"Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

[Clutch34]

I've got quite a few questions for some of you who detail as a side job so please bear with me..

1. Do you have a license/insurance?

2. Are you an "official" business with the city? (I guess that means whether or not you pay taxes)

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?

I think that's all for now...I'll post more questions if I think of anything else.

Thanks.

[Clutch34]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...



No one..?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Give 'em some time..... we wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn some of the weekend warriors who treat this as a money making hobby rather than a true business are a bit shy to admit that they don't have a business license, insurance, etc.

[Clutch34]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

I see...Well, that's kind of what I plan to do, too, but I just wanted to know if that was the norm or not. I don't plan on making my business huge, just something for the neighborhood and extended family/family friends and stuff.

Even though I'd like to know the answers to the first 2 questions, they can at least answer the last 3 questions! lol

[ElGuero]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Clutch,

Here's the deal. You SHOULD register you money maker as a business, however if Texas is like California if you make $2999.99/year. You don't have to report it to the government. I think that the biggest problem you will have is if you do buy equipment (water tank, power sprayer etc.) and look official you will get a ticket. Not only that (again in California) you cannot let the water you use to wash the car run down the street and down a drain. There is a water shortage thing here. So we are required to have a water collection mat to do the cleaning on. If you don't then you will have a big ticket coming your way.
But if you clean family and friends cars at their place there shouldn't be much of a problem. As for the equipment I use. The Meguiar's DA buffer, pads, m105/205, NXT v2.0 wax, clay bar, final touch and a bunch of towels. <--- that is in no particular order. Hope this helps! Go see a tax man in your area that will clear up a lot. As far as pricing goes, you have to check out the competition in your area and go from there.

[Calais]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

I've got quite a few questions for some of you who detail as a side job so please bear with me..

1. Do you have a license/insurance?

2. Are you an "official" business with the city? (I guess that means whether or not you pay taxes)

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?

I think that's all for now...I'll post more questions if I think of anything else.

Thanks.

1. No, I do not have a license for two reasons: I make way too little money (ATM) for me to justify licensing and insurance and I am only seventeen so I may not be able to even get licensed until I turn eighteen.

2. Nope, see #1. Also, I am mobile.

3. Jeez, way too many to list. My most important are: G110, M16, M105, M205, pads, MF's, grout sponges, pressure washer, APC, brushes, Hyperdressing, M40... etc.

4. I charge roughly $25/hr and occasionally offer flat rate deals for simple packages like wash+wax by who I am catering to and how big the car is.

5. I come to them, occasionally I will let a family member or friend come to my driveway, but I prefer to remain mobile.

[Clutch34]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Clutch,

Here's the deal. You SHOULD register you money maker as a business, however if Texas is like California if you make $2999.99/year. You don't have to report it to the government. I think that the biggest problem you will have is if you do buy equipment (water tank, power sprayer etc.) and look official you will get a ticket. Not only that (again in California) you cannot let the water you use to wash the car run down the street and down a drain. There is a water shortage thing here. So we are required to have a water collection mat to do the cleaning on. If you don't then you will have a big ticket coming your way.
But if you clean family and friends cars at their place there shouldn't be much of a problem. As for the equipment I use. The Meguiar's DA buffer, pads, m105/205, NXT v2.0 wax, clay bar, final touch and a bunch of towels. <--- that is in no particular order. Hope this helps! Go see a tax man in your area that will clear up a lot. As far as pricing goes, you have to check out the competition in your area and go from there.

Thanks for replying! Funny thing is I might be moving to California this summer. lol What does a water collection mat look like and how much does it cost?

As far as equipment, I don't intend on getting a water tank or power sprayer or anything big like that. I'll be honest with my clients and let them know exactly what I can and cannot do due to inadequate equipment, supplies, and/or experience. And for the ticket, how will a cop know that I'm not registered as a legal business? I won't have a shop or anything, just going to be a mobile detailer.

I'm trying to get into dental school, so when I do start this business it'll only be for a year - doubt I'll have time once I get accepted (hopefully!). But thanks for your suggestion, I'll definitely be referring back to it when I try getting started up.

1. No, I do not have a license for two reasons: I make way too little money (ATM) for me to justify licensing and insurance and I am only seventeen so I may not be able to even get licensed until I turn eighteen.

2. Nope, see #1. Also, I am mobile.

3. Jeez, way too many to list. My most important are: G110, M16, M105, M205, pads, MF's, grout sponges, pressure washer, APC, brushes, Hyperdressing, M40... etc.

