jcattarulla
New member
30 posts and you become an "Enthusiast Detailer".
Help Me Open/Design A Detailing Shop
- Thread starter jimmybuffit
- Start date
madmupster
New member
Looks like the pics aren't workin on the website b/c you linked them straight from your harddrive.. 
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Well, the Landlord and I finally reached a verbal agreement on Lease Terms, and I expect to sign the Lease today or Monday. It's gonna get busy soon!
Masterfinish: thanks for your specific offer of support.
In terms of Lighting, so far I've decided on 17 overhead 2x4, 4 tube fixtures. The ceiling is 20' high and unfinished, I think we'll hang the lights at 12' from the floor. That should allow a 4' elevation of an SUV.
Additionally, I'm looking locally for 4' 2 tube T-8 fixtures to mount horizontally on the walls (recessed). What's the best height for these? 2 feet?
Additionallly, I'll build some sort of cart with 'portable fluorescents' to wheel between cars. Any problem mixing fluorescent light with halogens?
Shop has 200 amp service, so I can have 10 20 amp circuits (or some other combo) Need separate circuits for air compressor and extractor, at least.
Hope to post pic of the basic floorplan later today. BTW, I've Klassed and SG'd (first tim!) the wife's Civic yesterday and hope to layer more SG and top with Souveran if UPS and the weather cooperate. Heater's are on now, it is 12 degrees!
Masterfinish: thanks for your specific offer of support.
In terms of Lighting, so far I've decided on 17 overhead 2x4, 4 tube fixtures. The ceiling is 20' high and unfinished, I think we'll hang the lights at 12' from the floor. That should allow a 4' elevation of an SUV.
Additionally, I'm looking locally for 4' 2 tube T-8 fixtures to mount horizontally on the walls (recessed). What's the best height for these? 2 feet?
Additionallly, I'll build some sort of cart with 'portable fluorescents' to wheel between cars. Any problem mixing fluorescent light with halogens?
Shop has 200 amp service, so I can have 10 20 amp circuits (or some other combo) Need separate circuits for air compressor and extractor, at least.
Hope to post pic of the basic floorplan later today. BTW, I've Klassed and SG'd (first tim!) the wife's Civic yesterday and hope to layer more SG and top with Souveran if UPS and the weather cooperate. Heater's are on now, it is 12 degrees!
Good luck on the new venture! Have you visited any of the detail places here in Indy? In your business plan, how have you identified a way to differentiate yourself from the competition?
I was curious, what kind of revenue do you forecast for your first year? It sounds like you have a pretty good investment in equipment.
I've been to 2 of them 4 or 5 years ago. Ended up the first time with a place on the edge of the hood by the windshield where they burned through the paint to the primer on a black Audi 200Quattro. I went to another location a couple years later and after picking up my car thought to myself, "Heck, I can do a better job than this!"
Good luck to you. Indy needs a detail shop run by someone who loves cars!
Sam
I was curious, what kind of revenue do you forecast for your first year? It sounds like you have a pretty good investment in equipment.
I've been to 2 of them 4 or 5 years ago. Ended up the first time with a place on the edge of the hood by the windshield where they burned through the paint to the primer on a black Audi 200Quattro. I went to another location a couple years later and after picking up my car thought to myself, "Heck, I can do a better job than this!"
Good luck to you. Indy needs a detail shop run by someone who loves cars!
Sam
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
SamIam:
Hey Thanks! Yeah, I'll distinguish the shop, in fact, I'll have 'competitor's' pricing available...I'm shooting for a very small, upper end of the market - I'll be on a major artery leading to 'horse country', the Rolls dealership, and all those 'multi-acre estates.
I've learned in the Hospitality Industry (my background) to NOT be all things to all people. Are you familiar with Nicky Blaine's Martini Bar downtown Indy? Certainly not for everyone, but, you have to stand on line to get in! I started Nicky's in Aug of '98, and sold it last year... A good example of finding a niche market and giving them what they want. This new venture will be on a much smaller scale, but the same values apply. It's all about quality and service. Do it right, and don't be afraid to price accordingly.
