Skip to main content
DetailRig
GEAR. TESTED. REAL RESULTS.

Illustrative artwork; not a product test photograph.

Free car detailing tool

Car Detailing Cost & Valeting Quote Calculator

Create a transparent detailing or car valeting quote in US dollars or pounds. Enter your own time, rate, consumables, overhead, target margin, and applicable sales tax or VAT.

How is a car detailing quote calculated?

Add labour cost (hours multiplied by hourly rate), job consumables, and allocated overhead. If you want a profit margin, divide that cost by one minus the margin fraction. Add only the tax that applies to your location and business. The calculator uses your numbers and does not supply current market prices.

Currency changes formatting only. Enter all amounts in that currency.

Enter all amounts as nonnegative values, a margin below 100%, and tax from 0 to 100%. All rates come from your inputs.

This is arithmetic for a user supplied quote, not a current market price. Confirm local taxes, insurance, travel, and scope before quoting a customer.

What to include in a detailing or valeting quote

Estimate the work actually requested: exterior wash, interior clean, decontamination, polishing, coating preparation, or other agreed services. Enter the time, your labour rate, per-job chemical and towel costs, and a share of business overhead. Use GBP for UK valeting quotes or USD for US detailing quotes. The currency selector changes formatting only; it does not convert exchange rates.

Profit margin is not markup

A 20% profit margin on a job costing 100 in your selected currency requires a pre-tax quote of 125, because 25 ÷ 125 = 20%. Adding 20% to cost would yield a 16.7% margin. The calculator uses pre-tax quote = cost ÷ (1 − margin), then adds your entered tax percentage.

Check scope and local rules

Travel, severe contamination, pet hair, paint condition, and vehicle size can change labour time. If an input is uncertain, revise the quote after inspection. Tax treatment differs across US states and the UK; enter the rate that actually applies to your business, or leave it at zero. This tool is for arithmetic planning and is not tax advice. For product quantities, use the chemical dilution calculator.

Calculation status

All prices and rates are user supplied. No benchmark, live market price, or DetailRig service price is inferred. Formula and page reviewed 28 September 2026.

Detailing answers

Frequently asked questions about car detailing

Clear answers to common car detailing, washing, interior-care, and paint-protection questions.

What is car detailing?

Car detailing is the careful cleaning, decontamination, and protection of a vehicle’s interior and exterior. The process can include a wash, wheel and tire care, interior cleaning, paint decontamination, polishing, and a protectant; the right steps depend on the vehicle and finish.

What products do I need for car detailing at home?

Start with car wash soap, wash media, microfiber towels, wheel cleaner, an interior cleaner, and a vacuum. Add a pressure washer, foam cannon, polisher, or paint protection only when the task and your skill level justify them.

What car wash soap should I use?

Choose a soap made for automotive paint with clear dilution instructions. A pH-neutral car soap is a common starting point for routine maintenance, but the best choice depends on the coating, soil, wash method, and manufacturer guidance. Avoid household dish detergent on vehicle finishes.

How much PSI is needed to wash a car?

There is no single PSI target for every vehicle or washer. Use the lowest pressure and widest practical spray pattern that removes soil safely, keep the nozzle moving, and follow the washer and vehicle-maker guidance. Pressure, nozzle, distance, and technique all affect risk.

What is a foam cannon used for?

A foam cannon meters car wash solution into a pressure-washer stream to apply cleaning foam. It can help pre-soak and loosen loose soil before contact washing, but foam alone does not replace a careful rinse and wash.

How do I clean a car interior?

Remove loose items and vacuum first, then clean one material at a time with a compatible product and a lightly damp microfiber or brush. Test an inconspicuous area, avoid over-wetting electronics and upholstery, and follow the material and product instructions.

What is paint correction?

Paint correction is the controlled polishing of a vehicle’s clear coat to reduce the appearance of defects such as swirls or light scratches. It removes some material, so inspect the finish, use the least aggressive effective method, and treat deep defects as a professional-risk decision.

How do I choose a dual-action polisher?

Compare the machine’s throw, speed control, ergonomics, backing-plate compatibility, power, and support—not just the wattage. Beginners generally benefit from predictable control and manageable balance; pad and compound choice also change the result.

How long does ceramic coating last?

Ceramic-coating durability depends on the formulation, preparation, layers, exposure, maintenance, and manufacturer instructions. Treat a stated lifespan as a manufacturer claim unless DetailRig has documented evidence, and plan regular washing and inspection rather than assuming permanent protection.

What should I look for in car detailing products?

Match the product to the surface, soil, tool, and task; check dilution, compatibility, safety directions, and aftercare. DetailRig labels evidence as TESTED, USED, RESEARCHED, or MANUFACTURER-CLAIM so readers can distinguish hands-on evaluation from source-based or maker-provided information.