New Detailing Business

[bertaman1000]

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum and I've recently made my first order from Adam's. I'm really excited to use high-quality products on my own 2004 Frontier. However, that's not why I'm making this post. I'm posting because I am starting my own detailing service, and I am seeking advice from the professionals. So, what do I need to do to be successful? Unfortunately I'm working out of my parents' house (I'm 18), and it is about 3 miles away from town. However, I've got a nice website made, and I have business cards ordered. But I know that's not all it takes, which is why I'm asking you guys. Any input or advice from anyone knowledgable would be greatly appreciated as I would like to see this service take off into an actual business, which is a dream I've had for a while now, my own free-standing, profitable detailing shop. Thanks!

[mc2hill]

Sharp frontier, by the way.

 

Thanks! There are a couple on here.

[Pureshine]

My prices start at $300 for a complete detail depends on car size and how bad paint is. Most my customers tip me after they see there cars between $50 and $100. The best advertisement is word of mouth.

[bertaman1000]

Thanks for all of the input guys! I really appreciate it and have taken all of your suggestions into consideration. It's great to see people who know what they're doing helping out those who want to get into the industry.

[cbenjes]

Insurance is definitely a must. I have a friend who started out like you and now has a client-list that contains $100,000+ exotic vehicles. In some cases, the owners don't even let him bring a cell phone to the site because they don't want pictuers of their cars on the Internet. Get insurance.....You don't want to have to pay out of pocket to repaint a Ferrari if you accidentally drop your polisher on the hood... No matter how good and careful you are, accidents can happen.

[J.greenroyd]

I think his prices are too low too. I charge 100 for just a full detail, thats inside/outside/engine

[DUKE-Z]

Maybe in my area detailing costs more???

[DUKE-Z]

Your prices seem too low. If you're doing the job with premium Adam's products, and putting in the time, charge for it. As a consumer, if I was looking at detailers and saw your prices I would assume I'd get what I paid for. It is a luxury market, not to mean that only rich people get cars detailed, but even average folks who pay for detailing I think realize it is a splurge that they enjoy.

Best wishes for a successful business!

[suke]

Biggest thing that I haven't seen mentioned is profit margins. When you use expensive/quality products you need to pay attention to your costs per vehicle. This is sort of putting the cart before the horse so to speak since you don't yet have a company.......BUT you may want to include a "shop/materials fee" to offset your costs.

 

I for one know I couldn't do this for a living just cause for the hours I put into a detail most of mine would cost $600-900 per. However, since I do this on the side I can do it for 1/3 of that. Most of my details cost between $200-400.

[mc2hill]

No problem! I'm not one for stock wheels, but I like the ones on my Supercharged Fronty and on yours too! At least the ones in your more recent photos, because I'm not a fan of the ole' 4 spoke haha.

 

I hated those 4 spokes! Finally picked a nice set of Titans that were already bored, and just recently got the correct size tires to finish it off.

[bertaman1000]

Thanks! There are a couple on here.

No problem! I'm not one for stock wheels, but I like the ones on my Supercharged Fronty and on yours too! At least the ones in your more recent photos, because I'm not a fan of the ole' 4 spoke haha.

[bertaman1000]

Lots of good information from John.

 

 

 

On this point, check around on some other detailing sites to see if you can find some forms to use for the vehicle check-in - an exploded view of a car so you can note any issues upon arrival, etc.

 

Great idea! Something I haven't thought about, and I'm sure that's not the only one. Sharp frontier, by the way.

[mc2hill]

Lots of good information from John.

 

When you begin receiving work I like to meet with them in person and look over the vehicle and get some trust from the customer to let him/her know you are knowledgeable about the process required on what could be their pride and joy or somebody who wants to make sure they are spending their money wisely for your services.

 

On this point, check around on some other detailing sites to see if you can find some forms to use for the vehicle check-in - an exploded view of a car so you can note any issues upon arrival, etc.

[bertaman1000]

Welcome to the forum! As for the business I would suggest getting insurance right away. If you don't then you could be in a world of hurt if you cause any damage to a customer/clients vehicle(s).

 

From there try to get your name out there. Use Craigslist with links to your website. Try to find a sweet vehicle you could offer a full detail on and possibly bring it to a local car show to help potential customers see your work while at the same time passing out your business cards to others at the show.

