Norm’s Custom Detail Hand Car Wash

This boutique hand wash business has you line up in the street to await your turn. They can only work on one car at a time in one small area inside a garage. We waited for 20 minutes and gave up when line didn’t move. While we were waiting we got out and went inside to see what this experience would cost us. Nobody was at the counter and no published rates. This business is a case study of inefficiency and workflow miscalculation.

Extremely long line maybe they should hire a few more ppl especially when they wash one car at a time. Car was not cleaned water and soap streaks all over the car very over priced $ 13 for just an exterior wash and for $ 17 for inside n out but for that much you should expect a better wash.

Let me preface my review by stating that I was referred to this Car Wash by a friend who loved going there before moving to Cali a few months back. He loves his SUV and was excited to find a place actually in Wilmette and so close to us (since he lived in my neighborhood). I personally had never been there because there’s a place I use on my way to the office but it’s an automatic car wash with a detail service on the other side.
Bought a new roadster a few months ago and thought Norm’s would be the perfect place to take the car for washes and details because it’s a hand wash and is perfect for a cloth top concertible. So I brought it over a month after buying it and waited in line for about 30 minutes on a busy morning. Everything went well and they were very friendly (which I cannot stress enough). I love the convenience of getting a coffee next door too. But when I got the car back, I noticed all of this tar that was coated on the panels just behind the wheel wells. I pointed it out and was told that a $ 250 detail was needed (mind you, I had just bought it a month ago… and had driven it on a newly paved road which kicked up some fresh tar). I was told it was the only way to get it off. I know about tar remover but thought, well, if they’re certain it won’t come off, then I’ll make the appt.
Now the sad truth. Upon taking the car to another highly recommended place, the guy who washed the car saw the tar and told me it was removed easily with a bug and tar remover and if there was anything more that needed to be done, he’d let me know. Needless to say, it came right off and I cancelled my appointment for the unnecessary $ 250 detail. I don’t need to tell you that I was extremely disappointed as well as frustrated to find out the truth. And what burns me up the most, is they didn’t even try the remover or a remover wash and charge me an extra $ 5 as the other place did, instead opting for the upsell which worked until I brought it someplace else.
I’ve brought my car back a few times and they’re always very nice but, after the first time, the level of quality went down even on the basic wash and I had to keep some detail equipment in my trunk so I can fix what needs to be fixed afterwards. So now I use them only in a pinch (2x after initial visit) and go to the unnamed place off 41 (I’ll leave it unnamed because I’m not trying to bump them up, simply give my honest experience with this service).
Hopefully they’ll take my review to heart and revise they’re strategy… They had me until they lost me… And such a convenience it would have been to have a competent place right in Wilmette. Definitely will not be getting the car detailed here.

These guys are so considerate and good at what they do. There was a long line when I pulled in with a hungry baby girl in the car, so they let me park in the back and showed me in to the waiting room instead of sitting in the car in line. Baby girl needed to be fed and have a diaper change in the meantime, and no one looked at me twice for needing to use the waiting room to do those things. Walking out, several of the men said thank you super kindly when I walked by. It was a 90 degree day, and when I got to the car, they had turned on the AC full blast and had the door next to the car seat standing open for me so I could pop baby girl back in easily. And — the car, which had been full to the brim with sand and dirt from our recent vacation, was perfectly clean.
Thanks to them for the wonderful consideration and excellent service! It’s so nice when people do things for you just to be kind.

It took a while to get my car washed and vacuumed. It’s not a really big place. I spent about 40 minutes here and 20 was waiting in line outside in the car. It was a job well done though, but not perfect. I prefer Norm’s to any other car wash I’ve been to, so I’ll stick with them. The prices are really good too.

Perfect for already beat up cars but don’t take a new or valued car there. My car came back with a scratch on the back bumper — probably an honest mistake with a vacuum — and a piece of the car set track broken off.

Left dead moth on dashboard! $ 20 car wash !!! Waited 40 minutes in line. I expected more than this. Disappointed. See photo.

Good cleaning for the price!

We bought our first nice car — an SUV — that quickly turned into a «school bus» once we had our «Irish twins» kids not too long ago. What was once a car of pride was now a car of dirt, food, grime and sticky fingers.
It got to the point where we needed to get it professionally cleaned and looking at the floors — mud and the wear and tear of the crazy winter we had recently in Chicago, my expectations were low — very low — as how this car would turn out after we handed over the keys.
For $ 230 and five hours later, I get a call that it’s done. I drive over to the place and the manager introduces me to the guy who cleaned my car. I almost got into the fetal position and cried — the car looked amazing. Seriously looked like a car in a dealer’s showroom. Waxed, shiny, all nooks and crannies cleaned out, armor all’d the inside and the carpets — which I thought we’re trashed with snow, salt and mud a looked brand new. To the point where I was considering whether or not ever to let my kids into it again.
Tipped the guy who cleaned it 20% of the fee. He worked his tail off in this car and obviously takes pride in his work.
Will be back and highly recommend.

