Hey guys, I just quit my job that I've been with for a year now, and I really want to get into detailing cars. I enjoy cleaning and waxing my own car, and I think it would be nice to make some decent change doing so. My only problems are I'm 17, and I really don't have my own shop or anything, just my driveway and garage at the house. I'm pretty good at detailing and know quite a bit about it, so I think I'd do well. I just need some info, how would you guys recommend going about this? How about how much I should charge? I know if I do it I'll have to get some industrial stuff because buying it from wal mart would be too much expense and eat into my profit.
Starting a detail business
- Thread starter Matto
- Start date
You MIGHT be surprised what you don't know about detailing. Trust me it is sooooooooooooo much more than a wash & wax, if you're talking about a professional detail.
Go to www.autopia.org and check out the articles and forums. Lots of pro top notch detailers are there and share their knowledge and help, and there are some tips on starting up your own business.
Remember, just because most places are cheesy and wash/wax and call it a detail doesn't make it so, it just makes them hokey. A real pro detail on just paint can take a handful of hours alone on a car that doesn't need extra attention to revitalize paint, etc.
Go to www.autopia.org and check out the articles and forums. Lots of pro top notch detailers are there and share their knowledge and help, and there are some tips on starting up your own business.
Remember, just because most places are cheesy and wash/wax and call it a detail doesn't make it so, it just makes them hokey. A real pro detail on just paint can take a handful of hours alone on a car that doesn't need extra attention to revitalize paint, etc.
Oh yea, I said you "MIGHT" be surprised because I have no idea how well you know it all. You may very well be really into it, I just wanted to point some stuff out that most don't realize 
Yeah I know what you mean. A few summers ago I worked for a guy who did detailing, and he did the used cars that came into car dealerships. I can say I wasn't really happy with our jobs, we just sprayed them off at the car wash, then threw some wax on it and thats it, yet the dealerships never complained and I think we were getting around 60 or more on cars, so it worked out for them.mansonozz said:
I do want to get into this though, I'd have to play around with the pricing. I'd start off with friends cars, and people at my dads work and stuff, and see how it goes. It wouldn't bother me to work a few hours on the paint alone, because if everything goes right, I figure I'd still be making more at the end of the day than i would be at my old job.
Keep the advice coming, I'll check out that site.
I know the majority, I have a lot to learn though, don't get me wrong. But I'm comfortable with the clay bar system, and waxing with stuff like Meguairs and such.mansonozz said:Oh yea, I said you "MIGHT" be surprised because I have no idea how well you know it all. You may very well be really into it, I just wanted to point some stuff out that most don't realize
For a full detail, you can ask upwards of $200, depending on who's buying and what you put into it. I'd offer a "basic" service, like a "silver package", gold package, platinum, etc. Stuff like that to offer variety at different price ranges.
On the basic, make wheels/tires included, interior extra, carpet shampoo extra, q-tipping the interior extra, etc. Stuff like that.
What SUCKS is the hokey guys out there who charge $60 for a "complete detail" and wash/wax the car, hose the tires, hit it with some crappy spray on shine, and dust the interior. The same customer goes to you and asks for a "full detail", you say $160 and they laugh saying they can get it for $60 down the street. Of course they get a ****ty job, but you can't tell them that.
On the basic, make wheels/tires included, interior extra, carpet shampoo extra, q-tipping the interior extra, etc. Stuff like that.
What SUCKS is the hokey guys out there who charge $60 for a "complete detail" and wash/wax the car, hose the tires, hit it with some crappy spray on shine, and dust the interior. The same customer goes to you and asks for a "full detail", you say $160 and they laugh saying they can get it for $60 down the street. Of course they get a ****ty job, but you can't tell them that.
I would seriously go by www.autopia.org and ask questions in the professionals forum. Autopia is a site completely dedicated to detailing and you can find a lot of information there about starting up a detailing business.
A few words of advice though, don't expect to be able to just jump into it and make the kind of money you were probably making at your old job. It takes time to build up your clientel. Frankly I would keep your other job and start off detailing on the side for free or very low cost for family, friends and maybe your father's co-workers. Explain to them that you are trying to build experience with the idea of turning detailing into a business. Also, I wouldn't expect you will be able to use your driveway and garage. People are not going to want to bring their car to you and you surely don't want to drive there car to your house as that will open you up to huge liability issues if you get in an accident along the way. Your best bet is to go to the customer's location whether it be at their work or at their home. There is just soooo much that needs to be taken into consideration. I really suggest you visit Autopia and do some reading and ask questions.
A few words of advice though, don't expect to be able to just jump into it and make the kind of money you were probably making at your old job. It takes time to build up your clientel. Frankly I would keep your other job and start off detailing on the side for free or very low cost for family, friends and maybe your father's co-workers. Explain to them that you are trying to build experience with the idea of turning detailing into a business. Also, I wouldn't expect you will be able to use your driveway and garage. People are not going to want to bring their car to you and you surely don't want to drive there car to your house as that will open you up to huge liability issues if you get in an accident along the way. Your best bet is to go to the customer's location whether it be at their work or at their home. There is just soooo much that needs to be taken into consideration. I really suggest you visit Autopia and do some reading and ask questions.
glowstang93
20+ Year Stangneter 
Don't forget the insurance!!! What if the owner of the car says you damaged their car. You can usually get a rider to a homeowners policy. When i checked it was like $50. a month additional. It depends on the amount of coverage too. Are you planning on driving the cars, picking them up and returning them. There is some liabilty on you still. Things to think on before starting it up 
GTPTim
Member
I'm actually doing this- On the side- just to gain some experience/clientelle. I've done 4 cars so far, (JUST started, but it's picking up faster- averaging one a week steadily, up from nothing a month ago) and do a full 3 stage Meguire's wax job, clean the wheels, polish if necessary, tire foam the wheels, clean the engine bay, shine the engine bay, vacuum the trunk, spot shampoo the interior, vacuum, armor-all the dash and all vinyl parts, condition leather, clean and Rain-X the windows, and usually polish anything i can find- I charge $100 for this service now, but people generally give me around $130 for it, cuz they're sooo happy it looks like it does. This area, that's what a full detail is going for. about $125- so I Can't charge too much. My name's getting around quick though!
Hey, it's not too bad for an afternoon's work, IMO. Gives me 'stang mod money!
It just takes time to get yourself started, who knows, if this works out, I could quit my job and detail for the rest of my life! THat'd be kinda cool, IMO. No insurance here though, just doing coworkers' and friends' cars. If this goes much further, I will have to though!
Hey, it's not too bad for an afternoon's work, IMO. Gives me 'stang mod money!
It just takes time to get yourself started, who knows, if this works out, I could quit my job and detail for the rest of my life! THat'd be kinda cool, IMO. No insurance here though, just doing coworkers' and friends' cars. If this goes much further, I will have to though!
UMDSmith
Member
If your in with a local used car dealership, a lot of those have extra bays they would "lease" you, in exchange for maybe detailing their cars at a reduced price. Would keep you in business, and provide you with a location.
69PaleHorse
Member
As others have said, Autopia.com is a great resource. I also saw this article at bettercarcare.com that you may be interested in...
http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=37
Oh, and Glowstang...dig your avatar!
http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=37
Oh, and Glowstang...dig your avatar!
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