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Starting out on my own - cleaning cars for money !



  Fiesta ST-2 Finsport
Wow where to start with this one 😬 Plenty of good stuff above though.

Good luck dude if you do go for it.

The motor trade in general is a load of w**k tbh, I’ve worked in most aspects of it over the years and the money for what you do is shite. If I was to start again I would be training as a gas safe heating engineer / Part P Electrician.
 
  Clio 197,with megan'
I've been out of work for about 18 months now, and nothing at all is making me want to get back into an office (if that's even a thing any more).

Since I had my first Clio, some 12 years ago, I've been into cleaning it 'properly' - no yellow sponges, leathers, or sloshing buckets of dirty water over the car post clean (why on earth does anyone do that?!).

I've cleaned a few friends cars for fun, and for a little bit of pocket money over the years, and I'd love to be up there with JimWD and the likes, but that's way way off.

Considering starting my own business doing it, but I'm struggling to price it.

Offering high end services to your regular punter down the street, the sort who take their car to the local ex-petrol station for a scrub by a team of people for £10 in 4 minutes, is going to take some convincing - even though usually people 'get it' once they realise the car is still gleaming a week or two down the line, compared to massive missed patches, and cheap tyre shine slung down the side of the car before getting home.

To start with, I'm mobile, operating out of my car, or my driveway. I'd love to get a unit, and a van, and a load of expensive equipment but that's just simply not feasible.

Offering ceramic sealants or 100% corrections just isn't possible working on the side of the road at someone's place, or on my driveway.

Offering a decent 'safe' wash and some protection, is - however for the 2 hours it would probably take the first time, no one is going to pay me enough to cover my time, materials and overheads such as tax (if/when it takes off etc).

Offering a price list I can throw at people, may not be ideal, because cleaning for example, my own car, which is protected and generally fairly clean, will take a lot less time than a family SUV that's not so much seen a bucket of suds in 6 months, let alone any protection since it left the factory.


I don't know whether to offer fixed price work, 'message me for a quote once i've looked at it', or what...

I'm really struggling to get going with this - as in my head I just can't make ends meet. Washing two to three cars a day, for £15 a go isn't going to cover the cost of fuel and materials, let alone pay my mortgage. Then what happens when it rains ? Bit of an issue in this country :ROFLMAO:


So - do you run a car valet/detailing business ? Or do you/family/friends use a mobile/ independent business ?


Would you be happy to leave your car with a relative stranger ?

Would you expect me to turn up to your house, use your water and electricity, and charge you for my time ?

Would you want more services available through me, such as a wheel refurbishment ?

What would you pay for a 'simple' maintenance wash ? Would you book in every 4-6 weeks, or use a few different companies to try them out ?

Would you be tempted by offers, such as a referral or loyalty scheme ?!


If you have made it this far - thanks for reading !
If you fancy getting away for a few days in N/E Scotland next year, bring wife/partner, kids, stay for a few days, and valet my R26. Just a thought.
 
  Clio V6, M4 Comp, X5
I’m to lazy to do my cars myself and don’t want to use our Eastern European friends so always use a mobile valeting service.

The problem is I always want it done ASAP and I haven’t booked in advance as I don’t know what I’m doing one day to the next so it stays dirty.
 

TheEvilGiraffe

South East - Essex
ClioSport Area Rep
If you fancy getting away for a few days in N/E Scotland next year, bring wife/partner, kids, stay for a few days, and valet my R26. Just a thought.

Thanks chap.

I'll have to kidnap the neighbours kids (and wife) to accomplish all of that, but it wouldn't be the worst thing I've ever done :unsure:


I’m to lazy to do my cars myself and don’t want to use our Eastern European friends so always use a mobile valeting service.

The problem is I always want it done ASAP and I haven’t booked in advance as I don’t know what I’m doing one day to the next so it stays dirty.

Assuming you're still Billericay way, drop a car off with me for a day or whatever.

Gimme a text/PM any time :cool:
 
  Clio V6, M4 Comp, X5
Thanks chap.

I'll have to kidnap the neighbours kids (and wife) to accomplish all of that, but it wouldn't be the worst thing I've ever done :unsure:




Assuming you're still Billericay way, drop a car off with me for a day or whatever.

Gimme a text/PM any time :cool:

Yeah still there but I haven’t really got the time to do that, when I actually get a slot I get all 3 cleaned on my drive at the same time.
Im not sure if I’m actually that busy or just lazy.
My M4 genuinely hasn’t been washed in over 4 months :confused:

If you do give it a go I have electric and water and will definitely be a customer.
 


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