A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash. Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car. When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.
 
aztec1987 said:
I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash. Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car. When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.
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How does it take you 1-3 hours to clay a car?
 
aztec1987 said:
I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash.

Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car.

When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.
Click to expand...


You should be able to clay a car in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Watch my video on how to clay a car, it shows you the proper technique...

Show Car Garage Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants




:)
 
I like how this article really breaks down all the core aspects of starting a detailing business and makes it a bit more manageable for us newbies. Great article once again, Mike!
 
tigerwash said:
I like how this article really breaks down all the core aspects of starting a detailing business and makes it a bit more manageable for us newbies.

Great article once again, Mike!
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Thank you sir....

I could probably create a class around just the topics covered in this article....

I do cover all these point in my detailing boot camp classes....


:)
 
How would you ask a customer whether they want a show car finish or just a production detail if they have no knowledge about it?

Should I just ask them if they want it fully detailed or a quick detail to make their car shiny?

Also how much do you guys usually charge for both?
 
johnkx said:
How would you ask a customer whether they want a show car finish or just a production detail if they have no knowledge about it?

Should I just ask them if they want it fully detailed or a quick detail to make their car shiny?

Also how much do you guys usually charge for both?
Click to expand...

If somebody isn't sure what they want done, I usually ask if they have a budget or what their main concern is.
 
Bumping this up with a question I have for Mike and any forum members who do this part time.

How do you balance this with your main job? Does everyone limit themselves to weekends only? Is that the only way to go about a part time detailing business? I want to start this part-time, but getting home from work at around 5:30-6pm 6 days a week leaves me little day light time outside to detail in before it gets dark. Just wondering if anyone has had this obstacle and what you did to get over it?
 
I work full time for the Sheriff's office and have a detailing business on the side. It's not always easy. I've had to turn down a lot of customers in the beginning that called and wanted their cars done on the spot. However, over time, I've developed relationships with other detailers that I trust and have given them my stamp of approval. If I can't handle something, I'll throw it to them, and say something like- I'll have my top technician call you. They do the same when they're too busy to take something and it keeps the business flowing for everyone. The steady accounts will usually keep growing and they will work around your days off if you do a good job. One-timers on the spot tend to pay more, but it's a one time shot, so don't feel bad if you can't capture all of the business. Business is good and keeps growing. Slow and steady, you'll get there. Another thing- fleets. Fleets are great, they usually work well for weekends and will bring constant revenue. Get some fleet accounts and you'll be good. Get your name out there properly via the internet, brand your company well, SEO your website, and the fleets will come to you. Every 1 to 2 years, most company redo their bids for fleet maintenance. If they see your name out there as a major service provider with a professional appeal, you'll be one of the people they'll call.

It can be done... I've got 2 side businesses running. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Good Luck!
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
You should be able to clay a car in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Watch my video on how to clay a car, it shows you the proper technique...

Show Car Garage Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants




:)
Click to expand...
Interesting. It seriously takes me about 4 hours to clay a car. Now I do make an extra pass sometimes to double check my work, not wanting to forget any contaminants, but my technique probably needs work.
 
Rod73 said:
Interesting. It seriously takes me about 4 hours to clay a car. Now I do make an extra pass sometimes to double check my work, not wanting to forget any contaminants, but my technique probably needs work.
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4 hours to clay a car????? Omg, holy cow! I say this with no disrespect but that's insane sir. No way should it even come remotely close to that for a passenger vehicle or even a large SUV using a traditional clay bar method. I can clay an entire car with my clay mitt in 15 minutes.
 
2011 Kona Blue said:
4 hours to clay a car????? Omg, holy cow! I say this with no disrespect but that's insane sir. No way should it even come remotely close to that for a passenger vehicle or even a large SUV using a traditional clay bar method. I can clay an entire car with my clay mitt in 15 minutes.
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That's good to know. Even though detailing can be my happy place and all I've been looking for ways to cut my time down without compromising the quality of my work. And I felt like this was the part where I just wasn't doing it right in terms of how long it took.

