Levels of 'Professional' detailing

[Scottwax]

You are going to find it tough every 3 months when you file your estimated taxes if you only make $25 an hour.

[mrfjsw294]

What a great thread! I really enjoyed reading this. I can relate to alot of other members here in saying that we all play our market. I can only dream of someday being able to detail on a level like Todd and some of the other true enthusiasts here. Unfortunately that day is a LONG time from now. My area does not have a calling for details like that. People in this area just plain dont care about their cars. Granted there are a few (mainly big execs around the city that drive $60K+ vehicles) that do care. But the other 90% of the market here is tough. I have people trying to beat me up on a $50 wash/interior/spray wax...

Having said that, im not nearly as knowledgeable in correction as most on this forum. I wish my market was different, because those are the details that I want to do. Once I get more experienced in correction and can do it in a timely fashion, perhaps I will start to push my correction services more. But for now, I have play the market that is given to me.

[Stratous]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

You are going to find it tough every 3 months when you file your estimated taxes if you only make $25 an hour.

I don't quite get what you mean.
My tax lady said to just keep track of the bottom line, and when I start making a decent income I'll start making monthly tax payments. I'm not an LLC or any type of company, I'm a Sole Proprietor(sp?). As far as I understand it, it's listed as a 'hobby with an income'.
And "only" $25/hr? Broken down that $52k a year working 40 hour weeks . I don't know what expenses are like in Texas, but thats not a bad income her in MN, especialy me being only 21 years old.
Besides, it's working commision. Say I quote and charge someone 4 hours for paint correction, and I get it done in 3 hours. Technicaly I made $33.33 an hour, but it's based on a $25/hr commission...It's exactly how the body shop I work for operates, except far cheeper. The goal for the technitions at my shop is 200%, meaning a charged 80 hours in a 40 work week. This is the way I've learned in my time at the body shop. The way I've figured I could complete 12-15 charged hours in an 8-10 hour work day. Thats not 200%, but I think it would be a healthy income. At 150% work rate that comes down to around $75000 before taxes. I don't know about you guys...but I'de be happy with that.

Unfortunately I don't see detailing becoming a true full time career. I've been taught a lot at the body shop, and there are advancement opportunities in the near future, and I will be going to school in August for Cabinet Making and Home Remodeling.
I'm kind of stretching across the board, but I'm still young and don't have a mortgage to worry about yet. Right now detailing is proving to be a great source of side income to pay for my Daytona. The Daytona is in the works for a show quality body and a 500hp 8valve 4 cylinder !

Either way I'm interested in what you have to say Scott.