Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

[DonC]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

I would raise your prices by $25.00 for each service you offer. When a customer calls tell them the price will be "about" this way you leave yourself a little wiggle room incase you get a basket case.

There will always be others that will undercut you. What you are trying to do is build up a base of 10-20 customers (for part time) who call you on a regular basis. Trust is a big factor.

[kboxer]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

I am in NEPA and the going rate for a full detail is 125-150. I get 100 just for a good wax job. Prepping paint properly just vaccum and clean glass. People will pay for the service. 5 years ago I had 2 customers, now I have about 20.
Dont be afraid to be competetive, just make sure your work is quality

[ViperSRT]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

I think these are the prices I'm going to go with:

Gold Package □
Clean out all garbage/ debris (extra price will be added if there is excessive trash!)
Clean mats/ carpets
Clean all glass/mirrors
Interior Detailing
Wash vehicle
Wax vehicle
Clean tires/ rims (tire shine)
CAR: $120.00+
SUV/TRUCK: $145.00+

Silver Package □
Clean out all garbage/ debris (extra price will be added if there is excessive trash!)
Clean mats/ carpets
Clean all glass/mirrors
Wash vehicle
Clean Rims
CAR: $50.00+
TRUCK: $60.00+

I think that sounds reasonable considering I am running this out of the home and am not a pro.

I want to thank all of you for the great advice. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thank again,

Viper

[gorin002]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

good luck i would say

[cmd]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

also maybe try a platinum package with a swirl removal and a scratch reduction if you dont know how to do the removal please learn its a great addition to your current service. and it will add revinue and loyalty to your customer base.

[quikzilver]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

Viper SRT,

Please take some time reading the forum. You'll find that there is more to cleaning a car than just washing and waxing (which is wat you offer in the gold package). The gold package can also be applied by the boy next door for far less than the quoted 120 buckaroos. Next to that, it doesn't change too much to the car's appearance even when using Meguiars.

When you take on customers, especially when you are using Meguiars, show them the amazing results of paint cleaning (aka 5 step system). I am sure they'll want to spend some $$$$$$ on that (I would, if I were the owner of the above mentioned Vette). The customer instantaniously sees and feels (not just by the lighter wallet) what he paid for. A quik look in the extreme make-over section of this forum will show you what I mean.

This will lift you from the "just another car washer" to the "true car detailer " level

[ViperSRT]

Re: Starting my own detailing business (Advice needed)

quikzilver,

You do make valid points. My intention is to expand into different and more complex detailing techniques once I perfect them. Essentially, I'm offering what I am comfortable enough doing that I could do a good job not only on my cars, but on other peoples. Note: Everything I'll do is by hand.

I have a black 05 Mustang and I have to tell you my freinds, family, and strangers are AMAZED at how clean and shiny the car looks. The only problem with the finish is that there are minor scratches, as expected, that are visiable in the sunlight. My intention it to scratchX the scratches, and then polish and wax the car in the spring, the scratchX and polishing I have not done before.

I will be asking questions soon about both of those products and proper useage at another time, but once I become proficient, it's late I can't spell, at both cleaning with scratchX and polishing I will probably offer those services as well.

This is good. This is the kind of feedback I was hopeing to get from you pros.