Noob wants to "weekend warrior" for $$$

R

REX-RACER

New member
This question is directed towards anyone who does some mobil detailing on the side.



I have been coming to this site for about two months now and have learned a tremendous amount . . . almost too much. So much so that I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed almost.



My plan has been to start doing some mobil weekend detailing in the summer but I'm concerned about the time factors and possibly how much I should be considering charging and for what types of service.



Can someone here lend me a little a advice on what I should expect in these areas?



Help??? :confused:
 
Well, your pricing obviously depends on a bunch of factors: the time you spend on each vehicle, what you're actually doing, your experience, the area you're in, etc.



I'd suggest starting in the vincinity of $30 for a hand wash and then price accordingly depending on what type of corrections you're doing on the vehicle. I'd guess that if you're fairly new to this, probably $120-$150 would be a good range for a wash, quick polish & wax (& interior clean-up). If you have tools and are doing some corrections to paint, you could probably charge more. Also, if you're doing multiple applications of products (i.e. 2 polishes, 2 or more waxes/sealants) plan for that and the cure time you'll need (you probably won't want to deal much with curing if you're mobile).



Remember that you'll probably be spending 4-8 hours on each detail. You don't want to undersell yourself. Also, depending on your clientele, you can adjust your price accordingly.
 
zzyyzx said:
Well, your pricing obviously depends on a bunch of factors: the time you spend on each vehicle, what you're actually doing, your experience, the area you're in, etc.



I'd suggest starting in the vincinity of $30 for a hand wash and then price accordingly depending on what type of corrections you're doing on the vehicle. I'd guess that if you're fairly new to this, probably $120-$150 would be a good range for a wash, quick polish & wax (& interior clean-up). If you have tools and are doing some corrections to paint, you could probably charge more. Also, if you're doing multiple applications of products (i.e. 2 polishes, 2 or more waxes/sealants) plan for that and the cure time you'll need (you probably won't want to deal much with curing if you're mobile).



Remember that you'll probably be spending 4-8 hours on each detail. You don't want to undersell yourself. Also, depending on your clientele, you can adjust your price accordingly.
Click to expand...



Thanx so much for the info zzyyzx ( uhm, what's that mean? ). It looks like I was going to be underselling myself in terms of time allotment and pricing.



I had been thinking I could possibly do an interrior clean, engine bay clean, wash, polish, sealent and tire dress in about 2 hrs and charge $50 - $75 depending upon the size of the car. I had been thinking that mostly becaue I want to get started in my own neighborhood which is a townhouse subdivision that is about 75% populated w/ senior citizens.



I don't know that anyone close to me is going to pay $100+ for what they will essentially look at as having their car washed and waxed by some guy in the neighborhood. We here at autopia know it's more than that, but does anyone else really care as much as we do? Looks like I may have to rethink my plan of attack a little.



Does anyone else have anymore suggestions or tips?
 
Good luck on your new endeavor. Iâ€â„¢ve been detailing (added income) for 12 years now . . . it was a great way to earn cash in high school and college. The most important thing I can teach you is do not in any way, shape, or form, undersell your work. To gauge the cost of services, drive around town and see what the local auto washes (i.e. Auto Bell and Turtle Wax) charge. Consider everything under the sun from a simple wash and vacuum to a full detail. Here in Charlotte, the local Turtle Wax shop charges $150 for a full detail with an orbital polisher. Also, see what other mobile detailers charge â€â€œ be it fixed cost per service or hourly. Once you get rolling, define your target market and price accordingly. Me personally, I focus more on the high-end cars as these vehicles are better taken care of than average. A car in poor condition will take me 8â€â€œ10 hours (yes, Iâ€â„¢m slow). A car in good condition takes me 3â€â€œ5 hours. The difference is that I can double my profitability each Saturday on well-maintained cars as opposed to the ones in poor condition. Good luck :xyxthumbs
 
Seriously, if you can do all that you said in 2 hours (and do it well), I need to learn some tips from you!!! :) Perhaps for the seniors, offer a wash, interior clean-up and maybe a quick wax application for $50-$75. Try to educate your customers and show them the examples of stuff you can correct (show them spiderwebbing and swirls in their paint and explain the time and "expertise" that goes into getting rid of that stuff). Maybe offer them a special deal for something like $100/month that would include 2 sessions.



Even for my own car, I too take 3-5 hours (of actual work time) with my PC or rotary, which speeds things up a bit. You might be surprised at how many people will actually pay for a quality charge. There aren't as many out there, but they are there. I guess another good suggestion is make sure your car shines and gets their attention.



Frankly, I wouldn't touch the engine unless: (1) it's specifically requested; (2) you charge extra for it; and (3) you know what your doing there. If you get water in a wrong spot, you could be out a lot of money having to fix the electronics in cars today.



Like Knockwurst said, find out what local detail shops & mobile detailers charge and bring that list with you. Explain that to those businesses, their car would be just another customer. To you, they're neighbors and you have to face them everyday so you will do a great job.



btw... zzyyzx is a derivative of a street name between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I have been using it for a handle in various forms for over 15 years now. It's almost always available so I can have that name where ever I go.
 
zzyyzx - I couldn't agree with you more :xyxthumbs



Another piece of advice . . . always detail as if it were your own car. It makes a world of difference.
 
