Getting over the "working out of your home" hump.

A

AutoNova

New member
I detail full-time, or at least I try to, I have been at it about a year now. One thing I run into is that I work out of my home but I have a very nice garage but I am in a residential neighborhood..



For those of you that work out of your home how do you explain it to customers and do you find them weary? I also do mobile detailing but much prefer my shop.



I find that when a customer calls their expectation is that you have a fixed location. So I go into this speel about where I am located but I think it discourages themwhen I start giving directions. I get alot of calls but not many of the people schedule and I wonder if this plays a role?
 
I can see that being a problem. IMO, you are going to find people who are turned off by you not having a "real" shop, and will infer that you are not a "professional". Others will find it endearing that you are a "regular" guy, not a faceless corporate entity.



Since you also do mobile, maybe you could say to customers that are close that although you would be happy to come to them it would be more convenient and they will get a better/faster job if they bring it to your house. Perhaps offer them a small ($5?) discount.
 
Yeah I don't know if trying to sell the fact that I do all the work on cars myself is a good thing, I would think so, if it were me. I know my pricing is definitely competitive comparitively.
 
It depends where you live. Where I live is right on the corner of a busy mostly non-residential street and a residential street. Therefore, I don't have to confuse people with where I'm at. If you're deep in a subdivision, it might not be as easy and then people start to question it. I've never had that problem, luckily. Plus I get free advertising when people drive by and I'm working in the driveway or with the garage door open :xyxthumbs
 
I too work from my home garage/shop. It has never really been a problem with any of my customers but I do make it known from the very begining that I do work from my home. That way no one is suprised , I even put it right in my tri-fold. I live alittle off the beaten path but not in a devolpment , I do pick up most of my customers cars but those who do drop off don't seem to have any problems with it.
 
I work out of my home as well and have never had a problem. If it has botherd someone they have not said anything. I think your work speeks for it's self, especially if it's a referral. Just tell them by working out of your house you keep costs down which in return saves them money.
 
I have a 33x28 garage that when customers see how I maintain it, they are very satisfied that they are dealing with a professional. To rent a shop with all the overhead that goes with it, I would have to hire employees and market my business in a different way. By working at home, I display the image of a personal business where I do all the work myself. I can do two vehicles a day at about $175 per vehicle. I sometimes work seven days a week but I'm always there if my family needs me. It's a perfect situation and if potential customers don't feel comfortable with me working out of my home, well, they can go somewhere else.
 
Don't take this as a flame but I personally would never take my car to someone that works out of their garage. How many people here would take their car to some guy who does mechanical repairs out of his garage rather than a proper shop? Maybe some but I sure wouldn't. Not to mention that there are multiple risks you may not have considered with respect to liability. Do you have the proper insurance to cover your home in the case of an accident or a fire? Do you have the proper insurance to cover your customers cars for pick up and delivery (if you do that) and in case the car is damaged in your possession? How are you dealing with the disposal of waste water from washes as per the federal clean water regulations? Is your home zoned properly to use for this purpose if an angry neighbour or competitor reports you to the city?

I know these will not be popular questions to have to answer among those who work from their homes but they are none the less valid and important questions to address.
 
ShineShop said:
Don't take this as a flame but I personally would never take my car to someone that works out of their garage. How many people here would take their car to some guy who does mechanical repairs out of his garage rather than a proper shop? Maybe some but I sure wouldn't.
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2 different cases IMO.



A repair shop usually needs more big ticket items such as a life (main thing) and a dyno, tire mounter, etc. The biggest piece of equipment a detailer usually has is their extractor or vacuum.





As far as doing the work in your garage, have you thought about advertising vehicle pickup? I don't mind being mobile, weather permitting, but when it gets colder, I do push dropping it off/me picking it up, moreso.
 
ShineShop said:
Don't take this as a flame but I personally would never take my car to someone that works out of their garage. How many people here would take their car to some guy who does mechanical repairs out of his garage rather than a proper shop? Maybe some but I sure wouldn't. Not to mention that there are multiple risks you may not have considered with respect to liability. Do you have the proper insurance to cover your home in the case of an accident or a fire? Do you have the proper insurance to cover your customers cars for pick up and delivery (if you do that) and in case the car is damaged in your possession? How are you dealing with the disposal of waste water from washes as per the federal clean water regulations? Is your home zoned properly to use for this purpose if an angry neighbour or competitor reports you to the city?

I know these will not be popular questions to have to answer among those who work from their homes but they are none the less valid and important questions to address.
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I was going to ask about home insurance, liability issues, and the need for a home occupation permit(business lisence for working out of the house)...
 
To answer Shine Shops questions I will say yes to all of his questions. Just because someone works out of their garage does not mean that they are not fully insured, have proper zoning, and comply with the federal clean water regulations. You have lots of overhead and I don't. Just a different approach to running a business. I had the shop at one time with my landscape business. I had the employees. I had all the trucks, trailors, equipment, and all the supplies needed to run a million dollar plus business. I also had all the headaches! I like it much better now, thank you.
 
