My business is starting HELP!!!

T

twopu

New member
I have been reading the boards for a while and have contemplated getting into my own part-time business. I kept pushing it off because I didn't want to screw up anyone's car but after reading and experimenting I feel comfortable enough to branch out and make a profit. I mentioned to a co-worker that I was starting to detail and she jumped at the chance for me to detail her car. I told my wife, so that I could justify buying more supplies, and by the end of the day she had 2 more people for me. Now if I can make these three cars shine I know I can get the rest of her and my co-worker's business (best advertising Word of Mouth).



Here is my arsenal: PC, Poorboy's PwC, SSR 2, EX-P, BNB, S&W, Natty's; QEW, AIO, SG, S100, DACP, MF and a bunch of pads and brushes.



I've never used Poorboys stuff but I have read great things about it, especially easy on and off in sun or shade. Putting it on my car tomorrow. Any tips???



Questions:



1. Vacuum: I like the portability of small shop-vacs but they tend to lack the hp. In Dave's e-book he suggest nothing less than 5 hp but I see Scottwax use a 3hp. I'm just concerned 3hp will not be as effective in extracting water as a 5hp. I found a Rigid 4 gallon 5hp vac but it lacks the tools as the next model up and someone said they had problems with it but loved the next model up. Suggestions???



2. Pricing: I have checked several sites/ flyers/boards and prices vary. Are there regional difference in pricing? I'm in the northeast (South Jersey) and am not quite sure what the going rate are for:



Wash and Vacuum

Wash, Vacuum, and a 1 step (PwC)

Wash, Vacuum, and a 2 step (PwC and EX-P)

Wash, Vacuum, and a 3 step (SSR, PwC, and EX-P)



Options:

Clay

Topping with Natty's/S100

Carpet Shampoo

Engine Detail



What's the mark up on larger cars?

Minivans, Small-Mid size SUV, full size cars

Large trucks and SUV's



3. Products- I think I have a descent arsenal but have been debating if I should get #80, VM, and Quickshine. Several great detailers on this board rave about this stuff. Remember these cars have to "POP" so that I can get the rest of the business going.



Does anyone use a pop-up tent? What kind and how much?



4. Naming- If this takes off I would like to get flyers and business cards. Can I name a business that's under the table? My concern is that I name it (buy business cards/flyers) and later decide to go on the books and find out that someone has the name. What are the procedures/cost to making it a legit business?



5. Winter- What's your winter regimen like?



Sorry for all the questions, and I'm sure I'll have more, but I couldn't think of a better place to ask for help.

Thanks
 
Hey those are good questions, and I have the same question about the naming process? How do you know what names you can use and what names are already taken?
 
Good arsenal. Do you have everything you need for the interior too?





1. I have a portable rigid vac. Its the smallest size that Home Depot sells. There are no wheels or anything on it. I dont remember all of the specs on it, but it works very well for me. It has plenty of power and it isnt too loud.



2. I am basing my pricing off of $20/25 an hour. Some of the more established detailers can charge $40 something per hour even. So it depends on your location and how well your doing.



3. I would reccomend getting VM. That is what I am using for my two step process instead of PwC. I still use PwC though, it all depends on the vehicle.



I dont use a pop-up tent... there isnt enough room in my car. You can probably get one that will work well for $100 to $120.



4. Its pretty easy to get a legit busniess. I was able to get everything I need in an afternoon. It was pretty cheap too. These are the steps I did, and its probably different for your state, but still similar:



Register a Fictitous Business Name,

Have that name publised in a newspaper,

Fill out a few forums and get a business license.



5. No winter here :D
 
what do most of the mobile pros use for shade? do they require the owner provide a garage or do they carry their own tent? i can imagine a tent of a good size/quality will take a while to put up and move around by yourself.



i hope you do well :up
 
Thanks guys I have about week before my first detail.

ZaneO and dcswd- Thanks for the info. I guess I'll pick up some VM and Quickshine but I would also like to get #80 and EX. Do you know a site that carries all of them so that I can save on shipping?

How would I know if the name is already being used?
 
"what do most of the mobile pros use for shade? do they require the owner provide a garage or do they carry their own tent? i can imagine a tent of a good size/quality will take a while to put up and move around by yourself."





I am really interested in this as well. Are there pop up tents that one can "pop up" around the car??
 
I use the Rigid 6.5 HP 16 gallon vac with detachable blower from Home Depot. Was like $99 when I got it. Excellent Vac.
 
rookie said:
"what do most of the mobile pros use for shade? do they require the owner provide a garage or do they carry their own tent? i can imagine a tent of a good size/quality will take a while to put up and move around by yourself."





I am really interested in this as well. Are there pop up tents that one can "pop up" around the car??
Click to expand...



i have an "E-Z UP". its the biggest i can find, and its only 12x12. its a cinch to put up but take 4 people to move around. i think it was 100-120 dollars.





we also have a 30x15(?) fully enclosed garage type thing. its EXCELLENT for detailing, except its too big toleave in your driveway (unless it matches your house, and your house happens to be bright white vinyl...;) ) its also being used for our boat cover when its in storage.
 
I just went and looked, that would be great if it had some sides. If you were doing an interior in the rain, the sides would protect you from the rain.
 
I'll chime in on the vac. and name... I bought a Shop-Vac 6.5hp 16gal unit with blower and wish I would have bought something smaller like this...

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/4-Gallon-Vac/index.htm



As for the name, your city will do a search and tell you yes or no...then you pay and have the name for x amount of time... Registering a bus....same thing...



E-Z-UP's are found everywhere. I'm planning on getting 1 and at Academy they are around 100 bucks.



Stick with a product line that you like...don't jump around...



Pricing - Your best bet is to take a vehicle of average size/conditon. Do a full interior/exterior detail (whatever your package includes) and time yourself. Take that time, times the amount you would like to make an hour = price to charge.
 
Thanks Southern!!! I was looking at that exact vacuum. The only thing holding me back is the lack of accessories and that it doesn't have wheels attached (for home improvement jobs). Other than that it's the best wet/dry/blower/portability combo I have seen.

What the ball park figure for registering your business?
 
dcswd said:
Register a Fictitous Business Name,

Have that name publised in a newspaper,

Fill out a few forums and get a business license.
Click to expand...



You lost me with the fictitious name?
 
As for the name, your city will do a search and tell you yes or no...then you pay and have the name for x amount of time... Registering a bus....same thing...
Click to expand...



What if you want to be big at some point, or spread out. How do you know if you can use your name in the whole country?
 
rookie said:
What if you want to be big at some point, or spread out. How do you know if you can use your name in the whole country?
Click to expand...





From what I've been told it comes down to who can prove they had the name first...not much help, I know. I don't plan on branching out, so I didn't bother with those particulars...



twopu: I think it was $75 to reg. the bus. and under $100 for name reg.
 
rookie said:
What if you want to be big at some point, or spread out. How do you know if you can use your name in the whole country?
Click to expand...



Whoever can prove they used the name for business first. Not necessarily registered the name first because you can do business for a certain number of days before registering. It's usually only 30 to 40 days though...
 
Whoever can prove they used the name for business first. Not necessarily registered the name first because you can do business for a certain number of days before registering. It's usually only 30 to 40 days though...
Click to expand...



Well that is pretty fricken risky. What if I think i am the first to use that name, spread out and find out someone else has that name. Now i have to change my name, and my brand is gone, and....well, it would be a horrible situation.



There has to be some way to prevent this kind of thing.
 
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