hpracing007's new business? :)

H

hpracing007

New member
before i start, i read a bunch of articles, one by a very popular member on here and a mod at team integra, i can't remember how to spell his name, but he's awesome.

The reason i decided to start this is i got laid off of my cushy job and now i'm broke and i looked at my room and was like, damn i wish i didn't buy all those detailing supplies a month ago when they hired me.

Alright, i have decided to do this out of the hatch of my integra. I will be printing flyers and going though the richest neighboor hood in town (There is like only one, i live in the 20th poorest city in the nation).

Well, i need to come up with a name, something with stunt, or bling or something the big tymers would say cause i'm known as the #1 STUNNA cause of how bling my car is haha

They will supply water for me, and it will be onsite at residence, by appointment.

I think i'll do interiors and exteriors.

Price list will be "starting at" (based on on-site estimate) on the flyer, with an explanation of what they will be getting with each service. All service done by hand.

Handwash/dry - $35 and up
Wash + NXT - $70 and up
Wash + S100 SPEC + S100 wax - $100 and up
Wash + AIO + UPP - $110 and up
Interiors start at $40+ (I would need to go buy a vacuum and leather stuff)

Claying upon request, haven't decided how much to add

I based the prices on the fact that you shouldn't set them too low because they will think work is low quality and also once you set the prices, price hikes are no good, better to lower than to make higher (Learned both of those on here.

What am i missing? anything i should know? advice please! Feb 1st is when the business will start, i'm planning. I plan to do 1-3 cars a week, mostly weekend but will do weekday afternoon if i can.
 
you know, the reason i'm doing this is to make up for my scholarship that i lost, so you think i can establish a charitable organization so i wouldn't have to pay taxes? All money would go to school anyways

P.S. IRS, i'm NOT trying to cheat you. haha, just looking for ways to do this.
 
Sounds like a pretty good plan. I would maybe think about investing in a PC and pads, just so you're more versatile and can offer more services, then you can offer some "Complete" packages. Prices seem pretty good.

Best of luck.
Carl
 
hpracing007 said:
Alright, i have decided to do this out of the hatch of my integra.
Click to expand...

All I can say is......Welcome to my world :D Just getting everything to fit in my 98 GSR is a struggle :lol
 
Okay, i have a question, please help a fellow detailer out haha

Let me tell ya'll what i've done in the last few days...
I have reread Anthony's article on his site about detailing for money. I have printed out many sites regarding starting up a business. I have decided if i do start the business, i will be a sole proprietor because corporations are double taxed. I have searched Detail City and talked to people at the other board.

Now, i want to tell ya'll what my intentions are with this business, and i need ya'll to help me make a decision.

I want to start my mobile detailing business, Iced Out Details.

This will be a hobby type thing, however, i will be advertising with flyers. If the money comes, business cards, car decals on my car will follow. I will be dealing with strangers, i'm in a college town and my professors are the only people i know that are adults. I have never detailed for money. This is new to me, i will be doing all hand details, and learning the PC and incorporating that into my operation at a later date. I will probably have waivers instead of insurance, and it will be in their personal driveways, so their house insurance/car insurance should cover things.

Should i even bother making this an official business? Fliers, and cards, will i get busted big time by not making it official, i plan to do at the most, 5 cars a week, mostly weekends (i never detailed for money so that's a guess)

I don't know what would be in my best interest.

Ideally, i'd like to do the fliers and build up a base of customers and make my business official later, but i'm afraid the federales will get mad and lock me up.
 
I have been giving business cards out "unofficially" for a little over 18 months with no problems yet. If someone is going to take interest in some college kid trying to make a few dollars every week for offering a legit service let them try, there are far worse problems out there. VistaPrint offers great deals to first time people, you can get something like 500 business cards with a design and glossy finish shipped in one week for about $20. Another opinion I can give you is that I like the idea of doing the detailing at a residence where insurance would cover any accidents, good move. Finally I would think about changing the name of your purposed business to something more appealing to your clients. While "Iced Out" may sound appealing to someone in their late teens and early twenties it is going to sound like there is an inexperianced, doesnt really give a *hit kid doing the work. Professors and other professional clients are typically well established, educated people who are looking for something more classy and assuring, I am not sure "Iced Out" leaves that impression. My clients appreciate the effort I put forth to looking professional while only doing this work on the side; little things like wearing a polo shirt, always greeting them with a welcoming "Hello, Mr. ?" and a firm handshake, offering discounts on their next service for referrals, very through explanations, and manners galore; Just a suggestion.
 
Thanks for the advice, that really make me think things over.

I was just mainly afraid of having to pay fines or other consequences of not paying taxes. I can't imagine them doing a stake out and arresting me or anything haha, it's just a small thing on the side.

Maybe i should think of something more classy then "Iced Out" It's hard to come up with an original name for a detailing place, and i don't want to just do "HP's Details" i want something special, i'll keep that in mind though. I really can't think of anything else, cause i want a cool logo haha, and that'd work.

Decisions, decisions. I think if i make over $5k (which i doubt will happen, but who knows) in 2005, then i will register it.

I'll make cards there after i see if this market i'm working in is interested in auto detailing.

Thanks agian for your advice
 
I have a couple of questions and points to raise. First, what do you think the customers insurance will cover, you getting hurt or something going wrong with the detail like scratching it or ruining the leather. I'm pretty open with my insurance agent and have been talking to him about insurance since I"m in the process of starting a part-time legit business. He was telling me that if I start a real business with a lic. and stuff you will not be covered by any insurance unless you buy business insurance. Also the only insurance you can get is like garage keepers and liability insurance. For if something happens to a customer getting hurt around you and your eqiupment among other things. There is no coverage for workmanship. If you screw something up you pay for it, that simple. If you drive a customers car even with there approval your only covered by your business insurance, not your or there auto insurance or home insurance. There's alot of stuff that I don't even remember but there is quite a bit to know. I'd would start talking to some insurance agents or look in to the SBA (small business Assoc.) or SCORE they are both non-profit orginizations that will help out people trying to start up small businesses. They both have web-sites that are helpfull and SCORE has local chapters that you can talk to someone face to face. Your already off to a good start by asking questions, just don't stop. That's pretty much what I've been and I feel I still need to know alot more.

Hope this helps,
Chubs
 
It will be onsite detailing, so i put in my flier that i will not be moving the vehicles, cause i plan to start as soon as the sun comes up so it won't be so sunny that i can't wax or seal the paint.

I doubt I get hurt detailing a car, i got health insurance, and homeowners insurance covers stuff like that. I suppose i could slip or something but i'll take my chances.

As for not screwing up, I just gotta be careful that's all. Don't spray water into the wheel wells at full blast hitting sensors and stuff.

I doubt I'll be doing more than 3-4 cars a week so i think the opportunity cost of getting insurance exceeds the benifit, thanks for your concerns.
 
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