Auto Detailing Booking Forms That Convert
Someone finds your detailing business online. They want their car cleaned before a road trip next weekend. They see "Call to book" or a basic contact form. So they call - but you're elbow-deep in a ceramic coating and miss it. They move on to the next detailer who has online booking.
Auto detailing is visual and package-based. Customers want to see what they're getting, pick their options, and know the price before they commit. A good booking form does all of this without you touching your phone. They book, you get notified, everyone's happy.
Here's how to build a detailing booking form that actually converts.
Vehicle Information: The Foundation
Every detailing quote starts with the vehicle. Size matters - a lot. A MINI Cooper and a Chevy Suburban are completely different jobs, even for the same "full detail" package.
Vehicle Size Category
Most detailers price by vehicle size. Keep categories simple and clear:
- Small - Compact cars, coupes (Civic, Corolla, MINI)
- Medium - Sedans, small SUVs (Camry, RAV4, CR-V)
- Large - Full-size SUVs, trucks (Tahoe, F-150, Highlander)
- XL - Full-size trucks, large SUVs, vans (Suburban, Expedition, Sprinter)
Show price differences right in the options: "Medium Sedan (+$20)" or "Large SUV (+$50)". No surprises later.
Pro tip
Add a "Not sure?" option that asks for year, make, and model instead. You can categorize it yourself and follow up with the correct quote. Better than losing someone who doesn't know if their crossover counts as "medium" or "large."
Current Condition
Condition affects time and pricing dramatically. A weekly-driven commuter car is different from a truck that just came back from a muddy job site.
Use honest, non-judgmental options: light (regularly maintained), moderate (needs attention), heavy (hasn't been cleaned in a while), severe (pet hair, construction dust, biohazard). Each level can trigger a condition surcharge.
For interior specifically, ask about pet hair, smoke odor, and kid mess. These are common and time-consuming - better to know upfront than discover it when the car arrives.
Package Selection: Make It Visual
Detailing packages should sell themselves. Don't just list "Bronze, Silver, Gold" with bullet points. Show what's included in a way that makes the value obvious.
Package Tiers
Three to four tiers works well. More than that overwhelms people. Each tier should have a clear value proposition:
Basic / Express Wash - Exterior wash, windows, tire shine. Quick and affordable. "Your car looks clean."
Standard Detail - Exterior wash and wax, full interior vacuum and wipe-down, windows inside and out. "Your car looks and feels clean."
Full Detail - Everything in Standard plus carpet shampoo, leather conditioning, engine bay cleaning, clay bar treatment. "Your car looks like it just left the dealership."
Premium / Show Detail - Full detail plus paint correction, ceramic coating or sealant, headlight restoration. "Your car looks better than when you bought it."
See package-based pricing in our car detailing calculator.
Exterior vs. Interior Options
Some customers only want exterior. Some only want interior. Give them the choice rather than forcing a full package.
Start with "What do you need?" - Exterior only, Interior only, or Both. Then show relevant package options for their selection. Someone who just wants a quick interior vacuum doesn't need to scroll past ceramic coating options.
Add-On Services
Add-ons are where you increase ticket value without pressure. Present them after the package selection, when they're already committed to booking.
Popular Add-Ons
Group add-ons by category so they're easy to scan. Exterior add-ons: clay bar treatment, paint sealant, ceramic spray coating, headlight restoration, trim restoration, wheel ceramic coating.
Interior add-ons: leather conditioning, fabric protection, odor elimination, pet hair removal, steam cleaning, ozone treatment.
Show prices for each add-on. "$25 - Headlight Restoration" is more compelling than just "Headlight Restoration" with pricing revealed later.
Pro tip
Highlight your most popular add-on with a "Most Popular" or "Recommended" tag. Social proof nudges people toward the upsell without being pushy.
Conditional Add-Ons
Some add-ons only make sense for certain packages or vehicles. Paint correction is irrelevant if they picked the basic wash. Truck bed cleaning only applies to trucks.
Use conditional logic to show relevant add-ons only. Selected a truck? Show "Truck Bed Cleaning" and "Bed Liner Treatment" options. Selected the basic package? Hide the paint correction upsell - it's out of scope.
Scheduling
After they've built their service, let them pick a time. This is where you either win the booking or lose them to phone tag.
