Looks like I got the boost I need to start, but need some help

**Maxima Lover** · 05-08-2006, 03:48 PM

About 2 months ago I mentioned I might get a spot at a complex to detail cars. In the main parking garage there are about 400 cars. Only about 25 of them are older then 2000 and most seem well taken care of. Because of the companies in the complex, a lot of the cars are BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and expensive SUV`s, so I assume they want them taken care of right. There are also about 200 loft apartments in the complex that are very high end.

Another guy who details cars contacted the property manager of the complex, but he wants to pick the cars up and take them to a garage he is doing his work out of. It`s about 5 miles down a very congested and dangerous highway. I have a feeling a lot of people aren`t going to be too excited about this. His pricing is as follows:

-$130 for a car detail, but no clay and it only says "buff" so I`m not sure exactly what he does as far as scratch/spiderweb removal.
-$60 for a wash and wax.
-$50 for an interior job.
-$15 for a wash and vac (for people in his building only, so this doesn`t effect me)

Should I meet this guys pricing and avoid the clay in the full detail and charge extra if they want it, or should I go a little higher. I will be completely mobile with my own water and electricity unlike this other guy. Also do you guys think it`s too much to charge $25 for the wash, vac, and wipe down, being that I`m going to be set up pretty much in one spot and will be able to do quite a few cars a day? I`m just not sure what to do and I need a price list soon (like tomorrow). It will be passed around the offices quickly, so changing my prices isn`t going to be an option, at least at this complex.

The property manager of the complex met me there today. We talked about the location of doing the details and the price a little bit. The best and really only spot to do it is on top of the main garage (3 floors high). The problem with this is WIND, and lots of it.

Here is a picture of the spot I would most likely use. I can use about 4-5 of the spots (each spot is 8.5ft X 17ft).

Here is a picture looking out away from the spot. There are occasional cars that park where the black BMW 5 series is located and with this wind (which blows in that direction, I would surely end up washing cars for free because of spraying them.

So not only do I need a cover, but I need sides as well. I was thinking about making something that fits on the concrete wall that goes up in the air. The tarp would run from the wall, up, over the car and I would have to figure out something to hold it up on the other side. I also need to block the spot where the railing is so it doesn`t go on the cars below. So I pretty much need it covered on 3 sides, so a 12x12 pop up won`t due as I will have no room to move around. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Sorry this got so long

**GregCavi** · 05-08-2006, 04:28 PM

First of Congrats! With the pricing thing you can go higher than 130, thats pretty cheap. I think its probably safe to say you do a higher quality job then the other guy. I would highly reccomend claying every vehicle that receives a full detail, and not upselling it. Im not to sure what to tell ya about the wind issue however. You might want to find a new spot to do it. Anything on the other end of the roof?

Feel free to email me if you want my price sheet.

greg@pinnacle-detailing.com

Greg

**Maxima Lover** · 05-08-2006, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by GregCavi

First of Congrats! With the pricing thing you can go higher than 130, thats pretty cheap. I think its probably safe to say you do a higher quality job then the other guy. I would highly reccomend claying every vehicle that receives a full detail, and not upselling it. Im not to sure what to tell ya about the wind issue however. You might want to find a new spot to do it. Anything on the other end of the roof?

Feel free to email me if you want my price sheet.

greg@pinnacle-detailing.com

Greg

Thanks Greg. As far as price, I was looking to be at $150 for cars including the clay bar. Unfortunately most people don`t know about using a clay bar, so they might just compare this guys "full detail" to mine. A lot of places around here either don`t use clay or charge extra, I don`t know why. So I was thinking $130 or $135 and $20 for a clay job added on. That is not the way I would like to do it, but I believe I will bring in more customers. How long does it take you to clay a fairly well maintained car Greg? Since I started timing myself I haven`t gotten to do a fairly maintained vehicle, all trashed ones, so it has been taking a long time.

As far as the wind issue, It has the same problems on the other side. The whole complex is ridiculously windy. Plus others park there and I can`t hardly make them park somewhere else so I can detail being I`m not paying any type of rent. All the other spots not in a garage, are for visitors and are taken during the day, so that won`t work either. There just isn`t enough space for all of the buildings they are in the complex and the ones they are building (you can see some construction in the background of the first pic).

I actually have your prices from your website, which is damn nice. It definitely makes you look very professional and no way I would guess your in high school.