Looking at the video an seeing how he goes about it, I can definitely see how I am taking too much time and accomplishing little. One reoccuring learning lesson working in smaller sections. I'll try to take on the world then find out I'll miss a spot or it'll happen so much I'll assume I had. Next thing you know 2 hours go by and you need a breather and you finish in another hour or so and your thinking that shouldn't take this long.
 
MIKE.PHILLIPS@AUTOGEEK, I am in the Army. Can you accept the GI BILL classes you offer
 
Buster906 said:
MIKE.PHILLIPS@AUTOGEEK, I am in the Army. Can you accept the GI BILL classes you offer
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Sorry to say but the answer is "no" and that's not because we don't want to accept the funding from a GI Bill but it's OUR Government that has created multiple multiple layers of bureaucracy to comply with before we or ANY type of school can accept the GI Bill funding.

That said, Bob McKee is and has always been very supportive of our men and women in the military. So while our government makes it pretty much impossible for Autogeek, a private sector business to help you, Bob will still help you by offering your our class with a military discount provision.

In the past when we have had someone ask us this question, because the government makes it difficult if not impossible to accept funding from the GI Bill that most people that ask are or were hoping to be able use this option to avoid any or most out-of-pocket expense. Then when this proves to not be the case there's less interest.

If you truly want to attend one of our last two classes for 2016, that's the class in May or the class in September, then give Andre a call at 1-800-869-3011 x244 and he will let you know what Autogeek can do to support your interest in taking one of our classes.

I personally would love to have you attend a future class.



:xyxthumbs:
 
attaboydetail said:
I work full time for the Sheriff's office and have a detailing business on the side. It's not always easy. I've had to turn down a lot of customers in the beginning that called and wanted their cars done on the spot. However, over time, I've developed relationships with other detailers that I trust and have given them my stamp of approval. If I can't handle something, I'll throw it to them, and say something like- I'll have my top technician call you. They do the same when they're too busy to take something and it keeps the business flowing for everyone. The steady accounts will usually keep growing and they will work around your days off if you do a good job. One-timers on the spot tend to pay more, but it's a one time shot, so don't feel bad if you can't capture all of the business. Business is good and keeps growing. Slow and steady, you'll get there. Another thing- fleets. Fleets are great, they usually work well for weekends and will bring constant revenue. Get some fleet accounts and you'll be good. Get your name out there properly via the internet, brand your company well, SEO your website, and the fleets will come to you. Every 1 to 2 years, most company redo their bids for fleet maintenance. If they see your name out there as a major service provider with a professional appeal, you'll be one of the people they'll call.

It can be done... I've got 2 side businesses running. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...

You probably work for the same county that you live in. I won't name anything, but I'm a LEO in the same county as you. I see people charge roughly 30-40 an hour for a detail job in this thread. Well as you know we make that much in OT or details, so that kind of negates me to have a PT detailing job on the side it seems. How do you feel about this?
 
11B250 said:
You probably work for the same county that you live in. I won't name anything, but I'm a LEO in the same county as you. I see people charge roughly 30-40 an hour for a detail job in this thread. Well as you know we make that much in OT or details, so that kind of negates me to have a PT detailing job on the side it seems. How do you feel about this?
Click to expand...

I hear you. #1 I work for BSO. If you work for Palm Beach SO, then you're getting compensated for your sacrifice much more. #2, I'm a dispatcher, so I make a lot less and try to spend as little time as possible in that hell hole. Lastly, I charge around $119 for a detail on a sedan. That's about 60$/hr assuming I get it done in 2 hours. Sometimes it takes 2.5, but that's ok. It all averages out. But I set my pricing at a point where I'm not taking time away from my family and relaxation unless it's worth my while. Make sense?
 
I also have a guy who helps me part time, so I send him out to do the work with my trailer, compensate him handsomely, and still make a good amount of money for sitting at home. The other day I sent him out to do an full detail with compound and high speed polish on an Escalade. Took him about 6.5 hrs. I have him $250 for the day and I (the company) made $300. Keeps him loyal and that's important to me because he does great work and wants to keep our customers happy.
 
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