You may be wondering “What is the average price for car detailing near me?” Worry no further because we are here to help!
The average cost of car detailing can range from $50 to a whopping $300. But why is the gap range so big? That is because there are a lot of factors to consider such as location, service, and many others.
Whether you’re planning on getting a full car detail, learn more about the average car detailing prices in 2023.
Table of Contents
How Much Does Auto Detail Cost?
Auto detailing is a popular service for car enthusiasts to boost their car’s appearance while providing care and protection that could make their car’s life last longer.
This is done routinely to preserve your car’s shine and remove any accumulated dirt from your car rides.
The car detailing average price around the country is approximately $160.16 although this price varies around the country and in different areas.
Detailers may charge per hour or by the job. Hourly rates are usually around $60 to $80 per hour for a detailer with experience and $10 to $40 per hour for a detailer with less experience.
Moreover, interior car detailing and a full car detail price can vary depending on the following
1. Where you live
Different states may offer different prices based on the cost of resources and labor. If the materials such as wax, car shampoo, and others are cheap then expect that the detail car wash prices may be on the cheaper side.
2. What type of car you have
The size of your vehicle can also be one of the factors that affect the price. The smaller the car, the smaller the surface area thus the least amount of cleaning materials will be used. But if your car is an SUV or a van, the cost for auto detailing will be more expensive.
3. How dirty is your car
The cleanliness of your vehicle can also be one of the deciding factors that can affect the auto detailing prices. The more dirt your car has the more products and elbow grease are needed to clean your car.
4. Additional Services
Upgrades and additional services are also offered with extra cost in case you want a superior coating, a more premium wax brand, or other add-ons. Extra special service costs a little extra too.
You should also consider the time of the month when you bring in your car for its routine car detailing. If your local auto detailing car wash has quite a busy line, then bringing in your car may be time-consuming and the rush can lead to cleaning mistakes.
For this, consider looking into mobile car detailing prices. You can have your car detailed in the safety of your home just for additional delivery cost.
What Are the Average Auto Detailing Prices Per State?
The place you live in may be one of the deciding factors of a detailing job price due to the cost of living.
Taking into consideration the low-end prices and the high-end prices for a car detailing service, we have listed the cost for auto detailing based on the lowest average price to the highest per state.
| State | Average Price | Low Price | High Price |
| Hawaii | $90.50 | $55.50 | $270.00 |
| Florida | $107.50 | $63.75 | $151.25 |
| Nevada | $115.00 | $76.75 | $152.50 |
| Oklahoma | $117.33 | $91.66 | $181.66 |
| Louisiana | $125.00 | $60.00 | $154.00 |
| Utah | $125.00 | $108.00 | $157.33 |
| New Hampshire | $130.00 | $120.00 | $200.00 |
| Georgia | $135.00 | $75.00 | $200.00 |
| Wisconsin | $140.00 | $90.00 | $150.00 |
| North Carolina | $144.75 | $109.00 | $189.75 |
| California | $146.50 | $81.00 | $230.66 |
| Nebraska | $147.00 | $92.50 | $177.50 |
| Pennsylvania | $147.00 | $109.50 | $187.50 |
| New Mexico | $147.50 | $87.50 | $172.50 |
| New York | $150.00 | $50.00 | $300.00 |
| Arizona | $153.60 | $108.00 | $206.00 |
| Virginia | $153.75 | $110.00 | $202.50 |
| Michigan | $160.00 | $149.00 | $202.00 |
| Missouri | $160.00 | $125.00 | $235.00 |
| Texas | $160.60 | $108.40 | $227.60 |
| Colorado | $165.75 | $137.50 | $213.75 |
| Washington | $166.50 | $131.50 | $209.00 |
| Ohio | $169.25 | $130.25 | $196.75 |
| Indiana | $170.00 | $170.00 | $215.00 |
| Tennessee | $174.50 | $119.75 | $211.00 |
| Massachusetts | $175.00 | $138.00 | $204.00 |
| Maryland | $180.00 | $138.33 | $246.66 |
| Kentucky | $199.50 | $175.50 | $267.00 |
| Idaho | $206.66 | $154.00 | $272.66 |
| South Carolina | $212.50 | $134.50 | $250.00 |
| Illinois | $219.50 | $154.50 | $274.50 |
| Kansas | $232.00 | $140.50 | $247.00 |
| Oregon | $258.00 | $186.66 | $296.00 |
With Hawaii being one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive, state to live in the United States, you would think that their auto detailing service would be pricey. But according to Yelp, Hawaii actually has the lowest average cost of full car detail with the price of $90.50.
