Starting a small detailing business

240SX

240SX

New member
Hey guys,

I'm 17 and looking to get started in detailing as a quick way to make some summer spending money. I don't know how to wax or polish (work in progress), but thats not really one of my issues right now and I don't think theres that many people in my area that will pay for that. So to all the young guys out there:

How do you guys advertise your business?

How many cars do you usually get in a given week/weekend?

What products do you use (Meg's Pro stuff or just regular Consumer Line)?

Do you impose an extra charge on bigger cars?

Any tips/tricks on how to improve efficiency without hiring somebody?

Thanks alot
 
Also I'm in the process of designing a flyer and plan to put some "package deals" on the flyer. I will also offer "a-la-carte" detailing, but would prefer to leave that out of the flyer. Just wanted to know if you guys think these prices are reasonable.

Mini - Detail — $35
Exterior: Includes hand washing all exterior surfaces and hand drying.
Interior: Includes quick dusting and dressing of dashboard and console, windows are cleaned.

Express Detail — $85
Exterior: Mini-Detail plus: tire/wheel dressing and application of RainX on all windows.
Interior: Mini-Detail plus: vacuuming, slight spot removal, all leather/plastic/vinyl is cleaned.

Super Detail — $170
Exterior: Express Detail plus: removal of paint contaminants and Carnauba waxing.
Interior: Express Detail plus: meticulous cleaning and conditioning of entire interior.

I plan to wash using Mother's soap, seeing as I have 8 jugs laying around. For interior dusting its just going to be a static or MF cloth. I will use #40 as a dressing. For the express detail and the super detail, its going to be a Woolite/Water mix as opposed to just dusting. I have Hot Shine Tire Spray as a tire dressing and Invisible Glass for all the glass cleaning stuff.
 
No offense, but you have a lot to learn before you should even consider starting up a business.
 
first insurance, second TWO buckets, third determination. Anyone can wash a car not everyone can properly start/run a true detail business, if you want to make some extra $ wash,wash,wash
 
audiboy said:
No offense, but you have a lot to learn before you should even consider starting up a business.
Click to expand...

I already have a small business. I just figure this would be a good way to make some extra money since its something I enjoy doing.

Any POSITIVE assistance would be gladly appreciated. I don't need people telling me to go work at McD's
 
southerndetail said:
first insurance, second TWO buckets, third determination. Anyone can wash a car not everyone can properly start/run a true detail business, if you want to make some extra $ wash,wash,wash
Click to expand...

insurance? what kind? this is the first time i've heard of that.
 
I don't know how it works in the frozen north, but I pay $286 a year for a million dollar cverage plan. This covers pretty much everything you could do wrong.
 
I think right now it's just best to think of a different business to start.......

I started at age 16 detailing my family's cars to make sure I have all of the methods down with a PC and Rotary to correct paint.........

At age 18, I just started to get my name out, and started to do customers cars.

It's a long, and expensive hobby to get into, you better make sure you know what you are going to do.
 
"Detailing" is alot more than "Wash n Wax", hence the name "Detailing".

Learn the craft (and it really is a craft). Then go make a business out of it.

You're comment is like me saying I'm gonna be a carpenter.
 
audiboy said:
No offense, but you have a lot to learn before you should even consider starting up a business.
Click to expand...

240SX said:
I already have a small business. I just figure this would be a good way to make some extra money since its something I enjoy doing.

Any POSITIVE assistance would be gladly appreciated. I don't need people telling me to go work at McD's
Click to expand...

Let me clarify. I should have said that you have a lot to learn before you should even consider starting up a detailing business. In my opinion, you shouldn't call it detailing if you're not doing any correction. You will be starting up a mobile car wash. Insurance is a great idea. I highly suggest taking a lot of time to read information on this site. Business plans have been discussed and are readily available. Techniques and products are also subjects that are brought up quite frequently here.
 
Don't let them discourage you. There are a lot of things you need to learn as do allot of us here but if you are wanting to start up a side business for some extra money go for it. As long as your customers are happy and you are doing a thorough job for what you are charging it beats working at McDonalds. I would recommend getting insurance though - general liability insurance is very inexpensive I think I pay around $135/year for a million dollar policy. A lot of good information on this site keep reading.
 
audiboy said:
Let me clarify. I should have said that you have a lot to learn before you should even consider starting up a detailing business. In my opinion, you shouldn't call it detailing if you're not doing any correction. You will be starting up a mobile car wash. Insurance is a great idea. I highly suggest taking a lot of time to read information on this site. Business plans have been discussed and are readily available. Techniques and products are also subjects that are brought up quite frequently here.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, sorry about that.

Thanks for the help guys, but I think i'm going to take this summer to hone my skills and learn as much as I can and possibly start detailing next summer.
 
There is a lot that you can do this summer in car wash n wax services. Detailing is not the term that you want to use for this service.I started out doing this.

You mainly are a car washing service and what your customers get is convenience from this. What will get you repeat business is doing your best job, or better than the local car washes, stay competitive with pricing on these and your customers will come back to you.

Don't be afraid to call them back once a month or less and ask if they are ready for another car wash.

A young HS kid in my neighborhood was doing this and made a good amount of money from it while delivering a good service to his customers
 
I honestly would advertise wash and waxes. That would be the best and easiest way to make extra money. You can do 8 wash and waxes a day at about $45 each that would be great to get your name out there, as you make money and learn. Practice paint correction on your car, family and friends cars. Then that can be offered. Call your insurance company and then price others for garage keepers insurance, explain to them what you will be offering and get the most you can afford.
 
Beemerboy said:
There is a lot that you can do this summer in car wash n wax services. Detailing is not the term that you want to use for this service.I started out doing this.

You mainly are a car washing service and what your customers get is convenience from this. What will get you repeat business is doing your best job, or better than the local car washes, stay competitive with pricing on these and your customers will come back to you.

Don't be afraid to call them back once a month or less and ask if they are ready for another car wash.

A young HS kid in my neighborhood was doing this and made a good amount of money from it while delivering a good service to his customers
Click to expand...

sal329 said:
I honestly would advertise wash and waxes. That would be the best and easiest way to make extra money. You can do 8 wash and waxes a day at about $45 each that would be great to get your name out there, as you make money and learn. Practice paint correction on your car, family and friends cars. Then that can be offered. Call your insurance company and then price others for garage keepers insurance, explain to them what you will be offering and get the most you can afford.
Click to expand...


Thanks alot guys, I like this idea better. I can still make some money but not do the difficult corrective stuff. Then when I gain enough experience and learn the ropes, I will already have a group of customers that I can offer these services to.

I am now officially a Wash-N-Wax :lol2:
 
240SX said:
Thanks alot guys, I like this idea better. I can still make some money but not do the difficult corrective stuff. Then when I gain enough experience and learn the ropes, I will already have a group of customers that I can offer these services to.

I am now officially a Wash-N-Wax :lol2:
Click to expand...

You will do just fine with that service IMO...make it reasonable in price and the rest will come to you
 
Not sure how it works up there but if you are going to be mobile you may need to be lisenced and insured. Going to customers homes doesn't generaly matter but if you get asked to come to there place of employment you will generaly need it to be on the property.
 
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