12 Oct Top 5 Tips For Properly Quoting Coating Jobs

In our business, time is money, especially when there are several prep jobs and coating to be done every single day. Making sure you set the right price for all the hard work you and your staff do is crucial to ensure your shop is profitable. With that being said, what is the right price for a coating? The trick is that there is no definite answer, and it all depends on you as a professional. Here are five tips to help you get a feel for pricing your services and quoting coating jobs.

Interview and educate your customer

When quoting a coating job, it’s always important to get a feel for what the customer is looking for in a detailing and coating service. Every customer is going to come in with different expectations and in order to for there to be a clear understanding on price, both sides need to be communicative. Ask as much about the car as possible: what make, model, year, what color and how long they plan to keep it.  Just by asking that, you have a better idea of what work needs to be done. Be clear with your customer on what your shop does and can do. Go in-depth on the prep and coating process so the customer understands the timeliness of your work. 

CSI – Car Scene Investigation

Now that you have an idea of what car you’re working with, it’s time to get a detailed look. Along with your customer, take a walk around the car and inspect very closely for scratches, dents, and paint issues. Once again, show the customer. Show them the swirls, the scratches, and the fine details that become obvious once pointed out.  Help the customer realize what needs to be done. You can get an in-depth look at what you can do to the car and quote accordingly. Explain to your customer how each one developed and how they can be fixed. 

Do a test spot

Once again, show your customer the value of your work! Grab your gear and pick out a spot to paint correct and sample their car for them. This gives the customer an opportunity to decide on what they really want, and gives you a chance to get a feel for how long prepping the vehicle will take. Now you have a ballpark idea on an hourly charge. Doing this is a great opportunity to really show the value of detailing and can act as a “wow!” moment for your client. 

Understand your resources

This may be the most important tip in terms of finding an actual price. Your shop has a finite amount of resources: employees, time, product, and equipment. It may take several hours just to get a car paint-prepped! Make sure you’re charging enough per hour to cover costs and then some! This is a part of the quoting process where it is of the utmost importance where transparency is crucial- be honest on estimating how long the job will take and what needs to be done to the car. Your customer will appreciate your knowledge and honesty.

Train and educate yourself

DuraSlic is committed to supporting our detailer network in any way we can. Once a month, we even offer detailer training and a chance to become apart of the network! Our industry expert Brian Finn will teach you everything you need to know about the best detailing techniques and how to maximize your business potential! There is something to learn for everyone, no matter your detailing experience! Find out more here!

Now that you’re familiar with these tips, it’s time to try them out! Be confident in your craft while speaking with clientele and be sure to go through every detail. Once you become more comfortable with quoting coating jobs, it will be easier to bring in new clients. Practice and rehearse them before speaking with a potential customer. The more confidence you express, the more your clients will believe in you as well! DuraSlic wishes you the best of luck in improving your skills!