Help on Detailing Business

S

Shades

New member
Hey guys, noob here and I am going back to college from Christmas break and starting up a detail business. I have a very serious question that I can't seem to get a good answer to. I don't have the capital to do the trailer and mobile business and to be perfectly honest I would rather do it at a stationary place. I also don't have the money to rent a metal building either. I'm going to be starting out washing cars at my own house. The question is, how do I bring the trust factor in to new clients and letting me take their 80,000 benz home with me to clean? I am insured personally and their automobiles are insured and I know I need small business insurance but once again, out of my price range during initial start up. Help me out guys! Thanks!



Jeremy
 
Shades said:
Hey guys, noob here and I am going back to college from Christmas break and starting up a detail business. I have a very serious question that I can't seem to get a good answer to. I don't have the capital to do the trailer and mobile business and to be perfectly honest I would rather do it at a stationary place. I also don't have the money to rent a metal building either. I'm going to be starting out washing cars at my own house. The question is, how do I bring the trust factor in to new clients and letting me take their 80,000 benz home with me to clean? I am insured personally and their automobiles are insured and I know I need small business insurance but once again, out of my price range during initial start up. Help me out guys! Thanks!



Jeremy
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What exactly is your starting capital?

Have you gotten any equipment yet?

some mobile detailers start out with just their truck to go to someones house, and put the money they make from their business back into their business. You dont need to have everything at the beginning....its helpful, but people start with less and move on up later.....MY 0.2
 
Hmmm...Trust factor can take years to build up in a business, just like building a business can take years to do..Are you going to let some college kid come take your 80,000 Benz to his house for a wash? Not me...Todays society its about whats convenient, so I would figure out how you can go to them verses them coming to you.
 
i would think of another way to detail....i wouldnt let you take my car home either...and I wouldnt let you drop me off back at my place while you detail it at your place...to many shady people in the world....not saying you are one of them...
 
Offer free pick up and delivery. If they really want you to do their car, they will bring it to you.



I personally would let anyone drive my car, I dont care. If it makes my life easy, go ahead and take it. Time is the only thing money cant replace.
 
Sounds like you simply need to get some money before you start Unless you take your current car and start doing some mobile jobs to get that money. If you are not able to use the car then get a 9-5 job, save and then go for it.
 
build up the trust factor, start with having them drop it off, then driving them home in your car and picking them up.

This is how we started even though we have seperate insurace for us driving cars.



After a while people will begin to trust you and askif you can ick there car up, trust is somthing you need to earn, an with good service and good skill you will have no problem, just remeber it is a procces
 
I understand, I guess because I work at home as well I have a client base that is very trusting of me and yes I do Mercedes etc. I actually just finished one. I would think that the convience factor like jsatek said would make people happy. Nobody offers that convience and convience sells and I believe i can get an amen outta that!! haha! Anyways, I have a 4x8 enclosed trailer that my dad owns so I doubt he will let me take it up to school right now, maybe later. Anyways, what if I started going to office complexs and using their water and power?? Would they be cool with that? I have always wondered why people take their own water and generator. I know its probably just curtious to do so. Since my idea doesn't sound like its going to work at the moment, what do you recommend me doing. I drive an FJ Cruiser which has VERY little room! Help me out. By the way, I have all my materials, PC, shopvac, hose reels etc, just no trailer. Advice Advice Advice!!!
 
I just pack my supplies in the back of my car and go to the customers house. I just use their water, but none of them seem to mind.
 
detailing is contractors doing work on your house, the company uses your water and electricity, they dont supply their own!!!



you can tell the clients that you work out of your home, that is your store front....plus then you can claim it on your taxes and what not, well only if you are the one paying for the house, otherwise I dont think you can.
 
Over half of my business was obtained from me just being mobile. Customers just love the fact that their car never leaves the lot.....sometimes never even moved. Then, my work showed quality and I decided to raise my prices. Some of my customers told me they expected a 25.00 "come to you" fee!



I will never charge tthat high of an amount. I'm about 10.00-15.00 higher than our local "silicone express" drop-off car wash (LOL!).
 
For the mobile detailers, how do you work your "travel" costs into the final cost of the detail? Do you charge by the mile from your "home office" or do you have like a 5-mi. radius that you already have a pre-determined travel cost?



I'm guessing these amounts aren't too high considering the national mileage rate is something like .45 cents per mile (ex: 20 miles = $9).



Anyway, just curious how you all work travel expenses into your prices.
 
With the way you are talking about operating you really need to look at your insurance package. It has always been explained to me like this...Once you accept the keys to a vehicle you are responsible for whatever happens...buffers burns...tornado...kid with a baseball.
 
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