BTW I just found out that a hotel they have been working on in the same complex opened tonight. I`m not sure if I would get any business from that or not? Either way, I think I`m going to have enough business to keep me busy.

**budman3** · 05-08-2006, 06:15 PM

I would say try to charge the $150 and if people ask why so high, explain the clay and the detail that you do. I don`t think it would take long for the word to get out of your services, if people are satisified. It only takes about 20 minutes to clay a vehicle for me, and the results sure are worth it. Not sure I can help with anything else, but good luck.

**GregCavi** · 05-08-2006, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Maxima Lover

How long does it take you to clay a fairly well maintained car Greg? Since I started timing myself I haven`t gotten to do a fairly maintained vehicle, all trashed ones, so it has been taking a long time.

For a decent car, I would say no more than 10 minutes. I did one the other day that was poor that I spent about 30-45 minutes on though.

As for prices, those on the site are the prices I am opporating right now. I have made up new prices however, for when I move this fall. They start @ 160 and go up for a full detail.

So if you wanted the new ones I would be happy to send them to you.

Greg

**MrRogue** · 05-08-2006, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Maxima Lover

Thanks Greg. As far as price, I was looking to be at $150 for cars including the clay bar. Unfortunately most people don`t know about using a clay bar, so they might just compare this guys "full detail" to mine. A lot of places around here either don`t use clay or charge extra, I don`t know why. So I was thinking $130 or $135 and $20 for a clay job added on.

OK well, if you only have to move the cars a few hundred feet comppared to 15 miles away, if customers are really not going for the 15 mile away thing, then I think that would be worth somthing for you. Maybe not 20 bucks but Im sure its worth somthing, to know that their car isnt being driven on the road at all.

Also, there are many more things then just clay to focus on. Your washing techniques, if you follow any of detail city washing tips, are going to be much better, you will get the wheel wells for sure, and all the other details. So make sure they know that you will not be skimping on other part of the detail. Word of mouth is the best way of advertising, get a few jobs, and soon enough you will have half the building, if you do a good job.

**hook** · 05-08-2006, 07:15 PM

I`m not a pro detailer, but I do have one comment about your post (and congrats, btw, looks like a great opportunity).

You mention having to wash a few cars for free because they may get sprayed with the wind and where they park. I just wanted to throw out the idea that doing so might actually bring you more business. I know if I came back to my car and found it had been washed for me at no charge because the detailer had gotten spray on it, there`d be almost no way I`d ever take it anywhere else when it did need a detail. Doing that shows professionalism and class....

blue skies,
Andrew

**GregCavi** · 05-08-2006, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by hook

I`m not a pro detailer, but I do have one comment about your post (and congrats, btw, looks like a great opportunity).

You mention having to wash a few cars for free because they may get sprayed with the wind and where they park. I just wanted to throw out the idea that doing so might actually bring you more business. I know if I came back to my car and found it had been washed for me at no charge because the detailer had gotten spray on it, there`d be almost no way I`d ever take it anywhere else when it did need a detail. Doing that shows professionalism and class....

blue skies,
Andrew

For some yes. Some people may find it as trespassing perhaps though. I wouldnt want someone washing my car, thats for sure. It would work for some but you never know with some people, it could be asking for trouble.

Greg

**Maxima Lover** · 05-08-2006, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by budman3

I would say try to charge the $150 and if people ask why so high, explain the clay and the detail that you do. I don`t think it would take long for the word to get out of your services, if people are satisified. It only takes about 20 minutes to clay a vehicle for me, and the results sure are worth it. Not sure I can help with anything else, but good luck.

I think that`s what I`m going to do. If I was just doing mobile at a bunch of different locations every day, I would probably do it the other way, get them to call me up and then sell it to the customer. I love to sell, but only what the customer needs! When I was talking to the property manager about my process, he asked me what a clay bar was. Like many others, he had not heard of it. I explained it to him pretty well and he was impressed.

Since most of the people there are middle-high to high class, I think it is better to produce the best results and charge a little more than the other way around. I`ve come to realize there are the people that pay to get their car detailed and those that don`t. Not to often will I get someone to pay $130 that wouldn`t pay $150.

**Maxima Lover** · 05-08-2006, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by MrRogue

OK well, if you only have to move the cars a few hundred feet comppared to 15 miles away, if customers are really not going for the 15 mile away thing, then I think that would be worth somthing for you. Maybe not 20 bucks but Im sure its worth somthing, to know that their car isnt being driven on the road at all.

