Newb mobile detail

D

dickie

97' Chevy Silverado 4x4
Well I'm tryin to start mobile detailing where I live about 16,000 people or more live here. At least 2 times a week I go out And buy supplies, soon as I get my income taxes, I wan to get a canopy and PW, and trailer.. etc.
I have registered my assumed business name w/court house, then I'm need to go to local newspaper and run leagl ad anoucning my business, then return to court house letting them know I went to the newspaper, today called about insurance,

Sorry this is SOOO Long MY Q is what steps should I take now?????

And Where to find a good cheap canopy
 
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making money:bigupsgood luck
 
bigron62 said:
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making money:bigupsgood luck
Click to expand...

For the past year and ahalf been living in apartments, 3 weeks ago moved into a house but no garage. thats one of my problems.
 
bigron62 said:
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making money:bigupsgood luck
Click to expand...

I agree ...even at your house without a garage you still have access to water, electricity and a bathroom :notme:

dickie said:
Well I'm tryin to start mobile detailing where I live about 16,000 people or more live here. At least 2 times a week I go out And buy supplies, soon as I get my income taxes, I wan to get a canopy and PW, and trailer.. etc.
I have registered my assumed business name w/court house, then I'm need to go to local newspaper and run leagl ad anoucning my business, then return to court house letting them know I went to the newspaper, today called about insurance,

Sorry this is SOOO Long MY Q is what steps should I take now?????

And Where to find a good cheap canopy
Click to expand...

Well it seems like you are taking the right steps, but now I have a few questions...

What is your experience level?
Are you doing this full time?
What is you client base and how many of these 16K actually detail their cars?
Are you really running to the local Autozone type store to by off the shelf products to run a business?
Will you be busy enough to afford the insurance?
What machines are you using?
and ..the last and biggy ... Do you have a business plan?
 
Poorboy said:
I agree ...even at your house without a garage you still have access to water, electricity and a bathroom :notme:



Well it seems like you are taking the right steps, but now I have a few questions...

What is your experience level?
Are you doing this full time?
What is you client base and how many of these 16K actually detail their cars?
Are you really running to the local Autozone type store to by off the shelf products to run a business?
Will you be busy enough to afford the insurance?
What machines are you using?
and ..the last and biggy ... Do you have a business plan?
Click to expand...

Well my experience comes from starting hanging around a detail shop, soon started working there. But just did washes and inside details, owner didn't pay us 2weeks in a row, so month later I & my friend started detail biz w/ wash bay, and other room to fit 6 cars his dad owned it, lasted only 5 months, So I could say no paint correction, buffing, or polishing experience.

Yes. full time

Now my client base, don't really have no, and out of the 16k um I'm not sure how many get their cars cleaned,

And yes I've been for 6 months researching and I pick up supplies few times a week..

Machines I plan on this next 2 weeks finding a PW, and canopy..

I have a business plan made out but after looking at a few I don't think mine is any good.

appreciate the input

Ryan
 
dickie said:
Well my experience comes from starting hanging around a detail shop, soon started working there. But just did washes and inside details, owner didn't pay us 2weeks in a row, so month later I & my friend started detail biz w/ wash bay, and other room to fit 6 cars his dad owned it, lasted only 5 months, So I could say no paint correction, buffing, or polishing experience.

Yes. full time

Now my client base, don't really have no, and out of the 16k um I'm not sure how many get their cars cleaned,

And yes I've been for 6 months researching and I pick up supplies few times a week..

Machines I plan on this next 2 weeks finding a PW, and canopy..

I have a business plan made out but after looking at a few I don't think mine is any good.

appreciate the input

Ryan
Click to expand...

:cool: Damn it Dickie 1 Part of me wants to get frustrated with you. And tha other part tells me you HAVE exactly what it will take to succeed.Just hang on tight and stay focused.
I would say to start offering just waxing by hand(no major paint correction)and focus alot on the interiors.Most people(especially women)care way more about interior cleaning then exterior.Learn how to clean Leather/cloth and get you a "littlegreenmachine" by Bissle for carpets/uphoustery This would be 1 of my 1st major purchases plus it will come in handy around tha house with kids.:cool::dcrules
 
ok then from your description ... you sound like you need to open a wash and wax business dude... no corrections ;) it's hard to make a living doing this.
You need a lot of customers each day to make enough to make it worth while.
My suggestion is to get a job with a different detailer or body shop, even if you have to volunteer and suck out as much info and experience in using machines:cool:
 
Poorboy said:
ok then from your description ... you sound like you need to open a wash and wax business dude... no corrections ;) it's hard to make a living doing this.
You need a lot of customers each day to make enough to make it worth while.
My suggestion is to get a job with a different detailer or body shop, even if you have to volunteer and suck out as much info and experience in using machines:cool:
Click to expand...

I can agree with Steve on this, running a detail biz is not that easy and most all of your customers are going to come from word of mouth, that takes a lot of time.

Getting a job in a local dealership for a while and learning while getting paid is a valuable lesson and experience.
 
Like I mentioned in another of your threads, work on your organaizational skills. You've got 6 threads going basically asking the same question. Slow down and gather your thoughts. I know you're excited, but you can't run a business hopping all over the place. Your actions need to be well planned/focused.

