Start Up Part Time Detailing Business Strategy.

[RonAlv]

So after being in the work force for some 35 plus years, i can say that I have found a profession that I enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I work in fiber optics as my full time job, but I would like to make some extra coin on the side. Been reading alot of good stuff here on the forums here of what to do, and what not to do. So I will start off by asking a few questions.

1. With starting out - I would need to perform work in my home garage. Since I already have tools and equipment set up here.
2. I plan on offering one step services, and up charge for additional services. Targeting middle income persons, that drive their cars on a daily basis.
3. Advertisement, would simply be word of mouth or social media. I feel that I am not generating additional income as of yet, so I do not want the additional cost to advertise just yet.
4. Price point for services. (I have conducting 3 tests on my own vehicle's and the time that it takes me to wash with 2 step method, dry, clay, and wax exterior of 2005 Honda Accord, 2015 Ford Escape, and 2008 Dodge Nitro. Approximately 3 hours from start to finish. I am figuring on a $30 dollar and hour formula).
5. Upfront product cost. I know I do not need everything I would like to have in my arsenal at once.

With having a plan first, I think it will better prepare me in the long run on expectations. As I do more research on competition and their prices, I can come up with a more detailed package plan and cost.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Ron.

 

[GSKR]

So after being in the work force for some 35 plus years, i can say that I have found a profession that I enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I work in fiber optics as my full time job, but I would like to make some extra coin on the side. Been reading alot of good stuff here on the forums here of what to do, and what not to do. So I will start off by asking a few questions.

1. With starting out - I would need to perform work in my home garage. Since I already have tools and equipment set up here.
2. I plan on offering one step services, and up charge for additional services. Targeting middle income persons, that drive their cars on a daily basis.
3. Advertisement, would simply be word of mouth or social media. I feel that I am not generating additional income as of yet, so I do not want the additional cost to advertise just yet.
4. Price point for services. (I have conducting 3 tests on my own vehicle's and the time that it takes me to wash with 2 step method, dry, clay, and wax exterior of 2005 Honda Accord, 2015 Ford Escape, and 2008 Dodge Nitro. Approximately 3 hours from start to finish. I am figuring on a $30 dollar and hour formula).
5. Upfront product cost. I know I do not need everything I would like to have in my arsenal at once.

With having a plan first, I think it will better prepare me in the long run on expectations. As I do more research on competition and their prices, I can come up with a more detailed package plan and cost.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Ron.

Being that you enjoy this craft and have a nice full time job,I would target full corrections only.you are giving up your free time make it worth it.30.00 and hr is not that profitable once you factor in everything from replacing inventory filling bottles and washing towels.The ultimate goal in your situation is to strive on making 600 over the weekend and build a reputation.Thats how I would structure it.

 

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Being that you enjoy this craft and have a nice full time job,I would target full corrections only.you are giving up your free time make it worth it.30.00 and hr is not that profitable once you factor in everything from replacing inventory filling bottles and washing towels.The ultimate goal in your situation is to strive on making 600 over the weekend and build a reputation.Thats how I would structure it.

Good advice here. Pretty much how I started. Now don't get me wrong I did the daily driver full details and still do but there's no way I was going to cut into my free time for 90-100$. Try not to charge an hourly rate. I usually charge a flat fee based on the scope of work the customer wants. Don't sell yourself short either. Your not in business to work for free.

 

[GSKR]

Good advice here. Pretty much how I started. Now don't get me wrong I did the daily driver full details and still do but there's no way I was going to cut into my free time for 90-100$. Try not to charge an hourly rate. I usually charge a flat fee based on the scope of work the customer wants. Don't sell yourself short either. Your not in business to work for free.

agreed once you go down discount road it's hard to recover or change that.Leave that sector to the car washes .

 

[RonAlv]

Good Advice so far. I guess I was just throwing out the 30 an hour as some sort of price reference for starters. My real goal is to target those people that have an appreciation for a nice clean vehicle, as I do.

 

[JeffM]

I would never clean someone's interior if I was doing this for a hobby/side money. I would market myself in paint correction/coatings. I would learn to use a paint gauge as well. Maybe look for some auto body hologram removal services, ez crap right there.