Regarding volume, I'll have the luxury in the beginning six months or so, to go slow and do it right. I'll do ALL the work myself. So, if I can gross $40 or 50 in the first year, I'll consider that successful. Now, as for the second year... I'd like to think maybe $125, with 1 or 2 parttime employees. We'll see how that pans out.
Hey Thanks! Yeah, I'll distinguish the shop, in fact, I'll have 'competitor's' pricing available...I'm shooting for a very small, upper end of the market - I'll be on a major artery leading to 'horse country', the Rolls dealership, and all those 'multi-acre estates.
I've learned in the Hospitality Industry (my background) to NOT be all things to all people. Are you familiar with Nicky Blaine's Martini Bar downtown Indy? Certainly not for everyone, but, you have to stand on line to get in! I started Nicky's in Aug of '98, and sold it last year... A good example of finding a niche market and giving them what they want. This new venture will be on a much smaller scale, but the same values apply. It's all about quality and service. Do it right, and don't be afraid to price accordingly.
Regarding volume, I'll have the luxury in the beginning six months or so, to go slow and do it right. I'll do ALL the work myself. So, if I can gross $40 or 50 in the first year, I'll consider that successful. Now, as for the second year... I'd like to think maybe $125, with 1 or 2 parttime employees. We'll see how that pans out.
Good luck on your venture... sounds exciting! I know I've come into this conversation late, but I have a few thoughts:
1 - Stationary... I don't know how you feel about business cards and letterhead, but I would invest in a professional to design your stationary. A true professional will ask you what you want as well as the clients you wish to attract and will design something spectacular. Sure, the cost may be more than you want, but showing your future clients that you are serious and a professional is very important, is it not?
Your stationary is an outward, visible expression of your business when you can't be there to impress them. No offense to anyone who uses VistaPrint, but their stuff simply does not look professional. I'm a graphic designer and seeing these hack-companies who "design" business cards and letterhead is as bad as a "hack" detailer who low-balls to get detailing business and then does a lousy job.
You also should invest in a website. (Again, have it professionally done.) Show pics of your cars, before and after, as well as a way to make appointments online. More and more people are moving to the Internet to research businesses. If you don't jump on it now, I think you'll be losing clients and income.
If you don't like the cost, research local Universities or Art Schools. Talk to a design professor and maybe you can work out a deal. He/she can present your idea to his/her students as a project.... you can help picking the winning design and it gives the students some "real world" experience. If that doesn't work, contact a designer from the phone book... many are just starting out and may be willing to do something for you for a free detail or two.
2 - You should check into the EPA regulations on waste water coming from your new facility. I'm researching this subject myself for my growing mobile detailing business. The EPA's regulations are pretty strict and will only get moreso in the future as our clean water is quickly disappearing. I'd hate to see you get hit with a major fine because you didn't know about it. Not to mention, it really IS good for the environment.
Okay... two very long thoughts but I hope they help. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
:xyxthumbs
1 - Stationary... I don't know how you feel about business cards and letterhead, but I would invest in a professional to design your stationary. A true professional will ask you what you want as well as the clients you wish to attract and will design something spectacular. Sure, the cost may be more than you want, but showing your future clients that you are serious and a professional is very important, is it not?
Your stationary is an outward, visible expression of your business when you can't be there to impress them. No offense to anyone who uses VistaPrint, but their stuff simply does not look professional. I'm a graphic designer and seeing these hack-companies who "design" business cards and letterhead is as bad as a "hack" detailer who low-balls to get detailing business and then does a lousy job.
You also should invest in a website. (Again, have it professionally done.) Show pics of your cars, before and after, as well as a way to make appointments online. More and more people are moving to the Internet to research businesses. If you don't jump on it now, I think you'll be losing clients and income.
