Just had an idea running through my head about starting up car valeting, just wondering what sort of prices people are charging/prepared to pay for a car to be valeted?

Are we distinguishing between valeting and detailing?

If it was a Valet, say Wash, Dry, Windows cleaned inside / out and the interior wiped down and hoovered, places round here are charging around £15 which is fair.

Detailing wise, I had 2 car's detailed a while back by Finer Details for £110 all in, and to be honest that is pretty much the limit that I would pay.

Was that £110 each car, or for the two done together?

Valeting, you'll find it hard to compete with the supermarket and workplace guys.

Detailing, you'd need to invest a lot and get very good.

Plus I think car washing is something people will start to DIY again when money gets tight.

Was that £110 each car, or for the two done together?

The 2 together, the octy was a full detail the Polo at the time was a wash and polish job as there was not really any paint correction needed.

with money like it is these days, I don't think I would do it again. The vRoomster and the Panda can have a regular wash and a splash of autoglymn twice a year and that will do, it makes no difference come trade in time imho.

As above, depends what services you were offering and whether you were mobile or not. The only time I go to a 'valeters' is for the inside, usually once in the time I own the car. I can then keep on top of it from there. For a full wet/dry or steam clean to the interior I'd pay upto £40-50. In fact I need to do that shortly, then ScotchGuard the lovely practical vRS seats

Steve

I would reckon £15 to £20 a car.

Davy

Depends entirely on the services you're offering and how much time you're going to spend per car.

Steve

Depends entirely on the services you're offering and how much time you're going to spend per car.

Steve

Agree with that but also depends on how much your willing to get out of bed for.............

Of course. Combine the two and hopefully arrive somewhere in the middle!

it makes no difference come trade in time imho.

Have to agree, come trade in time a clean interior counts more than perfect paint work in my experience

i'd say with this age of financial uncertainty to price yourself somewhere in the middle ground. this doesn't mean selling yourself short just provide a service that people can afford, without it appearing too much of a luxury.

The 2 together, the octy was a full detail the Polo at the time was a wash and polish job as there was not really any paint correction needed.

with money like it is these days, I don't think I would do it again. The vRoomster and the Panda can have a regular wash and a splash of autoglymn twice a year and that will do, it makes no difference come trade in time imho.

I would be willing to pay what you paid, no question.

How far is Northants from the IOW please?

hi, thanks for your answers, i was thinking around 79-99 quid a car inside and out washed, waxed and a bit more done than a valet but not to the full extent of a detail. Yes with the crunch on it be hard, but its something ive been thinking about to get the extra money in while in this uncertain times. looking to do 2-3 cars a week.

I really think you'll struggle.

People are not going to part with £100 for a wash and wax.

If you think that £100 will buy you a basic pressure washer, some halfords zymol shampoo, some "wax" or even combine them in a wash and wax, and a hoover out for not much.

In fact my local polish guys will do a wash for £6, wash and wax for £8, mini valet in and out for £20 and their full valet inc wheels, all glass, wash, wax, hoover and seat clean plus all the dressing of things for £45.

I think you're going to struggle past that point and I doubt they will be selling many of the £45 valets.

That plus some people only seem to go for a valet when the car is a real mess which means lots of work for you for not much money.

For a full wet/dry or steam clean to the interior I'd pay upto £40-50. In fact I need to do that shortly, then ScotchGuard the lovely practical vRS seats

I've bought a Vax Wet and Dry cleaner - not tried it yet but if you fancy a run up sometime we can can give it a go - Katie's needs doing too.

Mine doesn't :P;)

How far is Northants from the IOW please?

Far enough to feel safe:rofl:, seriously, approximately 146.96 miles or 3 hours.

hi, thanks for your answers, i was thinking around 79-99 quid a car inside and out washed, waxed and a bit more done than a valet but not to the full extent of a detail. Yes with the crunch on it be hard, but its something ive been thinking about to get the extra money in while in this uncertain times. looking to do 2-3 cars a week.

Sounds like someone has been doing some research.........

Like a few have said mate unless you going to 'detail' a car then you stuck in between that price bracket and the valeters that will do it sub £50........

Your best bet is to build up your client base through friends but you really need to invest in the products to make it attractive to the client.......

Not that I do this sort of thing as I only help out my friends............

Got a lovely Porsche 997 tomorrow, watch this space............

That plus some people only seem to go for a valet when the car is a real mess which means lots of work for you for not much money.

Agreed I took the KungFu Panda to the airport this week instead of mine, only because it's filthy inside and out, the interior is like a bio hazard from muddy football boot's horse poop etc etc.

It's being valeted for £25 while I am away at work, but only because I don't fancy it myself and the Mrs has let the crud build up over the last couple of weeks

I'm looking at spending the money at the minute as a bit if an investment towards detailing following some bits I did over the summer for friends and seeing what people do on DW and how happy I was with the work Baker21 did on mine. However I dought id do it every weekend! I made a bit of money over the summer doing a few cars for friends with a wet vac and srp and collinite by hand (which nearly killed me!).

and was speaking to a friend who works at a local manufacturer of filters, and the guy who used to clean there cars has stopped turning up so I may start doing there car park soon as just some extra cash as they seem to be missing him turning up.

I have looked at prices and found some as low as £20 for wash and wipe down. Average price seems to be around £50 for wash and wax and a quick vaccum around the inside. Then there is the top ones of wash, polish, wax, glass and inside for £180-£250. Obviously i wont be doing a low standard of sponge and dirty water and the equipment used would be quality stuff and Autoglym products which people usually associate with quality.

I have seen a few people advertise this eco washing system which is something i would need to research. Already have a fellow member interested in helping out too

The Eco wash system that I've seen around here involves a tank of water and a spray of the car and then a wash system that's like a carpet washer.

Eg water down agitated and sucked up.

I'm looking at spending the money at the minute as a bit if an investment towards detailing following some bits I did over the summer for friends and seeing what people do on DW and how happy I was with the work Baker21 did on mine. However I dought id do it every weekend! I made a bit of money over the summer doing a few cars for friends with a wet vac and srp and collinite by hand (which nearly killed me!).

and was speaking to a friend who works at a local manufacturer of filters, and the guy who used to clean there cars has stopped turning up so I may start doing there car park soon as just some extra cash as they seem to be missing him turning up.

Glad you were happy with the work mate and I hope your looking after it?

Dad works for a guy doing it, and the market is very tight, as well are margins.

The guy he works for has built up a reputation and now works by referal doing high end cars. They charge £35 basic wash and all over vac with polish, upwards to a few £100 for touchups, full wax/clay treatment carpet clean etc that can take all day for one car - but they look like new.

Dad's done show stuff (trucks cars boats) along with some expensive cars. Last car he worked on was abrand new Ferrari, with 17 miles on the clock just arrived on flatbed from dealers. And the guy wanted it cleaned AGAIN by someone he trusted! They also do farmers defenders covered in crap that want them looking and smelling like new. I always thought they were skint.

Dad's also protected from any bother, as they do most of the travellers mercs etc. Dad's can also get a free driveway re-tarmac anytime he wants - seriously after detailing an irish blokes daughters first car (BMW 3 series)!

By all means give it a go, but it'll be tough going to get to that stage.

Glad you were happy with the work mate and I hope your looking after it?

Ohh yes I need to get another coat of wax on it soon but its been speed detailed every wash and I bought wash mits etc a few days after you'd detailed it, ive been speaking to clean your car about buying a G220 and some other bits and really cant decide wether to take the plunge or not as ive got the time but its not the best time to be starting detailing at the minute with the credit crunch and winter.

Hows business for you at the minute? still keeping you busy?