 

[LSNAutoDetailingLSNAutoDetailing is verified member.]

Hi Ron, welcome to AGO. All your ideas sound great... an AIO is not a bad thing to keep in your back pocket as a service.
Keep your packages easy.. Pretty much what I did was:

1.) AIO
2.) Correction
3.) Correction & Coating.

All come with full interior (I know others said don't...) mainly because there is a lot of startup cost & time involved.

Talk to a good tax advisor (I have an enrolled agent), if you set your business up properly hard equipment/assets can be depreciated (deducted) over 3 years, supplies & costs can be deducted, along with measuring the garage and storage area for supplies. That percentage of house can be taken as a home-office deduction (along with that some % of utilities). After three years of no profits, your business becomes a hobby and deductions go away.

On the detailing side, don't judge how long it takes to do your car and apply it to your business model. Remember, your on this forum because you're like the rest of us, OCD about our cars! Wait until you get the one you've never imagined in your wildest nightmares. Which leads me to my next point. Inspect every vehicle, but don't underestimate your capabilities. What I mean, is just because it's a disaster, don't run... take the challenge. If you do a great job, you'll have confidence. But after that, ask yourself if that's the type of client / car you want. I had to refuse business last year because the vehicles were so bad, at my price-point, I had no other choice but to refer them to a car-wash that does "detailing"...

Guys like GSKR do this day and day out for a living and can give good advice. Because this is a side line, you have an opportunity to gingerly refuse business that you don't want to take and target the ones you do, but sounds like your on the right track. Also, don't overstock in product.. Use what you need, buy more as you're getting low. Overstocking is just that... you'll sit on it during down months (if your in a state that gets winter and you don't have a shop).

Good luck and welcome to AGO! Lots of good people here, including the ones who have already commented.

 

[dcjredline]

I agree with everyone. And like Paul said there is not going to be many cars that come in that are like your car. I would say you are probably looking at more like 5 hours per car. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck!!!!! Keep us up to date.

 

[RonAlv]

Hi Ron, welcome to AGO. All your ideas sound great... an AIO is not a bad thing to keep in your back pocket as a service.
Keep your packages easy.. Pretty much what I did was:

1.) AIO
2.) Correction
3.) Correction & Coating.

All come with full interior (I know others said don't...) mainly because there is a lot of startup cost & time involved.

Talk to a good tax advisor (I have an enrolled agent), if you set your business up properly hard equipment/assets can be depreciated (deducted) over 3 years, supplies & costs can be deducted, along with measuring the garage and storage area for supplies. That percentage of house can be taken as a home-office deduction (along with that some % of utilities). After three years of no profits, your business becomes a hobby and deductions go away.

On the detailing side, don't judge how long it takes to do your car and apply it to your business model. Remember, your on this forum because you're like the rest of us, OCD about our cars! Wait until you get the one you've never imagined in your wildest nightmares. Which leads me to my next point. Inspect every vehicle, but don't underestimate your capabilities. What I mean, is just because it's a disaster, don't run... take the challenge. If you do a great job, you'll have confidence. But after that, ask yourself if that's the type of client / car you want. I had to refuse business last year because the vehicles were so bad, at my price-point, I had no other choice but to refer them to a car-wash that does "detailing"...

Guys like GSKR do this day and day out for a living and can give good advice. Because this is a side line, you have an opportunity to gingerly refuse business that you don't want to take and target the ones you do, but sounds like your on the right track. Also, don't overstock in product.. Use what you need, buy more as you're getting low. Overstocking is just that... you'll sit on it during down months (if your in a state that gets winter and you don't have a shop).

Good luck and welcome to AGO! Lots of good people here, including the ones who have already commented.

Paul_g... thanks for the advise. Today I did some poking around on what some of my area detailers are charging, the thing that really made my head spin was the various packages they offer. Around my area (Cincinnati, Oh) detailers were charging for interior clean starting around $100 to $150. Exterior packages varied as well starting at the $100 to $150 mark as well. As both a consumer and a person looking to do this on the side, I really can appreciate the KISS method. I am going attempt to start to put together packages and prices while trying to keep in mind with what I went through today (confusion).