If you don't like the cost, research local Universities or Art Schools. Talk to a design professor and maybe you can work out a deal. He/she can present your idea to his/her students as a project.... you can help picking the winning design and it gives the students some "real world" experience. If that doesn't work, contact a designer from the phone book... many are just starting out and may be willing to do something for you for a free detail or two.
2 - You should check into the EPA regulations on waste water coming from your new facility. I'm researching this subject myself for my growing mobile detailing business. The EPA's regulations are pretty strict and will only get moreso in the future as our clean water is quickly disappearing. I'd hate to see you get hit with a major fine because you didn't know about it. Not to mention, it really IS good for the environment.
Okay... two very long thoughts but I hope they help. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
:xyxthumbs
Detailing NY
New member
jimamary said:
Dont bother building it, you can go to sears & home depot and pick one up. I think mine cost me about 80.00 with a life time warranty.
Good luck
masterfinish
New member
Sounds like you have enough power. 200 amps is good. With ceilings as high as yours you can add the same lights we use. 400 watt metal haloide. Gives a very pure light and from that height two per bay makes a world of difference. We can see everything. All bays are wrapped with six 4ft flourecents on each side and two of the 400 watt metal haloides overhead. We can darn near see through the paint. I have had many shop owners ask to come see our lighting. The flourecents on the side are mounted on walls just about door height of a 4 wheel drive truck. The center between 2 bays are hung with chains so we have very food interior lighting. Even with all the lights I at times will use an extra portable light to improve interior work.
It may seem like overkill to light the way I do but I have had dozens of detailers that worked at other shops say how much better they can see and work in our shop. The customers feel the same way. It comes down to how can you properly clean, polish, shampoo, clean the nooks and crannies if you can't see what your working on. Even with all our lights we still do a final walk around quality inspection once we have backed out into the sunlight. If a customer picks a vehicle that was just finished when it's dark out I always let them know that if for any reason they find something we missed or could not see properly that all our work is guaranteed and they can stop in for an instant touch up.
Stay away from the portable halogen lights. They get so hot they can be dangerous. There are many stands made for lights. Look for tripod stability and see how adjustments are made for height and angles. You want a stand that lasts. For commercial light like the metal haloides try Grainger's catalog. They run about $100 bucks a piece. The best price I found was $90. The bulbs run
about 10 to 30 a piece but last for years.
Hope this helped.
It may seem like overkill to light the way I do but I have had dozens of detailers that worked at other shops say how much better they can see and work in our shop. The customers feel the same way. It comes down to how can you properly clean, polish, shampoo, clean the nooks and crannies if you can't see what your working on. Even with all our lights we still do a final walk around quality inspection once we have backed out into the sunlight. If a customer picks a vehicle that was just finished when it's dark out I always let them know that if for any reason they find something we missed or could not see properly that all our work is guaranteed and they can stop in for an instant touch up.
Stay away from the portable halogen lights. They get so hot they can be dangerous. There are many stands made for lights. Look for tripod stability and see how adjustments are made for height and angles. You want a stand that lasts. For commercial light like the metal haloides try Grainger's catalog. They run about $100 bucks a piece. The best price I found was $90. The bulbs run
about 10 to 30 a piece but last for years.
Hope this helped.
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
Does Grainger's have a website by chance so I could order a catalog??
great tips BTW... the closer you can get to working in the sunlight while indoors (well, artifically atleast) is ideal.
also, you say you've opened "a home shop".... as in garage based? I currently am working on rennovating my 16'x22' garage (which is already plastered walls and ceiling, but I wouldn't mind parting with this if it will allow me to set up a better working environment), and also have a 12'x20' 8' high carport alongside the garage which I'm going to attempt to turn both into detailing-ready areas. Any overall tips on this? (ultgar, if you read this any general input would be appreciated as well)
great tips BTW... the closer you can get to working in the sunlight while indoors (well, artifically atleast) is ideal.
also, you say you've opened "a home shop".... as in garage based? I currently am working on rennovating my 16'x22' garage (which is already plastered walls and ceiling, but I wouldn't mind parting with this if it will allow me to set up a better working environment), and also have a 12'x20' 8' high carport alongside the garage which I'm going to attempt to turn both into detailing-ready areas. Any overall tips on this? (ultgar, if you read this any general input would be appreciated as well)
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
BTW, here's another source for the halide lights a decent prices:
http://www.lightinguniverse.com/default.asp?&swidth=1280
http://www.lightinguniverse.com/default.asp?&swidth=1280
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
No, I have not opened a "home garage"....
