How much to charge for mobile car wash
Rates reviewed June 2026
A mobile car wash is priced per vehicle, and the whole value is that you come to them. Recurring memberships and fleet contracts are the real business; single washes are just how you meet the client.
You should charge
$49
per vehicle · typical $25–$120
Why this number. Sell weekly or biweekly memberships and fleet contracts, not one-off washes. The convenience of you showing up is the premium, and recurring service turns a $40 wash into predictable monthly income.
Typical mobile car wash prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Exterior wash | $25 – $50 |
| Wash & wax | $50 – $120 |
| Fleet (per vehicle) | $20 – $60 |
Free · The words, not just the number
Get the mobile car wash pricing script
A short, calm script for quoting mobile car wash in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Early access to the paid Pricing Toolkit
Instant unlock, and a copy in your inbox. No spam. The calculator stays free either way.
What changes the price
- Vehicle size
- Wash only vs. wash and wax
- Whether you supply water and power
- Single vehicle vs. fleet
The pricing move most people miss
Sell weekly or biweekly memberships and fleet contracts, not one-off washes. The convenience of you showing up is the premium, and recurring service turns a $40 wash into predictable monthly income.
What to SayAI
They pushed back on your price? Get the exact reply.
Paste what a mobile car wash client says. A sales-psychology-trained AI writes the words that hold your price, in seconds. Free.
Get the reply →Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for mobile car wash?+
Most mobile car wash is priced $25–$120 per vehicle, with a typical rate around $50 per vehicle. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to vehicle size and wash only vs. wash and wax. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge per job or by the hour for mobile car wash?+
Most mobile car wash is priced per job, and that is the stronger model. It pays you for the result rather than the clock, and clients far prefer one fixed number they can plan around. Estimate the hours a job takes, multiply by the hourly rate you want, then add a 15-25% buffer for the jobs that run long.
How much should I charge for mobile car wash as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $25 to $50 per vehicle. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $120.
What affects how much mobile car wash costs?+
The biggest factors are vehicle size; wash only vs. wash and wax; whether you supply water and power; single vehicle vs. fleet. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote mobile car wash so the client says yes?+
Sell weekly or biweekly memberships and fleet contracts, not one-off washes. The convenience of you showing up is the premium, and recurring service turns a $40 wash into predictable monthly income. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.