A polish is going to take more than your initial guess. Go with a one step for those that don't demand swirl removal. Maybe polish a small piece on the hood to show what you are capable of and ask-Shall I proceed. Because yes most people don't notice those defects that would make one of US vomit.
 
jrocc1212 said:
A polish is going to take more than your initial guess. Go with a one step for those that don't demand swirl removal. Maybe polish a small piece on the hood to show what you are capable of and ask-Shall I proceed. Because yes most people don't notice those defects that would make one of US vomit.
Click to expand...



:LOLOL



Thanks a lot guys for the input. I greatly appreciate it and I'm sure there isn't anything you could learn from me zzyyzx . . . at least not yet anyways :p



Looks like I'll need to rethink my planning so keep the suggestions coming guys! :) I really appreciate everything people I am learning here!!!
 
I recently started an "operation" similar to what you are talking about and I charge $100 for a full detail: $75 for exterior, $25 for interior.



I wash with NXT, clay, AIO/SG, wax with P21S. Then I q-tip the interior, vacuum, spot carpet clean and use 303. Don't start out too high, you can always raise your prices later. You don't need to charge $150 for a detail, the cost of products you use is WAY below that.



I recently learned that AIO works wonders on scuff marks!!
 
This would be my advice on the matter. I don't know how it was for everybody else, but there was quite a learning curve for me in figuring out what a fair price to charge was. While you are building a customer base you may have to give away a few freebies so that the word gets out. Don't make the mistake that I made and advertise your prices on your business card. People will assume that when you say "prices starting at $$" means that their 15 year old SUV that has never been cleaned will fall in that price range. I do my pricing based on how long I estimate it will take. Anyway, hopefully what I wrote there will lend some new ideas for your venture. :bigups
 
Yes to do it fully and professionally, and to take peoples money for the job, you should take your time, and allow at least 4 hours for that amount of work.



For example, for me to wash, polish, wax clean interior vac etc my own car would probably take nearer to 5 hours. I wouldn't spend any less time than this if I were to do someone elses, in fact it would probably take me even longer.



Something that occured to me about this though, what about insurance? If you damage someones car whilst professioally detailing it (ie charging them for it) how would you stand to put the thing right? This is not aimed at you specifically REX-RACER
 
It would depend on where you were when you damaged it. If you were in your garage then your homeowner's insurance might cover it. Most of the time if you don't have specific insurance for your business then you are screwed if they file a claim. If you operate without insurance then you better be really really careful. I would make sure you document everything on the car and have the customer sign off on it before you do any work. That way they can't come after you for door dings you didn't make. It can be a lot of work to CYA in this business. Fortunately weekend warriors are dealing mostly with friends and family. Those are normally people you can count on not to sue you if you make a boo boo or try to take advantage of you. You will still probably have to pay for it though.
 
That's great info guys!



Jngrbrdman, thank you very much for the link to your "Detailing for Money" guide! :xyxthumbs :bow You should add something something about liability & insurance though 'cause your last post kinda freaked me a out a little.



This is exactly the kind of info us noobs need, especially if we are going to try to get into detailing for a littel $$$ on the side so I really appreciate the input!



Camarorulz good luck to you! :xyxthumbs I'm glad to hear at least that it can be done and my idea isn't way off the deep end. Tell us how it is going for you thus far?
 
REX-RACER said:
My plan has been to start doing some mobil weekend detailing in the summer but I'm concerned about the time factors and possibly how much I should be considering charging and for what types of service.



Can someone here lend me a little a advice on what I should expect in these areas?
Click to expand...





It sounds like your plan is to start a small business. If this is the case then you would be very smart to consider writing your own Business Plan. It is not really that difficult and it will help you to identify the type of business, market and customers you think you would like to service. It will also identify your specific business objectives and goals, while giving you a better picture of your own knowledge and experience of operating this type of business. It will clearly define your own abilities, interests and reasons for going into this business and identify why you think you will be successful in this business venture.



Another idea to think about is writing your own Marketing Plan. Creating your own Marketing Plan will help you to fully understand the mission of your business. It will also give you a much needed basis for deciding on what price you should charge for your detailing services. The greatest benefit will be helping you to identify how to become market driven.



Of course, if you do not plan to make a profit from your detailing business then you can simply disregard all of the above.
 
Frank/Mirrorfinishman thanks alot for the sounds business advice. I have actually been thinking in about a year or two I would like to start my own business as I am growing weary of the corporate rat race.:rolleyes:



I had just wanted to get into detailing because I've always loved cars and the detailing seems like a really good way to be invloved w/ nice looking cars and possible other car people. The mobile detailing thing came about because I figured I could make a little extra $$$ on the side w/ the knowledge and hopefully skills I've been picking up here.



Writting up a business plan sounds like a good idea but at this point I won't have to go knocking on bankers doors w/ it 'caue I think I can finance my own start up. It would be good practice for when I do eventually want to start my own business though so I really value that input.



Can someone speak more about the insurance liability side though? Especially for a mobile detailer? What kinds of pitfalls should I look out for and where would I look for insurance?



Thanx again guys!:xyxthumbs
 
While having insurance is a good idea, it is a huge part of the overhead of your business. I would call your current insurance company that covers your auto or your house and see what they can offer as far as business insurance. It will vary depending on what you intend to do with it. If you only plan on making a couple thousand dollars per year, then insurance is probably going to suck most of that up and you'll be working to break even. If you are planning on detailing a couple cars a month for some extra spending cash, then likely you aren't going to be detailing Mercedes and Ferraris. Just stick to working out of people's garages and that should be good enough. Worse case scenario is that you screw up their car and have to pay their deductible on their insurance to get it fixed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top