mobile crew

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Finish Line

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Currently, our mobile rigs have two member crews. We are putting a new trailer on the road and considering just one detailer. Anyone use single man rigs, how does it work for you? Thanks

Drew
 
As someone that has worked alone and with 2 other workers, the more I had, the more I made. Working alone made my muscles hurt and I could not answer phones, respond to customers' emails, etc.



If you are busy and working alone, I STRONGLY huge you to hire a worker. Train for vac, glass, extractor, etc. Continue to do the more skilled work if you need to.



5 hours for a detail is too long. You could have 2 guys washing 3-4 per hr. at $20 min. and get $350 in five hours and only run a vacuum and pw if you are using one.



I used to do 5-6 hr. details and feel great about the outcome, but it was not the best business practice. I was tired and beat. When you see owners of plumbing companies, electricians, etc., they are dressed well and look clean and relaxed. The employees do the work, they manage and run the business for the most part.



This is where you should all head...get 2 employees per unit. For liability! What if you only have one guy on location and something happens...it is your word against an angry customer and that will never end up good.



Sit down and do the numbers. Write out what each person will do on a certain detail package. When you do the numbers, it adds up to have more workers.



Rob Regan
 
WCD said:
As someone that has worked alone and with 2 other workers, the more I had, the more I made. Working alone made my muscles hurt and I could not answer phones, respond to customers' emails, etc.



If you are busy and working alone, I STRONGLY huge you to hire a worker. Train for vac, glass, extractor, etc. Continue to do the more skilled work if you need to.



5 hours for a detail is too long. You could have 2 guys washing 3-4 per hr. at $20 min. and get $350 in five hours and only run a vacuum and pw if you are using one.



I used to do 5-6 hr. details and feel great about the outcome, but it was not the best business practice. I was tired and beat. When you see owners of plumbing companies, electricians, etc., they are dressed well and look clean and relaxed. The employees do the work, they manage and run the business for the most part.



This is where you should all head...get 2 employees per unit. For liability! What if you only have one guy on location and something happens...it is your word against an angry customer and that will never end up good.



Sit down and do the numbers. Write out what each person will do on a certain detail package. When you do the numbers, it adds up to have more workers.



Rob Regan
Click to expand...





How do you pay the mobile guys? Per hour or a % of billed work?



I have a 5k person property that I have been working for a few months. I do fine by myself but I'd like to send two guys to do the work and bring my prices down. Hopefully, with a hefty price drop, the increase in customers would far surpass the cost of two guys with the work they could do(given they aren't slackers and like making money).



Thing is the property is over 1 hour away without traffic and I don't want to pay guys to sit in 10-15 hours of traffic every week.



I was thinking 25% for the crew leader and 15% for the helper plus tips. Basic interior/exterior would be $20-$30.
 
I agree, having an assistant is more profitable, but I have yet to have someone meet MY standards! I have tried out 3 guys and none will be getting a call back (even after 3 cars each+) I am constantly having to re-tell, re-teach, and go over all areas they missed on the inside of the car! my dirty is their clean!, my clean is their waste of time TOO CLEAN
 
Agreed with most all points made. We currectly have five two man rigs on the road. So far, this month, the average has been about $4100 net for each. I was thinking of putting our fifth on the road for smaller - weekly wash, interior, etc - jobs.



Employees are employees. So, each is paid $15.00 per hour. Not a lot but, we keep a decent crew on board.



Drew
 
toyotaguy said:
I agree, having an assistant is more profitable, but I have yet to have someone meet MY standards! I have tried out 3 guys and none will be getting a call back (even after 3 cars each+) I am constantly having to re-tell, re-teach, and go over all areas they missed on the inside of the car! my dirty is their clean!, my clean is their waste of time TOO CLEAN
Click to expand...



That's the role of the owner/manager though.

My family has had a business for almost 40 years. We've had a lot of people. But one thing remains. The need to train people so they understand what you want. The trick is to find someone who is willing to take the time to listen and apply.
 
yeah, people seem to think that detailing a vehicle is simple stuff.. so when looking for an employee, i think it will be a little tougher than if i had a landscaping crew or something..
 
Yep. I know when most people call us, they are surprised that a complete detail takes us an average of 4-5 hours..."Five hours to wash a car?!?!?!"



Drew
 
First off, why put a "rig" on the road when you can reduce costs and be compliant with codes for water run off, etc.



If you switch to Water $mart Eco Detailing platform, you can transform almost any vehicle into a Detail "rig".



If you had a second person in a crew, then you would be investing in Marketing by allowing the lead to prospect. While the other guy is cleaning up, you or the lead can be droping off flyers, knockign on some doors that you got a referal from. In an office building, go see a couple more Office managers, etc.



The weather is turining, so perhaps a goodtime to invest in the labor. Have'm do the prep work, etc., and graduate them into the more technical tasks.



-jim
 
Relaited said:
First off, why put a "rig" on the road when you can reduce costs and be compliant with codes for water run off, etc.



If you switch to Water $mart Eco Detailing platform, you can transform almost any vehicle into a Detail "rig".



