Some thoughts on mobile detailing....

i love detailing my car. i do my friends cars but the time i put in to a car, i dont know how a mobil detail guy can make money. what is an average charge for mobil detail theses days? about 4 years away i went to the back with a business plan and the average in NJ/PA was around $150. i chickened out and never tried. maybe one of these day i'll try.
 
toyotaguy said:
150/4 hrs work is not money???



some charge hourly, some by package based on an hourly rate!
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I don't do anything labor intensive for less than $60/hr. if you want to though, that's your business.
 
you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?



Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....
 
toyotaguy said:
you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?



Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....
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:werd: $300 is more than $0.
 
Scottwax said:
I don't, unless someone requests an expensive wax. Otherwise, I use the same polishes (believe me, Meguiars #105/205 and 3M Ultrafina aren't cheap), waxes and sealants. Even less expensive cars still get Leather Master's Leather Vital if they have leather.
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No more Woolite Scott?
 
toyotaguy said:
you would pass on $300 per day to do nothing because you werent getting $480 for it?? say someone wanted a two step on their car, and it would take you 7 hours or so, you mention $60/hr = 420 bucks, they said they only had $300....you would pass on it?



Wish I was in your shoes to just pass on money like that....
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That's right - however let me preface that by saying detailing is not my main job, only something I do on the side. If I'm going to do it for somebody other than myself, I'm not breaking my back for a few hundred bucks; usually I charge 500-800 for full exterior, quick interior wipedown (i.e., just a wipedown, no vomit, dog hair, etc...). Around here there are very few quality detailers - e.g., you've got some who convince people they need to wetsand their entire car with 1500 every 3yrs or so!



Same with bodyshops - I just got my 65 cobra back last week from a top notch bodyshop. Excellent spray job, but here's the quality of the rotary work:



ralph2.jpg




after - it took me 5-6 hits with a PFW+SIP before I was able to remove all the rotary induced RIDs (i was also going slower than normal because I wanted to minimize the amount of clear I chewed through)

alex1.jpg




Am I a detailing god like Scott - absolutely not. All I'm saying is that this isn't my main business, and I know my market can support the price point, especially with the "Quality" out there, so it isn't a problem for me. if things were different (tighter market, better quality, and this were my main job), my answer my change. It is what it is *shrug*
 
rightaway said:
for $150, what do you consider as detail?wash and just wax?do you clay,polsih,sealant and wax?
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.

Good question...I am trying to figure this out as well. I have a package that I call a FULL DETAIL that I do not clay or polish. My customers love the work and pay the price for the detail. In oklahoma, a full detail will run about $100ish. I am considering creating another package that would include paint correction. My question is how much would you reasonably charge about the $100 for full interior/exterior detail?
 
rightaway said:
for $150, what do you consider as detail?wash and just wax?do you clay,polsih,sealant and wax?
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Full interior cleaning protection, clay as I wash, 1 DA polishing step, wax or sealant. Dirtier than normal interiors, additional polishing as needed would be extra. Small to mid-sized cars only.
 
Sullybob said:
Great write up on the realities of detailing. Hopefully it will put a different perspective on what you will be detailing and what to expect for people trying to get started in the detailing business.
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Thanks for the honest write up.

I started my mobile detailing business 7 years ago. I work a fulltime job and detail on the side. I carry everything in the back of my truck. Generator,water,extractor,pressure washer,the works. I detail whatever my client s have. Sometimes I get the soccoer mom's van and extended suv's too. Dog hair and all the other trash and dirt. It's challenging and I enjoy detailing. I have a few high end clients too.

I did not think for a minute that I was going to be detailing all the expensive rides either. Some of my clients just have nice cars and want them clean and shinning, and I provide that for them.

Living in Ohio, does have it's draw backs too. But I manage to make a little cash,and make some people very happy about their cars. :2thumbs:
 
Hey all!!!



So glad to see this thread still getting some "air time" and I want to thank everyone for their great insight and responses!! :bigups



My business is now entering its ninth year and we are still going strong!! I have been full time since 2001 and since the birth of my son last October it has been my family's sole source of income. Through drought, floods, blasting heat, freezing cold, $4 a gallon gas and now an economic catastrophe...we have survived! :spot My advice to all those considering this profession is still the same as in the beginning of this thread. Have a realistic and well thought out business plan. Be able to adjust that plan according to outside influences. NEVER try to compete on price as this industry gets flooded every single spring with new start-ups charging $75 for 2 hours of poor quality work. Deliver a great product with exceptional service and professionalism then charge accordingly. That...and marry a good woman. :cool:



Mike



P.S. Lola is going to be 10 years old next month...look for a spread on the old girl in the Click n' Brag section soon!
 
1 Clean WS6 said:
Hey all!!!



So glad to see this thread still getting some "air time" and I want to thank everyone for their great insight and responses!! :bigups



My business is now entering its ninth year and we are still going strong!! I have been full time since 2001 and since the birth of my son last October it has been my family's sole source of income. Through drought, floods, blasting heat, freezing cold, $4 a gallon gas and now an economic catastrophe...we have survived! :spot My advice to all those considering this profession is still the same as in the beginning of this thread. Have a realistic and well thought out business plan. Be able to adjust that plan according to outside influences. NEVER try to compete on price as this industry gets flooded every single spring with new start-ups charging $75 for 2 hours of poor quality work. Deliver a great product with exceptional service and professionalism then charge accordingly. That...and marry a good woman. :cool:



Mike



P.S. Lola is going to be 10 years old next month...look for a spread on the old girl in the Click n' Brag section soon!
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Mike, Its great to see you posting again especially since you always have excellent insight.



You are rock solid in your business approach and that is why you are still at it after all this time. Those that have claimed they where your competation in the past are back to selling overpriced vitamins at the mall. :doh
 
Thanks Mike, I enjoyed this thread and your words of wisdom. Good luck to you and congrats on your baby, even though it's old news - enjoy them while you can, they do grow up so fast! Take care and God bless!
 
Hey Mike....good to see you posting again. I can only assume that business is booming. I miss seeing your work.
 
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