To those with a physical location/storefront...

[Alek@DeepClean]

This detailing business has reached a point where I think its time to get a physical location for my business. Definitely looking for somewhere that has enough inside space for a car, an overhead door to pull it in, etc etc. Can anyone else here comment on how much theyre paying for their shop and what amenities it has? I know prices will vary by location Im just looking for a ballpark. Also, how did you guys go about searching for a place available? Any other information you think I would appreciate is welcome.

 

[HUMP DIESEL]

I got extremely lucky in the fact that my best friend owns a landscaping business and he has a wash bay that I now use for my detailing. I have asked numerous times what he wants out of each detail, but he skirts the issue. I will give him some on my own either way. The one good thing it has allowed me to see what I want in a shop. His place is huge and I know I don't need all that space, but it is nice nonetheless.

HUMP

 

[215Detailing]

This detailing business has reached a point where I think its time to get a physical location for my business. Definitely looking for somewhere that has enough inside space for a car, an overhead door to pull it in, etc etc. Can anyone else here comment on how much theyre paying for their shop and what amenities it has? I know prices will vary by location Im just looking for a ballpark. Also, how did you guys go about searching for a place available? Any other information you think I would appreciate is welcome.

Sorry but I do not own, lease or rent a physical shop, I have been searching (on & off) for years for a location even on craigslist as well as realtor sites and ask (posting) on facebook & instagram.
Most places either are not suitable or rental rate is too high, for me it's all about location, I want to be in a visible area by foot and road traffic, but with some other ventures (ie, shopping,salons, restaurants) around so no one has to sit and wait for vehicle to be serviced.
In my area most places want NNN plus $2K+ or if no NNN $2K, I have a regular 9 to 5 so It would be a task, but that is my advantage most shops close in my area when folks are just getting off so I step in for those who can benefit from late hours.I currently work from my driveway not too bad, most of my LOYAL customers say stay put, But a brick & mortar seems more acceptable as to where folks would not confuse me when the $10 & $15.00 guys as I would have posting stating rates from x amount or hourly rate from.

 

[Pureshine]

To get have a shop you ether have to do production work or charge really high price to cover your over head. I like working out of my garage no over head and my customers love I do it from home. I can keep my prices at a good price. I've looked at places but there all over 2k a month I would have to charge a 100hr to cover it. I will never do production work!

 

[215Detailing]

To get have a shop you ether have to do production work or charge really high price to cover your over head. I like working out of my garage no over head and my customers love I do it from home. I can keep my prices at a good price. I've looked at places but there all over 2k a month I would have to charge a 100hr to cover it. I will never do production work!

Love your mindset, I enjoy working from home (part time) just can't stand frugal (cheap) thinking folks are those who can't grasp the idea of someone working from home and expect you to work for cheap because you are not in a commercial building, I work by appointment to stay from being a production detailer, but that's all most folks are accustom to in this area nearest detailer (2+ miles) to charge close to what i would call standard industry rates is Our Services | Auto Detailing, Paintless Dent Repair, And More? | All Pro Detail | All Pro Detail no price listed but last I checked they started at $75.00 basic service.

 

[artofdetailing]

If you want to make a lot of money in this business get a large shop and do production work. You won't be putting out show cars but production shops are not in business to be posting 50/50 shots on 10 forums a day. You will also need to understand that a production operation takes a lot more money and time to get set up than a mobile truck. If you have the luxury of being able to use your own garage for work, I would hop on it. Its less of a headache than all other options, less money to start up, and more comfortable. Just don't expect to make nearly as much money as mobile fleets or production shops.

 

[thebamboo23]

This detailing business has reached a point where I think its time to get a physical location for my business. Definitely looking for somewhere that has enough inside space for a car, an overhead door to pull it in, etc etc. Can anyone else here comment on how much theyre paying for their shop and what amenities it has? I know prices will vary by location Im just looking for a ballpark. Also, how did you guys go about searching for a place available? Any other information you think I would appreciate is welcome.

So will you remain a one-man shop? How booked are you in advance? How many new customers do you get a month? How many calls a month? what are you forms of marketing/advertising? what are your budgets on advertising/marketing?

What expenses do you have right now?

If you're only doing one per day and will stick to it as a one man shop, I would say stay mobile. Buy a badas$ van and set it up exactly how you want. I wouldn't put my mind set on home-operations.. not if im trying to go full time with this and make some real money

a 1500sqft shop (1200 warehouse and 300 office/restroom) in Houston was $1 per sqft + water/power