Mobile detailers- most profitable services?

C

clnfrk

New member
I am just trying to get an idea on which type of service you fellow mobile guys think or know yields the best profit margin. Would you rather spend a whole day on a detail including the works, or do a few car washes/interior vacuums, maybe some of those cars would include a clay and wax job?



I'm nearing the point where I am ready to go full time with my mobile detailing and figured I need to make a minimum of $300/day. I'm not so sure if I want to really push the whole swirl/removal, 2-3 step polish type of details. First of all, I feel it may be a bit impractical to do this kind of detail in a business parking lot. Second, I would probably charge $400 and up for this service, which imo there isn't anywhere near a big enough market of people willing to spend that much on a detail.



So, what I was thinking was to mainly focus on exterior washes, claying and waxing, full interior details and engine cleaning and still do the full details for the customers who are willing to pay the price for it, but I would need to reserve an entire day for those.



Does this sound like a good or bad idea? Also, if you don't mind sharing what your typical work week consists of as far as how many cars per day you do and what those services include, this will help to give me an idea of where I need to be at.



Thank you all for your help.
 
It really depends on your market.



As far as the least amount of materials used, it is obviously straight wash jobs and if you have it where you can get all the cars at the same time and assembly line them, it goes pretty fast.



Full details will make you the most money in a day though but depending on your pricing, you will probably have to do at least one full detail and a few wash or wash/wax jobs each day. That is assuming you want to work an 8 hour day and the average detail takes you 4-5 hours. Realistically though, expect to work 10-11 hours a day.



I have my weekly schedule set up so most days I already have at least 3-4 wash jobs (weekly wash customers) so I have guaranteed (weather permitting, of course) money coming in every week. I fill in the rest of the week with details and wash/wax jobs.
 
I have a few customers who like to do their own washing and waxing but bring me in when they need polishing or compounding. These guys are usually car enthusiasts and after I do a full detail I spend some time talking to them about proper washing techniques, drying, etc. So what I do for them is I have set up a $100 "full detail rejuvination" package. This is only available to people whom I have already done a full detail for and it consists of wash, AIO, sealant, windows, vacuum, interior dressing. It takes about 2.5 hours for a regular sized car.

I have found that not only do people love this option but it also increases the number of full details I do, AND helps to insure customer loyalty. I usually do the full detail and then every two or three months they get the rejuvination. With a full detail every year or so. So I don't lose as much business from having customers who like to do their own wash & wax.
 
The most profitable and popular service for me is a maintenance type full detail which is basically an exterior wash & wax with an interior detail. This service is only for vehicles in excellent condition (very important). I can do a regular size sedan in about 1- 1.5 hours with this service and I have a starting price of $100.
 
The replies to this thread is super interesting.



I make the same money per hour washing as I do waxing as I do on a complete detail.



My "shop rate" is my shop rate no matter what.
 
I do full detail/paint correction only. I would imagine wash/wax jobs would be pretty profitable if you could get 5-8 cars a day in.
 
Scottwax said:
It really depends on your market.



As far as the least amount of materials used, it is obviously straight wash jobs and if you have it where you can get all the cars at the same time and assembly line them, it goes pretty fast.



Full details will make you the most money in a day though but depending on your pricing, you will probably have to do at least one full detail and a few wash or wash/wax jobs each day. That is assuming you want to work an 8 hour day and the average detail takes you 4-5 hours. Realistically though, expect to work 10-11 hours a day.



I have my weekly schedule set up so most days I already have at least 3-4 wash jobs (weekly wash customers) so I have guaranteed (weather permitting, of course) money coming in every week. I fill in the rest of the week with details and wash/wax jobs.
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+1



It kind of depends on your market, how busy you are and what your expected schedule is. If you plan to work an 8 hour day every day scheduling can be the biggest issue. A wash & wax is usually more $ per hour, but only if you can get 4+ a day, which can be tough sometimes. In instances where you're only doing a few washes a day it usually turns out to be less because you have downtime.



I do what Scott does; maintenance wash/waxes a few days a week, I usually try to get 4-5 a day in a close proximity, the other days it's full details.
 
Yeah the wash/wax/interior details are often called "Bingos" and as far as money made for time spent it probably is one of the biggest money makers for detailers in general; dealerships and privately-owned detail busnesses.
 
The most profitable services will usually come from maintaining the same vehicles on a regular basis. Whether it is a wash or a complete detailing, cars that are taken care of on a weekly, monthly or quarterly schedule usually yeild the most profit for the time spent.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
The most profitable services will usually come from maintaining the same vehicles on a regular basis. Whether it is a wash or a complete detailing, cars that are taken care of on a weekly, monthly or quarterly schedule usually yeild the most profit for the time spent.
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Absolutely! Plus, your regular customers trust you to recommend the appropiate services at the proper intervals.
 
Scottwax said:
Absolutely! Plus, your regular customers trust you to recommend the appropiate services at the proper intervals.
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you deff have the regulars down pat, I very seldom see a beat up car in your click and brags.





You must be doing something right to keep them coming back
 
DieselMDX said:
you deff have the regulars down pat, I very seldom see a beat up car in your click and brags.





You must be doing something right to keep them coming back
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Thanks! I feel it is always better to provide quality service and keep people coming back than to have to hustle to get new customers all the time. :)
 
If you guys are making more money on some work and not on other, why do the other?



I am starting to lose the point of this thread.



If your labor rate is $50 and a wash takes you 1/2 hour charge $25. If a completed detail takes you four hours, charge $200. It should all make the same per hour.



If you had me groom your cat I would still charge you $50 an hour.



If your not, your doing something wrong.
 
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