Booking a mobile detailer for the first time comes with a handful of practical questions. What's actually included? How much does it cost? How long does it take? If you're in Rayne, Church Point, Crowley, Scott, Duson, Lafayette, or Carencro, here's a straightforward answer to all of it, based on what actually happens on a real appointment.
How does mobile detailing work?
We come to you. No dropping your vehicle off, no waiting room, no arranging a ride home. You pick a spot with access to water and power, whether that's your driveway, your workplace lot, or somewhere in between, and we bring the equipment and get to work.
The day before your appointment, we send a confirmation text, ask you to remove personal items from the vehicle, and get the authorization form signed and squared away. The day of, we text when we're on the way. When we arrive, you show us where the water and power are, and we start.
If the appointment is at an apartment or a workplace, we ask that you clear it with the landlord or employer ahead of time. That one step up front keeps appointment day simple for everyone.
Do I need to be there the whole time?
Not necessarily. We like to have someone present at the start and the end, at minimum, so we can walk the vehicle together before and after. But that's not always possible, and it's not a dealbreaker. We've detailed vehicles for customers who were at work, and even one who was offshore at the time and coordinated the whole appointment by text.
How much does mobile detailing cost?
Starting prices depend on vehicle size:
Small vehicles start at $170
Medium vehicles start at $205
Large vehicles start at $235
What's actually included in a full detail?
This is the question we get most from first-time customers, and it's a fair one. Here's the honest breakdown.
A full interior detail includes:
Deep vacuum.
Agitation on all interior surfaces (scrubbing carpets, mats, and upholstery, not just wiping them down).
Dressing on all vinyl and plastic surfaces.
Windows and glass, inside and out.
A maintenance detail is lighter. It's a wipe-down rather than agitation, meant to keep a regularly maintained vehicle looking good between full details, not to tackle deep grime.
One thing that trips people up: shampooing cloth seats is an add-on, not part of the standard full detail. We list it that way on our service breakdown, but it's easy to miss if you're skimming. Leather seats are different. We clean leather as part of the standard service since it doesn't need shampooing the way cloth does.
If you're not sure whether your vehicle needs the shampoo add-on, just ask when you book. We'd rather answer that question upfront than have you surprised at the end.
How long does a mobile detail take?
Most full interior and exterior details run four to six hours. Heavily soiled vehicles take longer. We've had jobs stretch to eight hours when the condition was worse than expected going in, usually vehicles that hadn't been detailed in a long time or had a lot of ground-in mess.
If your vehicle is on the dirtier side, mention it when you book. It helps us plan the appointment realistically instead of running long into your afternoon.
Why does South Louisiana weather change our approach?
Rain here does what it wants. It shows up when it's not supposed to and clears out when it is. Because of that, we've started asking customers to pencil in a backup day whenever rain looks likely, rather than canceling outright. We'd rather reschedule once than cancel and reschedule twice.
Ready to book?
If you're in Acadia or Lafayette Parish and want to know exactly what your vehicle needs, reach out to 87 Washes. We'll walk you through what's included, give you a starting price based on your vehicle, and get you on the schedule.