Hello all, let me start this thread with a little of an introduction being it is my first post. I'm 28 and ever since my first car 10 years ago, I have had an addiction with clean cars. I was the one to wash my car, along with my parents cars. My dad would never even take his car to the car wash, I was the one to detail it. When I got my last car a year ago, a 2000 Honda Civic, my detailing has really taken off. I wash it at least every weekend and can't stand to see even dust on it. Saying that, I would like to get into detailing others cars for some extra cash on the side. Being that I'm just starting out, I don't have the funds or the real need for a full mobile setup or the funds to rent out space. I was wondering what the best approach would be. I'm not sure if I could offer services and say I can go wherever they have a water and electical hookup or what. I'm not sure how many people would look favorably on that thinking I have to pay this guy to detail my vehicle and pay for the water and electric he is using. I'm just trying to get some ideas on how you guys have started out and built successful business. Thanks in advance for all of your help guys, I have learned so much from reading these posts over the last month.
Navigation
Install the app
How to install the app on iOS
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
More options
Style variation
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
New Detailer
- Thread starter cmw6300
- Start date
BIll Lucas
New member
Good luck with your business.
Paragraphs are your friend. Use them when you design your brochure. Walls of text are difficult to comprehend and many people won't take the time to read them.
You are going to need a little bit of capitol to begin a business. Trying to do it with no money or proper equipment isn't going to get it going. At 28 I'm presuming you have some kind of credit record. You can look into a small business loan to get you going. To do this you'll need a business plan. A business plan is a good idea anyway. It will force you to think through the process thoroughly and to design your business.
Best of luck to you.
Paragraphs are your friend. Use them when you design your brochure. Walls of text are difficult to comprehend and many people won't take the time to read them.
You are going to need a little bit of capitol to begin a business. Trying to do it with no money or proper equipment isn't going to get it going. At 28 I'm presuming you have some kind of credit record. You can look into a small business loan to get you going. To do this you'll need a business plan. A business plan is a good idea anyway. It will force you to think through the process thoroughly and to design your business.
Best of luck to you.
Thank you for the information. I should correct myself though. I plan on starting out doing details on the weekends and maybe evenings for a maintenance wash. I have a lot of the products already, just have to pick up some specialty items (i.e. leather conditioner, some more polishes, etc.) I'm not trying to go too in depth right off the start and bet the farm on this from the get go, but if I get enough clients, you just may never know.
Yes to a Business Plan...even if you want to start small (i.e weekends). When I started my mobile business in '04, I wrote a complete business plan and check into the local laws as far as license registering etc. Always start your business venture on paper.
As far as equipment...dont jump to buy any big price items yet. I started out of my wifes Trailblazer with nothing more than a hose, chemicals, and a shop-vac with a big extention cord. Dont sweat about using electric and water at customers houses or offices. In fact I still use electric and even water at some of my customers. Good customers will not mind, and will appreciate you not waking up the neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7am by firing up the generator.
Start out small and make it grow. Make sure you even like detailing on a business level, it can be tough. Just remember, most people do not care or take care of their vehicles, so they can be in horrble shape and require alot of attention to acheive a "good detail". Not everyones vehicles are as clean as yours, thats why they are hiring you.
Thats my 2 cents. Good luck to ya.:2thumbs:
As far as equipment...dont jump to buy any big price items yet. I started out of my wifes Trailblazer with nothing more than a hose, chemicals, and a shop-vac with a big extention cord. Dont sweat about using electric and water at customers houses or offices. In fact I still use electric and even water at some of my customers. Good customers will not mind, and will appreciate you not waking up the neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7am by firing up the generator.
Start out small and make it grow. Make sure you even like detailing on a business level, it can be tough. Just remember, most people do not care or take care of their vehicles, so they can be in horrble shape and require alot of attention to acheive a "good detail". Not everyones vehicles are as clean as yours, thats why they are hiring you.
Thats my 2 cents. Good luck to ya.:2thumbs:
Thank you bdaly, I am currently trying to get my price sheet down, and coming up with a name for my business and names for the different detail packages. I think I have come up with some good ones so far. I'm assuming thats what you mean by a business plan? Knowing what kind of services you are going to offer and prices? I'm also thinking of a logo that I could make up and get put on a couple of t-shirts to wear while I'm detailing, maybe eventually move up to some polo's if business is good.
I plan on making up some business cards and some flyers/brochures to put up on convenience store bulletin boards and to place on cars at different places. Just trying to spread the word a little bit. Any other ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated!!
I plan on making up some business cards and some flyers/brochures to put up on convenience store bulletin boards and to place on cars at different places. Just trying to spread the word a little bit. Any other ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated!!
Your welcome. As far as tips....do all your printing yourself (i.e business cards, flyers, mailings) I still use my home pc to make all my marketing materials, except for my truck lettering, which at first a bought a magnet kit from Staples and made it myself.
There is so much you can do yourself, you dont need to spend a whole lot of money.
Get yourself an established name, register it, and get a Staples Bus account. Thats what I did first after I established myself and my business.
One last thing....a business plan is an outline of your business...everything, not just your services. Google...business plans...tons of free templates and sample plan.
Good luck and make some money!!:spot
There is so much you can do yourself, you dont need to spend a whole lot of money.
Get yourself an established name, register it, and get a Staples Bus account. Thats what I did first after I established myself and my business.
One last thing....a business plan is an outline of your business...everything, not just your services. Google...business plans...tons of free templates and sample plan.
Good luck and make some money!!:spot