Ask three detailers what a “full detail” costs and you will get three answers, all reasonable. That is not anyone being evasive. A price depends on the vehicle in front of them, the state it is in and what you actually want done. This guide walks through the four things that move the number, so the offers you receive make sense when they arrive.
The ranges we show, and where they come from
When you fill in a request on LocalMatch, a typical price range updates as you go. It comes from a rate table that we keep for Connecticut and adjust over time. It is a guide, not a quote, and it is not a survey of what every detailer charges. Here is the table for a vehicle in normal condition, as it stood in September 2026:
| Service | Sedan or coupe | SUV or crossover | Van or minivan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior wash & wax | $60 to $120 | $80 to $150 | $100 to $180 |
| Interior deep clean | $150 to $250 | $180 to $300 | $220 to $350 |
| Full detail | $225 to $375 | $275 to $450 | $325 to $525 |
| Paint correction | $400 to $900 | $500 to $1100 | $600 to $1300 |
| Ceramic coating consult | $700 to $1500 | $850 to $1800 | $1000 to $2100 |
Pickup trucks sit close to the SUV band. The detailer you choose sets their own price in their offer, and it can land above or below these numbers.
1. The vehicle
Size is simply more surface: more paint to wash and protect, more glass, more carpet. A three-row SUV or a minivan has roughly twice the interior of a small sedan, and a van’s sliding-door tracks and cargo floor take real time. That is why the bands step up from sedan to SUV to van.
2. The condition
This is the part people underestimate. A car that is washed monthly and vacuumed now and then is a refresh. The same model after two winters of road salt, a dog and a spilled latte is a different job, sometimes twice the hours. On the request form you choose between “pretty clean”, “normal use” and “needs real work”, and the range moves with it: a little lower for a well-kept car, about a third higher for one that needs real work.
Be honest here. A detailer who arrives expecting a refresh and finds a restoration has to re-price on your driveway, which nobody enjoys. Photos help more than adjectives, and you can attach up to three.
3. The service
- Exterior wash and wax is a careful hand wash, wheels and glass, and a coat of protection. It is the quickest visit.
- Interior deep clean covers vacuuming, shampoo or steam on fabric, plastics, leather and the inside of the glass. Interiors take longer than most people expect.
- Full detail is both, top to bottom.
- Paint correction is machine polishing to remove swirl marks and light scratches. It is skilled, slow work, priced accordingly.
- Ceramic coating starts with a consult, because the paint has to be assessed (and usually corrected) before anything is applied. The range shown is for a finished coating.
4. The extras
Four add-ons come up again and again, and each has its own typical band on the form: pet hair removal, odor treatment, headlight restoration and engine bay cleaning. Pet hair in particular is worth ticking if it applies. Woven-in hair is slow to remove and a detailer will price for it either way; better that it is in the first number you see.
What does not change the price much
Where the car sits matters less than you might think. Many mobile detailers carry their own water and power, and the request form asks whether a tap and an outlet are nearby so that those who need them know before they respond. A driveway, a workplace parking lot and a garage are all normal places to work.
How to compare offers
When offers arrive on your private page, look at three things together: the price, the earliest day the detailer can come, and what their message says is included. A slightly higher price that includes the pet hair you asked about is often the better offer. If something is unclear, choose the detailer and ask in the message thread before the day.
Ready to see real numbers for your own car? Describe the job and watch the range as you go, or read how the whole thing works first.
