A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
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:
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mike, im sure you get a million of them but PM coming your way
 
I'm very green as to starting up a part-time car detailing business. Hoping you guy's can help me with this (provide a link if it's easier.) If I were to start doing this at my home, is it best to have customer drop their vehicle off at my house? Drive my personal vehicle to their location, drive their vehicle back to my house and return when finished (valet car detailing)? Just looking for best option(s). Thank you in advance for any information. Just trying to get input from the experts.
 
jeremyashley79 said:
I'm very green as to starting up a part-time car detailing business. Hoping you guy's can help me with this (provide a link if it's easier.) If I were to start doing this at my home, is it best to have customer drop their vehicle off at my house? Drive my personal vehicle to their location, drive their vehicle back to my house and return when finished (valet car detailing)? Just looking for best option(s). Thank you in advance for any information. Just trying to get input from the experts.
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Most zoning laws in towns do not allow for detailing services to be performed at your residence.

Driving the customer's vehicle is not a good idea, IMO. If you wreck it, their insurance takes a hit. If you damage it in your driveway, your insurance will not cover it.

I perform services at the CUSTOMER'S property.
 
KirkH said:
Most zoning laws in towns do not allow for detailing services to be performed at your residence.

Driving the customer's vehicle is not a good idea, IMO. If you wreck it, their insurance takes a hit. If you damage it in your driveway, your insurance will not cover it.

I perform services at the CUSTOMER'S property.
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So taking your personal pressure washer and using their water? Just making sure I got my ducks in a row. Thank you.
 
You really need to see what your city/county rules are. What your insurance will cover and what they won't. Remember some places like OHA might have rules and restrictions as well

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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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Have you tried a rinseless wash with clay and lsp in the mix, this allows you to work one panel at a time making it less for possible spots missed.
 
If I was doing it part time I probably wouldn't do any polishing, a good old waxing,decon,clay.. and have them come back to me in 3 months.
 
***Bump***


I met a detailer struggling to make good money. He says he spends too much time on each car he details.


I asked him to show me his detailing packages...

Guess what... he doesn't have packages. He has ONE package and this is why his customers are able to take advantage of him and this is why he's not making good money.

If you don't have a copy of my VIF in either the paper or the electronic versions, then get it and create your packages and then

Match your services to your customer.


Let you customer decide which package fits their budget and then do what you promise in the time you promise it and then after that STOP.

Quit working for free, quit giving yourself away....


Paper version

Mike Phillips VIF or Vehicle Inspection Form





Electronic version

Click here to download the VIF App



Video showing you how to use the electronic version but also works to show you how to use the paper version too...

Video - How to use the VIF App - The Auto-Spec-Tor



:)
 
This is a big discussion on the Facebook group right now Mike a lot of people are saying that they're just over delivering to ensure they're giving their customers the best but I think they're forgetting in the end it's their time and effort they're losing and not getting reimbursed for that because like most of us we have a hard time quitting

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Is this App available for Android?

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I look forward to this development

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With regards to the monthly maintenance package, this is something we just implemented and have seen great success with it so far! Similar to getting your hair cut or oil changed, it just becomes something you do instead of something you seek out - consumers also loving the convenience and saving money. I'm sure it's covered in another post but I think a quality steamer is something every amateur or professional should have in their arsenal due to the myriad of benefits and ease of use.

Great write-up! I'm looking forward to being apart of this forum.
 
brianhudman said:
With regards to the monthly maintenance package, this is something we just implemented and have seen great success with it so far! Similar to getting your hair cut or oil changed, it just becomes something you do instead of something you seek out - consumers also loving the convenience and saving money.

I'm sure it's covered in another post but I think a quality steamer is something every amateur or professional should have in their arsenal due to the myriad of benefits and ease of use.

Great write-up! I'm looking forward to being apart of this forum.
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Thanks for sharing.


I recently had a friend share with me that after they install a ceramic coating, they offer one maintenance wash a few weeks later so they can re-inspect their work.

Not only does it give them a chance to re-inspect their work PLUS get feedback from their customer, it introduces the customer to their "Maintenance Wash". The idea being after the customer's car is PROFESSIONALLY washed, and this also is an Express Detail, the customer loves it so much they return and pay the normal price and/or sign-up for the Maintenance Package, which is a wash and express detail.


:)
 
Mike Phillips said:
Thanks for sharing.


I recently had a friend share with me that after they install a ceramic coating, they offer one maintenance wash a few weeks later so they can re-inspect their work.

Not only does it give them a chance to re-inspect their work PLUS get feedback from their customer, it introduces the customer to their "Maintenance Wash". The idea being after the customer's car is PROFESSIONALLY washed, and this also is an Express Detail, the customer loves it so much they return and pay the normal price and/or sign-up for the Maintenance Package, which is a wash and express detail.


:)
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I'm glad I stumbled upon this! I actually started offering two maintenance washes a while back, basically for these exact same reasons. I've had one lady take me up on it and she has been very impressed.

It truly is a great concept in my opinion!

I'll be completing her second maintenance wash this next Thursday, When she picks up her vehicle I'll Tell her about my maintenance wash package which we call our Emerald Light package and offer her 20% off of any additional interior maintenance detailing if she comes back within 3 months.

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I am considering starting to detail for cash, and i would love some input on my thought process and plan.

I detail friends cars, and genuinely enjoy bringing the life back into paint. Im looking to start detailing as a bit of a side gig, like the this thread discusses. The caveat is I'm not really looking to do a lot of business or make a big profit. I really just want to fund all the detailing supplies i buy. Basically use my hobby to pay for my hobby. A budy of mine does this for his camera equipment, and another for his Plants.

I have the pads and the tools for my own use, but i realized the chemicals i use, arent well suited to production detailing or even just well priced detailing for the average car person (think, 350z/ mustang GT more than new corvette) People that care, but that dont have the pockets for an established detailing business is kind of the niche im aiming it. I ordered some new chemicals and i have maybe a 200 dollar investment at this stage.

My plan is to use these chemicals (mostly meguiars detailer and mirror glaze line) on a few friends cars, and take some before and after photos. I figure this does a few things:

A. It gets me more familiar with these products
B. shows me how much product i use on an average car
C. Tells me how much time it is going to take.
D. after detailing 5 cars in a month it tells me if i truly want to do this.

After I work on my numbers, come up with a pricing plan based on usage and time, ill ask my friends to post their before and after photos on their social media and tag me.
My plan is to start of with 2 details a month. By this i mean folks that dont just want me to wash their car. I'm open to doing way more of those.

I am not trying to produce a concourse car, I dont have the skill for it. But i do have the skill to help the guy/gal in their 20s who has a car they care about get their car looking good.

Id love some feedback.
 
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