Last summer I figure to bring in some more cash I should start washing cars. This summer it seams like im turning into a car wash company:wall I feel likeI could be spending my time detailing bring in a higher rate of pay per hour. I dont know what to do because i hate turning down buisess and wash's give me a chance to up sell and promote my buisness. Should I keep doing washs? limit them or stop doing them and foucus on a higher rate of pay?
detailing turned into washing?
- Thread starter A.P.D.
- Start date
vtec92civic
New member
A.P.D. said:
that is a tough one A.P.D. the problem would be not all area's right now allow for us to pick and choose due to the recession we are still in. As David Fermani always said the money is in bulk detailing but if you choose to go that route or not is entirely up to you.
If i was in your shoes i would continue washing if it's business and if you do not have any other clients for regular details. It will allow you to establish a relationship with those customers (assuming some wash on a regular basis) once you establish that relationship with them as being trustworthy, on time and what not you can then show them what other services you have to offer them that can benefit them and their vehicle.
If you are really worried about having your current business associated to much with a low scale or car wash type detailer then i can suggest starting up a new business with some less expensive cards and even possible a second line depending on your cell phone provider and have one business for car washes and lower end services and your regular business for the upscale items. Just a thought.
How is business overall for you right now?
CosminTX
ProReflection
3 choices or maybe 4.
- wait for the big fish to detail "autopian" way and loose time and money till things start rolling
- go with both ( wash and detail) with a higher rate for wash , something like upscale wash
- offer only wash , clay , 1 step polish ( light stuff) , interior and reprice and rethink you packages.
also ... marketing!
i think volume is where money are but the hard way is to find the balance in time, quality, price.
are u mobile or steady place?
- wait for the big fish to detail "autopian" way and loose time and money till things start rolling
- go with both ( wash and detail) with a higher rate for wash , something like upscale wash
- offer only wash , clay , 1 step polish ( light stuff) , interior and reprice and rethink you packages.
also ... marketing!
i think volume is where money are but the hard way is to find the balance in time, quality, price.
are u mobile or steady place?
FinalTouchAuto
New member
What do you currently charge for your wash and what does it include?
Washing can mean vastly different things.
Are you simply doing a quick wash or are you doing a FULL exterior wash and cleaning/dressing tires, trim, etc?
I would think your best bet right now is to try and keep the customers you have but maybe tack on a "quick wax" option for 10 bucks using some sort of spray wax, tack on a quick interior detail for 15 bucks (quick vacuum and wipedown all of the surfaces with some sort of cleaner/protectant spray). I find that it's very easy to upsell a final step product once you're already into the process. I almost ALWAYS upsell a $20 carnauba creme that I top my sealant with and it only requires an additional 10 minutes to apply and it dries while I do interior work.
The goal is to add things into your current work that wont take you much more time than normal so that you're making more per hour for your work.
It sounds like your current customers definitely don't want to pay for full detail work, but maybe they'd like some a step above just a wash?
Personally I don't see the profit in doing mobile washing if it's just a basic wash. You've gotta upsell other features.
Washing can mean vastly different things.
Are you simply doing a quick wash or are you doing a FULL exterior wash and cleaning/dressing tires, trim, etc?
I would think your best bet right now is to try and keep the customers you have but maybe tack on a "quick wax" option for 10 bucks using some sort of spray wax, tack on a quick interior detail for 15 bucks (quick vacuum and wipedown all of the surfaces with some sort of cleaner/protectant spray). I find that it's very easy to upsell a final step product once you're already into the process. I almost ALWAYS upsell a $20 carnauba creme that I top my sealant with and it only requires an additional 10 minutes to apply and it dries while I do interior work.
The goal is to add things into your current work that wont take you much more time than normal so that you're making more per hour for your work.
It sounds like your current customers definitely don't want to pay for full detail work, but maybe they'd like some a step above just a wash?
Personally I don't see the profit in doing mobile washing if it's just a basic wash. You've gotta upsell other features.
WAS
Driven
Cosmin and vtec are both correct. My personal advice is to choose what you want to do. Do you want to be strictly Autopian ? Or do you want to get as much business as possible, regardless of whether it's washes, light corrections, interiors or full blown corrections ? Understand that going the strict-Autopian route is fine, but it takes much longer to build your business up and make a name for yourself.
Once you've made that decision, then you can decide on how to market yourself. You need to make that decision first though, because it will have a huge impact on your marketing strategy.