If you had a second person in a crew, then you would be investing in Marketing by allowing the lead to prospect. While the other guy is cleaning up, you or the lead can be droping off flyers, knockign on some doors that you got a referal from. In an office building, go see a couple more Office managers, etc.



The weather is turining, so perhaps a goodtime to invest in the labor. Have'm do the prep work, etc., and graduate them into the more technical tasks.



-jim
Click to expand...



I don't think this is the appropriate avenue to pimp your business.
 
Jim,



Thanks for the suggestion! We do currently perform some eco-friendly services- ONR, etc. But, we also still perform a number of higher cost auto, which I am not completely comfortable performing dry wash on. And, we are code compliant - we use wash mats, etc. And, I, again, am not comfortable having my guys running door-to-door while out on a job. We get the typical drive-by's who see our rigs out doing their neighbors cars, etc. I for one, do not like the idea of having someone come to my door and try to solict me. It almost reminds of the door-to-door body work guy who charges $50.00 to slap a big glob of Bondo on your fnede and spary primer right over his glob.



Anyway, just trying to get an idea of what the majority of pros here do in terms of one man, two man, three man, etc crews.



Thanks!!!



Drew
Relaited said:
First off, why put a "rig" on the road when you can reduce costs and be compliant with codes for water run off, etc.



If you switch to Water $mart Eco Detailing platform, you can transform almost any vehicle into a Detail "rig".



If you had a second person in a crew, then you would be investing in Marketing by allowing the lead to prospect. While the other guy is cleaning up, you or the lead can be droping off flyers, knockign on some doors that you got a referal from. In an office building, go see a couple more Office managers, etc.



The weather is turining, so perhaps a goodtime to invest in the labor. Have'm do the prep work, etc., and graduate them into the more technical tasks.



-jim
Click to expand...
 
Drew,



I almost always put out 2 man crews. 1 pushes the other, and can cover.



What if your customer gave you the 5 references of their neighbors, then it is not a cold call, but a warm call. And next time, you went to the neighborhood, you did 2,3 or 5 services ... isn't that more efficient?



If you had selected a Water $mart Eco Detailing platform, you could have saved money on your vehicle, saved on the equipment. And, that's great if you have a wash mat, but if you are really going it to code, then you will also save a bunch of time in properly discharging the waste. Your 1, 2 or 3 man crew would be home earlier, and you woudl have less labor!



think about it for your next rig.



-jim



PS jean - Claude. Start pimping your ideas, or say on the porch as the big dogs roll by!
 
Jim,



Thanks again for your reply! I guess I don't subscribed to the idea that I should want to employ crews to push one another. Kinda hoping they will always do what they do at the best they can do it!!??



I know that eco is great for a lot of detailers. But, I will always argue that there are jobs that eco-friendly just won't cut it.



Thanks!!



Drew
Relaited said:
Drew,



I almost always put out 2 man crews. 1 pushes the other, and can cover.



What if your customer gave you the 5 references of their neighbors, then it is not a cold call, but a warm call. And next time, you went to the neighborhood, you did 2,3 or 5 services ... isn't that more efficient?



If you had selected a Water $mart Eco Detailing platform, you could have saved money on your vehicle, saved on the equipment. And, that's great if you have a wash mat, but if you are really going it to code, then you will also save a bunch of time in properly discharging the waste. Your 1, 2 or 3 man crew would be home earlier, and you woudl have less labor!



think about it for your next rig.



-jim



PS jean - Claude. Start pimping your ideas, or say on the porch as the big dogs roll by!
Click to expand...
 
well, i guess im lucky that the eco thing isnt pushed hard around here.. its going to be raining all week here, so im going out to try to hustle up some more business.. also, i live in a neighborhood with a golf course. the head of my neighborhood association has given me permission to go to the parking lot at the country club and work on golfers cars while they are playing. Should i just offer the basics on those days (saturday and sunday)? and if they want further service, should i get them to schedule for a weekday detail? im hoping this way, i can wash several vehicles in one day AND obtain some more regular customers.
 
Drew,



I am in So California ... and set up at a Mall outside a High End Anchor Store, so waterless handles anything that customer car throws at us.



Water $mart Eco Detailing does not exclude use of a pressure washer. It encourages minimal water use when doing so, carries a zero discharge so you must put down the wash mat and have proper disposal.



If that is a requirement, then a blended model between No Rinse, waterless and PW is absolutely acceptable. I encourage non PW as much as possible, as it saves time and money when done right. And, a simple wash will clean, shine and protect.



Team of 2 is also great for quality checking the other's work. And, one of my favorite books is "Hope is not a strategy".



Flawless, I am up early to prepare for a final Demo at a very high end Golf Course today. There is no way for a non waterless / no Rinse model ... not even being considered. First off, service occurs in a Parking Deck without a clarifier. No way during a drought , with a potential for brown fairways can you be seen wasting water, and lastly neither the property, the city nor the State Water Control Board will allow the run off. Zero discharge environment.



In this environment, you can deliver the benefit of convenience .. no waiting, customer can golf while you shine! Get some helpers for the wash. Do all services on the spot, on site. Or, book appointment. Or, do some Maintenance & Prevention Detailing and bang those out.



-jim
 
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