Need some pointers from some of you Mobile pro's..

[MusicMan]

I do have another working with me part time. I can do my wash and do a quick vac, wipe down and window cleaning in less than 45 minutes. I charge 50.00 for this. We did 6 in 3.5 hours yesterday before the weather got bad. Granted 3 were at the same location.



If I had did a correction detail and it took me 20 hours, I would have had to make 600.00 to compensate for the difference.

Well, the money sure looks good. I dont think i could sell $50 just for upgrading a vac and inside windows. Maybe $35. We can usually knock a wash/vac out in the same time frame as you listed.



So for just exterior though, you said you're charging $25 for cars and $35 for SUV's/Trucks/Vans?



Could you also elaborate on what you have them 'sign up' for?



Glad you're doin' good man!

 

[hacadacalopolis]

Justin, it seems like you've had a great deal of mobile experience. Do you have any reviews written about you?

How is your customer feedback?



Also what is your method of agreement if you have one?

 

[Nth Degree]

I'm a little late on this, but I also use customer's water and power. I have never had an issue. Have a 10x10 canopy. Up or down by myself in 2 minutes. Wind has caught me by surprise a couple of times. Rather than carrying around weights I use a couple empty 5 gallon buckets. Fill them with water and tie them to the canopy legs. (Or just put the legs through the handles.) When done I can dump the water and stack the buckets again.

 

[Lotuseffect]

One thing that should be mentioned here. If you are doing a good deal of buying at Home Depot heres a little trick. Go to your local post office and ask for a Change of Address kit. Inside there are coupons for every Lowes / Home Depot. Most of them are $50 dollars off any purchase over $250.



I gotta second the notion of using Zip Locks. They are invaluable. I use the large ones for clean MF pads, smaller ones for Qtips, applicators, etc. Also, I found when I designate each pad for a product I reduce search time. Atm I have 1 OJ pad for each UNO, 105, SIP, etc (heavier cutting). One white pad for 106fa, Dodo lime prime, UNO, etc (finishing), 1 black pad for each (Menz Powerlock, Poxy, FK1000) LSP. It seems much more professional to have a zip lock and be organized than just reaching for any ole pad and going to town. Does it make a difference in the end result, no. However, like everything else perception is reality. Having everything in its assigned place shows your customer you are a pro and not some fly by night guy with a polisher in your hand.



As far as pressure washers go, I use a Karcher with 1600 psi. Not very powerful at all, but I wish I knew why so many detailers need something more powerful that that.

 

[justin30513]

Great feedback justin! If i ever do this full time i will definitely follow some of your footsteps.



Whats sux is how much a payload water tanks create



roughly 830 pounds for 100 gallon.

Thanks and yes, water is heavy!

This is why I use a 60 gallon tank. I only fill it up if I've scheduled a lot of washes at a single location.

 

[justin30513]

Well, the money sure looks good. I dont think i could sell $50 just for upgrading a vac and inside windows. Maybe $35. We can usually knock a wash/vac out in the same time frame as you listed.



So for just exterior though, you said you're charging $25 for cars and $35 for SUV's/Trucks/Vans?



Could you also elaborate on what you have them 'sign up' for?



Glad you're doin' good man!

Well it's easy to upgrade that much for interior. I tell them I'm based on time and that the interior work will take longer than the outside. It's all about perception and if you paint the right picture it will build value. Then the upsell will be easy.

Once again, if you don't ask for it they ain't gonna give it to ya! LOL



When I say sign up, the aren't actually signing anything. It's just an agreement that we set up for the frequency of the washes. Weekly, bi weekly, or monthly. I do not give any discounts for weekly nor do I charge more for the monthly.

Burger King doesn't care if I come everyday or once a month........the prices are the same.

 

[justin30513]

Justin, it seems like you've had a great deal of mobile experience. Do you have any reviews written about you?

How is your customer feedback?



Also what is your method of agreement if you have one?

Do you mean like a customer testimony? As far as customer feedback, I'm still handling customers from 6 years ago plus new ones. I spend about 200.00 a year in advertising. 90% of my new business is referrals. The other 10% comes from customers seeing my truck or getting a card from a local business card rack.



