starting off

L

Lil Freek

New member
Over the past year I've been playing a lot with automotive detailing and such, but I've always remained faithful to hand doing every job - which is really amateur.

I'm getting my PC and a whack of products mid/late next week and will be doing my own car from top to bottom (exterior only)

I've done a few other cars with my detailing 'mentor' and i know how to use a polisher and most products (more combos will be learnt in time), but I don't know how to throw myself into the world of Professional detailers.



Should I start charging super cheap while i'm still slow/learning all the tricks? Or should I BS my way through everything and just charge normal pricing and detail away?



My strategy was to do 1 of my stepdad's richest client's car for free and tell him to tell his friends about my work. But I'm debating on whether or not I want to start with free detailing? It's a good way to get my name out there, and it's better than charging less cuz that way i'm not the 'cheap guy' for detailing.



As well... when you all started detailing, what did you charge? My mentor charges a ludicrous amount of money, but he's rarely seen detailing cars under the $100k mark... I'll be doing cars around $40-50k, most likely (BMW 5-7series, Escalades, Merc S-class, Porsche Boxter/Cayman)



Just looking for advice to start off on the right foot :D
 
an example of the typical detailing: (exterior only)



1. rim cleaning

2. tire cleaning

3. wash/dry

4. claybar (if req'd - most likely would be)

5. compound

6. polish

7. wax

8. trim detailing/windows

9. tire/wheel highlights



that's really general, but gives you an idea of what i'd be doing.... and i know pricing will definitely change based on the condition of the car. If someone wants a '95 911 that's never been washed versus a 2006 Z4 3 months off the lot... ya know, way different price range.
 
I wouldn't start off charging cheap or BS, I'd get good then start off charging what you're worth. This sounds a little lame, but if you start off cheap you'll be forever perceived as cheap - and if you BS and screw something up, it's game over. Better to know how to do it right and charge approproate rates, then build from there. Nothing is worse than charging too little (imo), except maybe messing up.



And I would absolutely not start with free details unless it's family (and tell them not to tell people you did it free). You get bargain hunters that way, and you don't want that at all.
 
Making a living being self-employed there is more to it then meets the eyes, Yes you can get right out there and make some money or do what you like doing but its best to know some business skills first. There is a lot of help for people that wants to start there own buz and it’s all free and it’s vary good infor for you to know. Go ask round like say your Chamber of Commerce will help you or guide you to the right way.

Being self-employed has its rewards more so if you have buz skills so do it right and don’t run round with your head cut off like I do.

There is a lot to know being self-employed like public relations is a really a most know, just be honest and things will work out fine. There is people in this world will take advantage of you of your inexperience to there own benefit so…

Learn to be a professional on what you do, it takes time and you will get used to it and also its best to have only one trade having more then one can bring about a lot of confusion.

On charging how much a car well what I did was tell people I’m getting in to Detailing and ask them if I can detail there car/s. It took me a long time but I did it right and it looked great when I got done and I charged them a little less then the full price because it took a long time.

It’s a good ideal to have a detailing supplier that can help you with question you need to know. Call round and talk to detailing suppliers and find one that can help you and not just sell you stuff.

You can go visit a Pro Detailer say like Scottwax I know he is a good guy loves to help people more so then I do and ask him if you could visit him and work for him for a few day for free while he teaches you, you can learn more in those few days then you can doing it your self for a year the hard knots way. Anyway love to talk more but I have to go, you can write a Book a foot thick on being self-employed, Good Luck and don’t take no wooden nickels.
 
oh. sorry.. my bad - this isn't a fulltime thing..

i have a full time job as a system admin, and i'm a server during the evening... this is just for during the weekends 'n such.

A massive business plan isn't really required. I have marketting skills 'n such as i ran my own restaurant for a year - but i don't know how much of that applies to this field of work.
 
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