That's just where I do some "practicing", and it is very good for teaching me what I *really* need! Apart from not having a drain, the singular most frustrating thing in my typical home garage setup has been the lack of lighting... as I move the current lighting around, I continually find spots that were missed! Pulling the car out into the sunlight, I find even more areas were missed! Frustrating? Sure. But time is money, and I now know that I MUST have excellent lighting!
Ultgar: thanks for reminding me about the general concept of color temperatures.
Masterfinish: I'm gonna have to find at least a few metal halide fixtures!
I gotta say... everyone is so helpful! I can't/won't use every suggestion, but I'm simply wowed by the amount of contributions!
Jim
That's just where I do some "practicing", and it is very good for teaching me what I *really* need! Apart from not having a drain, the singular most frustrating thing in my typical home garage setup has been the lack of lighting... as I move the current lighting around, I continually find spots that were missed! Pulling the car out into the sunlight, I find even more areas were missed! Frustrating? Sure. But time is money, and I now know that I MUST have excellent lighting!
Ultgar: thanks for reminding me about the general concept of color temperatures.
Masterfinish: I'm gonna have to find at least a few metal halide fixtures!
I gotta say... everyone is so helpful! I can't/won't use every suggestion, but I'm simply wowed by the amount of contributions!
Jim
masterfinish
New member
masterfinish
New member
jimamary,
Depending on you floor drain situation find out what it is hooked to and what the local regulations require for cleanup. We use a company that gives us a report on what was the composition of material removed and how it will be treated and where is ends up. We get this report everytime I call for a pump truck to clean out the sediment tank, which we keep on file to show any authorized agency that may ask us about our waste water. Usually the company that does the hauling is aware of what is required by the local agencies. Check around as you would not want to find out the huy hauling your waste back up the river at night. When I told the cities environmental inspector who we used, they told me that we were using the best place in town and they do it right. The fact that my location was an old gas station has always been a concern. We have 4 monitoring wells to check for contaminants. Luckily we do not pay the cost for this measure. It was done due to the fact that another station across the street had leaky tanks, but it also lets me know if there is anything wrong at my place.
The reason for my comment on finding out what you hooked up to is that in a complex where there are several businesses sharing a collection system is that if one person dumps an illegal item into the system it can affect everyone online. That happened to a friend and was a nightmare. He had a legal above ground waste oil storage tank and someone in the complex dumped their waste oild down the drain. The authorities were able to trace the waste right back to the complex but made it miserable for several tenants for a while. It finally was straightened out as to whom the culpret was but my buddy had to pull all his records to show how much waste he normally had and how is was dispose of.
Depending on you floor drain situation find out what it is hooked to and what the local regulations require for cleanup. We use a company that gives us a report on what was the composition of material removed and how it will be treated and where is ends up. We get this report everytime I call for a pump truck to clean out the sediment tank, which we keep on file to show any authorized agency that may ask us about our waste water. Usually the company that does the hauling is aware of what is required by the local agencies. Check around as you would not want to find out the huy hauling your waste back up the river at night. When I told the cities environmental inspector who we used, they told me that we were using the best place in town and they do it right. The fact that my location was an old gas station has always been a concern. We have 4 monitoring wells to check for contaminants. Luckily we do not pay the cost for this measure. It was done due to the fact that another station across the street had leaky tanks, but it also lets me know if there is anything wrong at my place.