My method of agreement is all verbal and a handshake. I always text my customers to make sure they are there and ready the night before. I also text them to let them know about the weather. I will never ever wash a car with ME knowing it's going to rain the next day. I let them make the decision on that.

 

[MusicMan]

One thing that should be mentioned here. If you are doing a good deal of buying at Home Depot heres a little trick. Go to your local post office and ask for a Change of Address kit. Inside there are coupons for every Lowes / Home Depot. Most of them are $50 dollars off any purchase over $250.



I gotta second the notion of using Zip Locks. They are invaluable. I use the large ones for clean MF pads, smaller ones for Qtips, applicators, etc. Also, I found when I designate each pad for a product I reduce search time. Atm I have 1 OJ pad for each UNO, 105, SIP, etc (heavier cutting). One white pad for 106fa, Dodo lime prime, UNO, etc (finishing), 1 black pad for each (Menz Powerlock, Poxy, FK1000) LSP. It seems much more professional to have a zip lock and be organized than just reaching for any ole pad and going to town. Does it make a difference in the end result, no. However, like everything else perception is reality. Having everything in its assigned place shows your customer you are a pro and not some fly by night guy with a polisher in your hand.



As far as pressure washers go, I use a Karcher with 1600 psi. Not very powerful at all, but I wish I knew why so many detailers need something more powerful that that.

I have the 2000 PSI Karcher, i ilke it cause the higher the PSI/GPM the better the foam cannon is suppose to work. Plus i like the extra power for really bad dirt/grime. As for the big 3000 PSI ones, i can see its benefit if you're gonna PW mats...or if you're going to do house/driveway cleaning on the side

Well it's easy to upgrade that much for interior. I tell them I'm based on time and that the interior work will take longer than the outside. It's all about perception and if you paint the right picture it will build value. Then the upsell will be easy.

Once again, if you don't ask for it they ain't gonna give it to ya! LOL



When I say sign up, the aren't actually signing anything. It's just an agreement that we set up for the frequency of the washes. Weekly, bi weekly, or monthly. I do not give any discounts for weekly nor do I charge more for the monthly.

Burger King doesn't care if I come everyday or once a month........the prices are the same.

Lol, yeah that makes sense. Interiors dont usually take that long for just a vac and wipe down so I'm a little hesitant to double the price for it, but i can see adding something for doing it.



I also charge the same no matter how often they have us come. As long as they have us come! Do you find most people want weekly, bi weekly or monthly?

 

[justin30513]

I have the 2000 PSI Karcher, i ilke it cause the higher the PSI/GPM the better the foam cannon is suppose to work. Plus i like the extra power for really bad dirt/grime. As for the big 3000 PSI ones, i can see its benefit if you're gonna PW mats...or if you're going to do house/driveway cleaning on the side



Lol, yeah that makes sense. Interiors dont usually take that long for just a vac and wipe down so I'm a little hesitant to double the price for it, but i can see adding something for doing it.



I also charge the same no matter how often they have us come. As long as they have us come! Do you find most people want weekly, bi weekly or monthly?

See, here where I am, interiors are bad. I mean just junk and debris all over the place.

Most of my customers want me do the bi weekly thing. I have a set of businesses that I go by every single week though and check in. Most of the biweeklys let me clean theirs again once others start wanting theirs done!

 

[MusicMan]

See, here where I am, interiors are bad. I mean just junk and debris all over the place.

Most of my customers want me do the bi weekly thing. I have a set of businesses that I go by every single week though and check in. Most of the biweeklys let me clean theirs again once others start wanting theirs done!

Guess ive been lucky so far, our follow up interiors have been pretty good, quick vac and wipe down and its good as new. I can understand the upcharge if the thing is trashed like you're describing.



So how did you get your foot in the door with businesses? Ive never done any so any advice would be awesome

 

[hacadacalopolis]

Do you mean like a customer testimony? As far as customer feedback, I'm still handling customers from 6 years ago plus new ones. I spend about 200.00 a year in advertising. 90% of my new business is referrals. The other 10% comes from customers seeing my truck or getting a card from a local business card rack.



