Joe@Superior Shine
New member
- Jun 25, 2009
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This post is for those that have chosen to become a mobile auto detailer.........
Where do you start? What will you need? This post will provide you with some of the basic information you will need to help you start a successful mobile auto detailing business.
I will assume you already have some technical knowledge about detailing.
First thing first, THE PLAN!
You wouldn’t get in your car and try to get to a place you have never been before without a GPS other directions would you? Your first step would be to compile a business plan.
Among choosing a business name, business type, areas to service, setting up your accounting system, and other details, a business plan will force you to objectively develop and evaluate your idea. It will help you to identify the opportunities and risks encountered as a result of your decisions. You will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your business and the competition. Most importantly, you will understand who your customers are and how to reach them.
You will know how much funding will be required to start your business. As a matter of fact you may very well use your business plan to acquire start up funding.
A well written plan will include an organized and systematic method for running and growing your business.
Next, GET LEGITIMATE! Start off your business on the right foot and become licensed and insured. If the area you will be conducting business in has a city hall you will need to get a city business license. Some areas require you to get a county business license. Check with your local authorities for the proper license and permits.
Carrying general liability insurance and a form of garage keepers is not only smart for the protection it provides you and your cliental but it shows potential customers that your professional and can do nothing but enhance your professional image. Be certain to get coverage that will cover the type of vehicles you will be working on.
You will need to insure your detail rig as well.
You will also need to file a DBA (doing business as) with your county so you can use your new business name legally. You will need your DBA to open a business bank account. You can now order business cards, flyers and other printed material with your business name and logo on them.
The DETAIL RIG, which will it be, van, truck or trailer? We use full size cargo vans in my mobile detail business. We choose cargo vans because they provide large spaces on the sides for our company name, logo and contact information. They provide security for our equipment and protection from the elements. They are equipped with V8 engines that have the required horsepower to haul our equipment around.
An enclosed trailer provides the benefits of a cargo van as well but another vehicle will be needed to pull it. A trailer can also be much more difficult to maneuver than a cargo van. I personally know mobile detailers that have very successful businesses with either a van or trailer or in some cases both.
The EQUIPMENT that you will stock you detail rig with will in part be dictated by the market segment that you choose to target and the services you will provide them as outlined in your business plan. For example a mobile detailer that sets up at an office park and washes and waxes many vehicles will require to carry much more water than a detailer that has targeted customers at their homes and may only do one or two details a day.
Equipment that you choose will vary on the cliental and services you will provide.
Here is a list of equipment I stock my vans with-
Water tank
Pressure washer
Hose w/ hose reel
Hose wand
Soft water system
(and/or - Waterless wash equipment such as dispenser, extra waterless wash towels, etc.. )
Canopies
Carpet extractor
Steamer
Vacuum
Generator
Towels
Brush /misc. small tools
Extension cords
Shelves
Detail supplies (soap, polish, degreaser, etc….)
Buffers/polishers
Step ladders
Waste water reclaim system ( Not optional, it is the law)
Waste water holding tank
Lap top computer
GPS system
My vans also have microwave ovens for heating up last nights leftovers or to heat up water to make coffee on those cold mornings.
Now that you are a living and breathing entity with a fully stocked detail rig (and your wearing your custom embroidered polo or screen printed t-shirt in your company colors) your next step is to tell the world that your in business.
This is where you put the MARKETING portion of you business plan into action. It has been my experience that mobile detailers spend too much time on the technical side of the business and not enough time on running the business. Marketing isn’t immune to neglect so it is essential that a solid marketing plan is created and executed. At the very least a website should be created. The website should be informative as will as easy to navigate. A potential customer may base their buying decision only on your site so make sure it is done correctly and looks professional.
Your marketing plan will be created by part research and by part trail and error. For example in some markets advertising in the yellow pages works wonders and in others it does not. The most effective way to reach your target market is what you’re striving for. I have found that there is no one way of marketing that will open the flood gates of customers. A well thought out plan that includes a number of different types of marketing that work together is what works best for a steady stream of new cliental.
Another issue that will vary on your target market are the SERVICES that you will provide. Most detailers offer a wash, a maintenance type detail (the wash and wax), an interior detail, an exterior detail and a complete or full detailing. You may also what to offer reconditioning services such as PDR, window, interior, and/or rim repair.
PRICING your services can be tricky. We have priced our services by using a combination of what we need to earn to cover our operating cost and to turn a fair profit and the amount that our target market is willing to pay.
We found that pricing your services low to undercut the competition very seldom if ever works. Price your services base on the value of your service to your customer.
Never stop LEARNING- Even though I have been in the auto detailing industry all of my adult life I never stop learning about it. Materials used on and in modern vehicle are ever changing. One must keep abreast of the changes and evolve with them.
New tools and products come out periodically that help the mobile detailer do his/her job quicker, easier and at a higher level. There are many companies that specifically offer formal training in the auto detailing field. They usually offer a basic two or three day class that includes technical knowledge of proper detailing techniques and some kind of business and administrative curriculum as well.
Attend industry EVENTS such as the annual Mobile Tech expo in Florida, SEMA, and the International Carwash Associations world expo usually held in Las Vegas. These events have educational sessions that cover everything from employee management to proper leather care.
The expos are also a place to meet vendors that will have an endless supply of new products displayed for you to see and ask questions about. Many offer “expo only” discounted pricing.
By far my favorite benefit for attending is the networking with other mobile detailers and industry professionals. Experiences, tips, ideas and a host of other things shared among each other is invaluable.
I started my business over 20 years ago. I have been blessed with work that ranges from rare classics to exotics and vintage aircraft. and have enjoyed just about every second of it.