 

Make sure your website has vehicles you actually worked on and not just any vehicle you found on the internet. People want to see your work. I would also include a picture of yourself on your website to so you're not just some mystery man behind the company. Make sure you look presentable as well in that picture. Nobody wants to hire somebody who just looks like some punk kid to work on their luxury, exotic or classic car they've invested so much time and money into.

 

When you begin receiving work I like to meet with them in person and look over the vehicle and get some trust from the customer to let him/her know you are knowledgeable about the process required on what could be their pride and joy or somebody who wants to make sure they are spening their money wisely for your services.

 

Besides your website make a Facebook page for your company. This is easier to maintain and draws more people to you when they "LIKE" it and see the updates you keep there on your work.

 

There are so many more things to think about besides the ones I've provided and I'm sure many more will chime in. But honestly, you need to pick up the phone and look into insurance first. You don't want a possible detail to become a large investment out of your pocket.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to type all of that! I'm really starting to love the people on the Adam's forum. As you said, I'm going to look into insurance right away, and make a craigslist ad. Your advice is very much appreciated John!

[bertaman1000]

Welcome, Robert. First, don't get discouraged. It usually takes a while to get things going. Also, you might have to do a few "freebies" for friends/relatives. That is great word of mouth advertising. Watch the how-to videos over and over and visit the forums often. Good luck. It's great to see a young guy with so much ambition.

 

I'm going to try some of those "freebies" for people that work with my mom, as I think that word would travel faster within her workplace if I provided my service to people other than my mom as they'd be more apt to give their honest opinions to others rather than hearing my mom talk me up. Thanks!

[JBlack151]

Welcome to the forum! As for the business I would suggest getting insurance right away. If you don't then you could be in a world of hurt if you cause any damage to a customer/clients vehicle(s).

 

From there try to get your name out there. Use Craigslist with links to your website. Try to find a sweet vehicle you could offer a full detail on and possibly bring it to a local car show to help potential customers see your work while at the same time passing out your business cards to others at the show.

 

Make sure your website has vehicles you actually worked on and not just any vehicle you found on the internet. People want to see your work. I would also include a picture of yourself on your website to so you're not just some mystery man behind the company. Make sure you look presentable as well in that picture. Nobody wants to hire somebody who just looks like some punk kid to work on their luxury, exotic or classic car they've invested so much time and money into.

 

When you begin receiving work I like to meet with them in person and look over the vehicle and get some trust from the customer to let him/her know you are knowledgeable about the process required on what could be their pride and joy or somebody who wants to make sure they are spening their money wisely for your services.

 

Besides your website make a Facebook page for your company. This is easier to maintain and draws more people to you when they "LIKE" it and see the updates you keep there on your work.

 

There are so many more things to think about besides the ones I've provided and I'm sure many more will chime in. But honestly, you need to pick up the phone and look into insurance first. You don't want a possible detail to become a large investment out of your pocket.

 

Good luck!

[CMDChase]

Welcome, Robert. First, don't get discouraged. It usually takes a while to get things going. Also, you might have to do a few "freebies" for friends/relatives. That is great word of mouth advertising. Watch the how-to videos over and over and visit the forums often. Good luck. It's great to see a young guy with so much ambition.

[bertaman1000]

Thanks for the input Rich! I'll be sure to check out those other threads! Anyone else have any advice?

[Marylander]

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum and I've recently made my first order from Adam's. I'm really excited to use high-quality products on my own 2004 Frontier. However, that's not why I'm making this post. I'm posting because I am starting my own detailing service, and I am seeking advice from the professionals. So, what do I need to do to be successful? Unfortunately I'm working out of my parents' house (I'm 18), and it is about 3 miles away from town. However, I've got a nice website made, and I have business cards ordered. But I know that's not all it takes, which is why I'm asking you guys. Any input or advice from anyone knowledgable would be greatly appreciated as I would like to see this service take off into an actual business, which is a dream I've had for a while now, my own free-standing, profitable detailing shop. Thanks!

 

Welcome, and good luck with the business. Do a little searching around; there have been a number of good threads on here offering advice to detailers just getting going in the business as well as start-ups that need help as they get busier and busier. Plus I'm sure more will post to offer some new advice; this is a very friendly and helpful forum.