Starting a detailing business from scratch...

[Bob]

Ok, I want to use this thread to post ideas and tips on starting a detailing business from scratch. I think what I might do is write an article, using the info. in this thread, to help people get an idea of what all they will need to start a detail business...whether it is full or part time.
So, if you have any input feel free to post away!

[Bob]

Ok, I'll throw my 2 cents in then. :P
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Start off with a good plan. Don't just go head first into it.
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Research and know what you are doing. Don't just pick up a dirty rag and some wax and think you are a professional detailer because you can wipe wax on a car. Learn everything you can about the products and tools you are using.
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Be truthful and honest to you clients.
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Buy your supplies from Danase.com
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Make sure you have enough supplies so you don't have to run out in the middle of a detail to buy something.
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Make a checklist if you can not remember things. A lot of guys knock on checklist but I, for one, like the idea of them because I sometimes have so much on my mind I want to make sure I don't forget a single thing.
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Go over your work when you are done to make sure you took care of it all.
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Have pride in your work. Don't do a half a$$ed job even if the client can't tell the difference between a wash and a polish.
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Offer a range of different services. In my eyes I don't like to offer just high end details. If someone just wants a hand wash I want to offer that as well. Once you get established and really good then you can switch to only do the high end stuff. However, I think you might find out most of your money is coming from the smaller details. But, this all depends on your area and how you market yourself.
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Marketing...Learn how to market your services. Word of mouth is great but have some business cards made up and leave them all over (I don't mean all over the ground, don't litter). Ask to pass out flyers at car shows and events like that. Don't just show up without permission and pass out flyers, the even organizers won't like you.
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I'll add more as I think of it. Hopefully others will as well.
Like my subliminal message? :lol:

[manuels_madness]

Hey Bob great tips. I wanna keep this thread alive since there is some good train of thoughts from you. I figured I'd chime in with a few other tips. I'm not a professional detailer but I know some things about business. So here's what I'd like to add to what Bob already mentioned:

1. Its key to listen to your Customer. Find out exactly what he/she wants. Pay attention to the details of their requests, it's best to write them down in their invoice. For example I know some people love to have their windows cleaned and not really care about swirls (usually due to lack of knowledge). Yea maybe you got all the swirls out of the paint but the windows aren't up to your customer’s level then he/she won't even notice the swirl work you did. Just make sure you document their requests.

2. For detailing work a website is a great way to get your customers to see what services you provide. It's also great for posting examples of your work. You can have pictures of before and after. You can also list your prices along with any deals you have going on.

3. Organization is key to any business. Stay organized with your supplies and all paperwork. It is a best to always provide your customer with an invoice/recipe of the work done. It is also a good idea to keep track of this data by either filing it or a database. Customers appreciate an organized business because they know you are responsible. If you’re responsible and organized with your business then they will deduce you will do the same with their cars.

4. Finally keep a clean and professional working area. If your place looks professional then they know they can expect great work. If you do your work at the customer's home then just make sure you don't make a mess. If you do create a mess or garbage, make sure you clean it up ASAP as no one wants extra garbage in their driveway/garage. It also makes you look unprofessional so get it taken care of right away.

5. For all your customers, especially repeat ones show them you really care. Every now and then give them a bonus or freebie. Do something small that they may have not requested. Maybe you can add 303 to their dash even though all they wanted was a quick car wash. Any little incentive that shows you truly value their business will get you far with them. They’ll be even more inclined to come back with small appreciations. I mean who doesn’t appreciate a freebie. :D

That's just a few things I thought of. I'm sure there is more other people can add. If I think of any other tips that can be helpful, I'll post again. Remember the key is your customer and satisfying all their needs. You do that and your business will thrive.

[Bob]

Great tips manuels_madness! Thanks for keeping the thread alive too. :thumbsup:

[Dan]

manuels_madness, awesome tips man! :thumbsup:

[jonnysos11]

great advice. im throwing around the idea of starting a detailing biz and need to know as much as possible befor i get started. please keep it coming.

[bert31]

I would imagine for most people, you don't want to start out with detailing being your sole source of income. An exception would be if you are a high school/college kid and live off your folks. For pretty much anyone else, you probably want to do the evenings/weekend route until you can build up a solid client base. While still having your old full time job to pay the mortgage/rent, groceries, etc., you can use your detailing income to pay for larger purchases; DA, rotary, extractor, pressure washer, trailer, etc. so you don't have to finance those to go full time.

[Pete]

Bert, good advice

While this is an older thread, it is timeless in its application.

Honing your craft is a necessity to doing the job. Once you have your skill set and the requisite equipment and supplies, don't forget to have a business plan.

I'd like to add some things that people don't often discuss when planning a new business. While they're not glamorous, they are what keeps things running.

[Pete]

--Have at least six months capital saved (much more if at all possible) so that you can live on little to no revenue during the slow times

--Sit down with pen, paper, and calculator. Ask an advisor to help or review your notes when done. PLAN
Estimate your costs of doing business
Figure your hourly rate plus the cost of doing business on each job
Decide what you need to charge per job or hour to earn this
Compare to what your local market rate and clients are willing to pay

--Where do you want to be in 1 year? Don't think you'll make your first million by fall so you can ride the winter out in Aruba.

--Where do you want to be in 5 years? Tougher to pin down, but if you even have a dream, use it as a goal. These things aren't cast in stone, but it gives focus. Often, this focus is really necessary and may be the only way to get through some job you just don't like at all. It will make you pick up your step when you're tired or push a little harder when you're trying to sell your service.

--Have a backup plan:
Perhaps the goal is to do nothing but complete details on high end cars, but you get scant few clients in the first few months. Now what? Broaden your horizons
Check into car dealerships, auctions, rental companies, or just marketing your service the same way to different types of vehicles such as minivans and econoboxes.

--Know when "enough is enough":
Nobody wants to face this, but sometimes businesses just don't work
Bad things happen and you're going broke.
Know your limit as to how long you want to keep at it before you will go personally or financially bankrupt. What is your limit? Do not sacrifice yourself and your personal life over a business.

--Keep business and personal separate:
Pay yourself as an employee, don't just pocket whatever you earn minus the cost of a new bottle of polish
Discipline yourself to take time off: don't work 7 days a weeek unless it's a "make or break" situation
Finally, realize that your business isn't your entire life. Don't measure your personal worth on the money you make or even if your business survives or not.

[Pete]

All of these are things I've learned, many the hard way. It takes time to figure out how things work and if you can pull it off where you live with the clientele you have.

I wouldn't trade my experience (success and failure) for anything.

It is good to see personal initiative alive and well.

I'm always open to discuss (here or PM) any details.

Best of luck to anyone giving their own enterprise a go.