher for hard clear cars, thats it. They take longer to correct! I will take you at least several hours more to correct a metallic silver audi than it will a silver Lexus. Also take into account very soft clears and sticky paints. If you know getting a particular color to finish down without holograms will take some extra time, include that in your quote and tell the customer the reason for it.

5) Ask questions - Ask the customer if the car has any problem areas (maybe bird etching dead center of the roof you may not see initially) and especially repainted areas. Also ask to see any dents or damage before you take the car for a detail... we all know people out there look to place the blame on you for a dent they got at Costco's parking lot 3 weeks ago.

 

Nice and informative, great info to keep in mind prior to a quote and potential detail.

 

Thanks man, that's some good advice.

 

Thanks for the advice David!

 

Thats pretty solid stuff David. Very helpful. In my case, what if I dont have a paint gauge just yet? My thinking: look over the car and do everything you said and give an estimate from doing that, if you find out a defect or problem in the paint while polishing- so be it. You are still getting paid for the polishing. Go with that til youre set to get a paint gauge.

Sound pretty reasonable?

 

This by far is the most informing post you have ever made(and you've shared alot of good ones) This post should prove to be very usefull :claping:

You get a star for this one :applause:

 

good post dave.

 

If you dont have gauge its not the end of the world but make sure you have a good lightsource with you as that can also be a great tool for spotting a resprayed area. Look for more or less orange peel and residual sanding scratches, 2 things I find on most resprayed panels.

Im glad you guys found this useful, I will make more threads like it in the future :thumb:

 

dave you are a true pro!!!! your tips are nothing short of great!! thanks

 

Great advise reminds me I need a Fenix light

 

Thanks Tom, I will try to make more threads related to the business and personal end of detailing because every time I do a car I learn something new or find a way to improve in an area so I'd love to share.

Sal the Fenix is a really great tool to have, well worth the money and durable as can be:thumb:

 

Thank you :thumb:

 

More great advice David - well done article

 

nice write up. you hit all the key elements!

 

Great post, David! Thank you!

 

Great info Dave. Thanks for posting.

 

Great info. Thanks Dave!

 

Dave you should see if phill would let you have a section for tips; or atleast sticky this...

Alot of guys, me for one; respect what you do and how you do it, and I think its awesome you are willing to share some valuable information. Especially information from the business side of things.

 

Also look for those sometimes obvious tape lines (overspray) when body work was done and the car wasnt prepped or protected correctly

Thanks for the tips!

 

Thanks for the tips Dave.