Detailling.

[Kane.]

Im looking at starting a detailling business, i do have a job but i just hate it and want to get into something i would love to do, need to look at my future since im only 18, ive only ever done my car but i know with more learning i could be a good detailler. I just hope there is enough demand for detailling.
My Dad has said he will put some money in to get me started, so im just wondering....
A) should i get a garage straight away or start doing it at home (outside)
B) how much is needed roughly to start with everything needed
C) what sort of price range for a full detail

I originally wanted to go into body shop repair/car painting etc but there is too many of them in my area and dont fancy going to college in uk for 3 years, there are no detaillers in my area though. I am a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning. Would love to have my own business at 18. Shame i dont live closer to marbella as im sure there'd be s**t loads of work there.
Cheers for any help

 

[LowLife.]

You will need to get yourself a reputation first. Work from your home/out of the car etc.

 

[ch!ppen]

It's an awkward one tbh. Especially at this time of year as less people would want your services i reckon.

Pricing you'd be better off probably doing it as to how good you are at it? Then when you start getting really good you can rise your prices.

And again, this weather... You ideally need somewhere indoors to do it. Which you then have to consider the price for a unit.

I'm sure there will be more helpful people on here with experience to guide you in the right direction

 

[Dave..]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Don't.

It's a big commitment to make, for a very select market which is already catered for.

Starting a business is all about coming up with a solution or providing something that isn't already there.
Detailing for example, is something that 98% of the general public have never heard of, let alone care about, the 2% that do care, will already have gone to any number of the already established companies.

Don't mean to piss on your chips, as it's something even I've looked into, but just not a sensible business plan

 

[ch!ppen]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Don't.

It's a big commitment to make, for a very select market which is already catered for.

Starting a business is all about coming up with a solution or providing something that isn't already there.
Detailing for example, is something that 98% of the general public have never heard of, let alone care about, the 2% that do care, will already have gone to any number of the already established companies.

Don't mean to piss on your chips, as it's something even I've looked into, but just not a sensible business plan

Crossed my mind before too and those exact reasons are why i haven't attempted tbh.

 

[Harpham]

Hard industry to get into iirc...

I personally wouldnt blow a load of money on this until you have plenty of experience and know that you can get enough customers to earn "x" amount of money (i.e. to cover all overheads and expenses that you have, plus living costs etc).

 

[LowLife.]

just do it for friends and family, make a bit of money on the side rather than it being your full time job. That's what I do!

 

[Dave..]

Hard industry to get into iirc...

I personally wouldnt blow a load of money on this until you have plenty of experience and know that you can get enough customers to earn "x" amount of money (i.e. to cover all overheads and expenses that you have, plus living costs etc).

Exactly this.

It's all about being able to go to Mr Bank Manager, saying "I have Mr Jones and Mr Smith, who'd like me to able to offer this", "could I have a loan to set up a business".

Rather than, "Can I have a loan to start a business, and then try to get customers"

 

[Kane.]

Yeh i see what you mean about about people not knowing and caring about detailling. And i think I would start at home first with a gazeebo/cover then see if it its worth doing,I was thinking about going to car dealers and see if i could set up some sort of deal with them as i dont think they know about detailling lol (once ive had some more experience) i am taking all comments aboard, thanks ill definately have a proper think about it before i do it.

 

[Kane.]

Hard industry to get into iirc...

I personally wouldnt blow a load of money on this until you have plenty of experience and know that you can get enough customers to earn "x" amount of money (i.e. to cover all overheads and expenses that you have, plus living costs etc).

This is very true.

 

[yellowbelly]

A good start is knowing how to spell the profession you intend to get in to

 

[Si]

A good start is knowing how to spell the profession you intend to get in to

this tbh.

give up now.

to make it in this game you need to have made a name for yourself before you've even started.

 

[JD]

If you want to do it, go out and research it chap. It can be done. I choose to do friends and family because I didn't want a hobby to become a job. But people do and have very successfully.

There was a thread not too long ago. Done by Mike aka Bifcaids.

Have a search. Think products, ability, marketing, insurance.


Sent from my iPhone using Brown Bear

 

[ch!ppen]

A good start is knowing how to spell the profession you intend to get in to

Lol, i thought it but was too polite to say it!

On another note, i try to do it for family and friends... But i struggle in all fairness. I work 5 day's a week and 2 out of 3 Saturday's on top. Often on a Saturday by the time i get home i simply don't have enough time left and through the spring/summer Sunday is Motorbike day. All my own fault i suppose haha.

 

[Kane.]

A good start is knowing how to spell the profession you intend to get in to

Hush.

 

[Kane.]

If you want to do it, go out and research it chap. It can be done. I choose to do friends and family because I didn't want a hobby to become a job. But people do and have very successfully.

There was a thread not too long ago. Done by Mike aka Bifcaids.

Have a search. Think products, ability, marketing, insurance.


Sent from my iPhone using Brown Bear

When you say hobby do you charge though ? I got 3 cars to do in my family, they are going to cover the costs, that will be a start and ill see what happens from there, ill have a search now aswell cheers

 

[Curtis!]

I can tell you straight away from an inside perspective, dealers won't fuss about detailing. If the car looks clean. Done. They want turn around, not perfection. Most dealerships also have specific bays/area's with a team of staff to wash cars.

Not to be negative and put you off!

Just concider what experience you have with products etc. I know for certain I have no where near the knowledge to do it as a business. I've been trying for about a year now and I feel like I'm just touching the ice in possibilities.

Enjoy

 

[shearzy]

I have a mate who started a detailing company in Leeds. He has a good reputation and good advertisments and reccomendations and he is only making upto £400 on a good week! he said he is averaging at £150 a week as its a dead trade really! over in spain you might have a bit more business with the nice weather but over here its dead out really!

 

[Kane.]

Exactly i just want to give it a go, there is no one (i think) that does detailing near me within at least 2 hours away.

 

[JD]

The simple problem is the definition of "detailing". Dealers, as Alex has said, will look upon a car as "detailed" as it has an AutoGlym product on it, or a permaguard/diamond brite covering. This is "done" in their eyes.

I approached three garages (groups) about four years ago. I took with me several pictures and ideas for what I could do, 50:50 shots of how most of the cars looked in their showroom and a corrected panel, and I'm quite good (read forceful) in meetings. The girl in charge of one branch said they barely wash the cars that they sell, let alone anything like this. She said I could have come to her with a sponge and a bucket of Fairy and she'd have been more interested as it meant they didn't have to take them to a local Polish place. And we're talking £100,000 cars here...

 

[Kane.]

Lol wow, i suppose its true because someone who doesnt know about detailing wouldnt spot swirls etc on cars, but when you know about it you actually look for. Harder than i thought, but i won't give up.

 

[JD]

Indeed, don't give up, but a; be smart about it and b; don't let "maybe's/possibilities" blind you from something that isn't working.

If you start getting very minimal number of clients and the "business" doesn't grow, you're flogging a dead donkey. Cut your losses and move on.

 

[Android]

I think you are better to work full-time and then do a bit of detailing/valeting at the weekend. That way you are always assured of money & you can build up a customer base, while putting money aside to start business etc and take it from there.