Fair Pay for RV Washing

[Eljay]

Hey all - my coach is the 22FE Freedom Elite. Not too huge but also takes a while to do a good job washing. The neighbors teenage son asked me for a "job" - he's a great kid so I said he could wash my RV for $50.
He came over today and did an admirable job - didn't miss any spots - and it took him about 2.5 hours. I ended up giving him $60 since he worked so hard and it took him a bit longer than I expected.
My question is... did I give him a fair wage? What do you guys pay to have an RV washed? Or what is a reasonable amount for the job? Appreciate your feedback.

[16ACE27]

$60/2.5 hr = $24 per hour tax free. Mighty good pay for a low skill job IMHO.

[Pete'sMH]

During a recent trip I saw an ad for a “professional” detailing service that charged $10/ft. When my coach was at the factory service center they had an independent guy that would wash my rig for $100 or $150 including the roof. I think what you paid was fair but not exceptional.

[abjbrtd]

We use "Blue Beacon", pay about $60 + tax and a tip

Prices and location here
https://bluebeacon.com/our-services/rv-motorcoach/

[71_340]

Sounds like a good deal for both of you. Maybe he will hand wax for you for twice that amount.

[dkoldman]

If he spent 2 1/2 hours actually working that is kind of low to me.

I guess it would depend on how dirty the RV was. Was it loaded with bugs? Did he do the roof? I have a 30 ft and it is impossible for me to spend 1 hr just washing my RV? (roof not included). My RV is never that dirty, but there have been times where it to took me longer to get the white aggregate grime off the wheels and wheel wells due to RV being on dealer's lot that had rain on gravel lot.

If I wanted to try to make the job 2 hours, I would have to include the roof, hand dry the entire RV, Treat all of the windows, put 303 on all of the decals, polish the wheels and put 303 on all of the window rubber seals and I would charge $150 ( but I am not for hire

But yes I would think $60 should be the right price for a teenager or adult for a simple basic wash, which I do after every trip (45 mins; 1 hour tops). You sure for every 2 minutes of work he didn't stop to spend 3 minutes playing with his music, texting or phone calls?

[Lt Keefer]

I wash my rig, 30 foot class a, after every trip and it only takes an hour for a basic wash. If the kid had a regular job, he would make a lower hourly wage, and taxes would be deducted. So, I think you over paid the kid.

[rtaggio]

If you're happy and the kid is happy, it means you paid the correct amount !

Seems pretty simple to me.

[Jimbo56]

I have a mobile guy that comes to my place. Our 29 ft costs $80 for wash only ( including roof). $290 for wash & wax. He is very knowledgeable. Removes oxidation as well. His wife works with him (he speaks very little English as they are from Uraquay). He can do 3 a day in good weather.

[The Gritz Carlton]

$65 to $100 is a good, average price for just a simple wash. The kid asked for the job and accepted your price. And, you were kind enough to tip him. He made cool cash with no taxes. That Really equals $72 gross with $60 net if he were paying taxes. Sleep well...he'll be be back for more. I had a local, work from home detailer advertising RV washing. I called...she said $650 cash for a wash and tire treatment. I was just trying to help them out...not adopt them. I passed.

[Edensob]

Now that you have answers of overpayment, underpayment and just right, I agree that if you were happy, the kid was happy and the unit looked good, then the price was right and you had time to do other things. You made out in the end.

[Bob Denman]

We look for cashes at High Schools...
"Any car: ten bucks!"

[Eljay]

I feel better. Appreciate all your input. At the end of the day, I think that it was a fair deal.

And since a couple folks wondered, he really did stay on task, took his time with the tricky areas and did a nice job. I didn’t let him do the top - I was too worried about him hurting himself on my property doing a job for me.

[Elwood]

Sounds like he did a good job and the pay sounds reasonable, i have paid as much as 300 dollars for a complete wash and wax on my class a. That includes the roof.

[bobhhoy]

Blue Beacon Truck Wash charges about $35 to wash my motorhome.

[bobhhoy]

What’s 303?

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by bobhhoy

What’s 303?

It’s a spray on protectant.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

It’s a spray on protectant.

Quite a few different types and the protectant was the orginal that I have used on all plastics, rubber and so on.

I am trying the Graphene detailer and ceramic now but will use the protectant as in the past for many jobs. I buy it by the gallon, one of the best products to ever hit the market since WD-40

Walmart is going to start carrying 303 products and are currently setting up the shelves to allow space.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Eljay

Hey all - my coach is the 22FE Freedom Elite. Not too huge but also takes a while to do a good job washing. The neighbors teenage son asked me for a "job" - he's a great kid so I said he could wash my RV for $50.
He came over today and did an admirable job - didn't miss any spots - and it took him about 2.5 hours. I ended up giving him $60 since he worked so hard and it took him a bit longer than I expected.
My question is... did I give him a fair wage? What do you guys pay to have an RV washed? Or what is a reasonable amount for the job? Appreciate your feedback.

85 dollars is the cheapest I ever got a decent wash. In Woodland Park CO last summer and the local guy that had a portable rig wanted 200 for the wash and more if he did any hand washing. Clear coat or wax (not hand waxed) was about the same so drop 400 total. A bit high for me so I will continue to do my own.

[powerboatr]

you provided the wash soap and water and tools
yep 60 is a fair price.


lots of bending and stooping

did he dry it to?