Unfortunately this is a question abit like “how long is a piece of string?” its subjective to the person offering it in what they class as “Full”. You would think its would be standardized within the car valeting industry but its not.
For us when you say “full valet” we instantly think THE WORKS, EVERYTHING… We personally do the following in what we call our “OCD Valet” which is our name for a “Full Valet” just so there is no confusion. OCD to us means Everything is done…
So this is our process:
EXTERIOR
- Engine bay cleaned & dressed.
- Wheel arches flushed out.
- Thorough cleaning of your wheels (faces & barrels)
- Application of a Citrus pre-wash to eliminate loose dirt, followed by a layer of snow foam to effortlessly lift grime from your vehicle’s surface.
- A safe and meticulous contact wash.
- Chemical decontamination to remove tar spots and fall out on your car’s paint.
- Clay bar treatment to remove any further embedded contaminants from the paint.
- A thorough rinse of your car before the drying phase.
- Drying your vehicle with a high quality drying towel and blow dryers to prevent unsightly watermarks.
- Hand polish to remove surface oxidisation.
- Application of Graphene wax, delivering a protection that lasts for up to 3 months.
- Windows meticulously cleaned to achieve a streak-free shine.
- Application of wheel sealant to help reduce contamination build up.
- Tyre conditioner applied (not a dressing).
INTERIOR
- Thorough vacuuming of the interior.
- Wet vac extraction of interior carpets and seats to remove stains and dirt embedded within the fibres.
- Cleaning of the leather seats and nourishing with leather balm.
- Steam cleaning of all surfaces to eliminate germs and bacteria.
- Detailed cleaning of the centre console and steering wheel.
- Delicate brushing of vents and instruments, leaving no surface untouched.
- Restoration and dressing of plastic trims for a refreshed appearance. (no silicone used)
- Application of a premium spray scent, creating a fresh and inviting interior ambiance.
- Meticulous cleaning of interior windows, ensuring a streak-free, crystal-clear view.
How long should this take?
This will depend on the Vehicle in question, Depending on Size, condition, people doing the valet and technicality. Personally for our process it takes 5-7 hours on 1 person on an average size saloon in a worse than average condition.
How much should Full Valet Cost?
Again this is a hard question to nail down to a T but there are a few factors to consider. Is the business mobile only? or do they have a studio too? Mobile only valeters are generally cheaper due to the lack of overheads that a Detailing studio like ourselves would have.
Then there is the question of time, time is money and time has a price. For us we have to aim for £35-£40 +VAT per hour to cover overheads. Based on a small car at a best case scenario that would be £175 +VAT. (Mobile only businesses could be as little as £20 per hour with no VAT).
Well if they do it cheaper that’s better right?
This is the big debate in the world, Cheaper is not always better and the old saying goes “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR” or “PAY PEANUTS, GET MONKEYS”. Its really subjective in how you perceive the value of a service. Do you care that they are cheaper due to doing less? That they use harsh chemicals? Use cheat chemicals like silicone and carpet Dye?
These are all questions you need to ask yourself and research into like you would when hiring a builder or a plumber.