Lay a solid foundation with a well planned, well equipped, and legal business and expect to reap the rewards of your hard work and dedication. GOOD LUCK
Where do you start? What will you need? This post will provide you with some of the basic information you will need to help you start a successful mobile auto detailing business.
I will assume you already have some technical knowledge about detailing.
First thing first, THE PLAN!
You wouldn’t get in your car and try to get to a place you have never been before without a GPS other directions would you? Your first step would be to compile a business plan.
Among choosing a business name, business type, areas to service, setting up your accounting system, and other details, a business plan will force you to objectively develop and evaluate your idea. It will help you to identify the opportunities and risks encountered as a result of your decisions. You will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your business and the competition. Most importantly, you will understand who your customers are and how to reach them.
You will know how much funding will be required to start your business. As a matter of fact you may very well use your business plan to acquire start up funding.
A well written plan will include an organized and systematic method for running and growing your business.
Next, GET LEGITIMATE! Start off your business on the right foot and become licensed and insured. If the area you will be conducting business in has a city hall you will need to get a city business license. Some areas require you to get a county business license. Check with your local authorities for the proper license and permits.
Carrying general liability insurance and a form of garage keepers is not only smart for the protection it provides you and your cliental but it shows potential customers that your professional and can do nothing but enhance your professional image. Be certain to get coverage that will cover the type of vehicles you will be working on.
You will need to insure your detail rig as well.
You will also need to file a DBA (doing business as) with your county so you can use your new business name legally. You will need your DBA to open a business bank account. You can now order business cards, flyers and other printed material with your business name and logo on them.
The DETAIL RIG, which will it be, van, truck or trailer? We use full size cargo vans in my mobile detail business. We choose cargo vans because they provide large spaces on the sides for our company name, logo and contact information. They provide security for our equipment and protection from the elements. They are equipped with V8 engines that have the required horsepower to haul our equipment around.
An enclosed trailer provides the benefits of a cargo van as well but another vehicle will be needed to pull it. A trailer can also be much more difficult to maneuver than a cargo van. I personally know mobile detailers that have very successful businesses with either a van or trailer or in some cases both.
The EQUIPMENT that you will stock you detail rig with will in part be dictated by the market segment that you choose to target and the services you will provide them as outlined in your business plan. For example a mobile detailer that sets up at an office park and washes and waxes many vehicles will require to carry much more water than a detailer that has targeted customers at their homes and may only do one or two details a day.
Equipment that you choose will vary on the cliental and services you will provide.
Here is a list of equipment I stock my vans with-
Water tank
Pressure washer
Hose w/ hose reel
Hose wand
Soft water system
(and/or - Waterless wash equipment such as dispenser, extra waterless wash towels, etc.. )
Canopies
Carpet extractor
Steamer
Vacuum
Generator
Towels
Brush /misc. small tools
Extension cords
Shelves
Detail supplies (soap, polish, degreaser, etc….)
Buffers/polishers
Step ladders
Waste water reclaim system ( Not optional, it is the law)
Waste water holding tank
Lap top computer
GPS system
My vans also have microwave ovens for heating up last nights leftovers or to heat up water to make coffee on those cold mornings.
Now that you are a living and breathing entity with a fully stocked detail rig (and your wearing your custom embroidered polo or screen printed t-shirt in your company colors) your next step is to tell the world that your in business.
This is where you put the MARKETING portion of you business plan into action. It has been my experience that mobile detailers spend too much time on the technical side of the business and not enough time on running the business. Marketing isn’t immune to neglect so it is essential that a solid marketing plan is created and executed. At the very least a website should be created. The website should be informative as will as easy to navigate. A potential customer may base their buying decision only on your site so make sure it is done correctly and looks professional.
Your marketing plan will be created by part research and by part trail and error. For example in some markets advertising in the yellow pages works wonders and in others it does not. The most effective way to reach your target market is what you’re striving for. I have found that there is no one way of marketing that will open the flood gates of customers. A well thought out plan that includes a number of different types of marketing that work together is what works best for a steady stream of new cliental.
Another issue that will vary on your target market are the SERVICES that you will provide. Most detailers offer a wash, a maintenance type detail (the wash and wax), an interior detail, an exterior detail and a complete or full detailing. You may also what to offer reconditioning services such as PDR, window, interior, and/or rim repair.
PRICING your services can be tricky. We have priced our services by using a combination of what we need to earn to cover our operating cost and to turn a fair profit and the amount that our target market is willing to pay.
We found that pricing your services low to undercut the competition very seldom if ever works. Price your services base on the value of your service to your customer.
Never stop LEARNING- Even though I have been in the auto detailing industry all of my adult life I never stop learning about it. Materials used on and in modern vehicle are ever changing. One must keep abreast of the changes and evolve with them.
New tools and products come out periodically that help the mobile detailer do his/her job quicker, easier and at a higher level. There are many companies that specifically offer formal training in the auto detailing field. They usually offer a basic two or three day class that includes technical knowledge of proper detailing techniques and some kind of business and administrative curriculum as well.
Attend industry EVENTS such as the annual Mobile Tech expo in Florida, SEMA, and the International Carwash Associations world expo usually held in Las Vegas. These events have educational sessions that cover everything from employee management to proper leather care.
The expos are also a place to meet vendors that will have an endless supply of new products displayed for you to see and ask questions about. Many offer “expo only” discounted pricing.
By far my favorite benefit for attending is the networking with other mobile detailers and industry professionals. Experiences, tips, ideas and a host of other things shared among each other is invaluable.
I started my business over 20 years ago. I have been blessed with work that ranges from rare classics to exotics and vintage aircraft. and have enjoyed just about every second of it.
Lay a solid foundation with a well planned, well equipped, and legal business and expect to reap the rewards of your hard work and dedication. GOOD LUCK
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