ShineShop said:
Don't take this as a flame but I personally would never take my car to someone that works out of their garage. How many people here would take their car to some guy who does mechanical repairs out of his garage rather than a proper shop? Maybe some but I sure wouldn't. Not to mention that there are multiple risks you may not have considered with respect to liability. Do you have the proper insurance to cover your home in the case of an accident or a fire? Do you have the proper insurance to cover your customers cars for pick up and delivery (if you do that) and in case the car is damaged in your possession? How are you dealing with the disposal of waste water from washes as per the federal clean water regulations? Is your home zoned properly to use for this purpose if an angry neighbour or competitor reports you to the city?

I know these will not be popular questions to have to answer among those who work from their homes but they are none the less valid and important questions to address.
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While I do as much of my own mechanical work as I can, I have a mechanic that I use..and have been using for 15 years..who works out of his home garage. He's a factory trained GM mechanic...and his waiting list is usually quite long. He doesn't take on work that is inappropriate for a home shop..just as AutoNova probably wouldn't start doing re-spray work.



Because of his shop situation he's able to work for a bit less per hour than he'd need to in a formal shop..but people go to him mainly because he's honest. If he says you need it you need it.



Zoning considerations aside... I think that people respond to the way you present yourself and your business. Some people wouldn't go to a home shop..others wouldn't go anywhere else...remember, if there's a problem, you know where this guy lives!



Everybody I know who does work out of their homes .. and is good at what they do...has a full roster and that's all referral business.



JM2C



Peter...in Denver
 
I am insured fully, I do offer pick-up and delivery and I have a mobile detailing trailer, so I've got that end covered.



If I knew a mechanic that cam by word of mouth but worked iut of his home for less I would try him.



For me It's just a matter of spin selling, "I used to be 100% mobile but since business has been good to me I am able to have a really nice garage at my home to work out of or I can pick-up and deliver."



As detailers we are not up against Good Year, Firestone, etc. as far a fixed locations.
 
AutoNova said:
I am insured fully, I do offer pick-up and delivery and I have a mobile detailing trailer, so I've got that end covered.



If I knew a mechanic that cam by word of mouth but worked iut of his home for less I would try him.



For me It's just a matter of spin selling, "I used to be 100% mobile but since business has been good to me I am able to have a really nice garage at my home to work out of or I can pick-up and deliver."



As detailers we are not up against Good Year, Firestone, etc. as far a fixed locations.
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Good job on having the insurance. Unfortunately most guys I talk to have none and are under the impression the car owners policy will cover them - it does not. How are you re-claiming your waste water and disposing of it? I know it is a major PITA for me and costs big bucks every time I have to have our system pumped so I am interested as to how other people are dealing with this issue. Have you ever checked into the zoning for working out of your garage? I had an aquaintance that was using his 2 car garage for his paintless dent repair business and was fined by the city for not having the proper business permit and disobeying the zoning bylaws. Just some food for thought.
 
Yeah, I haven't gotten into all that. I have my shop at the end of a dead end street so I can do my cleaning outside on the pavement and the water runs off into a ditch. I am afraid to stir up anything so I'll wait to see if the city comes knock'n.



Yeah I work with alot more confidence having insurance although I never have really been asked by a customer about it. I do have a city and county business license but they never asked about zoning.
 
Why not just go fully mobile? I find it to be a huge competitive advantage over fixed locations if you have a customer with several vehicles. Of course, the weather here is better than yours is in the winter so working outdoors isn't too bad most days.



I think your biggest issue may be any zoning laws in your area.
 
Scottwax said:
Why not just go fully mobile? I find it to be a huge competitive advantage over fixed locations if you have a customer with several vehicles. Of course, the weather here is better than yours is in the winter so working outdoors isn't too bad most days.



I think your biggest issue may be any zoning laws in your area.
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It is so much nicer to work out of your garage during the winter. I do a lot of mobile detailing in the summer, it's just a pain to pack up the trailer just to unpack it for the next day.
 
I'm able to do the work at my home because I live in a unincorporated area. My insurance is a garage policy that covers any damage done to the vehicle while its parked in the garage from fire, etc. I also have a seperate policy that covers up to $100k for the vehicle itself in case of an accident to and from picking it up and/or delivering it. The only thing I couldn't seem to get was any damage comprehension coverage for any damage I did to the vehicle while detailing such as burning the paint while buffing, etc. As far as water reclamation is concerned, we don't have water and sewer service where I live, so septic tanks and wells are the norm. I have a sump pit that collects the water and delivers it to the septic system where it's broken down and recycled in the ground. It's nice not having to deal with all the bs that goes with working in the big city!
 
if the only "chemical" you use with water is a biodegradable car wash soap while in your driveway that runs into your grass..... which is a minimal amount, is it really a big deal? i wouldnt think so if it is biodegradable and you are only working out of your home part time... (not doing 3 cars per day).. for instance i do about 1 car a weekend.
 
I think its great that you work out of your house/garage. I have set it up so that I can work out of garage. New lighting, special storage, new receptacles. I am interested in the pickup service. Do you just offer to pick up their car their and leave yours? Do you have someone follow you? No place like home. Plus, i don't have a truck or trailer nor do I have the money to get them (yet). I am glad to hear that someone is making it on their terms and staying home. I have a little 3 year old that I am really enjoying watching grow up. I would love to be able to take her to school and stuff, and be home. Good for you.
 
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