Professional Detailers Poll

Do you work alone or have employees?

  • Just me

    Votes: 49 71.0%

  • 1-2 Employees

    Votes: 16 23.2%

  • 3-4 Employees

    Votes: 2 2.9%

  • 5+ Employees

    Votes: 2 2.9%
  • Total voters
    69
John@Autopia-Carcare.com

[email protected]

New member
Curiosity thread

Those of you who actually run a detailing business as a means of primary income, do you work alone, or have employees? Check out the poll and vote accordingly. :bigups
 
For me, no. I made that mistake before and it was a terrible decision. Finding help is easy. Finding people who has the drive and ability to WANT to do a good job is almost impossible. I ended up with a couple young men who was there because it was a job that didnt require cooking fries and they could care less if a job was done right or not. They cut every corner they could find. I let them go and a week later my shop was broken into and all of my high dollar equipment was stolen, forcing me to shut down and go back to work as an employee. Ive regrouped, regained my customer base, and have gone mobile since then. From now on it will remain a small family business.
 
I will always be a "one man show." My number 1 priority in this business is to build long term relationships with my clients. They learn to trust me and rely on me. I have talked to many of them and it seems that what they really like is to know who they will see each time they call and know what exactly to expect from my efforts.
 
This is a good thread, I started my business almost a year ago and now Im at the point where I was thinking about hiring an employee to help out cause I have been so busy since February that Ive had to turn down people (potential clients) cause I couldnt get out to them in a timely manner. But now after reading what some of you have put up I think I may just stay alone. The questions that I was trying to come up with is: How much will I need to pay them, and how to keep them from stealing chemicals and new clients from me? This business is my only source of income as well.
 
Premium said:
I will always be a "one man show." My number 1 priority in this business is to build long term relationships with my clients. They learn to trust me and rely on me. I have talked to many of them and it seems that what they really like is to know who they will see each time they call and know what exactly to expect from my efforts.
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I totally agree. Every bit of my business is about having a relationship of trust, understanding, and mutual appreciation with my clients. I wouldn't have it any other way since in large part it curtails the issues many with larger scale production shops run into with indignant customers and a lack of consistency from employees.

Not that there's anything wrong with running a large scale production shop or mobile service, it's just not as easy to earn higher end business and repeat/loyal customers.

If I ever were to need an extra set of hands on a particular project or had a series of projects that would be impossible to tackle in a short period of time by myself, I would look at partnering with one of the fellow professionals on the forums that I know I can trust long before hiring a random, unknown employee. The peace of mind that comes from knowing I have reliable help would be worth covering someone's travel expenses to come help me out in that instance.
 
I just brought a guy on last week to do hand washes. That's all he will be doing until he proves himself. It freed up more time for me to focus on larger jobs and allows me to market to people that aren't ready to jump into a full detail. He basically stands on the street with a sign advertising hand wash and vacs then does them when the customer pulls in. He brought in $130 worth of unscheduled business the first day. As far as him taking business from me first thing I did was to have him sign a confidentiality agreement and a non compete. I can't wait till I have enough business to hirer 3 or 4 more. I guess it's to each his own. I came from a large full service car wash were I was a general manager with over 100 employees doing between 300-600 cars a day. My main function there was making sure everybody was doing their job and producing a quality product. Managing 5 or 6 guys detailing 15 or 20 cars a day should be a snap.
 
I'm a one man show right now. I do
Restoration also though so to grow I will eventually need help.
Some of what I call a detail are mini restorations. For example I'm doing a frame detail, the body is off and the frame, motor everything will be redone to new.
My only fear of new employees is what it could cost for a mistake. I agree with Shiny on the cars I work on I'd rather have someone who knows their job.
 
I do all polishing and paint correction on my own. If I have a day fully booked with anything else I have one person that will help me so I can get more down in the day. I pay him only when working on the vehicles.
 
I'm curious as to how you pay your helper? Is it minimum wage or per car depending on what type of service was done to vehicle...
 
I have one person that rides with me regularly. He focuses on interior only while I handle all of the buffing/polishing. I've only been in business for myself since October, but he's been with me since early November. It's much easier having an extra hand because I'm able to do more cars..which enables me to reach more people. I only pay him per car, but doing so encourages him to bring in business of his own (which he does often). I don't think I would have it any other way..
 
I have been in the detailing business for more than 25 years total now and have gone from a "one man show" to a full on shop with 10 employees ........ and then back to just a few employees.

