Looking at starting a business.....

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ottomaticjack

New member
Hi, I'm looking at starting a detailing business, I was just hoping to get some pointers as far as necessity equipment, consumables, and or location requirements.

I plan on opening this business as a location business vice a mobile one, due to the fact that I can work year round regardless of weather and will be looking at providing other services as well once the business is up and running.



Any suggestions and/comments would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.
 
How will you be paid and how will everything be set up? This is only coming from the legal/financial side.



I've always ran my side gig back in the days all under the table, but then I started a DBA (sole proprietorship) business and then it got big and upgraded to an LLC. There's a few things you need to consider. Full time or part time or side job?



Equipments, I'm not sure how Texas is down there, but up here in the Northwest a pressure washer is a must! There's always a bunch fo caked on products and what not.



Products there's going to a long list honestly.



You'll want a list for interior, exterior and possibly engine as well.



My only suggestion now is to let us know what you have personally already and what you've been using.
 
Don't take this the wrong way, but what kind of detailing experience do you have? Have you tested different products and tools? Give us your background in the detailing world and maybe we can better help you.



Honestly, if you're just trying to find a business and you stumbled upon detailing, I'd go another route. I think most Autopian-type detailers think of it as more than a way to make money...they love doing it.
 
Google: auto detailing training and then review the numerous facilities and see which one fits your needs. Some are more techniqe vs. business and some are both.



I don't have enough space to list how many come and go due to lack of business training. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any and all questions.



Rob
 
Ok, I've been doing detailing as a side gig for a while now...I use mostly meguiars products and have done a variety of stuff. Nothing fantastically high end but I've gotten nothing but good responses. I enjoy doing it and didn't just stumble across it. I've worked with mostly products I can find around here vice the professional level chemicals but have a decent clientele and think that once I can actually do it as something other than a hobby/side job I could finally enjoy going to work in the morning. I expect that a pressure washer is a must, as is at least a small compressor. I have several orbital buffers and one high speed and don't expect to jump in and be doing ferraris next week. Like I said I'm lookinf for some tips rather than someone to hold my hand. Thanks.
 
A pressure washer is not really a must. A lot of autopians (me included) just use the 2 bucket method with just a hose and soap or go with the 1 or 2 bucket method with ONR (Optimum no Rinse). I don't have a compressor yet for lack of space. I detail off the trunk of an Explorer and space is an issue of concern.



By the way this is for mobile, if you are opening a shop I'd get a nice pressure washer and a large compressor.
 
Whats up? Like Mshu7 said there is a big difference between the way that an Autopian and a normal shop operate. A lot of Autopian's here mix the two and the customers really benefit from it. If you are setting up a location you are going to need some volume to pay the overhead. When your dealing with volume time is so important. Sometimes Autopians methods take to much time. I know because when I started I did the same thing. Also from a cost factor the great products you read about here are expensive and unless your charging the proper price they are not cost effective. I buy 4 Gallons of cleaner wax from my distributor for $39.99 CDN. That is more cost effective. Most of the waxes you read about here are private labled don't be fooled by the high prices. Not all the products here just some. Some are really great and worth the money. To sum it up get a good distributor to buy your chemicals. In a fixed location a pressure washer is a must for time and quality. An air compressor an absolute must like talked about earlier. Doing friends cars and runnig a business are at two ends of the spectrum. You might want to go work with a good detail shop to learn the trade. Any real professional will tell you how much work and time it takes to get good and fast. Like any other trade to be a good detailer not a joe average carwash shop really takes work and smarts. It is not an easy business to own and operate when you do it correctly.It is hard work. A lot of shops open up and are gone in a year or so. You may aswell learn on someones eleses money. Or start mobile to keep your costs and overhead down and just to see if you really want to do it. One thing that was not great for me was I really lost the love of keeping my own ride mint, after cleaning 10 - 15 cars a day for a few years but that does not always happen. Now that I have sold the business I am back here because I love it again. What I am trying to say is before you open up a shop you really have to know what your doing to make it. There is so much more to it than washing cars. Turning your passion to your business is always a great thing to do, I wish you all the luck. If you ever have any questions you need answered PM me I would enjoy helping out.



Thanks,

416
 
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