Detailing for a job

[Chubbs]

you can buy car sized portable tents from costco for under £250 which are ideal for valeting under during our inclement weather!

Both great comments, thanks. I have the option of a double garage at home but that would mean the client coming to me. Speaking as a client, I'd be prepared to travel in order to get the work done and turned round in a day. How far clients would travel would be a limiting factor at some point. I'm more than prepared to travel to clients but would clearly need to factor in facilities at their addresses.

[nickgpfc]

Both great comments, thanks. I have the option of a double garage at home but that would mean the client coming to me. Speaking as a client, I'd be prepared to travel in order to get the work done and turned round in a day. How far clients would travel would be a limiting factor at some point. I'm more than prepared to travel to clients but would clearly need to factor in facilities at their addresses.

Or with the right insurance, could you not collect the car, detail it and then return it later in the day?

Surely a dedicated site (e.g. your garage) would be better as it'll save you carting everything around, have a known source of "clean" water (not hard stuff that leaves a residue like I have) at the right pressure for your needs and other services necessary to do the job properly.

Using a pop-up tent at a customers site is a possibility, but there may not be sufficient room and you'll still require water and electricity which may not be available....

[vRSRobT]

Or with the right insurance, could you not collect the car, detail it and then return it later in the day?

Surely a dedicated site (e.g. your garage) would be better as it'll save you carting everything around, have a known source of "clean" water (not hard stuff that leaves a residue like I have) at the right pressure for your needs and other services necessary to do the job properly.

Using a pop-up tent at a customers site is a possibility, but there may not be sufficient room and you'll still require water and electricity which may not be available....

 

Trade insurance is very very expensive (like a few grand), you really dont want insurance to drive other vehicles, just insurance for vehicles worked on (incase you damage the paintwork).

[Chubbs]

Trade insurance is very very expensive (like a few grand), you really dont want insurance to drive other vehicles, just insurance for vehicles worked on (incase you damage the paintwork).

 

What kind of annual premium would be realistic? I'm liking the idea of using home as a base to do most vehicles, to reduce costs and outlay, but would also travel to customers, particularly those financially worth travelling to!

[devonutopia]

I'm paying just under £800 for cover for my van, my fabia, and customer vehicles whilst working on them. Was about as much as I was paying for individual premiums on both vehicles so made sense to do

Edited 21 April, 2016 by devonutopia

[labman1001]

you can buy car sized portable tents from costco for under £250 which are ideal for valeting under during our inclement weather!

One of our local detailing companies used one but I think it got written off one day when the wind got to it ....

[Skoda4x4man]

@ the Yorkshire 'Detailers' - I'm in Liversedge and need a scratch removing !

 

Chris did a major detail on mine a couple of years ago - still looks great ! - but I have a new scratch that needs removing.

 

Anyone help ?

 

 

 

Chris

[samuir1974]

@ the Yorkshire 'Detailers' - I'm in Liversedge and need a scratch removing !

 

Chris did a major detail on mine a couple of years ago - still looks great ! - but I have a new scratch that needs removing.

 

Anyone help ?

 

 

 

Chris

 

 

Hey Chris - not sure of anyone here who offers such a service to be honest.

 

have you performed the "finger-nail" test to see if it is indeed recoverable by polishing?

[Skoda4x4man]

Checked - not very deep a cut/polish should shift it

 

 

Chris

[pee81]

@ the Yorkshire 'Detailers' - I'm in Liversedge and need a scratch removing !

 

Chris did a major detail on mine a couple of years ago - still looks great ! - but I have a new scratch that needs removing.

 

Anyone help ?

 

 

Chris

What's happened to Chris? He seems to have vanished completely

[Chubbs]

Dunno, but wouldn't be surprised, the amount of hours it takes, he won't be making money on it.

 

As for swissvax..............................................................

 

I looked into Swissvax and spoke to one of their managers last week.......course sounds very good and can be tailored to the individual on the one to one sessions......these are currently offered at £500 per person per day (0900 to 1630 hours).  They need a minimum of three people for the group sessions, currently offered at £250 pppd, albeit its just a waiting game for the minimum number to get in touch.  I'd love the one to one, not too far to travel, but the cost seems a tad steep, or am I being unrealistic? 

[Sparkly]

Hi Chubbs, can I ask a question.  Given that you are considering this as a business - what is your current experience level as a detailer, I assume you went to Chris as a beginner/inexperienced? how many cars have you conducted a multi-stage full correction polish detail on?  

 

A lot of people I know who have built up as 'second income' detailers spent a long time as hobbyist enthusiasts and had many many cars under their belt before they even thought to ask for £50 beer money for a full day detail with a one step polish.  How much time can you realistically set aside to invest in building up before you will need to earn.

 

Some 'second income' detailers go on to be competent people a fellow detailing enthusiast will trust to hand their car to, others get lazy and go down the route of charging less educated customers £200-300 for a one day 1 step polish, laziness creeps in around things like taping up a car properly, interest in proper correction vs cosmetic enhancement, reputation isn't built and the business fizzles to being an occasional boost to weekend beer money.  Personally I suspect it's because actually when you look at what the very best in the business can charge for 3 days work (people with their own indoor facilities and established name) and the fact that many of these pro's still substitute their income day to day by 'valeting' cars, the effort/reward ratio isn't fantastic for a beginner.  Very few break through to having an established business and from those who do, even fewer sustain it.

