Mobile detailing advice?

M

m4gician

New member
Like most of you, I want to do this on the side of my real job/being a student, I actually wanted to ask some technical questions about taking your jobs on the road.



To do an exterior detail takes quite a bit of time, would it just be better to have them drop their car off at my house/little garage and drop the car off to them later?



Or traditionally do I just do the work there? If that's the case, I'd have to borrow their water supply for my pressure washer, as well as take up space and be a "stranger" in their house for the better part of a couple of hours. What's the most common way to start taking customers and regulars? Should I also think about leasing or getting a small garage with a drain and a water source?
 
I work out of the garage. I offer to come get their vehicle and return it to them when done, and also give them the option of dropping it off and viewing my work area. Mobile is difficult IMO because you have to lug a lot of stuff around and without a trailer its a pain. Plus without the proper stuff (water source/drainage/power) youre kind of unprepared and have to ask the customers for the use of their home. One mans input.....
 
I've been at a customers house for over 10 hours deswirling there Vette, I don't recommend this, but sometimes you have to do whatever it takes.



On regular wash, clay, wax, interior jobs I do it there, but on more serious machine polishing jobs I have them drop it off and pick it up a day or two later.



BTW, sometimes when you're there for that many hours, they seem to tip you better......:D



Josh
 
Ya I thought so to, bringing the car back to my place would be so much easier, is there still a mobile aspect to the job? I mean if a car just needs a wax and a sealant glaze you'd be able to do that right?



My only concern with mobile is that you will most likely have to borrow some of their electricity or water and to me if someone were to take that into consideration it may factor in because a 1000w work light and a PC for example would definitely use it's fair share of electricity.
 
If you're going mobile, make sure you ask that they provide electricity, water, and shade. If not, I give them the option of dropoff or pickup services. I felt more comfortable waiting til I got insurance before offering the pickup services though. I guess it varies by state, but insurance should be considered when driving other people's cars.
 
m4gician said:
Like most of you, I want to do this on the side of my real job/being a student, I actually wanted to ask some technical questions about taking your jobs on the road.



I don't think most Professionals do this "on the side".





To do an exterior detail takes quite a bit of time, would it just be better to have them drop their car off at my house/little garage and drop the car off to them later?



How many people are going to want to do this?





Or traditionally do I just do the work there? If that's the case, I'd have to borrow their water supply for my pressure washer, as well as take up space and be a "stranger" in their house for the better part of a couple of hours. What's the most common way to start taking customers and regulars? Should I also think about leasing or getting a small garage with a drain and a water source?
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Hmmm........:werd:
 
m4gician said:
Like most of you, I want to do this on the side of my real job/being a student, I actually wanted to ask some technical questions about taking your jobs on the road.



To do an exterior detail takes quite a bit of time, would it just be better to have them drop their car off at my house/little garage and drop the car off to them later?



Or traditionally do I just do the work there? If that's the case, I'd have to borrow their water supply for my pressure washer, as well as take up space and be a "stranger" in their house for the better part of a couple of hours. What's the most common way to start taking customers and regulars? Should I also think about leasing or getting a small garage with a drain and a water source?
Click to expand...





I don't think most professionals do this "on the side".



How many folks are going to want to drop their car off at your "little garage"?:werd:
 
I'm 100% mobile (trailer, tanks, generator, PW, etc.) and do this full time. If I'm doing work at someone's home, I would sometimes use their water with my regular hose and just about all of the time use their electricity. Most people don't like to hear that consistent loud sound of equipment running and especially in a confined area on their driveway compared to a wide open area of an office park parking lot for example.



I think about it like this: maids, plumbers, electricians, home remodeling companies, cable companies, etc. all use people's power source, etc., so it's not really that much of a difference if mobile detailer's were to do the same, all though it is obviously more professional to have your own source of electric and water. Most would understand, in fact, most actually expect you to use their electric and water.
 
LangMan37 said:
I don't think most professionals do this "on the side".



How many folks are going to want to drop their car off at your "little garage"?:werd:
Click to expand...



You'd be suprised how many people dont mind a guy working from his garage. Where it's done isn't as important as the quality of work. If you have a reputation for solid work, they dont seem to mind having it done in a "little garage", which is fully stocked and very appealing to the eye. I manage a detail shop that someone else owns so I earn extra money by doing details on the side and my boss understands that I need to do that to pay the bills. I still consider myself a "professional". Guess its all in the eye of the client.
 