My method of agreement is all verbal and a handshake. I always text my customers to make sure they are there and ready the night before. I also text them to let them know about the weather. I will never ever wash a car with ME knowing it's going to rain the next day. I let them make the decision on that.

Good to know. simple enough too.

 

[hacadacalopolis]

I've turned down bad interiors, only because of shampooing- I just dont do it. I think the hot water extractors are the best at what they do, I am just not going to invest in one. I will scrub stains with pc attachment and blue magic Stain lifter- thats the gist of it.



As far as pressure washers. The gas powered ones produce consistent resulsts. I have the karcher k5x something 2000psi. The plastic couplings, fittings, all suck and need to be replaced with brass or something stronger. the hose reel sucks. the hose itself sucks. and the unit will easily fall over.

 

[BrianBrook]

I have been using a Karcher, and I agree that they tip easy and the hose reel is substandard, but the water pressure is fine. I have been debating going full out with a water tank/PW or use a waterless/Rinseless and PW when needed.







As far as pressure washers. The gas powered ones produce consistent resulsts. I have the karcher k5x something 2000psi. The plastic couplings, fittings, all suck and need to be replaced with brass or something stronger. the hose reel sucks. the hose itself sucks. and the unit will easily fall over.[/QUOTE]

 

[RenuAuto]

Sorry to pop in kinda late on this, but I have to say, after doing more and more mobile lately (chasing the successful business model of J.Murphy) I have to say that Reverse Osmosis water has been the biggest game changer for me ever. It's AMAZING how much better the cars turn out after washing them with R.O. water and the quality of life washing them has gone through the roof (see: no chasing around water spots and stressing about water drying too fast). Some towns have Deionized tanks available so you can fill your own tank with D.I. water as well which would be a great option. It may cost .10 a gallon or so, but it's been an absolute no-brainer for me. If you use it once, you'll never look back. I'd like to keep seeing the discussion continue here. Some great input.

 

[First Coast]

Sorry to pop in kinda late on this, but I have to say, after doing more and more mobile lately (chasing the successful business model of J.Murphy) I have to say that Reverse Osmosis water has been the biggest game changer for me ever. It's AMAZING how much better the cars turn out after washing them with R.O. water and the quality of life washing them has gone through the roof (see: no chasing around water spots and stressing about water drying too fast). Some towns have Deionized tanks available so you can fill your own tank with D.I. water as well which would be a great option. It may cost .10 a gallon or so, but it's been an absolute no-brainer for me. If you use it once, you'll never look back. I'd like to keep seeing the discussion continue here. Some great input.

Wow, this is intriguing. How can I find a location to fill up with DI water? I'm in Jacksonville, FL which is massive so I'm sure I can find it somewhere. Thanks for the advice, I'm going to try and locate a source.

 

[MusicMan]

Sorry to pop in kinda late on this, but I have to say, after doing more and more mobile lately (chasing the successful business model of J.Murphy) I have to say that Reverse Osmosis water has been the biggest game changer for me ever. It's AMAZING how much better the cars turn out after washing them with R.O. water and the quality of life washing them has gone through the roof (see: no chasing around water spots and stressing about water drying too fast). Some towns have Deionized tanks available so you can fill your own tank with D.I. water as well which would be a great option. It may cost .10 a gallon or so, but it's been an absolute no-brainer for me. If you use it once, you'll never look back. I'd like to keep seeing the discussion continue here. Some great input.

Thats very cool info man. So how much do you charge a wash? I'm hoping to finally get my truck and trailer set up this year. I LOVE doing polish outs, just one big long job for the day, make pretty good money and do some of my best work. But realistically, there is only a very small percentage of people who want that done...washes and wash and wax jobs would be much more consistent money especially in slow times.



I have a place near me that offers a tank taht gives 400-500 gallons of DI water. The take is $25, plus $10/month rental. Once the tank needs changing out its an extra $25 each time you change it out.



So to sum it up, what are you charging, how much time does it take you per wash approximately and do you do the washing and rinsing with DI water, or just the final rinse?



Thx man!