 

I think I am just a little bit in agreement that this is tought work, there are a lot of have a go harry's who buy a DA for personal use and think they can set up a detailing business.  Sadly if you are serious about this, bad jobs done by these people are every bit as much your competition/issue as breaking through against established local detailers.  For this reason you may well need to do a large number of cars for free before you can even get to a point of charging.  Their is a lot of investment for modest returns.

 

This isn't intended to be a negative post.

Edited 26 April, 2016 by Sparkly

[devonutopia]

Before I started doing it, I did a little research.  Found someone else doing similar nearby - Thought it would be OK to be a weekend person against them.

 

Then a couple of his jobs came my way - A Honda Civic Type R was a corker...  A right mess, but easy enough to sort.  Weirdly in the past 12 months or so I've not seen them around on facebook or their van around town so assume they've stopped (which is sort of good I guess - for me....)

 

Still getting a few enquiries, and its all nice pocket money to top up the day job - plus I love doing it!

[Toxicvrs]

Couldn't echo what's been said above anymore. Especially Sparklys post. For instance every Tom, **** and Harry in a local Facebook car group buys a DA and think they're as good as KDS etc. Reputation has to be built upon. You will want to build up regular custom with maintenance wash plans etc, maybe thing about other avenues like applying vinyls etc to vehicles. As well as the usual headlamp corrections and details. I wish you the best of luck in this competitive environment. 1st year will be tough but build a reputation and custom base and you'll be well away

[Chubbs]

Hi Chubbs, can I ask a question.  Given that you are considering this as a business - what is your current experience level as a detailer, I assume you went to Chris as a beginner/inexperienced? how many cars have you conducted a multi-stage full correction polish detail on?  

 

A lot of people I know who have built up as 'second income' detailers spent a long time as hobbyist enthusiasts and had many many cars under their belt before they even thought to ask for £50 beer money for a full day detail with a one step polish.  How much time can you realistically set aside to invest in building up before you will need to earn.

 

Some 'second income' detailers go on to be competent people a fellow detailing enthusiast will trust to hand their car to, others get lazy and go down the route of charging less educated customers £200-300 for a one day 1 step polish, laziness creeps in around things like taping up a car properly, interest in proper correction vs cosmetic enhancement, reputation isn't built and the business fizzles to being an occasional boost to weekend beer money.  Personally I suspect it's because actually when you look at what the very best in the business can charge for 3 days work (people with their own indoor facilities and established name) and the fact that many of these pro's still substitute their income day to day by 'valeting' cars, the effort/reward ratio isn't fantastic for a beginner.  Very few break through to having an established business and from those who do, even fewer sustain it.

 

I think I am just a little bit in agreement that this is tought work, there are a lot of have a go harry's who buy a DA for personal use and think they can set up a detailing business.  Sadly if you are serious about this, bad jobs done by these people are every bit as much your competition/issue as breaking through against established local detailers.  For this reason you may well need to do a large number of cars for free before you can even get to a point of charging.  Their is a lot of investment for modest returns.

 

This isn't intended to be a negative post.

Many thanks for your post - I don't see it as negative but being realistic.  I think you're right in what you say but, I guess, this could be applied to any new business venture.  I'm a novice when it comes to detailing but we all have to start somewhere - I hear what you're saying though and appreciate your comments.  As I said in my original post I'm not in for wasting time, money and effort on a white elephant, albeit there will always be an element of this and a steep learning curve for anyone starting out.  Food for thought, thanks.

[Chubbs]

Before I started doing it, I did a little research.  Found someone else doing similar nearby - Thought it would be OK to be a weekend person against them.

 

Then a couple of his jobs came my way - A Honda Civic Type R was a corker...  A right mess, but easy enough to sort.  Weirdly in the past 12 months or so I've not seen them around on facebook or their van around town so assume they've stopped (which is sort of good I guess - for me....)

 

Still getting a few enquiries, and its all nice pocket money to top up the day job - plus I love doing it!

Thanks for your comments.  There is certainly a general opinion that detailing is seen/used as a second job/serious hobby to top-up one's income and I can appreciate why.  With me taking time out from work I wanted to dip my toe in the detailing water to see if it could be a runner.........

[Chubbs]

Couldn't echo what's been said above anymore. Especially Sparklys post. For instance every Tom, **** and Harry in a local Facebook car group buys a DA and think they're as good as KDS etc. Reputation has to be built upon. You will want to build up regular custom with maintenance wash plans etc, maybe thing about other avenues like applying vinyls etc to vehicles. As well as the usual headlamp corrections and details. I wish you the best of luck in this competitive environment. 1st year will be tough but build a reputation and custom base and you'll be well away :)Yes

Thanks for your comments.  Yes, I can appreciate there will be many bad 'detailers' out there who could put off potential customers which would be a hurdle to overcome.  I think you're right in what you say......building a good rep will always take time and experience but, with any business, it's essential.  I can foresee having to do local cars for free or minimum cost to tempt people and look to spread the word from there - word of mouth recommendation is still the best form of selling.