4. I charge roughly $25/hr and occasionally offer flat rate deals for simple packages like wash+wax by who I am catering to and how big the car is.

5. I come to them, occasionally I will let a family member or friend come to my driveway, but I prefer to remain mobile.

Do clients ever ask you if you have a license/insurance or are registered? And do some clients ever complain or turn you away for $25/hr - especially since your 17 and not a "professional". <-- not undermining your knowledge/experience, just saying in general since you're young

[Cole Ziegler]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

1. Do you have a license/insurance?
–Nope, and until I'm at a point where my income exceeds the cost for said services by a significant amount, not going to happen.

2. Are you an "official" business with the city? (I guess that means whether or not you pay taxes)
–No, however all of my goods that I use are taxed upon purchase, and my service is not taxable.

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?
–Ultimate compound, cheasy microfibers, and a 20 year old rotary buffer. Oh and some tech wax. NOW I have a full arsenal of goodies

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..
–Usually do a flat rate, and the pricing depends on who the person is, if I know them or not, and if their car is trashed or not.

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?
–All my client's cars are dropped off at my house. Not that I wouldn't go to them, I just find it easier.

[Calais]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Do clients ever ask you if you have a license/insurance or are registered? And do some clients ever complain or turn you away for $25/hr - especially since your 17 and not a "professional". <-- not undermining your knowledge/experience, just saying in general since you're young

No, I've never been asked to produce a license. Sometimes people aren't interested in my services when they find out how much I charge, sometimes they are. If people are complaining about price I tell them to go ahead and use the nearest tunnel wash, but if they want their car to looks its absolute best, they had better come to me. People who genuinely care about their cars come to me anyway and not one has complained after using me.

Its all about building your name, once you get a reputation for being a top notch detailer it doesn't matter whether you are 16 or 66. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it.

[Clutch34]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Thanks for all the posts, I appreciate it! Others can still post too, the more the merrier!

[AdvanceDetail]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

1. Do you have a license/insurance?
nop, i just started about a month, so iam still "starting"

2. Are you an "official" business with the city? (I guess that means whether or not you pay taxes)
not on this buisness, i pay products tax (19% tax here) iam still starting so i will get oficial when it picks up more, (paperwork costs vs work)

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?
polisher, 2 pads, ultimate compound, nxt paste.... now a month later i have "ALOT"

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..
3 packages , wash wax @ 100dls, correccion (8hours) 300dls, and interior basic package at 150dls, all work i have been doing is correction..

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?
most clients come to my house, but when thats not posible i go to them (30bucks travel fee inside the city) sometimes i have some clients that tell be to come pick up the vehicle to their house and deliver it the next day (only 3 times, but i will not do it anymore because of the dangers)

[InfiniteDetail]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

1. Do you have a license/insurance?
No, like the others I don't make enough to warrant either. However the lack of insurance does make me nervous.

2. Are you an "official" business with the city? (I guess that means whether or not you pay taxes)

Negative, but I claim the income I make on my taxes

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?
PC, wide array of pads (2 of each type), M105, M205, Nxt wax and some high quality micro fiber towels.

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..
We go with a fixed quote after evaluating the car

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?
Come to me, it's much more comfortable using my own bathroom, water, electricity, etc.

[cnfowler]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

If you decide to do more than just friends and family, you should really consider insurance. We all know how people these days are quick to sue or blame pre-existing damage on others. We also all know (or at least should know if you're in this line of work) how expensive cars are to repair. If you don't have a couple thousand dollars at a minimum set aside just incase, then insurance would be the way to go. You can find it pretty cheap where one wash and wax will pay for the coverage for the month.

Insurance is one of those things we absolutely hate to pay, but Lord knows when we need it, we're glad to have it.

Colin

[Clutch34]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

If you decide to do more than just friends and family, you should really consider insurance. We all know how people these days are quick to sue or blame pre-existing damage on others. We also all know (or at least should know if you're in this line of work) how expensive cars are to repair. If you don't have a couple thousand dollars at a minimum set aside just incase, then insurance would be the way to go. You can find it pretty cheap where one wash and wax will pay for the coverage for the month.

Insurance is one of those things we absolutely hate to pay, but Lord knows when we need it, we're glad to have it.

Colin

Good point, but if I wanted to get insurance, wouldn't I also have to become "official" with the city?

[cnfowler]

Re: "Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

Good point, but if I wanted to get insurance, wouldn't I also have to become "official" with the city?

Insurance does nothing but protect you as a person. You don't have to be "official". If you're willing to pay the premium, the insurance company will be happy to take your money.

Colin