Vehicle for mobile business

Tlefe091985

Tlefe091985

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I am going to be starting a detailing business. After debating between fixed location, and mobile...I've decided I will go mobile. I'll be doing a waterless wash, so no pressure washer or water tank is needed.
I drive a 2012 Dodge Avenger right now. But looking to get out of that very soon, to get lower payments, and something I like...opposed to something I don't enjoy driving.
My question is... What kind of vehicle would be more suitable?
Option A: Mid 2000's Chevy S10 Blazer ZR2. Big enough to haul all equipment. Good in snow. Room for advertising. But, not so great on gas.

Option B: Saturn Ion Redline: Eye catching, decent on gas. Down sides being that there isn't as much room for equipment, not so good in the snow, and less room for advertising, but still enough.

Should I go with the SUV for the room, or the Flashy car for the eye appeal?
What kind of vehicle do you use for mobile? I don't want a van because like I said, doing waterless, there is no need for all that room.
 
I'll be using my Mustang as my mobile and "showroom" when I use products on it.
 
I mostly use my single cab ram 1500. Have a 6x12 trailer I take for boats, Rev, ect..

If I were you, go with the car. A lot more can be done out of a car than you think.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
 
What about a wagon? Decent mileage, plenty room. but the question is..... are you eventually going to expand?

Maybe you`ll eventually need room for a battery or small generator to run vacuum & maybe extractor and steamer.

But I think with that you could still get a wagon. Volvo V70 in the mid 2000`s can be had for a great price, plus good in snow, decent mileage, and a bit of comfort.
 
You can use just about any car to mobile detail out of, especially if doing waterless washes.

I can fit all of the detailing supplies needed including two 5 gallon buckets and polishers into the 2 trunks of my Porsche.
 
I wasn't too concerned with space at the moment. But down the road when a generator would be involved might make it a little more complicated. But should still be fine, as they make smaller generators now. I was thinking more self advertising. Vinyl wrap, or at least vinyl decals with my company name on the vehicle. And the eye appeal to anyone that their attention is drawn to the vehicle
 
I got my Honda Element for my dog, but also because I can use it for mobile bicycle repairs. The E is small overall, but it can gobble up a huge amount of stuff if need be.
 
The name of the game is efficiency. If you want all professional equipment, a water tank, and a good generator, hose reels, air system, shelving to keep everything super organized, bottle racks, etc you will need a cargo van. I see a lot of guys working out of their cars and in my opinion in looks super unprofessional. Anybody can call themselves a detailer by putting some basic tools and product in the back of their car. If I was a consumer, I would want somebody to show up in a fully outfitted truck because that tells me they have made enough money to invest in the proper equipment. I would sense a level of commitment too. A truck is also amazing for advertising. It looks so official when you pull up with your company name on the side. Sure you can stick to just autos but if you are a true businessman you will tackle all detailing related jobs including boats, rvs, and large commercial vehicles. Those jobs will require ladders and pressure washers. Not to mention extended wash brushes.
 
I'm sure I could be professional by sticking to cars, trucks, and vans. And as long as everything is organized, and not just thrown around, why would that be unprofessional? Will a customer say to me "before you start, I want to see how your equipment is situated in your car, determining whether or not I trust and want to pay you"? I very very highly doubt that. And yes...if I wanted, or felt the absolute need for a pressure washer, water tank, hose reel, and whatnot, I would get a van. Like I said, I am looking to start...not yet a successful owner/operator of the business.
Hopefully you don't take that the wrong way, I was ranting. Your opinion is appreciated.
 
Tlefe091985 said:
I'm sure I could be professional by sticking to cars, trucks, and vans. And as long as everything is organized, and not just thrown around, why would that be unprofessional? Will a customer say to me "before you start, I want to see how your equipment is situated in your car, determining whether or not I trust and want to pay you"? I very very highly doubt that. And yes...if I wanted, or felt the absolute need for a pressure washer, water tank, hose reel, and whatnot, I would get a van. Like I said, I am looking to start...not yet a successful owner/operator of the business.
Hopefully you don't take that the wrong way, I was ranting. Your opinion is appreciated.
Click to expand...

I agree. This is just to start out. Most likely it will be friends and family and friends of friends. Word of mouth. And hopefully if takes off down the line then you invest back into the business with a larger dedicated vehicle with all the bells and whistles.
 
