How to make a $200 detail look quality with only 2-3 hours?

UltimateDetail

UltimateDetail

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Hey AG, haven't posted in awhile, so here it goes...
I have been planning a detailing business and have come to the conclusion that the main focus would be the $200 details I offer. Now the problem is, I need to make money. And I only have 12 hours a day to work on cars. So I would like to get these cars done in 2 - 2 1/2 hours, and my question is how to make sure it's good enough that the client doesn't questions the quality of the detail. To add, I wash, clay, one step, seal, dress trim in/out, protect wheels, dress tires for exterior.. and interior, I clean the upholstery, clean and condition leather, extract carpets, clean glass, spray DP air freshener, dress the dash, doors, clean doorjambs, pretty much restore the interior. One of the main worries is the time it takes to do a one step, and also making sure i get all the cracks and crevices clean. Any input would be appreciated thanks!:buffing:
 
how many people do u have working with u? 2-2.5 hours is not possible with one person and keep it quality work. more like 5-7 hours.
 
A.P.A.D. said:
how many people do u have working with u? 2-2.5 hours is not possible with one person and keep it quality work. more like 5-7 hours.
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It's Only me, I can't afford someone else, because the amount of work an extra person or two would get done wouldn't be worth what I would have to pay them.
 
A.P.A.D. said:
how many people do u have working with u? 2-2.5 hours is not possible with one person and keep it quality work. more like 5-7 hours.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

It takes me an hour to wash, 30 mins to clay, 1.5-2 hours for an AIO or one step, 2-3 hours on the interior, then about 30 mins for touching up areas.

You'll get quicker at it though.

Also not many people are going to want to spend $200 for that. Make a wash and wax package with a basic interior vacuum and wipe down. That will probably sell more in my opinion.
 
A.P.A.D. said:
how many people do u have working with u? 2-2.5 hours is not possible with one person and keep it quality work. more like 5-7 hours.
Click to expand...

Also I suppose by quality, I mean enough to justify going to me instead of the big time car wash giant in my area.
 
UltimateDetail said:
It's Only me, I can't afford someone else, because the amount of work an extra person or two would get done wouldn't be worth what I would have to pay them.
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How can you not afford to hire someone if they are making you $100 pr hour?
 
rider9195 said:
:iagree:

It takes me an hour to wash, 30 mins to clay, 1.5-2 hours for an AIO or one step, 2-3 hours on the interior, then about 30 mins for touching up areas.

You'll get quicker at it though.

Also not many people are going to want to spend $200 for that. Make a wash and wax package with a basic interior vacuum and wipe down. That will probably sell more in my opinion.
Click to expand...

True that it takes that long, so I figure I'll cut out the "extra" stuff I do, such as protection for interior, dress wheel wells, etc. You know, like those extra couple of steps to really make it drastically better.. But, with the wash and wax package and vacuum and wipedown, I'd just be competing with the car wash giant around here that has a place on every other street. I need that extra bit so I can be in my own category.
 
One way is to get a vapor steamer/ extractor all in one unit. This will allow you to do all the crevices, carpets (which will dry in about 15 mins), vents, door jams and all other areas of the interior very fast. Best part is you can advertise that you clean interiors chemical free. Big thing now adays.
 
I would suggest working at slowly building your clientele. Let the word of mouth build your business and don’t chase the people who just want to run it through a car wash shredder and get a quick vacuum.

If you do all that in 3 hours, you are cutting too many corners IMO.

If you want to make $67 an hour ($200 in 3 hours of work), you may need to consider a different profession, or work on getting higher end cars(which you would get after a while by word of mouth).

Also, if you have time and $$$ now, invest in some help. At least this is what I am about to be doing. Hire someone trustworthy and work with them side by side till they are as picky if not pickier than you. Then after some time, you both can knock out 2 vehicles at a time. Once business demands more help, hire 1 or two more and one or both of you can train the new person. This is how you will make the money you want. You cant do it by yourself or you will run yourself into the ground or will compromise quality work because you are into big a rush.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Flash Gordon said:
How can you not afford to hire someone if they are making you $100 pr hour?
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I would probably pay them around $8 an hour, it would be 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week, 8 months a year. And they would probably need training. But who knows how much extra work they would get done.
 
