To do it in a Garage Tips

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imported_Yakuzax

New member
First I would like to say that I'm so happy that i found this forum. Very active and tons of info to learn from!

The reason I posted this tread is that I want to start a small detailing business in my garage (It's really my dads garage) to start saving money for collage. I'm a 17 yr old high schooler that is very obess in detailing cars. It feels time flys when I'm detailing cars.

I ordered a set of Zaino products the other day and ordered new better towels at autopia store. I plan to get a Porter Cable 7424 Polisher when i have enough money.



:nixweiss What will I need to start a small detailing business in my garage? (products etc.)

:nixweiss Any tips or advices? (flyers etc.)

:nixweiss How much should I charge? (I can't charge my services like the pros)

:nixweiss What services should I make available?( I understand how to detail the outside. (paint, windows, wheels, etc.) Vacuuming etc.

:nixweiss Anything else would be nice.



I would like to thank anyone who read my post and helping me out! :wavey
 
First, welcome. You'll find a lot of information on these board.

- Lots of microfibers and a selection of applicator pads. A shop vac. Bucket & other 'normal' supplies. Get some products that you're comfortable with that will give your desired results in the least amount of time. Remember that time is money.

- Advertise clearly for what you can do. If you don't have the resources (i.e. PC or Rotary) to do paint correction, don't imply you can. A small flyer might be good to pass out around your neighborhood. Also, make it clear your hours (weekends & evenings).

- You don't have to charge "like a pro", but charge appropriately. Call (or visit) some local detailers. They'll probably charge $100-$150 for just a basic detail. Depending on where you're at, you could probably get by with $50 or more for a basic detail.

Finally, keep a (digital) photo record (portfolio) of your work. Before & Afters. I suggest also keeping little notes ("numerous scratches on roof" "spiderwebbing") so you can easily show others your work. Also, keep a discreet log of what you charged each person, the work you had to do, and they type of car. That way you should be able to keep your prices fairly consistent.



Good luck!!!!
 
Hey man, I'm sort of in your same boat. I detail out of our garage on weekends and during the summer. I've basically bought a shop vac, PC, lots of products online, microfibers, and buffing pads. To save money, I've recently started purchasing professional products like Auto Magic in gallon quantities. I don't charge as much as the pros here who are mobile, probably 3/4 of what they ask for. I went around to all the local washes and picked up a flyer to research services offered and prices I'll have to beat to get any business.



You could try going to a local golf club/country club and asking a manager about possibly detailing members' cars while they're golfing. The club will ask for a fee of some sort, but at least they'll market you and your client base is consistent. I would be doing that now but my local club already has a detailer.



But if you want to stick to the garage, stock up on products, gain experience, and advertise yourself. I would suggest not putting prices on your flyers as they could be a turnoff to lots of people. You'll get calls from serious customers and then you can give them a price sheet if they are interested. As far as prices go, get some flyers from local detailers and beat their prices by 10-20 percent.



Jngrbrdman has an awesome site with lots of helpful info (www.ocdetails.com). Click on OCD University and start exploring.



Good luck and welcome to Autopia!
 
Porkanbeans said:
Hey man, I'm sort of in your same boat. I detail out of our garage on weekends and during the summer. I don't charge as much as the pros here who are mobile, probably 3/4 of what they ask for. I went around to all the local washes and picked up a flyer to research services offered and prices I'll have to beat to get any business.



As far as prices go, get some flyers from local detailers and beat their prices by 10-20 percent.
Click to expand...



That kind of advice is why most detailers are either out of business in six months or never make any money. If the most important thing in business was "beating other people's prices" then there would be no one doing business except Walmart. People who purchase detailing services are looking for the best job at a REASONABLE price. People that want a cheap price go to the car wash or do it themselves. If you work for nothing you are doing so because you are choosing to - not because your customers want you too (if they do then you need to find new customers).
 
Shine Shop,

You are without a doubt correct, but I was referring to sort of an "introductory price" if you will. An attractive price, not too cheap, to generate interest about a new "for pay" detailer like Yakuzax and myself, and eventually raise the prices to a suitable profitable level once word of mouth spreads. I honestly don't know if this is the best idea, but it's a thought I had. I'm not a professional, and I don't have experience with pricing out services. Obviously the purpose of guys like us is to provide the best products, best techniques, and best customer service, and customers who understand that are willing to pay accordingly. I apologize for not including these points in my original post.



P.S.

Do you think the idea of starting with lower prices and increasing them over time is a good idea? I'm trying to set my prices on services and I don't really know what ballpark to shoot for.



Thanks for your clarification. :)
 
Food for thought:



A wise man once told me that when you attempt to lure customers in with low prices you only "rent" your customers. As soon as someone else comes along with a lower price they are gone. When you gain a customer through excellent customer service, quality work and fair prices then you "own" your customers and they will come back again and again.
 
Yakuzak, it seems to me that you want to make detailing cars a part-time job. As any job, you want to work to make money. To make money in detailing cars, you must be able to charge customers high enough so that you are able to pay for the cost of the actual products to do the job. If you are good, charging a little extra than the competition will not be a bad idea. Most importantly, establishing repeat customers is key to long-term growth, as is the case in almost all businesses.
 
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