question to detailing business owners

[eternalx88]

Sometimes in the middle of Janurary, I might be moving from doing detailing mobile to a facility. I am actually moving into a corner gas station on a busy road. It is a brand new gas station and it consists of three oversized garage. The owner wants to use two of the garage for the mechanics and the third one for detailing. I have 2 weeks to figure out some type of advertising campaign, and also figuring out how everything is going to work. There is no charge for using the station's space because he feels that it may attract customers if I offer carwashing/detailing. One problem I am having is that I am a full time student in school, I have a office job where I will be working three days a week. I am only available to do detailing/carwash on the weekends. Here is what I am planning:

First I will only be scheduling detailing on the weekends. I have a partner that is working with me (he is also only available on the weekends). Hopefully aim for around 5 cars on the weekend, and a few cars for just car wash. On the weekdays, I am targeting 7-10 cars a day, car wash only 10-15$ a car. This means, I will have to hire someone to do the work and pay them 6$ an hour plus tip. Lets say if I am getting one car an hour, that is around 4-9$ a car not including products.

Any suggestions, in your opinion , would it work out? I know people who are not managed during there work hours will slack off. I am afraid this will be the case.

[doged]

Drop out of school !!! hahaha....... just kidding. Seriously, if the road is that busy then get some professional signs made up. It all depends on the neighborhood that your in though, upscale I’m assuming? If your in school and I’m assuming collage, take some marketing classes. I’m “assuming” a lot and you know what that means!!!

[eternalx88]

banners, posters, many business cards, photoalbum of before after pics being made within next week.

[3Dog]

Dont forget..out of the 10 to 15 dollars..6 for employee, then your part of his withholding taxes.....your insurance..liablity, workmans comp, etc.

[Hutch98R1]

Originally Posted by 3Dog

Dont forget..out of the 10 to 15 dollars..6 for employee, then your part of his withholding taxes.....your insurance..liablity, workmans comp, etc.

So that leaves you with a about -$10 per car. Also take into account all the rainy days and utilities. You may need to charge more for a wash, depending on what you are doing. It takes me a full hour usually to wash and dry a car without missing an inch. So, a hand wash, should be around $20-25.

Best of luck to you. I wish someone would give me a facility to use for free. I am in your same situation... In college and trying to decided what to do with my small detail business I have bulit over the last 4 years.

[eternalx88]

so my next question is how many of you have insurance? I dont feel it is necessary to have insurance especially when you are not driving the persons car. Its just a simple hand car wash. Sure something can go wrong, but nothing major.

[SilverLine]

I would never recommend working on another individuals vehicle without the proper insurance. This is the type of thing among many others that gives the industry a bad rep. How can you be certain nothing will happen to the vehicle while it's in your care. That body shop would be crazy not to require you to have insurance, especially knowing you'll be doing the work on their property. Insurance should not even be a consideration, just another cost of doing business.

Matt Williams
Silver Lining Detail

[Hutch98R1]

What would insurance cost? and please explain our insurance options, thanks

[mirrorfinishman]

Originally Posted by eternalx88

Any suggestions, in your opinion , would it work out?

It doesn't sound like you are allowing yourself much time to plan this out properly, however why not just get started and rely on referrals from the owners current customers.