[Skoda4x4man]

Anyway - I got in-touch with Chris and he will sort it out for me.

 

After the work he did previously I trust him 100% with my car.

 

He is methodical, acurate and cares about what he does - perhaps thats whats needed in addition to a good detailers skillset (which he obviousy has)

 

And no,  I am not related to him or work for him - I paid for the work he did and was happy to do so when I saw the results !

 

 

Chris

[Sparkly]

Anyway - I got in-touch with Chris and he will sort it out for me.

 

After the work he did previously I trust him 100% with my car.

 

He is methodical, acurate and cares about what he does - perhaps thats whats needed in addition to a good detailers skillset (which he obviousy has)

 

And no,  I am not related to him or work for him - I paid for the work he did and was happy to do so when I saw the results !

 

 

Chris

 

It does read a little bit like advertising - but I'm sure Chris won't complain!  :p

 

Glad you are sorted, however the initial question to @Yorkshire Detailers was unlikely to get a response as nobody on here I am aware of is running a commercial detailing business as a site sponsor anymore (Chubbs opportunity?) 

 

Like others, scratch removals and enhancement polishes are things that I have done many times on my own cars and at the request of friends as a favour, no payment expected no takeaway meal+beers declined when offered  I think there is a good amount of this happening on the site and I dare say by some very competent people and if you were in luck and the wind was blowing in the right direction then you might take your car away wearing some very expensive LSP too.  But just like others I am time poor so don't jump to offer my 'services' as weather + life commitment often = hard to organise.

 

Interested to see before and after pics of the work or a nice 50/50 during, it's always good to show others what can be achieved.

 

Chubbs -  a detailer specialising in scratch removal service and headlight polishing as a business could be targeted enough to drive some nice work.

[samuir1974]

Anyway - I got in-touch with Chris and he will sort it out for me.

 

After the work he did previously I trust him 100% with my car.

 

He is methodical, acurate and cares about what he does - perhaps thats whats needed in addition to a good detailers skillset (which he obviousy has)

 

And no,  I am not related to him or work for him - I paid for the work he did and was happy to do so when I saw the results !

 

 

Chris

 

 

Excellent - cartainly glad you got the scratch sorted for a few only a few pennies i'm sure.

[samuir1974]

It does read a little bit like advertising - but I'm sure Chris won't complain!  :p

 

Glad you are sorted, however the initial question to @Yorkshire Detailers was unlikely to get a response as nobody on here I am aware of is running a commercial detailing business as a site sponsor anymore (Chubbs opportunity?) 

 

Like others, scratch removals and enhancement polishes are things that I have done many times on my own cars and at the request of friends as a favour, no payment expected no takeaway meal+beers declined when offered  I think there is a good amount of this happening on the site and I dare say by some very competent people and if you were in luck and the wind was blowing in the right direction then you might take your car away wearing some very expensive LSP too.  But just like others I am time poor so don't jump to offer my 'services' as weather + life commitment often = hard to organise.

 

Interested to see before and after pics of the work or a nice 50/50 during, it's always good to show others what can be achieved.

 

Chubbs -  a detailer specialising in scratch removal service and headlight polishing as a business could be targeted enough to drive some nice work.

 

 

Very good post there Mark - i'm in total agreement....on all fronts mentioned.

 

My lack of time to detail and lack of car these days...means i don't even have my polisher at the moment.

I lent my kit to a friend last weekend, who is doing a mate a favour and detailing his new car.... as we all like to do.

 

...i might get a beer or two in return come the weekend...we shall see! :beer:

[Skoda4x4man]

Will be done for free :sun:

 

 

Chris

Edited 27 April, 2016 by Skoda4x4man

[Chubbs]

It does read a little bit like advertising - but I'm sure Chris won't complain!  :p

 

Glad you are sorted, however the initial question to @Yorkshire Detailers was unlikely to get a response as nobody on here I am aware of is running a commercial detailing business as a site sponsor anymore (Chubbs opportunity?) 

 

Like others, scratch removals and enhancement polishes are things that I have done many times on my own cars and at the request of friends as a favour, no payment expected no takeaway meal+beers declined when offered  I think there is a good amount of this happening on the site and I dare say by some very competent people and if you were in luck and the wind was blowing in the right direction then you might take your car away wearing some very expensive LSP too.  But just like others I am time poor so don't jump to offer my 'services' as weather + life commitment often = hard to organise.

 

Interested to see before and after pics of the work or a nice 50/50 during, it's always good to show others what can be achieved.

 

Chubbs -  a detailer specialising in scratch removal service and headlight polishing as a business could be targeted enough to drive some nice work.v​

Good post again.....I'm in agreement, the more 'basic' work could be set up and running fairly rapidly I'm sure, great idea! Maybe combined with a service of pre-sale or pre-return to the PCH company enhancement polishes..........?  This would get the ball rolling and allowing me to gain experience, contacts, client base etc.  Liking the idea! ​