steps for a part-timer

X

xhaust50

New member
Hello. I have been considering starting up a part-time mobile detailing business, and would like your thoughts on what would be the best approach. Currently I do have a few "clients" (clients, coworkers, etc.) that I have done work for and have good pictures of that I could establish a good website.



I am thinking my best approach would be to register a business name, and create a professional website and business cards. I would take these steps first because they are all relatively cheap and if the idea didn't work out I wouldn't be out much money. I also wanted to have a professional website specifically so I could put it on my business cards, so I would need the website before really establishing a customer base.



After being licensed, at what point should I have insurance? Also, what sort of tax forms would I need as a part-timer? Anything else I am forgetting? I don't plan on doing a lot of advertising, mostly word of mouth, probably an ad on craigslist with a link to my website, and possibly going up to specific car owners in the neighborhood whose car's I feel would really benefit from my service, and showing them pics of previous details, paint correction, etc.
 
If its only part time i would just have some business cards printed up (~250) and pass them out to people you know and meet. Give them a few and tell them to give them to friends.



I wouldnt worry to much about registering names or getting a license (again only if its part time)



Just build a customer base and then consider the website, license/bonding/insurance, etc...



Jim
 
After being licensed, at what point should I have insurance?
Click to expand...



there is no time other than as soon as you want to eliminate potential litigation losses against you. any one of the vehicles' owners can sue you at any time if you damage a vehicle or something happens to it while in your possession.



i only detail on the side and am very aware/concerned about this. i am a pretty cautious person (i.e. paranoid)...i think of things like "what if the car is stolen out of my garage at night?" or "what if my house burns down with this SUV in my garage?".



of course, there is a breaking point to it all. i detail so few cars that i wouldn't even be covering the monthly rates, most likely. :)



.02
 
paradigm said:
there is no time other than as soon as you want to eliminate potential litigation losses against you. any one of the vehicles' owners can sue you at any time if you damage a vehicle or something happens to it while in your possession.



i only detail on the side and am very aware/concerned about this. i am a pretty cautious person (i.e. paranoid)...i think of things like "what if the car is stolen out of my garage at night?" or "what if my house burns down with this SUV in my garage?".



of course, there is a breaking point to it all. i detail so few cars that i wouldn't even be covering the monthly rates, most likely. :)



.02
Click to expand...



You bring up valid points for others to consider, but I am mobile and won't be driving any of the cars. I guess I should have put that in my original post. Therefor, at what point is insurance a good idea, and how large of a policy would be needed? What do you mobile guys pay a month?
 
xhaust50 said:
You bring up valid points for others to consider, but I am mobile and won't be driving any of the cars. I guess I should have put that in my original post. Therefor, at what point is insurance a good idea, and how large of a policy would be needed? What do you mobile guys pay a month?
Click to expand...



I have been a part-time mobile detailer since 2004, and I use an umbrella policy through my insurance. I took a million dollar policy. I pay only about 500/yr. I had asked my insurance guy about the insurance issue, but again only being part-time, he said I would be covered with the umbrella. Thankfully, I have never had a problem or had to use it.



The only customers I perform at my house, are my neighbors, and again the cars are drove back to their homes, not even a block away.



Print cards, figure out your costs and prices, and your customers will grow. When I first started, neighbors or other workers, always inquired about what I was doing and how much. My regulars just grew. The business owners/executives love it, and for me, they are the best tippers and payers.
 
Good luck, hope this grows for you. Get at least 1000 business cards froma pro printer, the 1k mark is usually the first economical step on the amount printed. DONT use an inkjet card. Use good stock paper and a raised ink. This attracts higher end customers than an inkjet business card.



As for the insurance, what happens if someone blames you for a huge scratch and wants a panel repainted on an expensive car for say $5k? could you eat that amount? Insurance can save you. Look into the forms that were posted here including a preinspection, liability waiver, estimating form, billing forms etc. Laser printed good looking forms add to your "pro" look. If people think you are just doing a "hobby" people expect to pay less, just the nature of the game.



Registering a name in most states is chesp and at the end of the first few years a good tax accountant will end up with a loss on taxes. This effectively can pay for your supplies and the insurance cost, so you end up ahead.
 
01SVTvert said:
Good luck, hope this grows for you. Get at least 1000 business cards froma pro printer, the 1k mark is usually the first economical step on the amount printed. DONT use an inkjet card. Use good stock paper and a raised ink. This attracts higher end customers than an inkjet business card.



As for the insurance, what happens if someone blames you for a huge scratch and wants a panel repainted on an expensive car for say $5k? could you eat that amount? Insurance can save you. Look into the forms that were posted here including a preinspection, liability waiver, estimating form, billing forms etc. Laser printed good looking forms add to your "pro" look. If people think you are just doing a "hobby" people expect to pay less, just the nature of the game.



Registering a name in most states is chesp and at the end of the first few years a good tax accountant will end up with a loss on taxes. This effectively can pay for your supplies and the insurance cost, so you end up ahead.
Click to expand...



Awesome advice man. I'll look into what you mentioned.
 
Hey man the best advice is to pursue detailing in the most professional way possibe. Here is the name and number of IMO one of the best mobile detailers anywhere. He is right in your back yard and a very nice guy. Let him know Tony from the National Association for Professional Detailing and Reconditioning refered you.



Gia's Mobile Detailing of Long Island Inc.

Anthony Flammia

P.O. Box 5350

Miller Place, New York 11764

Phone: (631) 473.1217



All the best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top