People who work out of their garage.

A

AquaHawk

New member
Right now, I am mobile. But my family has been talking about moving about 1 year from now, so I was thinking about just starting out using the garage as a shop since my family said they wouldn't mind and would let me. (Which is pretty darn cool of them)


Anyways, if I did detailing out of the garage, would I have to have my customers use my living room as a waiting room? Or do they go home? Or what? Really appreciate all future replies, would like to know what you guys do.


Thanks,


-AquaHawk
 
I'm mobile but occasionally someone won't have a suitable location so they bring their car to me. I've got cable and wireless internet, fine with me if they hang out. 
 
Well first and foremost you don't HAVE to do anything -- it's up to you how you want to handle the experience you provide to your customers. If you're insured you can offer pick up/drop off service for customer vehicles, or you could give customers a ride if they cannot arrange one for themselves after bringing the car to you, or if you're comfortable with it allow them the use of a part of your home; there are a lot of ways you could handle things.


 


Only you can decide what makes the most sense logistically for your situation.
 
I've been working out of my garage for many years and also know several detailers who do the same and I can honestly say that I've never had a customer wait for a detail. They drop off and either pick it up the next day or whenever. Unless you're planning on running an express detail service I don't see a need/desire to cater to people who want to wait for your services. OTOH, a shop environment is totally different. 
 
David Fermani said:
I've been working out of my garage for many years and also know several detailers who do the same and I can honestly say that I've never had a customer wait for a detail. They drop off and either pick it up the next day or whenever. Unless you're planning on running an express detail service I don't see a need/desire to cater to people who want to wait for your services. OTOH, a shop environment is totally different. 
Click to expand...


 


I've had lots of people wait, most of them want to watch their car being detailed. One was a student, had a test to study for so I gave let him use my wireless so he could get online. 
 
I work out of my garage and never have a customer wait for their car at my garage. Too many issues/liabilities to consider. You also have to check with your local township to see what your residence is zoned for, i.e. commercial/residential/combiantion of both etc.
 
Working from home can be great...but clients shouldnt wait at your house.


 


Two reasons I say this...


1 - they will always nitpick while you are working, taking you away from your process, leading you to take longer


2 - they will always TALK to you while you are working, making the job take longer


 


Ive done it once a long time ago, a planned 4-5 hour job ended up taking 7 hours because they guy wanted to know about every process, nitpicked little things that would have been taken care of along the way or at the end, he kept talking to me (about detailing and life), and even asked to try polishing himself.


 


Leave me alone and the car will be done in 5 hours and run X amount, stand over my shoulder the whole day and it will take more time and cost XX amount for the same results!


 


Clients can either drop off and pick up later with an arranged ride


I will drop clients off at their house after they drop the car off in the morning and hey get a ride back to pick up the car


clients can take the loaner car so they are not out of a car for the day


But no waiting around at my house!
 
Toyota had a huge point.

You're time is most valuable.

Can I get a drink?

Wheres the bathroom?

Why are you doing that?

Didn't you miss this spot?


If you add the danger of them hurting themselves and

you being liable, I wouldn't let anyone stay at my house.
 
I am fully insured for my services, moving vehicles and for civil liability...working from home and mobile. However, I prefer working from home where everything is set up.


 


While Toyotaguy and Willy make a good point about the client taking some of your time, I have this as a counter "argument." Detailers are not hard to find most of the time, and one thing I've learned in sales, is that people will always choose the guy they feel they get the most value from. Using this ideology, I encourage my clients to stay and watch me work and ask questions. This allows them to get a full understanding of what it is I'm doing, and they get to learn at the same time. Giving the client "permission" to see what you're doing shows transparency and puts them in a comfortable zone where they trust you. and you know what? I've only had a handful of people actually stay and watch/ask questions. The rest simply leave their cars, but the fact that they know they could've stayed is a big selling point. Unless you're running a big volume shop where every minute counts because you could squeeze in another car, then I think it doesn't really matter if having the client there takes you an extra hour or 2. It makes for a better experience for them and almost guaranties they will be back.


 


Also, I have what could be referred to as a townhouse. It's essentially a 2-floor attached apartment, but it has all the features a house has; basement, yard, garage, driveway etc. I work from my garage and have my basement set up as a "chill space" for me or my friends, but also so my clients who want to wait have something to do. Pool table, darts, foosball table (coming soon), Wi-Fi, musical instruments, magazines, TV (coming soon) and product display.


