Wondering about starting a small mini detail operation

[kb2ehj]

Hello all,

Little background first. About two months ago we obtained two brand new vehicles, one '09 Tango Red Pearl Honda Element and one '08 Silver Volvo S40 ('08 model but purchased new off lot). Every week since purchase the Element has gotten a bath with either 'real' car soap or ONR and the Volvo about the same but have missed a week or two.

Needless to say both look fantastic, no swirls no scratches just great looking paint.

Well I've enjoyed keeping up our two vehicles so much I'm wondering if there might be a market for a basic (to start with) mobile car wash service.

I work on one Ivy League University and just down the road from another major college.

Initially I'm looking to get a couple co-workers to allow me wash/wax their cars and hopefully spread the word a little. Then move up to another customer base.

Initial offering would be a basic car wash / wax / windows / ext trim detail

moving up after practice on either junk cars or car parts to offering DA applied polishing / wax. Then after even more practice maybe some lite scratch/swirl removal

So the general question is do you think there is a market for a basic mobile car wash service? I'm thinking with fall/winter approaching people will want to keep their vehicles clean but not willing to go out and actually do it.

Average high/low temperatures here in Central NC are Nov 62/37 Dec 53/30 Jan 49/28 Feb 54/30 Mar 62/37.

I'm still thinking out the logistics but thought I'd at least start asking you all if I should proceed.

Thanks for reading / commenting

Mark

[vtec92civic]

you would have to check around your local area to see who offers what service for what price and then determine if it will be worth it for you to enter the market.

Washing the the first and most important step and is where a lot of marring and swirls can be introduced to the paint so as simple as it sounds (as you might know) it is a little time consuming.

Hope that helps

[brwill2005]

To answer your question properly, you need to do some market research. Check out who is offering this type of service and how much they are charging. Just be aware that washing your own cars, is much different than running a detail business.

[kb2ehj]

Thanks guys.

I understand the 'dangers' of messing with other peoples car's along with the research for my area.

I think what I was looking for was 'Do people pay others to just was their cars, nothing more nothing less." I know that will take research to answer that question for my area, but how about your areas? Do you get calls from the little old lady down the street that wants you to just wash her Civic and doesn't care for much more.


thanks again for your suggestions and ideas, keep them coming.

Mark

[kb2ehj]

Maybe I'm looking to tap those people that like to go to the fund raiser type car washes you see at local gas stations, but do a whole lot better job.

IE clean water, microfiber wash/dry towels, ect.

I'm by no means looking to start on the Porches/BMW's ect until I have TONs of experience and practice at the local junk yard with a couple first.

Mark

[brwill2005]

I personally do not offer just a wash, but if it is priced right and done efficiently, I am sure you will find a decent market.

[bufferbarry]

Remember only about 10% of people actually care about a perfectly detailed car. Then there are the other 90% these people want a clean car. There is a difference. what you need to do is set your self apart from tunnel washers and a correction detailer. There is a lot of money to be maid in washes n waxes. Just remember a the outside of a car brings the customer, but the inside sells them.

[gone postal]

Yeah, in my area, I see quite a few wash n waxers - I seriously doubt they even offer any other services and if they did, I would be hesitant to trust them, but I'm VERY cautious w/ my car. Their business tends to focus around doctor's offices & universities. They'll try to setup a timeframe when they can get there and try to grab 2,3,10, etc clients from that office at once - dr's, staff, etc - maximize their visit. I also know a guy that uses a mobile guy for his two cars. Mobile comes out and washes his & wife's cars and charges like $50-80/car or something - can't remember exactly how much he said. Anyway, it's a wash/wax/interior vacuum and probably armor-all. Just makes it look nice. I've never looked at his car up close, but I bet it's swirled to hell.

The one thing I've noticed around here though is mobiles tend to come / go a LOT!! I guarantee I can grab the phone book and call all of them and at least half the numbers will be disconnected. Not really sure why this is - bad marketing or maybe not quite as "easy" money as they originally thought?!?

[JohnKleven]

DON'T forget about insurance. Just remember, whatever you think your overhead will be, just double that number, and you'll see about what you need to make in a month to make profit.


John

[Shaun Carollo]

Originally Posted by JohnKleven

DON'T forget about insurance. Just remember, whatever you think your overhead will be, just double that number, and you'll see about what you need to make in a month to make profit.


John

What he said^^^^

[kb2ehj]

Nope I haven't forgotten about the insurance.

I'm gathering as much information before I start seriously moving forward, I want to do the best job possible, without getting in over my head to the point were I can not do a good job.

Mark