Contract/Fleet Work

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
Anyone do contract/fleet work? I did a few jobs for some folks at Pepsi. One of my clients said he needed to talk to me about a contract to do the Business vehicles. (trucks, vans, box trucks, semi trucks and trailers)

Anything I should know? Ask? Look for?

I have never done fleet or contract work......Any info would be appreciated.
 
First how many vehicles we talking about? Thats the number one thing. And how often.

It may also benfit you more if you were to hire part time help for that account.

Normally with fleet work a discount is in order. But thats totaly up to you, i wouldn't discount to much though, theres alot of work involved in those big trucks.
 
I know there are 2 big rigs. (from what he told me) The small, single cab ones. And not sure on how many of each other there are.

Not sure on how often either. We have to sit down and talk about it, but i am trying to get a jump on things. He was talking beginning of March.

I guess I'll ask a different question.

What would you charge for a wash, vac, tires, windows, wipe interior
on:
-16ft. Box truck (like a U-Haul truck)
-Semi truck w/ trailer
-Trucks and vans, I already know....
 
TexasTB said:
I know there are 2 big rigs. (from what he told me) The small, single cab ones. And not sure on how many of each other there are.

Not sure on how often either. We have to sit down and talk about it, but i am trying to get a jump on things. He was talking beginning of March.

I guess I'll ask a different question.

What would you charge for a wash, vac, tires, windows, wipe interior
on:
-16ft. Box truck (like a U-Haul truck)
-Semi truck w/ trailer
-Trucks and vans, I already know....
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I charge $35 for wash and vac packages on cars and trucks. I would at least double it for the box trucks, and triple it for the semis. But then we're talking fleet work so a discount is in order. It all depends on how much you think your time and skill is worth. For me its not worth giving a discount. There are plenty of newbs to the business out there that will wash a semi for 40 bucks. And thats cool, i know how it is starting fresh and taking what you can for what you can get.

Personaly i wouldn't take it but thats me, i make enough detailing cars and keeping them up weekly and bi-weekly. I don't want to go home everyday and sit on the heating pad you know.
 
I wash three dump trucks weekly. My charge (which is a commercial fleet discount btw) is:

Mack Dump Truck (Medium Size)- $65
Chevy Dump Truck - (Small Size) - $50
Ford Dump Truck - (F-450 size but with a dump body) - $40

All trucks are white and all three literally takes me about 2 hours. They are cared for weekly which helps in time because they end up not being as dirty. BTW, those prices are for exactly what you were referring to as far as a wash, vac, tires, windows, wipe interior.

It's hard to price trucks, one would definitely have to see it before quoting (so many factors to consider). I would just try to estimate how long you might spend then charge that by your normal hourly rate, and then minus out a small discount percentage if they get done on a regular basis.
 
It's a good idea to also have tucked into your memory banks how much the local truck wash charges before you go out there for bidding. Arond here (IE So-CA) it's $65-85 for just an exterior wash & tire dressing -- and that's if you bring it to there location. Figure if they send a driver over there, it's at least a one hour wait while it's being washed -- plus the drivers time there and back.
 
I Do Goaa. And The And Tsa At The Orlando Airport. I Asked Each Department How Many Times The Vehcles Were Going To Be Done.this Is Very Important,because They Have Deffrent Budgets For The Deffernt Dept Some Want The Job Done Quertly Some Want It Just 3 Or 2 Times A Year. I Chrage More If Its Less Times A Year.
 
I Do Goaa. And The And Tsa At The Orlando Airport. I Asked Each Department How Many Times The Vehcles Were Going To Be Done.this Is Very Important,because They Have Deffrent Budgets For The Deffernt Dept Some Want The Job Done Quertly Some Want It Just 3 Or 2 Times A Year. I Chrage More If Its Less Times A Year.
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I agree with what he said . LOL!
Chris, last year I picked up a fleet job. I did offer a discount, but it wasn't a big one. The question you need to know is how many vehicles are they talking about. You will need to hire some help, and then comes the problem can you find someone that can get the job done how you would. I dropped mine after awhile because it was taking time away from the full details that I enjoyed doing on smaller vehicles. I just didn't have the time due to me only detailing part time. Good luck on which ever you decide to do.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I will probably take a look at them and figure out how many this coming Monday.
It is not a huge place. I think it is a "satellite office". I know I will be able to knock out quite a few in a day depending on what they want. I imagine that the interior has rubber flooring.
Washing the truck trailers shouldn't be hard.
 
Chris,
If they don't want an interior clean,steer clear.You find with fleets the interior is less important than the exterior.It will come down to bottom line for most companies.
With the right truck washing chems brushing can be cut down by at least 40% or more.You quickly find yourself wanting a larger gpm machine.Also hot water helps the cleaning ability of most fleet washing chems.It's not necessary,but it helps.Ther are chems out there that work well with cold water.
Glory truck wash from eaco chem is a cleaner than knocks down road film nicely.
Remember this is not the same as a detail,2 different processs and 2 entirely different expectations from the customer.
 
Squirtgun said:
Chris,
If they don't want an interior clean,steer clear.You find with fleets the interior is less important than the exterior.It will come down to bottom line for most companies.
With the right truck washing chems brushing can be cut down by at least 40% or more.You quickly find yourself wanting a larger gpm machine.Also hot water helps the cleaning ability of most fleet washing chems.It's not necessary,but it helps.Ther are chems out there that work well with cold water.
Glory truck wash from eaco chem is a cleaner than knocks down road film nicely.
Remember this is not the same as a detail,2 different processs and 2 entirely different expectations from the customer.
Click to expand...


Thanks. I know the difference between these washes and a detail, and I know when I am doing them, I will have to fight myself to not do extras. LOL
I will have to remember they are simple fleet washes.

I will be making a post over on TGC.com:thanks
 
I do some of the Bell Canada trucks--but it takes them 3 months to pay. My shop rate is $30 and their's is $40, so if they even feel busy they send us something during two time slots/year.
I just got asked to bid on the Securicor trucks (Brink, the vault trucks). That'll be interesting!
brenton
 
Found out today what they all are.

about 20 trailers (48-53 foot, no doing the tops)
2 Semi trucks with trailers (Outside was only)
1 Semi, no trailer (Outside only)
3-4 Box vans, @ 18 foot (outside only, no top)

These are give or take, depending on if they get more in.
Also, they are looking at every 2 weeks.

What would YOU charge in YOUR area for these?
A quick outside, brush wash with tire dressing..
 
Sounds pretty straight forward Chris.Every 2 weeks is a sweet deal and if the only extra they want is tire dressing you should make decent $$$ on them.

I hope they don't look like this account we do.These are a monthly wash and interior vac,wipe dwon and windows.They pay good,but they are super nasty.
 

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Squirtgun said:
Sounds pretty straight forward Chris.Every 2 weeks is a sweet deal and if the only extra they want is tire dressing you should make decent $$$ on them.

I hope they don't look like this account we do.These are a monthly wash and interior vac,wipe dwon and windows.They pay good,but they are super nasty.
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Yikes.

I seen that thread over on TGS. Looks like alot of dirt road traveling?:drive:
 
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