For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

[LS_Detail]

For those mobile guys that do not carry a generator, water, and such. Do find it to be as good as being self contained? Just curious, personally I am going for the non self contained since I also have a full time job. Just curious if those of you that do the same find it any harder to get customers than if you were self contained.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

I think it depends on how you get your customers. If you are casting your nets wide and actively advertising and promoting yourself as a legitimate detailing business, then your clients have every right to expect a fully self-contained operation. If I chose a mobile detailer from the yellow pages or the web, I would certainly expect them to show up their own water and power sources.

But if you are obtaining clients via word of mouth among family and friends, then the level of expectation is probably less and your clients likely understand that detailing is something you do as a side business and probably would not expect you to be fully self-contained.

In my experience the people whose cars I have polished have usually been friends, family, and co-workers who chose me over an established detailer because they felt comfortable trusting their car to me, and they trusted me to give them a fair (if not downright favorable) rate. So they have been very accommodating in providing me with access to electricity and water and most have heeded my encouragement to have their cars washed the night before so I can devote the entire day to correcting their paint!

[Gurge]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

I have a full time job, and i'm not self contained. I see some detailing work through word of mouth, but it hasn't exactly taken off after doing this for money for a year now (although winter really shut things down entirely)

I would like to develop a website and advertise some to generate more business. But as stated above, i'm hesitant to do so until I am fully 'self contained'. I've found it's embarassing to turn down work because you can't provide whats needed.

I plan to hopefully get a pickup truck with tank / generator within the next year to open up a lot of options for me.

Good luck with everything. Plenty of guys making money who are not 'self contained'. but this has been my experience thus far

Good example off the top of my head of someone doing it without water / power is B&B detailing. He's in tennessee. He's on the autogeek forum pretty often and i've spoken to him once or twice on there. From what i understand he does primarily waterless washes and relies on customers power wherever needed. He is a full time detailer doing what appears to be a fair amount of volume including fleet work

[jarred767]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

I think it really depends on your specific scenario, it's a great bonus to be self-contained, but not a must in my opinion.

I've been doing this for six years (the last three it's been my full-time job) and I am not self-contained. I have found it to be no big deal at all. I can honestly say that I could count on one hand the amount of people that turned down my services because of this...in six years!! If you do a great job, people don't really care too much if you're using a tiny amount of their water and power, and less expenses for you!! Just my opinion from personal experience.

[Superior Shine]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

I think it really depends on your specific scenario, it's a great bonus to be self-contained, but not a must in my opinion.

I've been doing this for six years (the last three it's been my full-time job) and I am not self-contained. I have found it to be no big deal at all. I can honestly say that I could count on one hand the amount of people that turned down my services because of this...in six years!! If you do a great job, people don't really care too much if you're using a tiny amount of their water and power, and less expenses for you!! Just my opinion from personal experience.

One hand, so 5 people that turned you away?? Average detail being about $250 or so, X 5 = $1250!! That would have easily paid for a generator and then some.

[polishd]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

Personally we dont find it to be a barrier, we carry a generator but only really use it for a third of all work. As far as water goes we have never lost a job due to requiring a tap for water.

Polishd Mobile Detailing

[Ryan Dodd]

Re: For those mobile detailers that are NOT self contained

Me and my dad are thinking if starting a detailing buisness. If customers turn you away because you use a small amount of their water in turn for a beautiful like-new car, then you wouldn't really want to have them as customers. If you MUST NOT use ANY of their water, maybe have a large supply of Ultimate Wash and Wax?