"Weekend Warriors"/Side Job detailers...

[Clutch34]

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

haha aight, I'll look into that when I get started.

[Cole Ziegler]

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

Did you ever get licensed/insured Clutch 34? I know for me, business is starting to pick up again and we've been advertising. It'll be interesting to see this summer. I can't warrant the insurance right now but do have enough in savings to cover a full repaint on a car... That said Im not doing wet sanding or hardly and rotary work on a customer's car.

My problem is, I live in a neighborhood where it's against my deed restrictions to run a business from my home...

Anyways just checking back in with you!

[Clutch34]

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

Hey, no I never looked into it because I'm not working on anyone else's cars as of yet. I'm still in the process of "learning" how to detail first, mainly on my car. lol I had made this thread a while ago, but its for future reference. IFFF I do end up starting a little side business, I think I may give it a shot near end of July/early August.

[ClearlyCoated]

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.

Yeah, that's me. I only detail for people who know me and ask me (family and friends) and I haven't done too many cars as it is. And I usually undercharge - a bad business habit that I need to get away from.

I don't have garage keepers' insurance and have not registered as a business, but I average less than one car a month and right now it's more of a favor to people I know, so it doesn't feel like a business. My "clients" are really just covering my gas and materials. Family members are redeeming their Xmas gifts (one so far). Friends sometimes "pay" me with dinner or drinks - usually for smaller jobs.

If I do commit to doing this as a business, I will be sure to get everything I need. Your best starting point is to contact your city/town/municipality chamber of commerce and ask them what you need for your situation. Usually there's a ceiling related to earned income from the business that determines how much (if any) tax you will pay, or if a business license and registration is necessary.

I wouldn't skimp on the garage keepers' insurance. The last thing you want to do is wrinkle someone's paint and get hit with the repair bill. It's cheaper to pay for the insurance upfront.

[Tuck91]

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.

Yes to all of your questions.

Started with the most basic of Meguiars products and eventually worked my way up to the Mirror Glaze, Marine, D line products, multiple Dual action polishers, etc. I go by set prices as well.

I have a lot of clients that have me come to them, usually to do multiple vechiles and that way they do not have to go through the hassle of dropping off the car. I also will prefer to go to them if its something as basic as a maintenence wash. Some of my clients have really nice garages so thats good too.

Then I have many clients that will drop their car off and they have someone follow them and drive them back.

I would say that the best thing you could to is get insured though.

[ClearlyCoated]

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

Yep. At the very least, photo-document thoroughly each and every job, and be sure that your photos are time-stamped. Take multiple shots of existing damage and be sure to point out anything, no matter how small, to the owner/client.

And ASK. Ask the client to point out any pre-existing conditions or whether any panels have been repainted. If so, do a separate test spot on those repainted areas.

[cnfowler]

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

Yep. At the very least, photo-document thoroughly each and every job, and be sure that your photos are time-stamped. Take multiple shots of existing damage and be sure to point out anything, no matter how small, to the owner/client.

And ASK. Ask the client to point out any pre-existing conditions or whether any panels have been repainted. If so, do a separate test spot on those repainted areas.

Spot on. Great advice.

Colin

[Clutch34]

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

Thanks for the great advice! I'm sure it'll help other start-up detailers with similar questions!

[Cole Ziegler]

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

Nice detailed responses guys. For now, I'm staying inside of the "Friends of Friends" circle. Don't plan on doing any blind details.

I definitely agree on photo documenting everything! You should be doing that anyways so you have some before/after pics for the client.

I have to say, if detailing is you significant source of income, i.e: your career, then yes, you need insurance. But other than that. Who gets insurance for a hobby?

[Krzemienr]

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

1. Do you have a license/insurance?
I used to be in this category where I didn't have insurance or a license and only did friends/family "word of mouth" details. Since I started advertising and sponsoring forums, I took care of the legal issues so that nothing would backfire on me. Plus it gives me a little bit of leverage over the "average joe" detailer because of that.

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

3. What products did you start with/have now in your arsenal?
I really started out with the Meg's DA/hitachi rotary buffer, some M83/M80/M20/NXT/Goldclass/M07/hyperwash/hyperpdressing/total of like 5 pads and some buckets. Since then I have expanded my inventory of supplies to include pretty much most of Meg's stuff, Menzerna, Migliore, Leatherique, and some other stuff. I have also purchased a trailer, water tank, pressure washer, generator since to accommodate for business parking lot customers.

4. Do you charge by hour or have set packages? ie. $60 for wash/wax, etc..
I have always had "packages" for quick details. For example a wash/spray wax/interior for $50.00. Anything that required paint correction was always quoted. I would visit the customer, asses the car, talk to them about different options I could offer, and set an appointment. I always told them though that the quote might change once the vehicle is washed and thoroughly assessed, since most of the time I was looking at a dirty vehicle. Never had a problem with that since the quotes never changed more then say $50.00 either way.

5. Do most of your client's cars come to your location or do you go to them?
I always went to the clients home, unless they lived in an apartment, or condo where I wasn't able to wash their vehicle in the lot. I have used the clients' water/electricity to begin with, and never had a problem with that. For big corrective details I would have the vehicle dropped off.

Hope this helps. I guess it really comes down to your skill level. From what I have learned is that if you are good at what you do, and have great customer service, you will get repeat business. Take the time to talk to your clients, get to know them a little bit more, if they are a friend of the family or a friend of a friend. Be nice to their pets! (I actually have a couple customer I visit every week where I bring my dog along for play dates). The other big thing, is do something for each customer to remember you by. Maybe polish the headlights for free. Take a little more time on the inside to remove some stains, it's little things and personal service people are after these days.

Like stated above, document everything you do. Before you start take the customer for a walk around the vehicle. This also insures that if there is damage done to the vehicle that you can't do for whatever reason, make the customer aware of that so that they don't expect something you can't deliver. I would also print some pictures out and put them in a nice photo album. That way you can show your customer what you mean when you say swirl removal, shampooed carpets, etc.