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

I can do a decent job on most cars in 3hrs. Interior exterior clean with shampoo. But that's without wax or a 1 step. I consider that pretty fast. I don't know if you would be able to pull all that off in 2-3 hrs wile maintaining quality work.
 
Dugdug said:
I can do a decent job on most cars in 3hrs. Interior exterior clean with shampoo. But that's without wax or a 1 step. I consider that pretty fast. I don't know if you would be able to pull all that off in 2-3 hrs wile maintaining quality work.
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I guess it's time to hire a few hands to help me get a better quality job. I could have a couple guys and myself focus on cetain tasks at the same time to get it done, but what I learned going slow and taking my time during the detail, gave me the ability to know what to do and how to do it fast if needed.
 
A few tips time saving tips that work for me.

1) Don't spend an hour vacuuming if you're going to be extracting. I spend 20 mins give or take a few minutes vacuuming, getting 90% of the stuff out of the carpets. Then extract, then a final touch up vacuum.

2) When you get to the site, have everything you're going to be using out. Hose, buckets, products, towels everything. And when you know you wont be using something or youre done with it, pack it back up. It helps me save time looking for stuff.

3) I do interiors first (up to you) Because I like to have the mats done and dried by the time I'm done.

4) Be close to your supplies/vehicle but not close enough to get water spots on your stuff/vehicle lol

5) have a system, follow it, refine it. Is there something in your method that you should do sooner/later? Example: I do carpets first because I noticed when I would clean vinyl/plastic then carpets, I would find myself wiping down the plastic again because I would get overspray from the extractor.
 
Good stuff from above ^^

I offered some help earlier but didnt get a pm. I've been in business now almost 8 months, average $8-10k/ month, have 6 employees and have done on average of 175ish cars a month. Right down the block is a Big car wash.. i found an alternative service that local people appreciate. Business grows every month. My advice:

Focus on selling the small stuff & up-selling to bigger. My goal, when someone says "I want xxxxx" I try and push them 1 higher package. Truth is, especially in the beginning without any references, having cheap prices is whats going to get you customers. Develop cheap packages that cover the basics, and upsell upsell upsell!

Offer/Deliver what the customers want, not what you want. Understand that especially in todays economy people dont want to spend big bucks. Also understand that to 95% of people their cars are their daily drivers.. not some show car parked in the showroom. Most people dont care for a "ferarri" detail.. they care about a clean car at a value. You'll find 1/1000 come looking for a detailer who will correct 100%.. its just not as important and you think it is. Once again, develop the basics that will cover 50% or more of your average customer and upsell the rest.
 
UltimateDetail said:
You know thinking about it, I think your right. I think my problem is looking at people as opportunities instead of what they are, people.
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That's a much better way to look at it. With the right people, you'll be able to get the jobs done much more quickly, and at a level of quality that you can be proud of (and ultimately help with word of mouth, etc.).:xyxthumbs:
 
jrs1418 said:
Good stuff from above ^^

I offered some help earlier but didnt get a pm. I've been in business now almost 8 months, average $8-10k/ month, have 6 employees and have done on average of 175ish cars a month. Right down the block is a Big car wash.. i found an alternative service that local people appreciate. Business grows every month. My advice:

Focus on selling the small stuff & up-selling to bigger. My goal, when someone says "I want xxxxx" I try and push them 1 higher package. Truth is, especially in the beginning without any references, having cheap prices is whats going to get you customers. Develop cheap packages that cover the basics, and upsell upsell upsell!

Offer/Deliver what the customers want, not what you want. Understand that especially in todays economy people dont want to spend big bucks. Also understand that to 95% of people their cars are their daily drivers.. not some show car parked in the showroom. Most people dont care for a "ferarri" detail.. they care about a clean car at a value. You'll find 1/1000 come looking for a detailer who will correct 100%.. its just not as important and you think it is. Once again, develop the basics that will cover 50% or more of your average customer and upsell the rest.
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That's what I hope for, if I plan it right, I will be able offer an alternative service that people can be happy about, but not spend much more then they would like.

And I agree daily drivers are pretty much the majority of customers. And even some people with show cars don't want a full correction with a swirled out car. I go to car shows all the time and all I see is swirls, swirls, swirls. But hey, if after awhile I can get to a point where I'll be able to do full corrections for money, I'll do em.

As for up selling, that's still something I have to work on. But I'll get it down.
 
diablojota said:
That's a much better way to look at it. With the right people, you'll be able to get the jobs done much more quickly, and at a level of quality that you can be proud of (and ultimately help with word of mouth, etc.).:xyxthumbs:
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Yeah, I just got to master my business plan to make it work. But, i'm determined so i'm confident it will happen.:xyxthumbs:
 
Dugdug said:
A few tips time saving tips that work for me.

1) Don't spend an hour vacuuming if you're going to be extracting. I spend 20 mins give or take a few minutes vacuuming, getting 90% of the stuff out of the carpets. Then extract, then a final touch up vacuum.

2) When you get to the site, have everything you're going to be using out. Hose, buckets, products, towels everything. And when you know you wont be using something or youre done with it, pack it back up. It helps me save time looking for stuff.

3) I do interiors first (up to you) Because I like to have the mats done and dried by the time I'm done.

4) Be close to your supplies/vehicle but not close enough to get water spots on your stuff/vehicle lol

5) have a system, follow it, refine it. Is there something in your method that you should do sooner/later? Example: I do carpets first because I noticed when I would clean vinyl/plastic then carpets, I would find myself wiping down the plastic again because I would get overspray from the extractor.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree, I always spent way too much time vacuuming, one thing that helped was getting "the claw" attachment for my shop-vac..... As for being prepared, I always make sure everything is all set to go before I even start a job, just so I don't have to fiddle around with all of that.... And I agree with doing the interiors first, I hate it when you do the outside then get things like overspray on the paint when doing the interior... Thanks for the help, i'm gonna go over my interior process and see if I can improve on it.
 