 


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So basically, it really comes down to what it is you WANT to offer your clients OP. You can choose to do something like me where they stay and have something to pass the time, or you can choose not to let them stay like others do and save on the time you'll be working on their cars. In the end, it's really a question of what you're comfortable offering and how much you want to "invest" in what you have to offer.


 
 
And that sir is a VERY valid counter-argument.


Point very well explained. 


 


I never thought to have a "chill" area for clients.


I love the fact that you look at the time as a chance to educate


the client and provide value to yourself.


I can see how a client would stick around one day, then feel


secure in your abilities on future jobs.



Having a display of products is very smart.  I should set up my


garage to showcase my products. I would also need to designate 


part of mine as a home office, but this could be utilized as a


slideshow portfolio.


 


Joey, would your insurance cover a client in your home?
 
In the garage, it's business insurance. In the house, it's my home insurance. so either way, if he gets injured, he's covered. Business insurance covers for the tools, products and car in the garage.
 
Everyone, thanks for the response, it's been really great keeping track of this post and to know what you guys to and how you do it.


@Joey, nice pad you got there, I'm positive it keeps/will keep the customers busy as they await an awesome detail! :)


Thank again guys, you've all been very helpful.
 
JoeyV said:
I am fully insured for my services, moving vehicles and for civil liability...working from home and mobile. However, I prefer working from home where everything is set up.


 


While Toyotaguy and Willy make a good point about the client taking some of your time, I have this as a counter "argument." Detailers are not hard to find most of the time, and one thing I've learned in sales, is that people will always choose the guy they feel they get the most value from. Using this ideology, I encourage my clients to stay and watch me work and ask questions. This allows them to get a full understanding of what it is I'm doing, and they get to learn at the same time. Giving the client "permission" to see what you're doing shows transparency and puts them in a comfortable zone where they trust you. and you know what? I've only had a handful of people actually stay and watch/ask questions. The rest simply leave their cars, but the fact that they know they could've stayed is a big selling point. Unless you're running a big volume shop where every minute counts because you could squeeze in another car, then I think it doesn't really matter if having the client there takes you an extra hour or 2. It makes for a better experience for them and almost guaranties they will be back.


 


Also, I have what could be referred to as a townhouse. It's essentially a 2-floor attached apartment, but it has all the features a house has; basement, yard, garage, driveway etc. I work from my garage and have my basement set up as a "chill space" for me or my friends, but also so my clients who want to wait have something to do. Pool table, darts, foosball table (coming soon), Wi-Fi, musical instruments, magazines, TV (coming soon) and product display.


 


1006267_572751696114671_2043204718_n.jpg



 


1016961_572751679448006_1369349285_n.jpg



 


18395_572751676114673_979734219_n.jpg



 


996880_572751736114667_802999883_n.jpg



 


523977_572751739448000_1878506954_n.jpg



 


 


So basically, it really comes down to what it is you WANT to offer your clients OP. You can choose to do something like me where they stay and have something to pass the time, or you can choose not to let them stay like others do and save on the time you'll be working on their cars. In the end, it's really a question of what you're comfortable offering and how much you want to "invest" in what you have to offer.
Click to expand...


wow kudos to you Joey for the great chill zone....


 


but my god, that is a sweet kit you have there...i wouldn't just anyone bang on those!
 
ha! Yeah, I ordered myself a custom Orange County kit about 9 years ago before they sold the company and started only making 4 production kits, no more custom. Most people feel intimidated by it, so they don't bother trying to play on it. I've only had 2-3 people try it and they were already drummers, so they were fine. :P
 
When I worked from my garage I told people specifically that there is no where to wait while I work. There was a mall about 15 minutes away and I told them I would be happy to drop them off for the day if they wanted(and it was a day-job). But most of the time, they had someone pick them up.


 


Even now, working from a shop, practically everyone has someone pick them up. But far and in between, we will do a job that we only keep a car for the day and they are from out of state. I've had a number of those folks hang out. But I designate that there is a waiting room/office they can chill in while I work.


 


Sure, some will not pull you away from your work or pick it apart before you're done. But human nature is to be social, ask questions and inquire about stuff they see as you work(regardless of you not being done). This can be very distracting and a huge time sink. I find, more often than not, human nature takes over when people wait around.


 


Good communication can nip that in the bud though. I do not have an issue explaining that while I work I want to make the quality of the job my #1 priority and not socialize. 100% of the time, they understand and will patiently wait.....it is their car after all and they want quality. ;)
 
I either have people drop off their vehicles or I go and get them. A lot of my clientele are fellow firefighters and they work a 24 hour tour of duty, so I have no "time constraints", so I can work at my leisure.
 
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