Starting a Business

[Carfire]

I am planning on starting a Detailing Business in my area, so I can make so money. After having trouble finding a part time job during the summer and really getting into detailing I am thinking about starting my own business. My neighbors and friends have asked me do detail their cars and have been impressed with the results. Once I recieve my G110 and the Little Green Machince, along with several products I will start my business. I was wondering how those of you that have a business started? How did you get customers/ advertise? As far as I know their is only a few Detailers in the area(Professional 15-30 min away from me). Since I live in a upper scale neighborhood I figured that people would want their BMW, Bently, Mercedes, Lexus, and other types of vechiles looking good. I have noticed that many of them have swirls and could use a good detail. All comments and suggestions are always welcome. Thanks for the help! Here are a list of my prices:
Basic Car Wash- $20.00
Interior Detailing- $30.00
Engine Bay Detailing (includes dressing)- $10.00
Headlight Restoration(for both headlights) - $5.00
Clay Bar- $10.00
Polishing(pure polish)- $10.00
Two Coats of Wax (NXT Tech Wax)- $15.00
Removing Swirls- $50.00-$100.00

[Mikejl]

Re: Starting a Business

Carfire,

I think your exterior and interior prices are fair. Especially for a swirl free carwash. But I think you are lowballing yourself on some of your other services.

Engine Bay Detailing (includes dressing)- $10.00
Headlight Restoration(for both headlights) - $5.00
Clay Bar- $10.00
Polishing(pure polish)- $10.00
Two Coats of Wax (NXT Tech Wax)- $15.00

I would think $200.00 for the above package would be a really good deal. However, I don't know what the market will bear right now.

Mike

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Starting a Business

Headlight resto should be at least $50. $5.00 will hardly cover materials...

Swirls removal should start at $125 at least for small cars if you promise total removal.

Can you put on two coats of wax in less than an hour total, including removal? If so, that means you are making maybe $10 an hour labor and then using the $5.00~ to cover cost on the wax, towels, washing towels, etc.

Raise your prices... being competitive is one thing, being too cheap is bad for everyone (other honest detailers, YOURSELF, and even the customer as you will be less motivated to go the extra mile).

[Carfire]

Re: Starting a Business

Thanks for the suggestions. I was wondering if some of them were too low, but I felt weird having them higher.

[yakky]

Re: Starting a Business

If you are young, you will have a harder time getting full price, so I can see why you went with your prices, but as you get regulars, they will ALWAYS expect the same price. You will end up losing some of them once you raise prices. One idea is to price up with the regulars but offer a coupon on new customer discount. They get the same deal at first, but once they are hooked, you can charge market rates.

[Carfire]

Re: Starting a Business

I was thinking about giving them deals on their first two details. What polishes are must haves? I plan to buy APC, Hyper Dressing and Super Degreaser. How did you guys get your first cutomers?

[dpardo]

Re: Starting a Business

My first customers were family and friends (I didn't charge them full price, though).

Often when I'm working, I'll have folks come up and ask me for a business card!

For advertising, I have magnetic signs on the sides and back of my detailing van and I occasionally leave business cards on the driver's side window (just inside the rubber trim).

Good luck on your business, it's great doing what you love!

[Joe's detailing]

Re: Starting a Business

Worst thing is being ''LOWBALLER'' if you start cheap, expect people to pay just that, even if you want to raise PRICES..

MY
Interiors start at $100
Exteriors $100
Headlight restorations fluctuate in price depending on condition.

Never, never, have just (one) set rate, charge accordingly make (profit) be a businessman...