You can make a 2 hour detail look like $200 if you add a $100 gift certificate

:)
 
Kevin Cullen said:
One way is to get a vapor steamer/ extractor all in one unit. This will allow you to do all the crevices, carpets (which will dry in about 15 mins), vents, door jams and all other areas of the interior very fast. Best part is you can advertise that you clean interiors chemical free. Big thing now adays.
Click to expand...

I will probably get one, I was thinking about that too! I wondered if there was a tool that could get all the "in there" areas at once instead of me going around with a toothpick and comb.
 
UltimateDetail said:
I would probably pay them around $8 an hour, it would be 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week, 8 months a year. And they would probably need training. But who knows how much extra work they would get done.
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Do you have enough business to keep 2 ppl busy 5-6 days a week?

What do you do the other 4 months of the year? Better yet what are your customers suppose to do during your down time?
 
The answer is, quality full detail and 2 hours dont go together.
 
Flash Gordon said:
You can make a 2 hour detail look like $200 if you add a $100 gift certificate

:)
Click to expand...

That's funny

but to the OP, no way that would all get done in two hours. As a non pro, and just a hobbyist, if I were going to a "pro" and he told me he'd do that in 2 hours, I'd laugh and go to someone else. So maybe think about small packages that can utilize your time best. Then upsell them on a more complete detail for more money after they see your hard work with the smaller package!
 
A.P.A.D. said:
I would suggest working at slowly building your clientele. Let the word of mouth build your business and don’t chase the people who just want to run it through a car wash shredder and get a quick vacuum.

If you do all that in 3 hours, you are cutting too many corners IMO.

If you want to make $67 an hour ($200 in 3 hours of work), you may need to consider a different profession, or work on getting higher end cars(which you would get after a while by word of mouth).

Also, if you have time and $$$ now, invest in some help. At least this is what I am about to be doing. Hire someone trustworthy and work with them side by side till they are as picky if not pickier than you. Then after some time, you both can knock out 2 vehicles at a time. Once business demands more help, hire 1 or two more and one or both of you can train the new person. This is how you will make the money you want. You cant do it by yourself or you will run yourself into the ground or will compromise quality work because you are into big a rush.

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

The thing is, I worry about the market for higher end cars, I started out with the thought that I was going to do full correction work and restore interiors almost. As for hiring people, I really don't have anybody like that to hire, and I get anxious having to rely on other people when it comes to my income. I don't mind doing things by myself, time wise, because I don't have much else to do then work. The real question to me though is, how much money is there really in detailing professionally? Also, the bad thing is, is I live in NY so four months out of the year I don't get anything.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
That's funny

but to the OP, no way that would all get done in two hours. As a non pro, and just a hobbyist, if I were going to a "pro" and he told me he'd do that in 2 hours, I'd laugh and go to someone else. So maybe think about small packages that can utilize your time best. Then upsell them on a more complete detail for more money after they see your hard work with the smaller package!
Click to expand...

I was worried about that, but I've had a lot of people say: "It takes that long!" when I tell the 5-8 hours for a detail. The main problem is, a lot of people can't justify the price point for the extra services they get.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Do you have enough business to keep 2 ppl busy 5-6 days a week?

What do you do the other 4 months of the year? Better yet what are your customers suppose to do during your down time?
Click to expand...

I haven't started the business yet, I plan on starting a yer and a half from now, I only detail as a hobby and a couple cars on the weekends for cash. The 4 months is because of the weather we get in NY in the winter times. I figure I should just close during that time. But, you make a good point, if clients are still there during that time mine as well stay open.
 
habeba86 said:
The answer is, quality full detail and 2 hours dont go together.
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hahah :xyxthumbs: I guess I mean, "better than the car wash" quality. And it wouldn't really be a full detail as I cutout a lot of things with that package.
 
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