I would think a good set up for a guy starting out would be a trailer - some closed in area to lock up and weather protect equipment; some open for bigger items. You could put your advertising on the sides of the closed in part and let your work vehicle also be your personal vehicle without looking funky. This would also allow for more types of vehicles, while still keeping a professional look.
 
I think you could work out of a car, but you need to think smart. Whn i first started i had a BMW 323i SE Touring (E36):



I thought i needed more space so ended up with a van an a lot of debt....



Thought i would get signage, and fit it out.....





But then I realised (after 2 years), I was not using the generator or water tank as much as i expected and I was shelling out a lot of money each month for nothing...Customers would allow me use their water and their power. The van was sold and I moved to a Saab 95 Aero, initially i wanted and estate but I thought this was a good car but it went through 2 engines in 8 months :(



And now i have a 1999 VW Passat v6 4motion saloon:



What I have realised over time....Learn to condense ! You dont need to carry bulk (if your doing correction, if only valeting/washing then maybe different). I can fit everything i need into the boot of the Passat for any job i need to do including pressure washer (I have a Kranzle K7), compounds etc.
 
Glad to hear you picked being mobile over a fixed location. The saturn ion is junk imho. I forget about others being mobile up north with the snow etc.. I'm always dodging showers here in Florida. I currently own a 2010 Pontiac Vibe. It would make an awsome detail rig. They are just a rebaged Toyota Matrix with a better warranty and thousands cheaper. The back seats fold flat and entire cargo area is plastic. They even offer them in AWD for your nasty weather. They also have a decent towing rating if you did decide on a small trailer in future. I discontinued maintenance washes but the waterless washes have me second guessing myself. Maybe just have windows wrapped with logos to start. You really can't go wrong with a mini van either. The main thing is not to bury yourself in debt starting out.Alot of guys realize this to late and end up out of business and selling everything for pennies on the dollar
 
The motors in the Saturn (2.0L Supercharged Ecotec) are almost indestructible. I had a 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS I bought new. I loved that car. The Saturn IMO looks flashier, and has a little more room. My buddy was a Certified GM mechanic, and knows GM cars like the back of his hand. I want something I can use for work, but also as a DD. Full time rolling advertising.
 
I think this all depends on the expectation of your client. If they are calling you for your service and you make sure to tell them that you will use their water and power and they don't mind, then by all means do that. I still do that, and I just pack up what I need in my car.
On the other hand, if you are going to expand the mobile business to more than just residential, then you will need a dedicated rig of some sort. I had clients where I would show up and basically be out in a large parking lot where I had to be the water source as well as the power source. I could not have done the job otherwise.
To tell you the truth, even when I could have used their water, I would usually just use my tank and pressure washer and then just top off my tank when I left.

HUMP
 
STPETEDALE said:
The main thing is not to bury yourself in debt starting out.Alot of guys realize this to late and end up out of business and selling everything for pennies on the dollar
Click to expand...

See it all the time, people thinking it is easy money and not seen or heard from within a year or two.....
 
I didn't realize it was for work and play. I never considered a Saturn Ion to be flashy or flashier then any vehicle on the road. I guess our definitions of eye catching are different. While detailing can be done out of any vehicle it is nice to have extra room available for future growth. Society and customers judges you on appearances alone.Seems like very good points were made in previous post about set ups etc. I think it applies to all businesses if you really want to stand out in a crowd.
 
It's pretty sad when a small business owner has to call it quits. Like clockwork every winter around here supplies, equipment go up for sale at excellent prices. This would explain why I own 20 pressure washers 15 vacuums and the list goes on. I also have an excavation and landscape company I'm partial owner. I buy exmarks and stumpgrinders and bob cats for next to nothing during the winter months. I always save up and buy during the winter months and clean house during the summer.
 
The regular saturn ion, no I would not consider flashy. The redline I do. There isn't many on the road, which makes them a little more catchy. Pictured the one I'm thinking of below. The other good think about BOTH vehicles I listed, are they are both cheap. A lot cheaper then my Avenger, which I am talking with the dealership about buying back. So the financial aspect of that did come into play. I would actually be getting myself out of about $10k in debt by going with one of these 2 vehicles. Eventually I would expand. I'm not saying I'm not thinking of that part now, but taking it 1 step at a time. You gotta crawl before you can walk.
 
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