Move MO detailing to FL?

tcaholic · 05-17-08, 07:08

i live in MO right now but am wanting to move my detailing business to FL. Ive been detailing for 10 years out of my house.

Was wondering if there is a market for mobile detailing in FL, im trying to figure the margins out between MO and FL im not having much luck.

I know that the weather is alot nicer in FL compared to MO. Thats why i need your guys input. Ill lose 100% of my clients if i move my business how ever the clients that i do have are regulars but only once or twice a year. If i can get a strong client base in FL i can justify moving my business.

Thanks for your help.

David Fermani · 05-17-08, 07:32

If you're mobile, all you'll need to do is put a big sign on your vehicle and work will fall in your lap. Finding the right customers takes a little bit of effort. Tell me more about your operation, where you are considering moving to & how you'll be going about getting business......

dublifecrisis · 05-21-08, 10:25

My guess is the market is huge in Florida. Of course there are a lot of mobile detailers too but a fair share of hacks and plenty of people that just specialize in quick parking lot rinseless wash and waxes. I am in North Florida and not sure if there are any autopians here.

zoomzoom mazda5 · 05-21-08, 10:30

There are alot of hacks around here and alot of cars too! (over 18 million). Just follow the hacks, and business should pick up for you.

MELODY7 · 06-08-08, 03:27

I live in South Florida. There is a huge open market for car detailing. There are many high end vehicles in this area and there simply isn't that "it" place to get your car vehicle detailed. The truth is that a lot of people aren't even aware of what swirls are. So as a detailer you have to make people understand in what you do or they'll just think your a "professional car washer". Location is everything, and you simply have to balance out the best location in which would balance a customer between Dade & Broward county in which has its high end districts. Me being a marketing major I'm big on, if your going to open up a new establishment you have to have a big budget as far as advertising. There are plenty of outlets to market your services in down here. There are also plenty of high end dealership in which you can introduce your services to. There are plenty of South Florida car magazines, home magazines, etc. There are many aspects in which conclude a detailing business down here, but you have to have patients. As far as the clientèle and the market down here, I'm surprised no one has dominated. And more questions, don't be afraid to PM me. I dont detail, I just like knowing the proper ways of doing things and washing my baby is just one of them.

cushdrive · 06-10-08, 08:25

There is a fixed location detailing/washing business here in Daytona called Sparkle and Shine that makes A KILLING. There are always people waiting in the parking lot to get service.

Jimmy Buffit · 06-11-08, 07:02

I had an unrelated business in Tampa/Carrolwood in the nineties. I have family in Naples and visit 2-3 times per year. I have often considered 'retiring' there. So, I've looked at the marketin some detail.

I see ALOT of mobile detailers working in driveways. I see very few fixed locations. That, to me, would be the key to success. Probably expensive to start, but the ROI would be substantial.

As always, it is about location. Be convenient and close to the money, but not so close as to pay retail/storefront rent.

I think, given the proper plan of action, it would be an outstanding investment, profitable in the second year, and a cash cow in the third year!

Mobile? I'd be reluctant...

Two cents...

Jim

Meghan@Autogeek · 06-11-08, 08:21

We are in south Fla and I have to agree, a lot of fly by night young kids adding swirls as they detail... not too many quality detailers. Seems to me the way to go would be as stated before, hit the dealerships!

baseballlover1 · 06-11-08, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghan@Autogeek

We are in south Fla and I have to agree, a lot of fly by night young kids adding swirls as they detail... not too many quality detailers. Seems to me the way to go would be as stated before, hit the dealerships!

Is there a market for very high end detailing in stuart? My family has a house on hutchinson(sp) island.

Meghan@Autogeek · 06-11-08, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by baseballlover1

Is there a market for very high end detailing in stuart? My family has a house on hutchinson(sp) island.

I would say high end would be more West Palm, Boca area, Stuart has some great areas like Sewells Point but a bit farther south is better. Starting in Jupiter and working your way south.

Crossed Flags · 07-16-08, 10:39

What about marine detailing in the Siesta Key/ Sarasota areas. When i visit I see a lot of dirty boats and hardly anyone cleaning them.

Jeff

dublifecrisis · 07-17-08, 06:08

Marine detailing is probably a great advantage due to it not being as saturated as auto detailing. And Florida has plenty of boats. The down side might be the economy. My neighbor runs a marine electronics business out of Jax, FL and business is still doing good despite the economy. But I know for a fact people are not fishing as much up here due to high gas prices.