Start an Auto Detail Business
An auto detailing business can be very satisfying. You will have the pride of knowing that you are the boss. You won’t have a boss breathing down your neck and no one else can tell you what to do. It’s a life changing event that can make you very happy and reduce your overall stress.
Auto Detailing can be hard work at times but it can be very lucrative for you and your family. In addition to the tremendous money that you will earn, it will also keep you in shape physically.
Many people start by detailing their own vehicles and then move into it as a career. They soon discover that the equipment that worked for occasional detailing jobs might not last long under the stress of full time business use. You’ll use your supplies and materials at a faster rate, so proper selection is extremely important. Also, since time is money, it’s very important to use techniques and procedures that will enable you to be efficient and do a good job at a great price.
Getting started is fairly easy and does not require a large cash investment.
You can start with only a truck or SUV and go to your customers homes and jobs and detail at their location. The water supply can be local, but that can limit you at times. Some detailers carry their own water supply, but this can be purchase after you have started making money. A portable tarp or canopy is also a smart and inexpensive idea because detailing autos in the hot sun is not much fun for anyone.
Whether you are operating as a mobile business or a fixed address, you have to look professional. If you don’t look professional, people will not use your service.
Selling your services is an important part of your job as an owner of an auto detailing business.
It’s important to consistently sell your service. For example, when you first see a customers vehicle, walk around the vehicle with them and point out any problems in the condition of the paint and tell them what can be done to correct it. If the paint can use some touch-up, offer to do that for them. Also point out stains or other problem areas in the interior of the vehicle and offer to take care of that for them also. Your customers will be very happy by your work and will send repeat business by referring their family and friends. And remember, just being friendly will do wonders for your business. If they like you, they will send you more customers.
Make some fliers and post them around your area. You can also pass them out at large events or car shows near you.
Consider offering maintenance contracts to increase your income. For example, with a maintenance program you will agree to wash your customers car once a week and wax it twice a month along with other agreed upon tasks for a set price, including a predetermined discount. The advantages of doing this are that you will get a nice check in advance, you have steady customers all year long, and you will have work even when it rains or the weather is bad.
Big money can be earned with high end cars and neighborhoods. If you can, focus on luxury automobiles, you can gain a lot of customers very quickly The exotic vehicles are a very good market, although their owners can be more detailed about what they want done to their vehicles.
You can also get work from used car dealers in your area. Although they don’t pay as much, car dealers can send you a large volume of work that adds up very quickly. They can also keep you busy during bad weather days.
Most beginning detailers are familiar with products that are applied either by hand or with an orbital buffer, but as a pro, you will want to buy a rotary buffer. Just be aware that they take some practice to learn how to use properly but there are free sources available that can teach you how to properly use them. You can also get a lot of practice working on junk cars before you attempt to work on a customers vehicle. The advantage will be improved efficiency and will pay off big time in the long run.
You also need to make a simple price list for your customers. Don’t overwhelm them with too many choices as you could scare them away.
To learn how to successfully start your own Auto Detailing Business, you can learn all of the tricks of the trade by going to:
http://www.americanbusinessbuilder.com/auto_detailing_business.htm