I too am strictly mobile. I have a pressure washer, generator and water tanks mounted in a chevy astro van. If I am doing work at a customers home Ill use their electricity just so no one has to listen to the generator but I always use my pressure washer and water no matter if I am at someones home or business. After 20 years I still cant believe how many people are amazed to find that I supply my own water and dont need a hose hookup. In my opinion if you are going mobile it just looks more professional to have a set up like this and it opens up jobs in office buildings and industrial parks where you cant work without suppling your own water and electric.
 
warlockid said:
You'd be suprised how many people dont mind a guy working from his garage. Where it's done isn't as important as the quality of work. If you have a reputation for solid work, they dont seem to mind having it done in a "little garage", which is fully stocked and very appealing to the eye. I manage a detail shop that someone else owns so I earn extra money by doing details on the side and my boss understands that I need to do that to pay the bills. I still consider myself a "professional". Guess its all in the eye of the client.
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Oh I never meant to imply that working in any type of a building was not professional. The "little garage" was the OP's words not mine.

I did kinda resent the statement "Like most of you, I want to do this on the side" considering this was posted in the Professional Detailers forum.



That's all, no harm.
 
One thing to consider is insurance. If they drop and pick up the car it's not a huge deal but if you are moving it you have to carry proper insurance. I know first hand that if there is a problem, and they tell their insurance that you were paid for services on their car as a registered business or not and you moved it, it's your responsibility Their insurance lawers will come looking for you. Or they will deny their claim and the customer will look for you.



Mobile vs. Fixed. Fixed is much easier for you but if they are not local, mobile is easier for them. Do a quick think tank and find out where most of your customers are from.



As far as starting out mobile most people assume you need their water and power, but just tell them before hand in case. When we started mobile people we went crazy and invested in a huge trailer with water and power. Most times when we showed up people were surprsed we were self contained. 90% of the time I used their power because of the noise and gas of the generator. I could have used the water aswell I assume. Where the trailer ws good was impressing the bigger clients when we started setting up spa days.



All in all if you are starting mobile use their water and power. What the customer is looking for is quality, value and ease of use. You give them that and they will call you back. Nice work shirts with a logo and being clean cut will go along way. One other secret taht always worked for me when I started was keeping track of what they needed and what has been done and calling them. To most people car cleaning is not that big a deal like it is to us here at Autopia. They don't care enough or have the time to think when is my car due for a coat of wax. You keep track and notify them. It's a lot easier to manage 10 people who re-use you then to manage 100 whouse you once.
 
416 Auto said:
One thing to consider is insurance. If they drop and pick up the car it's not a huge deal but if you are moving it you have to carry proper insurance. I know first hand that if there is a problem, and they tell their insurance that you were paid for services on their car as a registered business or not and you moved it, it's your responsibility Their insurance lawers will come looking for you. Or they will deny their claim and the customer will look for you.



Mobile vs. Fixed. Fixed is much easier for you but if they are not local, mobile is easier for them. Do a quick think tank and find out where most of your customers are from.



As far as starting out mobile most people assume you need their water and power, but just tell them before hand in case. When we started mobile people we went crazy and invested in a huge trailer with water and power. Most times when we showed up people were surprsed we were self contained. 90% of the time I used their power because of the noise and gas of the generator. I could have used the water aswell I assume. Where the trailer ws good was impressing the bigger clients when we started setting up spa days.



All in all if you are starting mobile use their water and power. What the customer is looking for is quality, value and ease of use. You give them that and they will call you back. Nice work shirts with a logo and being clean cut will go along way. One other secret taht always worked for me when I started was keeping track of what they needed and what has been done and calling them. To most people car cleaning is not that big a deal like it is to us here at Autopia. They don't care enough or have the time to think when is my car due for a coat of wax. You keep track and notify them. It's a lot easier to manage 10 people who re-use you then to manage 100 whouse you once.
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Thanks,



I think I'm going to do a hybrid of both. I'll start off with a fixed location (a nice garage I found and can use with proper lighting and space). After I've built somewhat of a relation with them, I'll do my best to make it to their location knowing what has to be done so that way I'll bring just enough equipment.
 
Thinking of starting a detail business in a fixed location. Would like to get industry advise on the best ways to develop business during the winter months in Northern California (during the rainy season).
 
Also looking to get ideas for marketing a new fixed location detail business in a public parking garage. Marketing ideas for the Grand Opening and the first 90 days would be a big help. Note: These ideas would be for a grand opening in the early winter months.
 
I'm full time, full mobile. If you are serious about the business. Get professional training, and invest in the right equipment. Having your own water/ electricity etc adds to your professional image and helps minimize the taking over of someones garage. There are times when you won't have water or electrical to access as well- its just a must for anyone serious.



Doing business from home can be tricky. Many states have explicit laws regulating what you want to do from your garage. If you are reported, you can get hit with some big fines unless your setup is up to code with all regulations that any typical place of business must abide by. Just somethig else to consider..
 
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