You've Watched Every Fleet Washing Video. Now What?
Author :
Ryan Getsinger
Pricing
Start With Your Real Costs, Not a Guess
Pricing is the critical point where many new operators end up losing money even before they really get started. Often, you might quote a job too low because you're afraid of losing the opportunity to a competitor. However, this short-term thinking can backfire badly.
Six months down the line, you could find yourself washing trucks for less than minimum wage once you factor in the costs of fuel and chemicals. I went through this exact struggle during my first year in the business, so let's work together to make sure you avoid these costly mistakes and set your pricing right from the start.
Start With Your Real Costs, Not a Guess
Before quoting a price, it's crucial to understand your true cost per vehicle, including water, chemicals, fuel, labor, and equipment wear. Many new operators overlook this and simply copy prices they find online, which aren't tailored to their specific market, equipment, or time investment.
To set competitive and profitable rates, track all expenses carefully, factor in local market conditions, and consider your unique operational costs. This approach ensures your pricing is both fair to customers and sustainable for your business.
Start With Your Real Costs, Not a Guess
Before quoting a price, it's crucial to understand your true cost per vehicle, including water, chemicals, fuel, labor, and equipment wear. Many new operators overlook this and simply copy prices they find online, which aren't tailored to their specific market, equipment, or time investment.
To set competitive and profitable rates, track all expenses carefully, factor in local market conditions, and consider your unique operational costs. This approach ensures your pricing is both fair to customers and sustainable for your business.
Price the Fleet, Not Just the Vehicle
Commercial fleet accounts aren't priced the same way you'd price a single driveway job. Fleet managers are thinking in volume so should you. A tiered price that drops slightly per vehicle as fleet size increases usually wins the account without cutting into your margin.
1–5 vehicles: standard per-vehicle rate
6–15 vehicles: a modest volume discount
16+ vehicles: negotiate a fixed monthly contract rate
Don't Be Afraid to Walk Away
The single biggest pricing mistake I see is operators who'd rather take a bad deal than no deal. A contract priced below your real cost isn't a client it's a liability. It's better to lose the account than to work it at a loss for a year.
Start With Your Real Costs, Not a Guess
Pricing is the critical point where many new operators end up losing money even before they really get started. Often, you might quote a job too low because you're afraid of losing the opportunity to a competitor. However, this short-term thinking can backfire badly.
Six months down the line, you could find yourself washing trucks for less than minimum wage once you factor in the costs of fuel and chemicals. I went through this exact struggle during my first year in the business, so let's work together to make sure you avoid these costly mistakes and set your pricing right from the start.
Start With Your Real Costs, Not a Guess
Before quoting a price, it's crucial to understand your true cost per vehicle, including water, chemicals, fuel, labor, and equipment wear. Many new operators overlook this and simply copy prices they find online, which aren't tailored to their specific market, equipment, or time investment.
To set competitive and profitable rates, track all expenses carefully, factor in local market conditions, and consider your unique operational costs. This approach ensures your pricing is both fair to customers and sustainable for your business.
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