Once you've made that decision, then you can decide on how to market yourself. You need to make that decision first though, because it will have a huge impact on your marketing strategy.
I am a mobile detailer and find myself lossing time due to packing my supplies and travel time. For a wash i charge $30 but four or more $25 but add $5 for suv's and trucks(vans too) it takes me roughly 40 mins for a car. these customers started high end but turned into spoiled customers not satisfied with the local car wash anymore:woot2:.
Jean-Claude
Keeper of the beautiful
Adjust to your market. Become the car wash king, big dog.
Get some $10 per hour flunkies and bang out car washes.
Get some $10 per hour flunkies and bang out car washes.
vtec92civic
New member
A.P.D. said:
I say if you are making money it's better then a day with nothing going on. I have a hard time at times when people call me and only want a wash (which is rare) but it does happen and it's like ok do i load up all my stuff, take a 15 minute drive, work, and drive home for $30? is it really worth it? Sometimes i tell myself depending on the area maybe it will give me a little exposure otherwise in that situation you almost always need to try and get another car in there. If i have a larger job to do in that area i don't mind stopping off for a extra $30 but between loading time, drive time and gas it really isn't that profitable.
Jean-Claude said:
now that right there is hilarious. that is true though but you don't just want any type of person working for you. You can hire cheap labor and get what you pay for or you can hire someone proper as they will be a representation of your company.
Wouldn't look to good if the flunky was hanging around on his cell phone smoking cigarettes while trying to wash a car.
Jean-Claude
Keeper of the beautiful
Lemme put it this way.
If my area did not have a need for quality detailing and I needed to pay my bills, you'd better believe I would hire a bunch of $10 per hour guys(whatever they are called) and become a $15 car wash king. Better to pay my bills, fill a need and have a happy wife/son than to be broke doing 1 $200 detail per week. /shrug
If my area did not have a need for quality detailing and I needed to pay my bills, you'd better believe I would hire a bunch of $10 per hour guys(whatever they are called) and become a $15 car wash king. Better to pay my bills, fill a need and have a happy wife/son than to be broke doing 1 $200 detail per week. /shrug
Envious Eric
New member
Jean-Claude said:
Ding ding ding!!!!!!!
Except not flunkie but rather someone who understands they are replaceable and will do a Beyer than average job to keep their job. Pay raises will entice that!
If your gonna get someone, get someone that can be trained to help you in the future on higher end details. It takes alot of time to build up enough full detail customers. A extra hand will make thing go alot faster. In the mean time, train him on easier parts of the vehcile to free your time, between the both of you guys start knocking out more washes at a quicker pace. IMO If your Money is Funny.... A starving man is happy with a peice of bread.... he don't need the whole loaf. Bay Area, I lived in Pacifica for a bit, all that salt on the cars after the fog rolled in.... I was a young car washing MOFO. Good Luck
Bunky
Detailing Gnosis
Who are you typical customers income wise? Have you showed them what you can do extra to improve the appearance?
Donavin629
New member
I just recently took wash and wax service off my site for this reason.. im not saying it wont be up there again but its just me and my girlfriend right now and the drive time for a wash is just not worth it sometimes.. and then you get to the customers house and they say their car is not bad of course.. and its trashed but they just want the wash and wax.. so from now on what im doing is only offering my full detail customers wash and wax services.. this way when they call me I know that car has been cleaned recently so I wont have much work to do.
When biz grows and I can afford more man power I can have a wash and wax team to do all this traveling while im focusing on the big money.
When biz grows and I can afford more man power I can have a wash and wax team to do all this traveling while im focusing on the big money.
Jean-Claude
Keeper of the beautiful
Have you considered having a 3 car minimum to wash? Out of the 3 chances are someone will upgrade anywho.
donavin629 said:
Envious Eric
New member
Jean-Claude said:
i agree. I dont roll out of the house without a certain dollar amount being brought in. If its under, and just one car, the person can bring it to me.
I had someone call me up (from here) asking me to go to LA area to just wash and wax his car and for price of $60...its 40-50 miles round trip, plus drive time, plus product useage = no profit!!! BUT, for 3 cars, it would be worth it...say $225 for 2 hours driving (round trip), and 3 hours tops working = profit
With the new expess business coming up, its a 4 car minimum for washing, 3 car minimum for wash and waxes, and 2 car minimum for wash, wax, light interior.
Envious Eric
New member
its easier to keep clients rather than find new ones!!!
imported_advs1
New member
toyotaguy said:
you could always refer those LA based customers, to say, ME!!! lol