is local market analysis required for mobile auto detailing?

Ivan Gordiyenko

New member
This is the best bet for me to start detailing is by going mobile. honestly ive only heard of one mobile detailer that goes around in my area and details. competition doesnt seem to be that great if any, should i be looking into the more detailed information such as income levels, age, gender, what do they do for a living and etc to start out ?
 
Ill have to do more research on the northern virginia detailers, since i live in the frederick county area of va, i analyzed how many mobile ones service the winchester strasburg and stephens city area and i didnt see much. have you for those specific areas?
 
There are plenty of Autopia detailers in the Northern Virginia area. I know of at least 5 within 15- 20 miles. Thomas was here as well, but moved. Then there are a bunch of those who service the car dealerships. Things are a lot different down south though.
 
How much "analyzing" have you done? From the sounds of it, it sounds like none... Before you take the dive into this business venture, you should definitely do your homework.



As for competition, if you're going mobile, do you plan on servicing the 90% or the 10%? Going after a niche market, or the general populace?
 
your right i haven't done much analyzing recently , :ohwell: i wasn't exactly sure where to start. BUT im definitely doing my homework on this venture. Finding out as much as i can about my area seems most appropriate to have a chance. I want to serve the general population in my area which has a lot of subdivisions and middle class neighborhoods, a handful of exotic car owners and a couple of big companies such as , fed ex, rubber made, major car brand dealers, enterprise rental company,. etc which can be potential customers i would believe
 
Contact those companies and see if they already have detailers. If there's a lot of competition around you (which it sounds like there is,) I'm sure you're not the first to think of this. I'm not saying its a Terrible idea. Just that a lot more research needs to be done.
 
unless you are doing and build your business/rep around high dollar, high end services that cater towards those with disposable income, there will be more money in volume detailing...wash/wax, interior shampooing, clay/wax jobs...



paint correction is a niche market

traditional detailing in the 100-200 range is a much bigger pools



o do you want to fish for the one in 100 and get 1000 per job, or get 10 out of 100 and get 100 each....
 
Funny, when the economy is bad, the auto detailing competition GROWS!!!! MAN!!! But when the economy is good and jobs are around the competition goes away and those who stick around can do well.
 
toyotaguy said:
o do you want to fish for the one in 100 and get 1000 per job, or get 10 out of 100 and get 100 each....



Actually I prefer the former. I enjoy the work more and find it very rewarding to see the final result. I am a bit lucky that I have little competition in my immediate area and it really sets me apart from the dozens of other "waxers". But most of my money still comes from the regular wash/clay/seal.



I think a large part of the problem is people see this as an easy business to make money and that is the only reason they are in it. To get to doing correction work often requires a true passion for it.
 
I agree 100%!!!!



I love doing full corretions, when paid appropriately for the time, product use, effort, knowledge used in turning a car around...definitely not $200 and done in 3 hours!



But the maintenance detailing is good money and if you can stack up 2-3 $200 jobs in a day, well you are sitting pretty!
 
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