TAILORSCAN FORGE · FREE MOBILE DETAILING OWNER GUIDE
What to do when the vehicle needs more work than the original quote
Inspecting a vehicle on arrival can expose extra pet hair, stains or time-consuming work that was not included in the original package. The pricing risk isn't simply choosing the wrong package: it's starting extra work before the revised scope and price have been accepted.
A worked example (fictional, not a market price)
A solo operator enters 2.5 hours of service, 0.25 hours of setup and 0.5 hours of paid travel, plus a $24 hourly labor cost with 15% burden. Additional consumables, equipment, travel outlay, overhead and risk allowances are included.
| Owner-modeled scenario | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original total job cost | $147.70 |
| Original customer quote | $160.00 |
| Modeled contribution margin after 3% variable card fee and $0.30 fixed fee | 4.5% |
| Modeled price for a 28% margin on original scope | $214.49 |
| Extra one working hour and $9 of supplies: modeled added cost | $36.60 |
| Modeled revised price for the same 28% margin | $267.54 |
The original and revised price floors assume those entered costs and fees, not a verified market rate. A customer may refuse the revised price, and real margins can be lower or negative.
Five things to record before additional work
- Original scope: exactly which surfaces and services the package covers and excludes.
- Condition evidence: owner-observed condition, with appropriate customer consent for any photographs.
- Added work: extra paid hours, materials, other direct costs and revised price.
- Customer decision: independent acceptance or decline of the new scope and price before performing extra work. A ticked box is not a signed contract.
- Outcome: final invoice, actual hours, rework and what to change on the next quote.
A simple price-floor formula
Modeled target price = (job costs + fixed processing fee) ÷ (1 − target margin − variable processing fee rate). Include all relevant owner-supplied costs without counting items twice. For the example, $147.70 + $0.30 divided by 0.69 = approximately $214.49.
Choose your next step
New for mobile detailers: Mobile Detailing Condition & Margin Desk, $19 one-time. Model the original estimate, record observed condition changes, calculate added costs and print a customer-approval review. Desktop browser recommended. This does not issue or collect a binding customer approval.
For pricing math now: Explore the existing $29 Home-Service Job Margin Calculator. It models costs and target margin but does not include the new detailing scope-change workflow.
For missed quote follow-up: Explore the $19 Lead Rescue Intake & Results Template. A separate human-reviewed audit requires eligibility and written scope acceptance.
See the shorter markup-versus-margin pricing example.
All examples fictional and illustrative. Not technical detailing instructions, vehicle-damage assessment, legal advice, accounting advice, regulatory guidance, industry pricing benchmarks or a guarantee of revenue or profits. Additional work requires actual customer agreement under applicable law and business terms.