Blog Post
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Ceramic Coating Pricing: Why We Charge by Package, Not by Vehicle Size
The short answer: Many shops quote ceramic coating by vehicle size: one price for a coupe, more for an SUV, more again for a full-size truck, plus add-ons for "heavy contamination" or "extra prep." At GHOSTPHORM, the price is set by the package, not the size of your vehicle. A compact car and a lifted truck cost the same, and the work is the same system either way. This guide explains how size-based pricing works, where surprise costs tend to hide, and how to read any quote so you know what you're actually paying.
How Size-Based Pricing Usually Works
Walk into most coating shops, or fill out a quote form, and you'll see something like this:
Small: coupes and compact cars
Medium: sedans and crossovers
Large: SUVs and trucks
Extra large: full-size trucks, vans, and anything lifted or dually
The logic is understandable. A larger vehicle has more surface area, which takes more product and more time. A shop that prices by size is trying to match its price to its cost.
The problem isn't the tiers themselves. It's what happens around them: a quoted price that starts low for a small vehicle and climbs by the time it's your truck, add-ons that appear after you've committed, and categories vague enough that your vehicle can be moved up a tier at drop-off.
Where Surprise Costs Tend to Hide
We don't name other shops, but these patterns are common across the industry, and they're worth knowing before you get a quote:
Size surcharges. A "starting at" price that rises for trucks, SUVs, lifted vehicles, or long wheelbases.
Condition add-ons. Extra charges for "heavy contamination," pet hair, or "extra prep" that are decided after the vehicle arrives.
Paint correction priced separately, so the headline number only covers the coating, not the preparation that decides how well it works.
Wheels, glass, and trim as add-ons. A package that looks complete until you see what's not in it.
Maintenance tied to the warranty. A warranty that requires paid services to stay valid.
Range quotes. "$800 to $2,500," with the final number decided after you've booked.
Fees that appear at checkout, such as processing, travel, or "environmental" charges.
None of these are illegal, and some are reasonable when explained. The issue is when they aren't explained until you've committed.
How We Price
Our pricing is built around three packages:
PHORM BASE: $1,495
PHORM PRO: $1,995
PHORM ULTRA: $2,995
Each package is a complete system, and the price is the same regardless of vehicle size.
Every package includes:
Full decontamination
Paint correction (single-stage on BASE and PRO, two-stage on ULTRA)
A ceramic primer polish before the coating
A complimentary photoshoot
Scheduled maintenance for the term of your package
What changes between packages is the coating grade, how much of the vehicle is covered, and how long your maintenance and warranty last. It does not change with how big your vehicle is. A sedan and a full-size truck on PHORM PRO cost the same.
Why We Chose Flat Pricing
It keeps the quote honest. The price you see is the price for your package, not a starting point that moves once we see your truck. There's no tier to argue over.
It matches how we work. Our system is the same on every vehicle: decontamination, correction, primer, coating. We build the price around that process, not around a measurement.
It's simpler for fleets. A business with a mix of pickups, vans, and sedans gets one number per package. For ULTRA fleets of 10 or more, we also price vehicle size and condition the same way, so a larger truck isn't a surprise on the invoice.
The Honest Tradeoff
Flat pricing isn't free for us, and it's worth being direct about what it means. A larger vehicle takes more time and product than a compact one, and we absorb that. If you drive a small car, you may wonder whether you're paying more than you would at a shop that prices by size.
That's a fair question. It's why we explain exactly what the price includes. For many owners, especially truck and SUV owners, the simplicity and the lack of surprises are worth it. For others, a size-based quote from another shop might come out lower. We'd rather you compare honestly than choose us for the wrong reason.
What a Good Quote Should Show
Whoever you get a quote from, you should be able to answer these before you pay anything:
What's the total price? Including any fees, taxes, or processing.
Does the price change if my vehicle is larger or dirtier than average? If yes, by how much?
Is paint correction included, and what stage? If it's extra, what does it cost?
Which surfaces are covered? Paint only, or wheels, glass, and trim?
What does the warranty require? Do you have to pay for services to keep it valid?
What's included in maintenance, and for how long?
What are the deposit terms, and what happens if plans change?
If a shop can't answer all seven in writing, treat the quote as a starting point, not a price.
What We Show You Up Front
Your GHOSTPHORM quote lists the package, what's included, and your total price, including processing, before any deposit is taken. The deposit is 50% to book. If anything about your vehicle changes the plan, such as paint that needs more than the package's correction or a surface that can't be coated, we tell you at inspection and before work starts, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ceramic coating cost more for bigger vehicles?
At many shops, yes. At GHOSTPHORM, the price is the same regardless of vehicle size, so a compact car and a full-size truck cost the same on the same package.
Why do some shops charge by vehicle size?
Larger vehicles take more product and time, and size-based tiers are a simple way to reflect that. The concern is surprise add-ons and vague tiers, not the idea of tiers itself.
What hidden fees should I look for in a ceramic coating quote?
Size surcharges, condition add-ons, separately priced paint correction, wheels and glass sold as extras, maintenance required to keep the warranty valid, and fees added at checkout. Ask for the total in writing.
Is paint correction included in your price?
Yes. Every package includes correction: single-stage on PHORM BASE and PRO, and two-stage on PHORM ULTRA. Standalone correction, without a coating, is quoted after inspection.
Is pricing flat for fleets?
Yes. For ULTRA fleets of 10 or more vehicles, the price is the same regardless of vehicle size.
Are there any other fees?
Your quote shows your total before you pay a deposit, including processing. Ask us anything that isn't clear.
What if my vehicle needs more than the package includes?
We tell you at inspection and before any work starts. We won't add costs after the fact.
What does the 50% deposit cover?
It books your appointment and is applied toward your total. The balance is due as outlined in your agreement.
Get an Honest Quote
We come to you across Hoover, Birmingham, and Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Send us your vehicle, and we'll show you exactly what each package includes and what it costs.