mobile vs home shop

Nitid Image said:
You guys that work from home, your town doesn't give you a hard time about it? I had dreams of working from home...went to the town to get a business license and the zoning officer said, "no way can you do that, your in a residential area". Then proceeded to tell me about all the commercial inquiries they have turned down for detailers.
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No my town only had one restriction no water down the storm drain and my HOA approved my business. I live in a high end neighborhood so most my customers are here we have over 4k homes in my neighborhood.
 
Initially the city didn't like the idea, but my place is on a commercial property with other businesses nearby. At first they said I couldn't live on the same property as my business, but something with the house being built before around 1970 meant it was grandfathered in...or some mumbo jumbo. They eventually gave in. I haven't had any issues with it.
 
I think low costs being mobile vs a shop, but not easy for correction work. Having both is ideal. Mobile for maintenance washes and 1 day jobs, shop/home for correction.

Being worried about people coming over, why? people walk by your house everyday. the can steal your van much easier. just have a good security around the house...
 
04Golf said:
my main concern as well
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No problem here. I've worked on $100k+ cars and haven't ever had a client complain.

Safety wise...I'm not really concerned. My place is fenced and gated and well lit. I have 2 guard dogs that are fenced in behind my shop, that nobody can see...until I let them out into the yard at night. I have motion sensors that loudly alert me if anything comes onto my property, and my short barrel mossberg 500 with an extended magazine, is ready to go, beside my nightstand. I'd never use it on anybody over a car or equipment. They can have it. But, it's good to know it's there if somebody starts messing with my life.
 
I agree that a home shop is the best as long as it works for your neighborhood. I've always offered detailing at my house garage in the past and this works great, especially when you can get your customer's to drop their cars off and arrange for one of their family members, friends or co-workers to pick them up and bring them back.

Having a shop is great but the overhead will tend to turn you into a production shop unless you can find a shop really low cost.

Mobile lets you leave the most money in your pocket but you have to carry all your equipment with you and drive to your customers.

All have benefits and drawbacks.


:)
 
For those of you working at a home garage, do your neighbours complain about noise? I mean, those polishers, vacuum cleaners and water extrators are not exactly quiet, especially if you work late at night.
 
stilltipping3 said:
U need a planning and zoning permit to be home-based or u could be fined!!
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Maybe in your neck of the woods.

I have a home based shop.....no license required. The city requires a privlledge license if your in their limits, I however am 2 miles outside of the city limits.

My county requires nothing unless your conducting business in the heath care field.

I have insurance riders on my home owners policy that covers any vehicals parked in my shop and on my property and liability riders if I make a booboo.
 
Pureshine said:
No my town only had one restriction no water down the storm drain and my HOA approved my business. I live in a high end neighborhood so most my customers are here we have over 4k homes in my neighborhood.
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How did you approach your HOA? I know HOA and town ordinance can be different but as soon as I mentioned detailing the ZO seemed to have visions of a commercial carwash or 30 people with hoses spraying willy-nilly into the air. Didn't even ask me to explain how it would work.
 
mike said it the best. there are advantages and disadvantages for both. at this point I really have no other option than being mobile. I live in an apartment complex so having a house/garage is out of question for me. also renting/buying a shop is WAY out of my budget for the time being.
 
It's not possible to give the final and definite answer. It depends on what better fits you. As for me, being home based is more convenient, because you have the possibility to work when you want and need and nothing will disturb you and anyone else.
 
I have a home based shop and only work weekends by appointment. I wouldn't have any other way. I don't like doing the quick wash and wax stuff so being home based and not mobile allows me to be selective on my appointments - they are a minimum of 5 hours and customers drop off their cars.

I live on a cul de sac and my neighbors haven't complained and were some of my first clients. As for noise - I typically get started on a project at 5AM and do it in the garage which is dry walled and insulated so as long as the doors are shut, nobody notices.
 
I plan on building a two bay shop,we live about 5 miles from the city and have a gated property on 5 acres so no problems with noise and neighbors are great. I would like to have customers meet me at the end of my drive way and have a drop off point any thoughts on that?
 
Denali2011 said:
I plan on building a two bay shop,we live about 5 miles from the city and have a gated property on 5 acres so no problems with noise and neighbors are great. I would like to have customers meet me at the end of my drive way and have a drop off point any thoughts on that?
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I think that would work just fine. I dont think being 5 miles out is a big deal either. As long as you arent way outside of the city location really isnt a big deal in detailing imo. Marketing and reputation is everything.

I really feel like a big visible location is only important for production shops.

Ive had people drive out of state quite a few times to have me detail their car.
 
Mike Calloway said:
I'm 100% mobile and love it! Clients also love it because they don't have to worry about arranging a ride or waiting at a shop. Everyone is different and some would prefer a shop. It just comes down to what fits you. It's great to have a van that's wrapped that is a moving billboard generating business everywhere you go.

Hope that helps and Good luck!
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:iagree: I don't even have the van yet but people LOVE LOVE LOVE that they don't have to leave home to get service. I have the occasional customer drop off at my place if it's more convenient for them but 90% of my business is built on the fact that people want convenience and it's exactly what mobile detailing offers.
 
A customer will get a better value and job (comfort) dropping off their car at my shop. I would rather spend my time on the car than the driving time on the road, time finding the customer at their workplace, time finding a work space away from other vehicles, worrying about my safety and equipment in sketchy parts of town etc. Then dealing with the weather... some days mobile guys just can't work. In the shop I can work around any weather conditions except a power failure due to storms or ice etc.
 
Nitid Image said:
How did you approach your HOA? I know HOA and town ordinance can be different but as soon as I mentioned detailing the ZO seemed to have visions of a commercial carwash or 30 people with hoses spraying willy-nilly into the air. Didn't even ask me to explain how it would work.
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My HOA has a live/work application for home base businesses. I had all my 6 neighbors sign off on it.
 
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