I think you may have a few factors working in your favor. One, small town. Assuming small town Il. is somewhat similar to small town Tx, everybody knows everybody. If you are well liked that is going to work for you. Small town folk like to help each other. A new start-up business might just get some customers that aren't all that interested in having their vehicles cleaned up but are willing to help out a young entrepreneur. This will help establish a base if you can do a good job at a fair price and convince those initial customers to tell others about your service.

Secondly you are young and don't presume to know it all and sound willing to learn. Also to do this day in day out is physically grueling, your youth will serve you well.

I think the wash and wax business might be a good start, but I would go ahead and purchase a PC and some good polish products and begin practicing on your own and family vehicles. IMO the PC has a pretty short learning curve and paired with the right products and know how you might be able to quickly ramp up the level of your details. I'll quickly add...slow down...take your time to do things right the first time.

There is a lot to learn about being a detailer and a businessman. If you are only good at one but not the other failure is only a heartbeat away.
 
Mr. Clean said:
Like I mentioned in another of your threads, work on your organaizational skills. You've got 6 threads going basically asking the same question. Slow down and gather your thoughts. I know you're excited, but you can't run a business hopping all over the place. Your actions need to be well planned/focused.

I think you may have a few factors working in your favor. One, small town. Assuming small town Il. is somewhat similar to small town Tx, everybody knows everybody. If you are well liked that is going to work for you. Small town folk like to help each other. A new start-up business might just get some customers that aren't all that interested in having their vehicles cleaned up but are willing to help out a young entrepreneur. This will help establish a base if you can do a good job at a fair price and convince those initial customers to tell others about your service.

Secondly you are young and don't presume to know it all and sound willing to learn. Also to do this day in day out is physically grueling, your youth will serve you well.

I think the wash and wax business might be a good start, but I would go ahead and purchase a PC and some good polish products and begin practicing on your own and family vehicles. IMO the PC has a pretty short learning curve and paired with the right products and know how you might be able to quickly ramp up the level of your details. I'll quickly add...slow down...take your time to do things right the first time.

There is a lot to learn about being a detailer and a businessman. If you are only good at one but not the other failure is only a heartbeat away.
Click to expand...

:cool:+1
 
Damn it dickie part is funny mom says it to me all the time...

Okay yes I offering only a wash and wax, interior detailing, Thanks alot for info..
BLGM I will get
 
Hi dickie. For practice and a little extra cash to get you going. You may want to approach companies with fleet vehicles. Just a basic wash vacuum and wipe down. If you quote them a fair price you may have more work than you can handle and allow you to get a good detail business off the ground without you having to starve;moreover, if the company people that drive those fleet vehicles like your work then thats where your detailing customer contacts come in.Take it from me this approach is well worth it. My aircraft detailing side is a bit slow at the moment but my fleet washing and auto detailing side is doing great I work everyday.Most of my detail work has come from people who actually drive the fleet vehicles I wash.:rockon :bigups Thats how I got started and it has worked well for me. :D
 
Poorboy said:
ok then from your description ... you sound like you need to open a wash and wax business dude... no corrections ;) it's hard to make a living doing this.
You need a lot of customers each day to make enough to make it worth while.
My suggestion is to get a job with a different detailer or body shop, even if you have to volunteer and suck out as much info and experience in using machines:cool:
Click to expand...

WEll The MAIN reason I start my business, The past 2 years I have tried to get into detailing but all the shops around here they just say they are not hiring. Or they are family operated they just stick to their selves. I asked and asked this guy that does mobile detail's if he needed help, but he just kept blowing me off, so now I'm tryin to start something on my own....I wish I could find training around my area...
 
dickie said:
WEll The MAIN reason I start my business, The past 2 years I have tried to get into detailing but all the shops around here they just say they are not hiring. Or they are family operated they just stick to their selves. I asked and asked this guy that does mobile detail's if he needed help, but he just kept blowing me off, so now I'm tryin to start something on my own....I wish I could find training around my area...
Click to expand...

Hi dickie. I read your last post. If you want to learn to detail listen to the vets on this forum. I've gotten alot of valuble info off this site. As far as training goes practice practice practice... practice on your ride approach family and friends and do their rides. repitition is the best training. Read product labels know what the product you are using is capable of doing and what damage it can cause as well. If you have a question ask.... these guys are always willing to give advice.:dcrules :bigups
 
dickie said:
WEll The MAIN reason I start my business, The past 2 years I have tried to get into detailing but all the shops around here they just say they are not hiring. Or they are family operated they just stick to their selves. I asked and asked this guy that does mobile detail's if he needed help, but he just kept blowing me off, so now I'm tryin to start something on my own....I wish I could find training around my area...
Click to expand...

:howdy Dickie,

Why have you not been studying, I've been looking for you.And your never on here doing a forum search?

Hope all is well with you and tha lil family:rockon
 
Dickie,

I've been running a mobile detail for the last 2 years part time. It could easily be a full-time gig but I'm active duty military so it's hard to quit that one. I do only wash/wax/int details. Hire some help and work on your reputation. Take the extra time to make sure you do a god job and then as you get some experience and get in a routine your jobs will speed up. Your name/rep will be everything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top