Short answer: A basic car detail runs $50 to $125, while a full interior and exterior detail typically costs $150 to $300. The exact price depends on your vehicle's size, condition, and whether you choose mobile or shop service.
Average cost of a car detail
How much does a car detail cost? Industry pricing data puts a basic detail at $50 to $125. That usually covers a wash, vacuum, wipe-down of interior surfaces, and tire shine. A full interior and exterior detail, which adds shampooing, leather conditioning, clay bar treatment, and paint correction steps, runs $150 to $300.
Where you land in that range depends on a few things: the size of your vehicle, how long it's been since your last detail, and whether pet hair, stains, or heavy grime are involved. A sedan that gets vacuumed monthly costs less to detail than a three-row SUV that hasn't seen a deep clean in two years.
If you want a deeper breakdown by service tier, our full cost guide for detailing a car walks through each price point line by line.
What affects the price of a detail
Several factors push a detail price up or down:
- Vehicle size. Trucks and SUVs take longer and cost more than compact cars.
- Condition. Heavy pet hair, mold, or years of built-up grime add labor time.
- Service depth. A wash and vacuum costs far less than paint correction or ceramic coating add-ons.
- Location type. Mobile detailers who come to you may charge slightly differently than a fixed shop, since they factor in travel.
- Add-ons. Headlight restoration, engine bay cleaning, and odor removal treatments are usually priced separately.
None of these factors are hidden if you book through the right platform. On Wind, every detailer's listing shows the exact price and estimated duration upfront, so you know the total before you book. No calling around for quotes, no surprise charges when the job's done.
Basic detail vs full detail pricing
A basic detail is the entry point. It covers exterior wash, wheel cleaning, interior vacuuming, and wiping down dashboards and door panels. Market rates typically run $50 to $125 for this tier, and most cars are done within an hour or two.
A full detail goes much deeper. Expect shampooed carpets and seats, leather conditioning, window cleaning inside and out, clay bar decontamination, and often a coat of wax or sealant. This level of service costs $150 to $300 and can take three to five hours depending on the vehicle.
If you're not sure which tier your car needs, this guide on what's actually included in a detail breaks down exactly what pros do at each price point, so you're not paying for services you don't need or skipping ones you do.
Interior only or exterior only costs
Not everyone needs the full package. If your car's exterior paint looks fine but the interior is a disaster zone (or vice versa), you can often book just one side of the job.
Interior-only details, which include vacuuming, shampooing, and wiping down surfaces, generally fall on the lower end of the basic detail range, sometimes a bit higher if there's heavy staining or pet hair. Exterior-only details, covering wash, wax, and wheel cleaning, tend to land in a similar range depending on paint condition.
Splitting the service can save money if only one side of your car actually needs attention. Ask the pro directly what's included before booking so you're clear on scope.
Mobile detailing vs shop pricing
Mobile detailers come to your driveway, office parking lot, or apartment complex, while shop-based detailers require you to drop the car off. Pricing between the two is often similar, though mobile services sometimes charge a bit more to cover travel time and water/power setup, especially for jobs farther from the pro's usual service area.
What you're really paying for with mobile detailing is convenience. You don't lose half a day driving to a shop and waiting around.
A guy in Tampa booked a full interior detail on a Thursday morning after his golden retriever had claimed the back seat for six months. He sent us a photo afterward. The seat looked new, and he didn't have to leave his driveway the entire time.
How to get the best value on a detail
A few habits keep detailing costs predictable and reasonable:
- Book regularly. A car detailed every few months costs less per visit than one that's neglected for a year, since less deep cleaning is needed.
- Compare listings, not phone quotes. Look for upfront pricing rather than "call for an estimate," which often leads to inflated day-of pricing.
- Ask what's included. "Full detail" means different things to different pros. Confirm whether wax, leather conditioning, or engine bay cleaning are part of the price.
- Check reviews tied to real bookings. Reviews attached to verified completed jobs are far more reliable than open review boards anyone can post to.
Wind handles most of this automatically. Every detailer's price and duration are listed before you book, messaging happens in-app so there's no back-and-forth over text, and tipping is built into the app after the job's done, no cash or separate payment app needed. Reviews are only tied to bookings that actually happened, so you're not guessing whether feedback is real.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for detailing and automotive cleaning work has stayed steady nationally, which helps explain why pricing has held fairly consistent across most metro areas, including Tampa. Vehicle care standards outlined by the EPA also touch on why regular exterior detailing, including wax and sealant, helps protect paint from UV and environmental damage over time, which is part of why full details cost more than a quick wash.
Common questions
How much does a basic car detail cost?
A basic car detail typically costs $50 to $125. This covers an exterior wash, wheel cleaning, interior vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces.
How much does a full interior and exterior detail cost?
A full detail runs $150 to $300. It includes shampooed carpets and seats, leather conditioning, clay bar treatment, and often wax or sealant.
Does mobile detailing cost more than a shop?
Mobile detailing pricing is often similar to shop pricing, though some mobile pros charge slightly more to cover travel and setup time. The convenience of not driving anywhere usually makes up for any difference.
Do I need to tip a car detailer?
Tipping isn't required but it's appreciated for good work. On Wind, you can tip directly in the app after the service is done, no cash or Venmo needed.
What makes a detail more expensive?
Vehicle size, how dirty the car is, and add-ons like headlight restoration or engine bay cleaning all push the price up. Regular detailing keeps costs lower over time since less deep cleaning is needed.
Can I book just an interior or exterior detail?
Yes. Many pros offer interior-only or exterior-only services if you don't need the full package. This can save money if only one part of your car needs attention.