How much does car detailing cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does car detailing cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does car detailing cost?

$50 – $350 average basic car detailing cost
$150 – $500+ average full-service car detailing cost

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$50 – $350 average basic car detailing cost

$150 – $500+ average full-service car detailing cost


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Sarah Noel
Fact-checked by
Kristen Cramer

Car detailing prices

Car detailing costs $50 to $350 for basic car detailing service or $150 to $500+ for a more thorough deep cleaning. Car interior detailing costs $150 to $350 on average, depending on the size and services included. Car detailing prices depend on the vehicle size, type, condition, and location.

Car detailing price by package
Detailing package type Average cost Details
Basic exterior $50 – $100
  • Hand wash & dry
  • Clean the windows
  • Clean the tires
Advanced exterior $100 – $350 Includes basic exterior detail plus:
  • Buff minor scratches
  • Hand wax & polish
Basic interior $150 – $200
  • Clean the dashboard
  • Clean and wipe down all surfaces
  • Vacuum the carpets, floor mats, & trunk
Advanced interior $200 – $350 Includes basic interior detail plus:
  • Shampoo the carpets, floor mats, and upholstery
  • Clean & condition leather seats
  • Spot clean minor stains
  • Clean the door jams & windows
  • Perfume the interior
Basic full-service (interior & exterior) $120 – $350
  • Includes basic interior detail service
  • Includes basic exterior detail services
Advanced full-service (interior & exterior) $150 – $400 Includes advanced interior & exterior detail services plus:
  • Remove pet hair
  • Treat for strong odors
  • Remove surface stains
Deluxe full-service $300 – $500 Includes full-service advanced detail services plus:
  • Steam clean the carpets, floor mats, & upholstery
  • Remove large stains
  • Remove contaminants with clay bar treatment
  • Upgrade exterior & interior protective sealants
Luxury full-service ("show room finish") $500 – $900+ Includes all full-service deluxe detailing plus:
  • More meticulous interior and exterior cleaning
  • Hot water extraction cleaning on upholstery & carpets
  • High-end, hand-applied protective sealants on the interior & exterior
  • Engine cleaning
  • Minor paint correction if needed

Car detailing specialist wiping a car's exterior
Car detailing specialist wiping a car's exterior
Get free estimates from mobile car wash & detailing near you.

Auto detailing cost by size

Size is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of car detailing service:

Car detailing cost by vehicle size - Chart
Car detailing cost by vehicle size - Chart
Car detailing cost by size
Car size Average cost
Small
(2-door coupe, small sedan, hatchback)
$50 – $175
Medium
(Station wagon, large sedan)
$175 – $250
Large
(Small truck, jeep, 2-row SUV, 2-row van)
$225 – $400
Extra large
(Large truck or vehicle, 3-row SUV, 2-row van)
$500 – $650+

Car detailing specialist cleaning a car's interior
Car detailing specialist cleaning a car's interior

Factors that affect car detailing cost

The major factors that influence the cost of auto detailing are:

  • Location – Cost of living in an area is one factor affecting the car detailing cost. Environmental regulations on water use in drier areas may also increase the cleaning cost and business overhead in some areas.

  • Independent detailer vs. car wash facility – A professional detailing service typically charges more than a high-volume car wash facility that offers additional detailing services. However, an independent professional may provide higher quality service.

  • Vehicle size & type – Larger vehicles cost more for the extra time it takes to detail them.

  • Trim package – Vehicles with higher-end trim packages including materials like leather and chrome typically require more labor and materials to restore.

  • Condition – A vehicle in decent shape costs less to detail than one with stains or damage that needs extra restoration and repair work. Many detailers charge extra for things like excessive interior sand, dirt, trash, belongings, or bird droppings.

  • Extras – Add-on services can increase costs by $50 to $1,000+, depending on the number and type of extra services selected. Possible add-ons include:

    • Fabric and upholstery protection

    • Upgraded sealing and waxing

    • Headlight restoration

    • Car trim restoration

    • Pet hair removal

    • Severe odor removal

    • Scratch and scuff removal

    • Clay bar paint treatment

    • Ceramic coating protection

Car detailing specialist buffing and polishing a sports car
Car detailing specialist buffing and polishing a sports car

Individual services

Professional detailers often sell individual services a la carte. You can buy just one service or add one or more extra services to your detailing package.

Car detailing service prices
Detailing service Average cost
Exterior-only basic wash & dry $40 – $150
Exterior-only wash & wax $100 – $250
Interior-only detailing $100 – $250
Scotchguard interior fabrics $100 – $200
Engine cleaning $50 – $150
Clay bar treatment $50 – $100+
Paint correction $250 – $750+
Headlight restoration $50 – $125+
Convertible top restoration $150 – $250

Car detailing FAQs

What is car detailing?

Car detailing is the process of deep cleaning a car to restore it to like-new condition. Depending on the detailer and the package you choose, car detailing services may include:

  • Exterior washing, sealing, and waxing

  • Interior vacuuming

  • Interior steam cleaning

  • Interior trim cleaning and protectant

  • Glass cleaning

  • Interior odor and stain removal

  • Paint correction

  • Tire and exterior trim cleaning and polishing

Is car detailing worth it?

Car detailing is worth it to keep the vehicle safe and enjoyable to drive. Exterior dirt buildup can interfere with cameras, visibility, and blind-spot-detection sensors, so detailing does more than just improve the vehicle's appearance. Detailing a car also makes it easier to sell.

Should you tip for car detailing service?

The general guideline is a 15% to 20% tip for excellent service. While tipping a car detailer isn't a requirement, most detailers welcome the show of appreciation, especially for the physically demanding work of bringing your car back to near-new condition.

How long does it take to detail a car?

Detailing a small, well-kept car takes 2 to 4 hours. Detailing a large van with multiple stains, odors from heavy use, and lack of regular maintenance may take a day or more.

How often should you get your car detailed?

Most experts recommend getting your car detailed at least 1 to 2 times per year. However, you might need this service more depending on your location and how much you use the vehicle.

Get free estimates from mobile car wash & detailing near you.

People living in coastal regions or areas with extreme weather often need to detail their cars more often, as these harsh environmental conditions increase the wear and tear on both the exterior and interior.

How to save on car detailing costs

Here are a few steps you can take to save on the cost of car detailing service:

  • Remove all trash and personal items from the vehicle beforehand.

  • Look for coupons and promotional offers locally and online.

  • If you can't find any coupons, ask them directly if they are running any promotions.

Getting estimates for car detailing services

Follow these guidelines when searching for car detailing near you:

  • Look for professionals who offer hand washing and detailing.

  • Compare car detailing packages and prices from at least 3 companies.

  • Discuss your car's size, type, and condition to confirm you're getting accurate pricing.

  • Check out past customer reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Confirm they offer a warranty and what it covers.

  • Avoid low prices that can indicate less experience or the use of low-quality cleaning products.

Questions to ask a car detailer

Asking a few key questions can ensure you choose the best car detailer for your needs:

  • How long have you been detailing cars?

  • What training or certifications do you hold?

  • Is this a licensed, bonded, and insured company?

  • Do you have any before and after photos or testimonials I can review?

  • How much will it cost to detail my make and model?

  • What do you include in a standard auto detailing service?

  • Do you clean the door jams and gas cap area as part of your basic detailing service?

  • Are extensive detailing packages with leather sealing available?

  • What extra services do you offer, and how much does each cost?

  • What brand and type of products do you use, and are they eco-friendly?