HELP: Starting a LEGIT Detailing business!!!

Derek,

I really recommend at the minimum you register a fictitious name, get insurance, and start a website. There are tons of free or almost free ways to set up a domain name and create your website it's almost crazy NOT to have a functioning website nowdays.

Having a website gives you the benefit of not only creating a face for your business, but the ability to drive potential customers to it with pay per click marketing via Google adwords. I know that to this day my best new customers come from PPC advertising.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using AG Online
 
VP Mark said:
Derek,

I really recommend at the minimum you register a fictitious name, get insurance, and start a website. There are tons of free or almost free ways to set up a domain name and create your website it's almost crazy NOT to have a functioning website nowdays.

Having a website gives you the benefit of not only creating a face for your business, but the ability to drive potential customers to it with pay per click marketing via Google adwords. I know that to this day my best new customers come from PPC advertising.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using AG Online
Click to expand...

Thanks and yes a website is a big thing I defiantly want to do. I think the hardest thing is thinking of a company name that sounds professional and legit and something with a catchy name that people will remember. Something that is not already taken is the hard part. lol

Thanks again for all the great helpful info.

I will continue to update this thread as thing progress. Its going to be a process and a learning curve to get it up and running how i'd like for it to be. Goal is by end of year have everything is place and up and running. Start 2015 Strong! :buffing:
 
Good Morning All. I want to go mobile with my detail company and I need some advice. I am looking at a trailer and I don't what I may need to get to hold all the equipment that is needed. I am also looking to see if anyone knows how much of a water tank would I need as well as any other equipment. I appreciate any information that can be given to help me grow my business. I thank you in advance. Have a great day.
 
Well this looks familure.

1. Insurance. This has been discussed many times. You can not get insurance to cover you workmanship. What you can get is insurance to drive a customer car, store a customer car, and cover your tools from theft or loss. If you thru negligence burn a customers paint, no insurance company in the world is paying for that.

2. Please explain to me how getting a business license will help you what so ever if you do get sued.

3. LLC. This is the best advise that has been given. It will separate the business from you personally. They cant go after anything that is not tied to the business.

Personally i don't have any of these things and I have been in business for 5 years. I don't drive customer cars but i offer shuttle service if they drop off. I have had customers drop off the night b4 a detail and i make it very clear that I'm not taking possession of the vehicle until the AM. Not the best practice mind you.

I have had 2 instances where a customer car was damaged.

1. When i first started and got a little over zealous trying to remove a scratch i broke thru on some soft Honda paint. Free detail and i paid for a $500 respray. The customer brought me 2 more cars after that.

2. An employee of mine decided to use 0000 steel wool on the inside of a customers window. He saw me remove sticker residue on the out side of a windshield like this and thought it would be just the trick to get rid of smoker film sticking to the after market tint. Resulted in horrific scratches. $100 re-tint and 30% off this detail and the next one( to get him back). Result was he became my best customer. He was a landscaper with 4 trucks that he brought to me every year.

Best advise, have reserve cash. Be Bonded for the issues that come up. Don't argue with the customer, always pay for the damage and offer a discount. This will diffuse the situation.


www.JaxDetails.com
www.Facebook.com/DentsAndDetails
I may be slow, but I do poor work.
 
Before you get it kicked off you should consider the prices you'd like to get for your details. Charge that in the beginning. The customers you get will be fine with paying it and the ones who think it's too expensive you won't have to deal with. Over time you'll develop a clientele that is ok with paying what you charge and you're not starving yourself out of business.

My wife did this with her first salon. She had more business than she could do after about a year but she was working 14 hour days and making peanuts. The price she charged attracted that particular type of customer. When she attempted to increase her prices the gnashing of teeth began, brother! She closed the business after a couple years and rested for a year. When she opened the new salon she charged market prices and guess what happened? She was able to work much less and netted much more profit. She's remained in the same business for 25 years so far and still at it.
 
And do the LLC thing. It's only a $100 bucks or so and it protects you.
 
You may not have to get a license or register with the govt, not all locals require that.

Just come up with a name get an llc, can be done on us legal forms or legal zoom fairly inexpensively if you choose to go that route, get good accounting software, i use quickbooks for both my businesses and personal as well.

Oh and most importantly NO DEBT!

Sent from my Alien ship
 
Still lots of great info coming in everyone. Can't express how much I appreciate it.

Keep more great info coming, or anything you think may be helpful to me.
I am going the Eco friendly way of auto detailing. AKA Waterless.
I am sure some customers will not want it and other may like it how I am not wasting lots of water. I am hoping by doing this it will attract more customers. Also as we are in a drouth situation it looks good for starting the business.
 
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