# Is a mobile detailing business profitable?

It can be, because startup costs are modest and good detailers win repeat customers, but only if each package is priced on real costs. In ProfitDrawer's mobile detailing guide, a 3.5 hour midsize detail costs $160.70 including $122.50 of the owner's pay, products, driving and overhead; priced at $195, it leaves $34.30 for taxes and slow weeks. The example startup budget is $850 to $5,700.

**The guide's worked example (example numbers only):**

| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Your pay: 3.5 hours x $35 | $122.50 |
| Products | $12.00 |
| Driving: 16 miles x $0.70 | $11.20 |
| Generator fuel and water | $5.00 |
| Share of insurance, phone, marketing | $10.00 |
| **Cost before profit** | **$160.70** |
| Price after adding 20% to the cost, rounded | $195.00 |

**What makes or breaks profit:**

- **Vehicle size.** An SUV with pet hair can take twice as long as a sedan, so time and price it separately.
- **Service area.** Long drives eat your hourly pay; keep the area tight.
- **Repeat work.** Maintenance washes every two to four weeks fill the calendar between full details.
- **Wash water rules.** A fine costs more than a reclaim mat.
- **Taxes.** Set aside part of every payment; self-employment tax is 15.3% of net earnings for the 2026 tax year.

Record every job, expense and mile so you can see real monthly profit. General information, not tax advice.

- Source: [How to Start a Mobile Detailing Business (ProfitDrawer guide)](https://profitdrawer.com/guides/how-to-start-a-mobile-detailing-business.html)
- Updated: 2026-10-29
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Category: Start a business
- Canonical: https://profitdrawer.com/answers/is-a-mobile-detailing-business-profitable.html
- Publisher: ProfitDrawer (https://profitdrawer.com)