Starting a detailing business threads....

Dan

Dan

Well-known member
I can't say I'm surprised at the number of threads here and on other forums expressing interest in starting a detailing business. What does have me shocked is the questions being asked. A lot of folks seem to have some very beginner questions. I have to say I'm surprised someone would get into this business without at least some personal experience as well as a love for detailing. It almost seems foolhardy to dive in.
 
I know when I started up two years ago i had very little experience with interiors other than wiping down with protectant. I had spent most of my detailing time machine polishing for about ten years beforehand. If it wasnt for this forum I'd have been lost! You've gotta start somewhere I guess.
 
I have noticed a lot of them lately too. I really have no issue with them really as long as they are doing work within their level of experience. It's the ones the jump right in and talk a good game with no experience and start hacking up exotics that I don't like.
 
During hard economic times, people tend to look for easy opportunities to generate some income in a hurry. To most outside our industry detailing looks like a "business opportunity" that is quick and easy to get into with very low initial investment or overhead, and requiring very little knowledge/experience/skill to do. After all, it is just physical labor being applied to a step-by-step process that can be easily explained and replicated repeatedly, right? :chuckle:



I think it is very important that any of us who do have the experience/knowledge/passion for our craft make it a point to tell folks who ask such basic questions that they need to do a significant amount of research and learn how to detail properly BEFORE attempting to charge anyone for their "services" as a "professional." There is more to this business than meets the eye, and anyone who jumps in with both feet first is only setting themselves up for failure.
 
Funny how we never hear about any success stories or updates from any of these people. Many probably see folks putting up their Click N Brags of exotics and automatically think detailing is a hidden gold mine. The same goes for people looking to start up a Coin Operated Car Wash as they think it takes no effort to operate, but make money hand over fist. S. Florida is the mecca of hack mobile detailers.
 
David Fermani said:
S. Florida is the mecca of hack mobile detailers.
Click to expand...



Maybe I should move down your way!:wof:



Seriously though, all I've done since I came to this site is research, research, research. It took a couple of years before I decided to try my hand at it part-time, but as fast as technology is moving these days, I can't stop reading and talking to others, etc. or else I'll get left behind. And that's with a pretty good base of knowledge to start. With some of the incredibly simple questions being asked, I figure many of these guys won't get too far beyond wash n' wax status unless they graduate to full-fledged hackdom. If they can't be bothered to use the search function, I hold little hope for quality work. Now if these guys start getting into double and triple digit post counts, they're obviously here to learn and I'll eat my words. It all remains to be seen.
 
David Fermani said:
Mike - If Hurricane Irene closes things down in your neck fo the woods come on down!! There's plenty for everyone.
Click to expand...



LOL, thanks David but if I DO move from NC to get away from hurricanes, I don't see FL as being the best haven from them!
 
The greatest business I ever saw was in Texas just outside Goodfellow AFB. It was a laundromat up front with a real nice bar, pool table, and foosball tables in back. It was a gold mine. Take your clothes up front, feed the machine, have a couple beers, put the clothes in the dryer, have a couple more beers, watch the game. Brilliant.



I have often thought why didn't I ever just open one up here instead of anything else.
 
The good news is that the hacks make more work for the real guys. It is the vehicle owners' due diligence to know the detailer they are giving their vehicle to.
 
lostdaytomorrow said:
The good news is that the hacks make more work for the real guys. It is the vehicle owners' due diligence to know the detailer they are giving their vehicle to.
Click to expand...

Exactly! I won't take my car to just any mechanic, so why should a detailer be any different?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top