any suggestions from the big guys?

9

97blkak

New member
Hello everyone, I have been lurking on these forums for quite some time now. I’ve seen some of the amazing work you guys do and I have learned much more than I could have ever learned on my own.



With that said, I’ve been considering the idea of starting a full time detailing business. I have done some detailing and paint correction on a few cars in the past but I’ve never actually done it as an official business. My goal is to be very (for lack of a better word) detail oriented. Meaning I don’t want to produce “Jo blo” 50 dollar wash and wax jobs, I want to produce high quality automobile appearance perfection! But, I have a few dilemmas with stating my own business. One being that I am 21, in collage and still live with my parents, I don’t have a garage or shop to do work out of, just a carport. The other being that there isn’t any local detail supply shops around here, just autoparts stores, meaning I have to get most all of my supplies online.



There isnt anyone around here providing this service to the public and from a few people that I have asked and surveyed in this area there is a demand for it.



I am very passionate about cars and detailing, from playing with Hotwheels when I was 4 to currently restoring a 74 charger and a 96 300zx.



I make decent money where I am working at now but I don’t have gobs of money to throw into my starting cost either.



Any suggestions or advice will be taken with the kindest regards.



Matt
 
You have lots of work to do then. Seriously, write a business plan that maps out the business model, and how you will execute the plan. Important parts are; what services will be offered, pricing of those services, target market, marketing, and finances. You will have to do some market research to see what pricing your market can tolerate, and who your competition is. You need to figure out how to differentiate yourself from the other car wash and detail operations. Starting, running, and growing a successful detail business will have a lot to do with your business savvy, and very little to do with your detailing skills.
 
You need to go work for someone else to learn the ropes the first. Successful business owners don't just suddenly decide to be in a business that they know very little about. Just because you can detail your own car and your friend's car, doesn't mean you can do it at a professional level. The best way to get to be a pro, is by working for another one first. Otherwise you will be just another Hack Job Joe screwing up the industry image from the rest of us.
 
Thanks guys for the advice!! i definitely need to sit down and make a business plan, and i wish there was some good detailers around here that i could learn from, hell i would even consider working for free just to learn some extra tricks! I have completed details before for a few people other than friends and relatives but, i have never officially started the business ae. licensed and insured etc. i would definitely get both whenever i do start but for right now im trying to make a summary of expenses and figure out as brwill2005 has suggested a business plan.
 
Go mobile and work at their house

order online in bulk, I do all the time, and never buy local - detailedimage.com

use their power and water



get a portfolio of previous work and always take pics of future jobs. Go above and beyond while starting out, and in the future. under promise and over deliver. If you say you can get something out and you dont, you look bad. If you say you MIGHT be able to remove a defect and do, you look awesome.
 
I'm not a big guy but here are my tips:



Order online..it's an advantage not a disadvantage since it's cheaper even with shipping.



Create a great website and hire a marketing startup to manage your online presence.



gotprint.com will make you thousands of business cards or postcards.



take pictures of all cars you do and create photo albums to show potential customers.



50/50 photos help you sell your service.
 
MattTheCat said:
Thanks guys for the advice!! i definitely need to sit down and make a business plan, and i wish there was some good detailers around here that i could learn from, hell i would even consider working for free just to learn some extra tricks!
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Well, I think you need to define what your real goals are. If you want to be an amazing detailer, then yes you want to find a real expert and work under him, however, if you want to make lots of money, you need to learn how to build a business empire from a great businessman. The real truth is there are very few people getting rich from detailing, the very nature of a competitive business market makes it quite challenging.
 
Thanks guys for all of your advice!! I live in southern Louisiana and down here all they have (that i know of) is the high quantity(not quality) detail buisnesses that actaully run your car through a car wash then finish detailing it. Most of the little guys around here are just looking for an extra buck. I actually have been asking potential customers if they would be interested in a personal detailer rather than a mainstream buisness and every person said yes, then most of them asked when i could do their car! lol Ive come to the conclusing of being a mobile detailer, i'm curently working on a website (being as i'm going to school for graphic design) and have started to purchase my products from online sources. Im also working on a liscene and insurence as we speak! I feel pretty confident in my abilities as a detailer but, I only have experience on a few vehicles with swirl and scratch removal and would like to practice alot more before i offer it as a service. I really wish I could find someone down here who has been doing this for awhile and could show me a thing or two on running a buisness and paint correction, but like i said I definately don't want to do it to a customers car untill i feel comfortable enough to wear i know i can leave the finish swirl free and not remove alot of clear as well.
 
MattTheCat said:
Thanks guys for all of your advice!! I live in southern Louisiana and down here all they have (that i know of) is the high quantity(not quality) detail buisnesses that actaully run your car through a car wash then finish detailing it. Most of the little guys around here are just looking for an extra buck. I actually have been asking potential customers if they would be interested in a personal detailer rather than a mainstream buisness and every person said yes, then most of them asked when i could do their car! lol Ive come to the conclusing of being a mobile detailer, i'm curently working on a website (being as i'm going to school for graphic design) and have started to purchase my products from online sources. Im also working on a liscene and insurence as we speak! I feel pretty confident in my abilities as a detailer but, I only have experience on a few vehicles with swirl and scratch removal and would like to practice alot more before i offer it as a service. I really wish I could find someone down here who has been doing this for awhile and could show me a thing or two on running a buisness and paint correction, but like i said I definately don't want to do it to a customers car untill i feel comfortable enough to wear i know i can leave the finish swirl free and not remove alot of clear as well.
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So how are things coming along so far?
 
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