Despite that, you cannot just waltz into Hawaii with your car for an auto detail service since it is on a different island.
On the other hand, the highest car detailing average price was seen to be in Oregon which comes as the fifth most expensive place to live in.
What Are the Methods for Car Detailing?
The process of car detailing involves a lot of methods that not only involve the exterior of the car but also its interior. It involves various meticulous cleaning processes to give your vehicle a thorough detailing session to make it shinier at more protected than ever.
Exterior Car Detailing methods includes:
- Exterior Car Washing and Drying
- Surface Claying/ Paint Claying
- Sealing and Waxing
- Polishing
- Headlights/Tailights Cleaning or polishing
- Bumper Repair
- Glass Chip Repair
- Paint Touch up
- Engine Detailing
- Others
Interior Car Detailing methods includes:
- Interior Vacuuming
- Glass Cleaning
- Steam Cleaning
- Brushing
- Leather Trimming
- Perfuming or Deodorizing
- Dashboard Polishing
- Others
You may find some of the steps familiar and commonly used in car washing services. But car detailing, as the name implies, is much more intricate and it is done by professional detailers to make your car look spotless which no regular car wash can do.
How to Make the Most of Your Money
Car detailing can be expensive and can be a bit heavy on the pocket especially if you live on a tight budget. But if you know how to maneuver your way from the price list into getting those sweet deals, then car detailing is not out of reach.
One of the ways that you can make the most out of your money is to know the price guide car detailing bundle packages offered by your local car wash dealers. They might give you a discounted price if you avail of multiple services or schedule multiple sessions in a year.
You can also ask them if they offer discount coupons for returning customers. This is a great strategy for them to get a loyal customer and in a way, it will be great for you to save money from car detailing.
If you have a chance to befriend your local car detailer shop, check and see if they can offer you a discount when you refer a friend. Business can also spread through word of mouth which can be a tempting offer to your car detailers.
How Often Do I Need to Detail My Car
Depending on how often you use your car to the gravity of your car’s dirt situation, it is recommended to get your car detailed every 4-6 months.
This is also a great hack so that your car will be cleaned after every season. Due to the harsh changes in the weather, protecting your car should be one of the most important steps in car maintenance.
If you do this regularly without fail, your car will be well protected and this will help you maintain your car’s life for a long time.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Car Detailing Service
Choosing a car detailing service can be quite tricky especially if you have limitations such as location and budget. Enter the internet.
You can easily search for car detailing services near you using the internet. But the thing is which one should you choose?
Keep in mind the following points when choosing a car detailing:
- Look for experienced car detailers with excellent service. Online reviews are a thing and you can check if the one that caught your eye is worth it.
You won’t really know if they are an effective car detailing service provider unless you can see or read the actual result from unbiased people’s opinions.
- Verify their business. Licensed car dealers will also be great proof to know that they are indeed trained professionals and that they are able to walk the walk and talk the talk.
- They offer guaranteed warranties. As someone who is uncertain and is still looking for that one perfect car detailer, a confident detailing service that offers warranties can be a great option.
If they are indeed great at what they do then these warranties can just be an assurance for hesitant customers.
- Location and Schedule. You also have to keep in mind their distance from your place and how they schedule their detailing service.
Everybody has got some places to do and availing of a car detailing service should not cause that much hinder nor should it take a long time.
Note: It would also be a plus if they can provide mobile car detailing services.
Conclusion
Detailers are professionals who specialize in cleaning and restoring cars. They will wash, wax, vacuum, and clean the inside and outside of your vehicle, as well as perform any necessary repairs to maintain your car’s shine.
If you are looking into getting your car detailed, you better know the average car detailing prices and other information before making a decision.
Cars deserve your attention so do not make a wrong decision when choosing your detailing service.
