real estate work

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
So I picked up a few business vehicles at a local Real Estate Company.

Hummer
Explorer
Land Rover
Infinity

Wash and Vac on a weekly basis...
I did the Explorer and Hummer today, didn't have enough time today to get all 4 done.
Here is a few pics. No before shots, but they were covered in road grime.

This was my first Hummer, and I can say, I think I don't care for them...lol Even though it was just a wash and vac.....lol

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I do some work for agents and they are good solid customers even in the winter...nice work on those by the way
 
Hummers...... :scared: They give me nightmares.

Atleast that one is white.

:inspector: :10:

I'm curious how much did you charge for the Hummer?

Troy
 
Great job on the two SUV's! I'm sure they'll be glad that they called you to care for their vehicles.
 
Troy,
I hope I do not have to detail any Hummers....washing was enough.
I am getting paid $400 a month to wash 4 vehicles each week. So that runs to 100 a week, 25 per vehicle.:passout:
I tried selling a full detail, or at least a wash and wax first, but it was a no go. Just clean it what I was told. They were swirled up pretty good, the Black Explorer the most, go figure.

I won't complain right now, as it is income. But I would have liked to get a little more.....
 
Maybe they'll upgrade the service once they see that you do quality work for them. I'd keep up the washes for a few months and try to sell the full detail again.
 
TexasTB said:
I am getting paid $400 a month to wash 4 vehicles each week. So that runs to 100 a week, 25 per vehicle.:passout:
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They are getting a great deal. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but man you gotta charge more than $25 to wash a Hummer! Especially when your taking the time to dress the tires and trim which you have to do on a Hummer to get it looking right. True you are getting 4 in 1 spot but still, that is too cheap. Forgive me for saying that. I just don't like seeing fellow detailers get taken advantage of. I know I have done my share of under-priced work.

I do what I call a mini-detail as my wash and on a Hummer it takes me close to an hour if I'm by myself and that's working pretty hard.

You have to factor in all the expenses including the insurance you are looking into. After you factor that stuff in you aren't making much at all for what looks like a quality wash.

Troy
 
I know what you mean Troy, and I agree. He said he had someone currently that was washing the vehicles. Picking them up and bringing them back.
They were charging 350. I told him, that I would normally wash a Hummer around 50.....

I will stick with it for a while and try to upsell later like said above......
 
I have fallen into that trap many times trying to compete with a ridiculously low price. It's tough when you need work and you have someone willing to give it to you but not for what you want or need to charge.

I had to make a decision. Do I want to do quality work at a fair price or try to compete with cheap detailers and fit into peoples budgets. There is a market for the quality work at fair prices, it just takes time to accumulate it.

I still have a couple of cars I do for $25 at one location but they look immaculate before I even touch them most of the time. They are very easy to do and they are customers I've had for 10 years. They also understand that I squeeze them in around my schedule, it's the only way I could do it.

It becomes really evident that you aren't charging enough when you hire a helper and have to factor in his wage. I am getting ready to raise my prices again just for that reason.
 
I just raised my prices a little. I am trying to weed out some of these nasty, dirty vehicles....

I want to get to a point where I can pick and choose what vehicles I want to do. I got a call from a lady today while driving. She had an early 90's minivan, and screaming kids in the background.......
 
I have to agree with Troy, as it does seem to be money in your pocket & work for right now, if you get busier with full details, spending that much time on washes of large vehicles can start to cost you money when you consider the expenses you have.

ps ..you need to black out the license plates;)
 
TexasTB said:
I just raised my prices a little. I am trying to weed out some of these nasty, dirty vehicles....

I want to get to a point where I can pick and choose what vehicles I want to do. I got a call from a lady today while driving. She had an early 90's minivan, and screaming kids in the background.......
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I've read this thread and with this mini van here is your chance to get your price up....make her a high offer and if she bites then take the work, if not don't feel bad about passing this one up. She dosen't seem like a repeat customer so do't leave money on the table, unless you really need the work
 
Those are some pretty tricked out cars (at least the hummer is) What did you use on the rims and tires :confused: You did a great job on them :10: I LOVE chrome so shiney:wow:
 
Poorboy said:
ps ..you need to black out the license plates;)
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What are you talking about.....????:notme: :notme: :notme: :notme: :crazy2:
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Pockets@PoorboysWorld said:
Those are some pretty tricked out cars (at least the hummer is) What did you use on the rims and tires :confused: You did a great job on them :10: I LOVE chrome so shiney:wow:
Click to expand...
I used Megs Wheel Brightener, agitate, and pressure wash off.


Here is the Land Rover...
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Here, I rinsed the car before washing.....when I went around with wash mitt, well, it was ice....
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Weather was COOOOOOLLLLLD
I think it was 27* this morning when I got there, then figure in the wind chill.
The water was freezing on the car before I could do anything. The tire dressung was freezing to the tire...look like a bag 'o crap
 
First, my hats off to you...no I take that back, I wouldn't take my hat off in that kind of weather...:D Anyway, 27 degrees, dang that's cold. I just can't (or maybe won't) work in that kind of weather.

Several valid points in this thread, but I think the key is that you know that your are underselling (considerably) your services. That knowledge will help guide you as you go forward. As you fill your appointment book with better paying accounts, these people will have had the opportunity to see the quality of your work, and both parties can decide if they want to pay a fair rate for your work or be replaced on your route book by more lucrative accounts. At that point you are in the driver's seat. In the mean time, and from a different perspective, you are getting some visibility, as it looks like you are on a business road where your trailer is prominently displayed. There are costs associated with advertising; in this case, not so much.
 
I must be losing my mind :crazy2::crazy2: I thought I saw license plates :rolleyes:

A good valid point from Mr. Clean ...advertising does cost money and working in a high visablity area like a real estate office could possibley get you more work :rockon
 
Yes, that is a good point. I am right off of a busy road as well. Maybe 20 feet at the most from the road itself. I make sure I park my truck and trailer facing the road for maximum visability.

I think I gave out 20 cards yesterday in the 3 hours I was there, and a handful this morning. A guy pulled up with an Hummer H2 and wanted prices. Said his wife has an H3..... She was at the local car wash getting a hand wax put on. He tried calling her to cancel, but it was already being worked on. I thought that was funny. Told him I was booked until next week, and he said he would call me then. I took his name and number, and he took a card....

picked up a wash and vac from an employee of the real estate office, as well as a new BMW detail. So, I guess it is paying off anyways with the low prices.....
 
Troy@DetailCity said:
I have fallen into that trap many times trying to compete with a ridiculously low price. It's tough when you need work and you have someone willing to give it to you but not for what you want or need to charge.
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:bigups I absolutely agree with this; it happens to me ALL the time. People are so cheap when it comes to vehicle maintenance like this. They either just don't understand, or just don't care about the importance of it and how much work goes into doing the job the RIGHT way.
 
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