UltimateDetail said:
I seemed to forget how life worked for a moment. Thanks for the refresher, I guess it takes pain to learn, and in the end be happy! :xyxthumbs:

I will take action soon after a little more saving up.. Anyway, I'll be sure to post my progress here. This AGO is a great online community! And I'm happy to be a part of it. Lastly, if you ordered from AG, enjoy your new stuff! Tools of the trade :dblthumb2:

Thanks!
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You do that hand...or do like others here, bust out a few details - make an order.
A couple of maint. washes - another tool.
A few more details - getting the hang of it.
Everyone here can tell you about the 'highs' and the 'lows'.

Bust out a few more - word of mouth is kicking in.

RAV777, Dugdug, and countless other when I was lurking.

Crazoboy, all by hand just weeks ago...now has a trailer.

Whichever method suits...Don Quixote or Rocky...???

Flash Gordon has 30 some odd years of soaked feet and 105 caked nostrils.
tuscaroradave has seen the ups and downs, has been in and out... now he's receiving his Blessings.
Shoeless89 is a full time academic, yet keeps his nose to the grindstone.
Heck, even Nick@Autogeek and Chris @Optimum are hanging shingles.

Look at the birthdays and then these hands posts...spinnin' a wheel and clocking $$$ when their contemporaries are sitting back watching Matlock reruns.

Time to get off my soapbox.

Happy detailing...:autowash:
 
Vegas Transplant said:
You do that hand...or do like others here, bust out a few details - make an order.
A couple of maint. washes - another tool.
A few more details - getting the hang of it.
Everyone here can tell you about the 'highs' and the 'lows'.

Bust out a few more - word of mouth is kicking in.

RAV777, Dugdug, and countless other when I was lurking.

Crazoboy, all by hand just weeks ago...now has a trailer.

Whichever method suits...Don Quixote or Rocky...???

Flash Gordon has 30 some odd years of soaked feet and 105 caked nostrils.
tuscaroradave has seen the ups and downs, has been in and out... now he's receiving his Blessings.
Shoeless89 is a full time academic, yet keeps his nose to the grindstone.
Heck, even Nick@Autogeek and Chris @Optimum are hanging shingles.

Look at the birthdays and then these hands posts...spinnin' a wheel and clocking $$$ when their contemporaries are sitting back watching Matlock reruns.

Time to get off my soapbox.

Happy detailing...:autowash:
Click to expand...
You have a way with words. :xyxthumbs: Even if you do quote yourself, then laugh at it. :eek:
 
Vegas Transplant said:
You do that hand...or do like others here, bust out a few details - make an order.
A couple of maint. washes - another tool.
A few more details - getting the hang of it.
Everyone here can tell you about the 'highs' and the 'lows'.

Bust out a few more - word of mouth is kicking in.

RAV777, Dugdug, and countless other when I was lurking.

Crazoboy, all by hand just weeks ago...now has a trailer.

Whichever method suits...Don Quixote or Rocky...???

Flash Gordon has 30 some odd years of soaked feet and 105 caked nostrils.
tuscaroradave has seen the ups and downs, has been in and out... now he's receiving his Blessings.
Shoeless89 is a full time academic, yet keeps his nose to the grindstone.
Heck, even Nick@Autogeek and Chris @Optimum are hanging shingles.

Look at the birthdays and then these hands posts...spinnin' a wheel and clocking $$$ when their contemporaries are sitting back watching Matlock reruns.

Time to get off my soapbox.

Happy detailing...:autowash:
Click to expand...

Hmm I see how it can happen.. and it goes by so fast too, I remember first finding autogeek before I was a member, that was 2 years ago and I already can't believe how fast the time went. I hope to keep at it and in a couple years reap in the benefits of hard work and word of mouth.:xyxthumbs:

And I've always been more a Rocky guy.. :dblthumb2:
 
UltimateDetail said:
Yeah, I just got to master my business plan to make it work. But, i'm determined so i'm confident it will happen.:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

That's the right attitude to have. When putting together your plan, be brutally honest to yourself.
I have looked at far too many business plans that were far too optimistic and truly unrealistic. Just remember you aren't reinventing the wheel. You are taking a service that's already out there and adding your own special touch to it. You don't have to derive everything from scratch.
The right attitude is a great thing to have, and by reading your posts, you've got the right attitude. I wish you the best in your pursuit of this endeavor! :dblthumb2:
 
diablojota said:
That's the right attitude to have. When putting together your plan, be brutally honest to yourself.
I have looked at far too many business plans that were far too optimistic and truly unrealistic. Just remember you aren't reinventing the wheel. You are taking a service that's already out there and adding your own special touch to it. You don't have to derive everything from scratch.
The right attitude is a great thing to have, and by reading your posts, you've got the right attitude. I wish you the best in your pursuit of this endeavor! :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...


I agree, I have a lot of people who I talk to that think it's ridiculous to be brutally honest with myself when it comes to figuring out this business, but that's the only way to succeed.

As for starting from scratch, I might go overboard with this, but I know there are a lot of general knowledge I can use, such as the basics that everyone does. Mostly, I'll just be starting from scratch from a marketing, design and layout standpoint.

Lastly, Thanks for the best wishes and all of your help, I really appreciate all the kind and listening people here. And I'll be sure to update here with the progress in about 6 months. :cheers:
 
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