Also, there are many more things then just clay to focus on. Your washing techniques, if you follow any of detail city washing tips, are going to be much better, you will get the wheel wells for sure, and all the other details. So make sure they know that you will not be skimping on other part of the detail. Word of mouth is the best way of advertising, get a few jobs, and soon enough you will have half the building, if you do a good job.

Well it`s only 5 miles away, but it`s worse than driving 15 miles on a normal highway. Either way, a lot of people don`t like others driving their car (myself included). I know they will work a lot easier that day knowing their car isn`t leaving the locked parking garage.

Yep, I follow the DC tips and continue to look for more. The only reason I brought up claying is because he covers everything else on what he does. It`s just the "buffing" I`m wondering about. I checked out his location last night and it looked pretty trashy. Dirty water buckets not emptied, trash all over, and the hose lying across the floor. And that was over the weekend too! Very unprofessional to me.

**Maxima Lover** · 05-08-2006, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by hook

I`m not a pro detailer, but I do have one comment about your post (and congrats, btw, looks like a great opportunity).

You mention having to wash a few cars for free because they may get sprayed with the wind and where they park. I just wanted to throw out the idea that doing so might actually bring you more business. I know if I came back to my car and found it had been washed for me at no charge because the detailer had gotten spray on it, there`d be almost no way I`d ever take it anywhere else when it did need a detail. Doing that shows professionalism and class....

blue skies,
Andrew

Not a bad idea, but I think I have to agree with Greg. Especially being it would be the people that parked way out of the way (like the 5 series) so that their car wouldn`t be touched. Even if it did work out, I would have everyone parking upstairs to get a free wash.

**dr_detail** · 05-08-2006, 11:36 PM

Have you considered the lower area of the parking structure? Not only will the wind nor the sun be such such an issue, but the water run-off will also be less of a problem. It would be easy to block out one section for a washbay with a hospital type curtain system suspended from the roof using plastic sheeting. It would also be quite easy to plumb in an outlet or two -- having it inside would also help in working year-round.

Send me a pm and I`d be happy to share some of my experience in setting up just such an enterprise.

**Maxima Lover** · 05-09-2006, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by dr_detail

Have you considered the lower area of the parking structure? Not only will the wind nor the sun be such such an issue, but the water run-off will also be less of a problem. It would be easy to block out one section for a washbay with a hospital type curtain system suspended from the roof using plastic sheeting. It would also be quite easy to plumb in an outlet or two -- having it inside would also help in working year-round.

Send me a pm and I`d be happy to share some of my experience in setting up just such an enterprise.

I considered this and it would be great, but unfortunately the rest of the parking lot is filled up during the work day and the lowest level, along with other spots in the garage, are reserved for specific people, so I wouldn`t be able to make them move. I don`t want to over push my welcome since I`m not paying anything to be there. Also the lighting situation isn`t to good.

Year round isn`t going to be the biggest deal, beacuse I`m going to college, so that`s going to be my main focus.

**hook** · 05-09-2006, 11:28 AM

For some yes. Some people may find it as trespassing perhaps though. I wouldnt want someone washing my car, thats for sure. It would work for some but you never know with some people, it could be asking for trouble.

Obvioulsy I hadn`t thought completely through that side of it, you`re exactly right.

Maybe a note good for a complimentary wash would be the "right" thing to do. And you could get their info when/if they collected it - I suspect that might at least limit the free "repeat" business (people parking there on purpose to get a free wash).

But limiting the possibility of that (spray/etc drifting onto parked cars) happening would be the best approach.

Andrew

**DetailDude** · 05-15-2006, 10:15 PM

1. Yes, definitely charge the higher price and include the clay. For a selling point, clean a spot on the customers hood with an MF and have the customer glide the back of their hand gently over the spot. Then have them feel what the outcome is like on an area on your vehicle or a sample piece of painted metal.
Or skip the "after" demo and say, "Feel the contaminants?", "I perform a special process that removes them, will prevent damage and make the surface feel smooth."

2. I assume your going to be putting up some type of awning. Get some clear plastic canopy sides or even a few shower curtains and hang them to help keep water spray off of nearby cars. The clear material won`t restrict light and can help keep the wind off of you while working. If the wind is too stong, you can make 6" holes (but leave a flap hanging) to reduce the pressure.

Rock on!