imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
toyotaguy said:
Cheap is not always good. And good is not always cheap.
Doing 25 per week or better?
- Thread starter imported_Detailing Technology
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Cheap is not always good. And good is not always cheap.
The business is out there, a competent and properly staffed shop could easily do 25 full details a week. When my boys and I work together, we can knock out a car in under 2 hours if no heavy polishing is needed. We do have a good system though and we each have a set of specific tasks we each perform that enable us to all jump on a car and not get in each other's way. We can also set up 3 cars in a row and basically assembly line them.
Being mobile though, we have to factor in drive time, set-up and tear-down. Fixed locations don't have to do that, just keep running the cars through all day.
You definitely do need to have one person ultimately responsible for the work though. Someone who will go through each car before and after with a checklist to ensure quality.
Being mobile though, we have to factor in drive time, set-up and tear-down. Fixed locations don't have to do that, just keep running the cars through all day.
You definitely do need to have one person ultimately responsible for the work though. Someone who will go through each car before and after with a checklist to ensure quality.
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
Scottwax said:
This is an answer. You have your act together and can manage your day. Project management is 90% of any business.
Do you think a fixed location in your area of the country would:
a. Capture 5 jobs per day
b. Have a low enough expense column to remain profitable enough for you to stay happy
jsatek said:
a. Easily. Dallas area people tend to be very car conscious.
b. I guess it would depend mostly on the rent and utilities of the location and quality of employees you could retain. Turnover tends to be high in any service business, especially with something like detailing that requires a high level of proficiency day in and day out.
Personally, I like the competitive advantage of being mobile. Plus, I do get some rainy day business because I have customers with multiple vehicles and even if it is raining (provided it isn't going to rain for several days straight), I'll have people who still want me to come out so they have a clean car when the rain stops.
wannafbody
wannafbody
I personally don't see a problem with offering a tier of services. Good one step polish/wax for $79, an exterior/ interior for $139 and a top of the line full detail. Proper scheduling should allow for maximum efficiency. I think some of you guys are losing money and potential custmers. Perfection doesn't put food on the table or pay the bills.
We can’t be all things to all people. Those of us who have business plans are in a set but hopefully flexible direction. The issue with being in a niche market is you’re narrowly segmented in service offerings. This can be a big problem if our market starts changing and we don’t. I’m not sure if our market is changing or not but I have seen a growing market push for QD products. The other issue with market segmenting is advertising. IMO it’s much harder and more expensive to advertise to a very small market then very large market. TV, Radio, Yellow Pages, and the Newspaper become very expensive for your return or cost of customer acquisition. Could you service more for less with a mobile service? Please more advice?
doged said:
Costs are certainly lower if you are mobile. You can office out of your home and no need to rent/buy a detailing facility. You can be limited in the area of show level detailing being mobile though since you won't have access to a lift to properly detail the underside. There are also people who prefer to bring their vehicle to an actual place of business.
wannafbody
wannafbody
working out of a home garage is another option. That helps keep costs down as well.
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
I beg to differ. Doing very good work is quite rewarding. Financially and otherwise.
I have a fixed location, and plenty of expenses, including over $50,000 in payroll. Volume and actual quality control does payoff!
Jim
wannafbody
wannafbody
Jimmy Buffit said:
maybe not the exact right words- only wanting to do a $250+ detail and not being willing to do a lower cost one step might not be the best way to do business. If you can charge $250 and get 4 details per week then great but if you only manage 2 per week then offering a tier of services might be a better way to service a broader range of customers and make more money.
wannafbody said:
As long as you can avoid price shoppers, I agree. I offer a variety of services but priced in a way I feel compensates me properly for the quality of work I do. I have a minimum $$$ of work I will do at a location though. Not worth driving 10 miles just to do a single wash.
Solo Cali
New member
wannafbody said:
Great post. The last sentence hit's it on the head........ :xyxthumbs
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
Jimmy Buffit said:
Here is a guy with a serious business!
$50k in annual payroll or is that monthly?
wannafbody
wannafbody
jsatek said:
that would have to be yearly
imported_ajbarnes
New member
wannafbody said:
:lol
If it were monthly, I would be shutting down my business and move to Indiana in a heartbeat!!
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Annual. 
Actually closer to $75K... slows in Jan/Feb, of course
Jim
Actually closer to $75K... slows in Jan/Feb, of course
Jim
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
Jimmy Buffit said:Annual.
Actually closer to $75K... slows in Jan/Feb, of course
Jim
Got to give the guy credit - he runs a successful business and has time to answer my questions.
I only have time to get onthese boards because I am looking to invest in another business, my excuse is called "research".