“How much is a detail?” is the first thing most people ask when they call. It’s a fair question, because car detailing prices are all over the place. One shop advertises a $49 “detail” that’s really a wash and vacuum, another quotes four figures without saying what’s in it. This guide explains what car detailing costs with us in 2026, what you get for the money, and how to tell a fair quote from a bad one, wherever you are in the Bay Area.
Our car detailing prices at a glance
We keep the two main services at flat, per-car prices, so you know the number before we roll up:
- Interior: $200 per car. A full interior reset.
- Exterior: $150 per car. Wash, clay, polish and protect.
- Optional: $100. For kids mess, pet hair or an extreme level. We talk with you first, since every car is different.
- Other services: price varies. Ceramic coating, headlight restoration, paint correction, engine bay, mold and mildew remediation and odor removal depend on the car, since each situation is unique.
Both prices are mobile. We bring water, power and products, so there’s no drive to a shop, no waiting room and no ride home to pay for. The full list is on our pricing page.
What’s included in a $200 interior detail
An interior detail is more than a vacuum. For $200 you get:
- Door Jambs
- Carpets
- Floor mats
- Headliner
- Front console
- Middle console
- Seats (cloth/leather)
- Windows
For most daily drivers, that’s everything the cabin needs. Cars with a lot of pet hair, third-row seating or a big kids’ mess may need the optional $100 extra, and we’ll talk about that with you first, not when we’re done.
What’s included in a $150 exterior detail
A proper exterior detail brings back gloss and adds protection. It’s not a quick rinse. For $150 you get:
- Hand wash
- Clay Bar
- Machine polish
- Hand wax
- Door Jambs
- Wheels/tires
- Windows
That clay and polish step is the big difference between a detail and a car wash. It’s what removes the dull film that builds up from freeway driving, fog and parking under trees.
What makes a detailing quote go up or down
Flat prices cover a normal car in normal condition. These are the things that change a quote, here and at any other detailer:
- Size of the vehicle. A three-row SUV or a full-size truck has more seats, more carpet and more paint than a compact sedan.
- Condition. Heavy pet hair, sand from beach days, spills or mold take extra time and products.
- Paint problems. Swirl marks, scratches and oxidation need paint correction, which is quoted on the car because the work depends on how deep the damage goes.
- Protection level. A hand wax lasts weeks to a few months. A ceramic coating is a much bigger job that lasts years, so it costs more up front.
- Specialty jobs. Odor removal, headlight restoration, engine detailing and sap removal are priced separately.
Is a mobile detail more expensive than a shop?
Not usually, once you count your time. A shop detail can mean dropping the car off, a ride both ways and a day without your car. In San Francisco, that often means finding parking twice too. With a mobile detail, the car gets done in your driveway, building garage or office lot while you work or relax. If you’re in the city, our car detailing in San Francisco page covers how that works in apartment garages and on the street.
How to spot a fair detailing price
- Ask what’s included. A real interior detail includes shampooing, not just a vacuum. A real exterior detail includes clay and polish, not just soap.
- Get the price before work starts. You should know the full number up front, extras included.
- Be wary of very cheap “full details”. If it’s priced like a car wash, it’s probably a car wash.
- Check real reviews. Photos of the detailer’s own work and recent Google reviews tell you more than any price list.
How often should you budget for a detail?
Most Bay Area daily drivers do well with a full detail every three to four months, plus regular washes in between. Cars parked outside, near the coast or under trees may need it more often. Our guide on how often you should really detail your car has a simple schedule, and interior vs. exterior detailing will help you pick which one to book first.
Car detailing cost: quick answers
How much does car detailing cost in the Bay Area?
With us, interior is $200 per car and exterior is $150 per car, both done at your location. Ceramic coating, paint correction and other services vary by car, since each situation is unique, and you’ll know the price before we start.
Does the price include coming to me?
Yes. Every service is mobile across the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo and the Peninsula. We bring our own water and power.
Why is ceramic coating priced separately?
Ceramic coating usually needs paint prep or correction first, and the amount of prep depends on your paint’s condition. We look at the car and give you one clear price before any work begins.
How can I pay?
Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Apple Cash. We don’t accept credit cards.
Are there hidden fees?
No. You get the full price before we start. If something isn’t right when we finish, tell us and we’ll make it right.
Want an exact number for your car? Call (650) 346-8793 or book online and tell us the make, model and anything that bothers you about it.
Ready for That Showroom Shine?
Two ways to get on the schedule. Either way, we come to you.
Mobile car detailing, paint correction and ceramic coating across the San Francisco Bay Area since 2018.