Since leaving California and relocating in Austin about a year and a half ago; I just recently decided to let the company grow on it's own and let it take me where it may. I do absolutely no advertising and my customer base is mainly referrals from existing clients. At this point we are booked solid for 3 weeks at just about any given time.

I am always weary of bringing anyone else in to this business as I feel my expectations are sometimes more than what I should hope for from an employee. However, I find that advertising for help wanted is best done when you hire someone who has a definite interest in the field or just a love of cars, period. It's these enthusiasts who are the very best employees once they learn the art and have the determination to do as well as whomever taught them (me, in this case).

I have 2 teams operating 2 similarly equipped trailers in 2 different areas of the city. I have a "floater" who takes care of the smaller/simpler jobs like washes & wax/clay type jobs.

I also have an employee who I have contracted in and has a system based on his truck. He also has someone who works with him each day. We have a set amount per car that is paid to each employee, tips are shared amongst teams, 10% commission of any "up sells" are shared and mileage is paid to the employee who is pulling the trailer for the day.

To top it off, we have a couple of accounts that rotate each Friday. 2 employees will spend the day on site performing any one of 3 services offered to the employees of the company site. The same pay is given per car, tips are still shared. Average earnings for each employee on Friday alone will net each one $120 + tips (which average $50 - $75 per day).

To keep everything a happy working environment I will have the occasional BBQ at my place or give a bonus to those who receive praise from a customer.

Customers are happy, my employees are happy and life is good. ;)
 
DSPlati said:
I'm curious as to how you pay your helper? Is it minimum wage or per car depending on what type of service was done to vehicle...
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I have worked in many auto detail shops, most shops around here pay there employees by per car. the price per car most shops pay is around 40-60 a full detail. Most shops want there guys be able to bust out 2-3 cars a day.
Wet sanding/compound, pulling seats and carpets is different story your looking at around 100 or more.
Some shops around here do pay by hour. usually $10-$12 and hour.
State of Washington law is if your employee has worked 40 hours a week and they made less then minimum wage you have to pay them at least minimum wage.(that could be different in other states)

now if you got a helper that just helps you to prep cars, clean the shop etc.. then your ok paying minimum wage.
 
ShadeTreeDetail said:
I have been in the detailing business for more than 25 years total now and have gone from a "one man show" to a full on shop with 10 employees ........ and then back to just a few employees.

Since leaving California and relocating in Austin about a year and a half ago; I just recently decided to let the company grow on it's own and let it take me where it may. I do absolutely no advertising and my customer base is mainly referrals from existing clients. At this point we are booked solid for 3 weeks at just about any given time.

I am always weary of bringing anyone else in to this business as I feel my expectations are sometimes more than what I should hope for from an employee. However, I find that advertising for help wanted is best done when you hire someone who has a definite interest in the field or just a love of cars, period. It's these enthusiasts who are the very best employees once they learn the art and have the determination to do as well as whomever taught them (me, in this case).

I have 2 teams operating 2 similarly equipped trailers in 2 different areas of the city. I have a "floater" who takes care of the smaller/simpler jobs like washes & wax/clay type jobs.

I also have an employee who I have contracted in and has a system based on his truck. He also has someone who works with him each day. We have a set amount per car that is paid to each employee, tips are shared amongst teams, 10% commission of any "up sells" are shared and mileage is paid to the employee who is pulling the trailer for the day.

To top it off, we have a couple of accounts that rotate each Friday. 2 employees will spend the day on site performing any one of 3 services offered to the employees of the company site. The same pay is given per car, tips are still shared. Average earnings for each employee on Friday alone will net each one $120 + tips (which average $50 - $75 per day).

To keep everything a happy working environment I will have the occasional BBQ at my place or give a bonus to those who receive praise from a customer.

Customers are happy, my employees are happy and life is good. ;)
Click to expand...

It sounds like you have a great business sense and run a nice operation.
 
Running a business is not easy and never has been. You will have ups and downs and you will have employee struggles, all businesses do... Im stoked for you and it sounds like you have great business. Keep doing what you are doing. If you happy and if your employees are happy and as long as you are making money life is good.. Even sounds like when you do hire you are very good at it.
 
Thanks for the great advice for running a business.
Just to add to that My brother In-Law wanted to start his own business and since he was a car nut. I advised him that if I was to help he should stay with something he loves.
So we started a Paint Protection business here in Australia.
Still going after 7 years and looking to expand now.
So it does make a difference when someone likes what they do.
Appreciation and Aknowledgment also go a long way
As does money
But sometimes a BBQ,Half a day of with pay a simple
Thank you helps.
 
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