The reason for my comment on finding out what you hooked up to is that in a complex where there are several businesses sharing a collection system is that if one person dumps an illegal item into the system it can affect everyone online. That happened to a friend and was a nightmare. He had a legal above ground waste oil storage tank and someone in the complex dumped their waste oild down the drain. The authorities were able to trace the waste right back to the complex but made it miserable for several tenants for a while. It finally was straightened out as to whom the culpret was but my buddy had to pull all his records to show how much waste he normally had and how is was dispose of.
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
jimamary said:
actually I was referring to Masterfinish who in a (much) earlier post in this thread talked about opening 8 retail shops and one in-home...
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
oh and one more suggestion that I don't think has been brought up yet:
I would try and have a separated area that can be used for the point of sale as far as taking orders and etc., as well as being used as a customer waiting area. This way you can keep your customers out of the area where you detail the cars which may be able to cut down on your liablity insurance. Also you could use this area to sell small detailing accessories such as the air freshener trees, QD sprays, carwash soaps, etc. that would suppliment the services you're providing. This can boost profit as well as raise customer appeal.
I would try and have a separated area that can be used for the point of sale as far as taking orders and etc., as well as being used as a customer waiting area. This way you can keep your customers out of the area where you detail the cars which may be able to cut down on your liablity insurance. Also you could use this area to sell small detailing accessories such as the air freshener trees, QD sprays, carwash soaps, etc. that would suppliment the services you're providing. This can boost profit as well as raise customer appeal.
Nagchampa
Oh I'll Bring the Shizzle
How are things going for you jimamary?
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Funny you should ask.
Boy, am I frustrated! I've done construction on 6 new restaurants in the past, so I'm not new to the 'system', but I was still surprised at the delays that occurred on this very small project.
Here's a short version...
Landlord was trying to be the nice guy, rather than just put in a 17' long trench drain (I would have to squeegie water to it), he decided to pull out a 17x25 foot section of floor to replace with a sloped floor, and the long drain in the middle. The plumber missed the center by 6". The City Inspecter is held up because of the Holidays. The electrician moved the service panel THREE times. The drywall guys can't work because the hole in the floor limits their scaffolding (20' ceiling).
But, the electrician has the lighting in! ((I'll add some T8 "side lighting")
It's my responsibility (<$$$) to paint the ceiling, walls and floor. I had arranged time off (thru tommorrow!) to do this.
Well, here we are! Meanwhile, my house looks like a stockroom! I have a carpet extractor sitting in my Dining Room!
Here are photos from today's walkthru.
EDIT: The NEXT POST may is probably a quicker way to view, unless you want em all on the same page...Thanks LeGenDz!
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jimamary/B4-Construction-1-7-03.doc
(Takes awhile, particularly with dialup...)
BTW, thanks for asking.
Jim
Boy, am I frustrated! I've done construction on 6 new restaurants in the past, so I'm not new to the 'system', but I was still surprised at the delays that occurred on this very small project.
Here's a short version...
Landlord was trying to be the nice guy, rather than just put in a 17' long trench drain (I would have to squeegie water to it), he decided to pull out a 17x25 foot section of floor to replace with a sloped floor, and the long drain in the middle. The plumber missed the center by 6". The City Inspecter is held up because of the Holidays. The electrician moved the service panel THREE times. The drywall guys can't work because the hole in the floor limits their scaffolding (20' ceiling).
But, the electrician has the lighting in! ((I'll add some T8 "side lighting")
It's my responsibility (<$$$) to paint the ceiling, walls and floor. I had arranged time off (thru tommorrow!) to do this.
Well, here we are! Meanwhile, my house looks like a stockroom! I have a carpet extractor sitting in my Dining Room!
Here are photos from today's walkthru.
EDIT: The NEXT POST may is probably a quicker way to view, unless you want em all on the same page...Thanks LeGenDz!
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jimamary/B4-Construction-1-7-03.doc
(Takes awhile, particularly with dialup...)
BTW, thanks for asking.
Jim
madmupster
New member
Well, after a little work, I made it a little more user friendly. 
Hope you don't mind!
Hope you don't mind!
milani
Member
David, which book were you writing this for? Is it going to be part of "The Perfect Shine"???