Working out of home versus small shop?

[Flash Gordon]

My newly acquired shop is attached to a barbershop where the owner doesnt use the oversized garage for any reason...... so we worked out a deal where he gets a percentage of each vehicle we do at the shop. This is seeming to work great for now and keeps us from worrying to much about the overhead of a shop. Currently my overhead is around 125 a week and this does not include products (roughly 5 to 8 % per job). If I had to worry about another say 500 a week in rent to put away, I would be working my butt off to barely survive. So I would suggest home garage and mobile for now IMO of course.

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!!!!!


Where've you been Anthony?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I was just asking Kris about you a couple days ago

Congrats on the shop. Sounds like a sweet deal rops:

 

[Bates Detailing]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!!!!!


Where've you been Anthony?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I was just asking Kris about you a couple days ago

Congrats on the shop. Sounds like a sweet deal rops:

LOL - been busy man..... family and business has been taking up every second of my day. I got an email from autogeek - peeked in the forum and couldnt resist. Cant get addicted again until winter though. Hows Memphis treatin you?!?!?

 

[Flash Gordon]

LOL - been busy man..... family and business has been taking up every second of my day. I got an email from autogeek - peeked in the forum and couldnt resist. Cant get addicted again until winter though. Hows Memphis treatin you?!?!?

I figured you'd been busy hustlin up work. How is the family? I hope well

AG jams up my email so bad I quit checking it months ago

Memphis is doing great!!! (other then high unemployment, street gangs, body odor and stray bullets)

Post when you can :dblthumb2:

 

[Kristopher1129]

You'll never shake that image without a shop location or at least a mobile unit. People are not going to be comfortable with somebody who doesn't do this professionally. I'm not saying your work isn't at a professional level...cause I don't know you at all.

But, I couldn't tell you how many times I've fixed jobs from people who detailed out of their homes. Typically...that type of situation is related to ill equipped, under experienced detail work leading to a second detailing by a professional down the road. Unfortunately you are going to always be tainted by this stereotype in most customers eyes. They will most likely go to a legitimate business to get their detailing done.

That's just the way the world works. I would do the same. No way in hell am I dropping my car off at some guys house unless I know them, and their work personally. Just my honest opinion.

 

[A-train]

A lil late on this one but oh well....Just my two cents worth. I too work out of my home. I have a 2 car detached garage that i dedicated to detailing. I agree with most of these guys that it is hard to maintain a professional image out of your home. Im the same way, i don't detail for a living it's a hobby and side money and I can be choosey on what and when I detail. With that said here are some ways I combat the image of "some rook in his garage."

1. I invite them in for a tour of the shop, and go through the chemicals and products being used.
2. I have a document that I drew up that is basically a detail customization form ( used during the walk around with client)
3. I give recipets for the work compelted.
4. I explain what sets my self apart and why I price the way I do.
5. I keep a binder with pictures of past work on hand to show off. (particularly corrections)
6. Lastly, I have found and clients have told me that the cleanliness of my shop goes a long way. It may sound trivial but gets me clients I'll keep doing it.

Good Luck

 

[highgrade]

A lil late on this one but oh well....Just my two cents worth. I too work out of my home. I have a 2 car detached garage that i dedicated to detailing. I agree with most of these guys that it is hard to maintain a professional image out of your home. Im the same way, i don't detail for a living it's a hobby and side money and I can be choosey on what and when I detail. With that said here are some ways I combat the image of "some rook in his garage."

1. I invite them in for a tour of the shop, and go through the chemicals and products being used.
2. I have a document that I drew up that is basically a detail customization form ( used during the walk around with client)
3. I give recipets for the work compelted.
4. I explain what sets my self apart and why I price the way I do.
5. I keep a binder with pictures of past work on hand to show off. (particularly corrections)
6. Lastly, I have found and clients have told me that the cleanliness of my shop goes a long way. It may sound trivial but gets me clients I'll keep doing it.

Good Luck

this is a first-rate response! thank you very much.

 

[Flip]

what do you include in your questionnaire??
That's a good idea!

 

[A-train]

It's a pretty basic form however I've found that it makes the customer feel like they are tailoring the detail specifically to the needs of their vehicle and wallet. The options are as follows...

Full Correction/ One step/ Clay and Sealant (with the option to add a topper)
Tire dressing - Shiny/Flat natural finish
Interior- Shiny/Flat
Option to re-dye trim
Extraction/Steam- If applicable
Leather- Reg conditioner or Leatherique
Wheel - Face or barrel cleaning
Engine Bay- Optional Add on
Scent- Various Scents

This is basically the gist of the customization form I use. I have my base prices that I go by and tell them what's included in that package, and then go on to explain the extras such as the leatherique, engine bay, and wheel barrel cleaning. I use those as add ons. I find that they appreciate a choice on some on some matters, since the high volume shop 5 miles away is slinging glossy silicon dressings on everything within a 100 ft radius. I paid a college business student 50 bucks to come up with the form and put my logo on it. Has worked well. Plus it's also document any previous damage to the vehicle on it so there are no discrepancies between the owner and I over the source of the damage.