Date and Time Selection
Show a calendar with available dates. Block off days you're fully booked or not working. For time slots, offer windows rather than exact times: "Morning (8am-12pm)" or "Afternoon (12pm-5pm)" works better than forcing a 9:15am slot.
For mobile detailing, you might need more flexibility. Ask for their preferred window and confirm the exact time after booking.
Pro tip
If you offer same-day or next-day service, make it prominent. Urgent bookings often come with premium pricing that customers are happy to pay. "Need it today? Same-day service available (+$30)" can be a significant revenue boost.
Mobile vs. Shop Location
If you offer mobile detailing, the form needs to know where to go. Ask for service location: their home, office, or your shop. For mobile, collect the address and any access notes (gate code, parking instructions, "I'll be in the gray building").
Some mobile detailers charge differently based on distance. If that's you, show the travel fee calculation based on their zip code or address.
Showing Instant Prices
The magic of a good detailing form is instant pricing. As they select options - vehicle size, package, add-ons - the total updates in real-time. No waiting for a quote callback.
Price Breakdown
Show the math. Base package: $150. Large SUV upcharge: +$40. Ceramic spray: +$35. Total: $225. Transparency builds trust.
If condition affects pricing, show that too: "Heavy soil surcharge: +$30." They know why they're paying more, and you've set expectations for what you'll find when the car arrives.
Handling Variability
Some things can't be quoted exactly without seeing the car. Paint correction depends on the actual condition of the clear coat. That's fine - show a starting price: "Paint Correction - Starting at $200. Final price after inspection."
For condition-dependent services, you can also offer a "Detailer will confirm final price" option. They book the base service, and you adjust if needed after seeing the vehicle.
See instant pricing with our car wash calculator.
Contact Information
Keep this section short. They've already invested time building their quote. Don't make them fill out 15 fields to finish.
Essential: name, phone, email. Optional but useful: how they heard about you (for marketing), any special requests or notes. That's it.
For mobile detailing, the address is essential - collect it earlier in the form when asking about service location.
Building With FormTs
FormTs handles auto detailing forms well because of how it manages packages, add-ons, and pricing.
Package comparison. Show all packages with included features and pricing. Let customers see the value difference at a glance.
Vehicle-based pricing. Select "Large SUV" and all prices automatically adjust - packages, add-ons, the total. No manual calculations or price tables to maintain.
Conditional add-ons. Show truck-specific services only for trucks. Show interior add-ons only when interior service is selected. The form stays clean and relevant.
Live price total. Every selection updates the displayed price immediately. Customers know exactly what they're paying before they submit.
See our auto detailing landing page with booking examples.
Common Mistakes
Too Many Package Tiers
Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Ultimate... Stop. More than four packages creates decision paralysis. People can't compare seven options mentally. They leave without booking.
Hiding Prices Until Checkout
If someone configures a full detail with ceramic coating and doesn't see a price until the final screen, they'll bail if it's higher than expected. Show prices as they select. Let them adjust before committing.
No Vehicle Size Adjustment
Flat pricing regardless of vehicle size is leaving money on the table. A full detail on a MINI takes half the time of a Suburban. Price accordingly, and let customers see that pricing is fair based on their vehicle.
Ignoring Mobile Detailing Logistics
If you offer mobile service, your form needs address collection, travel fee calculation, and space requirements (do they have a driveway or just street parking?). A form built for shop visits doesn't work for mobile.
Common Questions
Should I require photos of the vehicle?
Make them optional. Photos help you prepare for condition issues, but requiring uploads kills conversions. Offer a photo upload option with a note: 'Photos help us prepare for your visit' - people who want accurate quotes will use it.
How do I handle ceramic coating bookings?
Ceramic coating often needs inspection before final pricing. Show a starting price and note that final cost depends on paint condition. You can also require a consultation booking first for high-value services like full ceramic or paint correction.
Should I offer deposits or full payment upfront?
For standard details, payment on completion is typical. For large jobs (full correction, ceramic coating), a deposit protects you from no-shows. Show the deposit amount in the form: 'A $100 deposit secures your appointment. Balance due upon completion.'
What about fleet or recurring bookings?
Add a 'Business/Fleet' option at the start of the form. For business customers, show different questions: number of vehicles, service frequency, fleet manager contact info. You might offer fleet discounts that wouldn't apply to one-time customers.