I never knew what it was like to need a car wash until I had children. These days my car could benefit from a good bath at least once a week, but then again who has time to take the car to get washed when you have children. I typically wait until an unbearable smell has entered the car (usually the result of an old sippy cup of milk under the seat… ugh) and then book it to Norm’s.
I go to Norm’s out of convenience. It’s only about 15 minutes from my house and in an area that I tend to end up a lot anyway. I’ve been during the week and on weekends… and they are always able to tend to my car right away. I’ve never waited more than 20 minutes for a clean car, which is just enough time to run across the street to chase. Or if you don’t want to go outside (like I didn’t during my frequent trips this past winter) the waiting room is pleasant.
I’ve used many coupons here in the past, but without a coupon a full car wash comes to $ 19. $ 19 and 20 minutes later my car looks brand new, smells good again (thank goodness) & is ready to be destroyed by the toddlers again!

Pop! What was that? Oh, just the champagne cork popping as I begin my first Unilocal review! Horaay!
Now let’s get down to bees-​wax. I’ve never been to Norm’s but I like the sound of it! «Norm’s»! Sounds like a friendly guy. The pictures provided aren’t professional grade, so its tough to figure out exactly what it looks like.
Believe me, my car’s plenty dirty, but I have yet to wash it commercially. I usually have the neighbor’s kid do it. Forgetting his name right now…
I see it’s only gotten 5 star reviews. OK, seems pretty good. I would give it 5 but have yet to try it, so I’ll err on the side of those others being close to the truth and give it 4!
I would say ‘I’d go back’ but again, I’ve never been. So let me say this, I’ll go try it! Early August say. I’ll update my review at that time.

I’ve been coming here for a couple of years. They do a great job. Everyone has always been nice.
They take care of the car as they wash and dry it. When you drive out of here the car is completely dry. I’ve been to other car washes and the minute you drive away water is splashing out of the crevices in the car, but not here.
It’s always nice getting into to the freshly cleaned car everytime I go here. Thank you to the people working at Norm’s.
I will continue to return!

Absolutely fantastic! My car was a mess. Hot chocolate stained the seat, there was dried soda, crumbs, everything (it’s been through a lot of road trips). I finally decided to get it cleaned up. I made an appointment for a full detail for early Saturday morning, dropped it off the night before and picked it up around 2. It looked like a new car! The hot chocolate stain was gone, the seats looked amazing, the car was shiny. My jaw literally dropped. Even a few light scratches on the trunk had been buffed out. They hadn’t missed a thing. One person worked on it the entire time so he was able to show me everything he did. Highly suggest them and I couldn’t be happier. I literally signed up for Unilocal to write this review, that’s how good they are!

Norm’s did a great job on our car, and was considerably better than the car wash across the street. I took our minivan across the street on Wednesday, and our SUV to Norm’s on Thursday. Both cars were borderline filthy, and Norm’s did a great job (the other wash place did not). I was very satified with the attention to detail and the value I got for the money.

I brought my car here today, a 2007 that’s never really been cleaned in the 5+ years we’ve owned it. I spent three hours today going through papers and all sorts of junk in the car… and then I brought it Norm’s based on the rave reviews here to get the job finished.
Seriously, the car looks new, smells terrific and I could not be more thrilled. The folks working here were all so incredibly friendly, professional a courteous. I can guarantee that I’ll not go five years before returning. Money well spent, even though I was skeptical.

I did not expect to be blown over by a car wash. I was.
They were more than courteous – they were downright pleasant. They did an *excellent* job cleaning a car that had not been cleaned for probably 5 years (yes, it was very dirty), and very quickly. Their efficiency was astounding.
This is a great value. I will definitely be a returning customer.

Awesome car wash place, everyone is very polite and professional, the quality of the wash is fantastic and they are very detailed even with just the regular inside and out wash, and the price is very reasonable for the work they do,
I’m actually sitting here using their free internet on the supplied computer, andthe wait room is nice and comfortable. highly recommended if you’re in the area, I try and bring everyone to norms!

We come here occasionally to get the car cleaned up… They always do a great job and are very friendly. I’m actually sitting here getting a wash right now, surfing their free Internet! But what drove me to Unilocal this place, was they actually keep a hood my wife and left here probably a month ago! I didn’t even realize we lost it, but they remembered, and gave it back as soon as I walked in. How nice and thoughtful is that? Now I’m a lifer, much better than suds down the street!

I paid more for a car wash/​detail than ever and am pretty pleased. The Works on my BMW cost $ 245 and the car looks great. For that kind of money, though, I wish I didn’t find little dirty spots between the seats and around the car’s interior.
Outside, it looks great.

From someone who loves their cars too much and knows what a good car wash is, this is by far the best on the North Shore.
The young African-​American guy is the best. He is just as meticulous as I am and it’s not even his car! He makes sure it’s completely clean and when you walked to your car, you will often find him wiping down last minute spots. I love that!
I have never been to it before it was re-​modeled, but the waiting room is a pleasure. They have free wi-​fi and loads of good and CURRENT magazines. Everyone who works there is really nice and if you get in on a good time, it takes about 20 minutes for a good inside and out wash. Not bad for it being hand washed.
Norm’s is my go-​to place. The wash lasts a good time and I am never disappointed. I been everywhere and nothing beats their service. I hope they continue to grow because they are platinum of all the car washes.