How Much Does Car Detailing Cost in Seattle? A Real Pricing Guide (From a Local Shop 2025)
- derekhenee
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Car Detailing in Seattle?
If you’ve ever searched “how much does car detailing cost in Seattle?” you’ve probably seen a huge range of prices. From $99 “full details” to $400+ services, it can be confusing to know what’s reasonable and what actually makes sense for your car.
At Derek’s Auto Detail and Hand Car Wash – Seattle, we’ve been detailing cars since 2001, and one thing hasn’t changed: good detailing is about time, condition, and expectations.
This guide breaks down:
What car detailing really means
Real Seattle pricing from our shop (not averages)
What effects the cost of a detail
Real-life examples so you can see what makes sense for your situation
What Car Detailing Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)
The word detail gets used loosely. For us, detailing simply means doing things more thoroughly than a drive-through wash or a quick wipe-down.
Car detailing exists on a spectrum.
From Hand Wash to Complete Detail
At the most basic level, detailing can be:
A proper hand car wash, where we clean all the nooks, crevices, wheels, and dry it correctly
At the highest level, detailing means:
Bringing the car back to “new-ish” condition, considering normal wear and tear
Every detail we do starts with a proper hand wash. From there, services scale up depending on what the vehicle actually needs.
What Customers Think Detailing Includes (But Often Doesn’t)
One common misconception is that detailing includes body work.
We’re often asked if we can:
Remove dents
Fix deep scratches through the paint
That kind of work usually requires a body shop. However, we can often:
Remove paint transfer
Improve certain scratches
Make damage look 50% or better through cleaning and polishing
For many people, that’s enough to avoid expensive body work if they’re not aiming for 100% perfection.
Car Wash vs Mini Detail vs Full Detail vs Complete Detail
We break things down clearly at Derek’s Detail.
Car Wash / Mini Detail Regular maintenance. Hand wash, vacuum, light interior refresh.
Full Interior Detail When spills, grime, cup holders, seats, and carpets need real attention. Shampoo included if needed.
Full Exterior Detail Wash, prep, light polishing, and wax protection.
Complete Detail (Interior + Exterior) Full interior shampoo and conditioning plus exterior polish and wax. This is the most comprehensive service we offer.
You can see all packages clearly explained on our website under Services at dereksdetail.com.
Real Seattle Pricing From Our Shop (Not Averages)
Here’s what car detailing actually costs at our shop, based on real services and real time.
Quick / Mini Detail
$65–$100 Hand car wash and full interior vacuum. Great for regular maintenance.
Interior-Only Detail
$134–$199 for full interior without shampoo
$199+ for full interior with shampoo
All interior services include a complimentary exterior hand car wash.
Interior + Exterior Combo Packages
Our most popular detail menu options:
Final pricing depends on vehicle size and condition. Oversized SUVs, vans, and trucks are quoted individually.
What Conditions Increase the Cost of a Detail?
Pricing changes when extra time is required. That’s it. Time is the biggest factor in professional detailing.
Pet Hair
Pet hair ranges from light to extreme. Light removal may add $25–$60. Heavy cases can take hours and are assessed upfront.
Kids’ Messes & Food Spills
Most crumbs and spills are included in full interior detailing. Extra charges only apply when:
Candy is hardened
Sugar spills are bonded
Ink or deep stains require special processes
Odors, Moisture, and Mold
Ozone odor treatments start around $25 per 30–45 minutes
Mold and mildew removal typically starts around $40–$60 and goes up depending on severity
Exterior Issues (Tree Sap, Tar, Seattle Buildup)
Light contamination is included. Heavy sap, tar, mossy buildup, or widespread residue may add $20–$100 depending on time required.
The Most Common Interior Situations We See in Seattle
Seattle cars tell a very specific story.
Leaves, pine needles, and outdoor debris from parking under trees
Pet hair, especially near Green Lake, Greenwood, and Phinney Ridge
Occasional damp carpets during rainy season
Most of this is routine and covered under standard interior detailing.
Real-Life Car Detailing Scenarios
Family Minivan Reset
A heavily used family minivan with crumbs, spills, sticky cup holders, and muddy sports gear.
Service: Full interior detail with shampoo + hand wash (#6 on our menu)
Price Range: $250–$270
Result: About 95% restored. Customer was amazed and said it felt new again.
Daily Commuter Seasonal Maintenance
A Tesla sedan detailed every season.
Service: Mid-level interior/exterior combo (wax + interior detail, no shampoo)
Price Range: Around $250 (less for quarterly maintenance)
Result: Protected paint, fresh interior, customer books every season.
Selling a Car or “New Car Vibe”
Customers preparing to sell or wanting a full reset.
Service: #7 Complete Detail (Interior + Exterior)
Price Range: Under $400 for smaller cars, size-based increases
Optional Add-On: Engine bay detail for gas/hybrid vehicles (~$50)
Result: 80–95% “new car feel” and higher resale value
So… How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Car Detailing in Seattle?
Here’s the short version:
$65–$139: Maintenance
$134–$199: Interior refresh
$259–$299: Seasonal protection + interior detail
$389+: Full reset or resale prep
If you’re saying:
“It’s not that bad” → maintenance
“Life’s been happening in here” → full interior
“I want it to feel new again” → complete detail
How to Contact Us (3 Easy Options)
We make booking simple:
Book Online - If you know what you want, book online at dereksdetail.com. We’ll confirm details when you drop the car off.
Call Us - Prefer to talk it through? Call us and we’ll help you choose the right service.
Email Us - Email works great if you want to send details or photos. All contact info is listed on dereksdetail.com.
We’ll assess the car, explain your options, and let you decide.
Final Thought
I got into this business because of how powerful a good detail feels. You drop your car off and come back to something that feels reset.
That feeling still matters.
We’ve been doing this in Seattle since 2001, and we’re always happy to help you find the right fit.