Detailing as a Career?

hey guys,

Just had a really random thought today sitting through my Planning class at school. I was just wondering, I would much rather do something that I enjoy doing every day and not make as much than do something that I would have to get used to. I like hands on, as well as business. I was thinking, just a thought about working as a detailer and as well as possibly a real estate agent? I would love to that and like what I do than for say sitting in front of a computer all day. Some like that, but that's just not me. I was just wondering for you professional detailers out there, how well does it pay including the cost of materials, how much do you think you'd bring in, in a year? Also, factoring in gas if you're mobile. Lastly, how old were you when you started and how did you get started? Was it tough?

Brendan

 

Subscribed since I want to go the same route in a way. Going to be a chemist for all you folks at one of the big companies (Meguiars and Chem Guys are localish to me) and I still want to work on paint

 

Also subscribed...

This could be a very interesting thread

 

If you get some rich clients via detailing, you have your foot in the door in case they are moving or buying.

 

I'm currently a Computer Engineering undergrad but have had my real estate license for over 3 years. I own and still run a PC repair business and just started an auto detailing business this past summer.

I should be graduating at the end of next year so who knows where I might end up. I do enjoy having many trades as there are many avenues I can receive income from.

 

I started detailing when I was 26. I was working in construction and got tired of chasing people for money. Spent $900 on supplies and (not so good) equipment and off I went. My first year I grossed about $18k, last year I grossed about $120k. You have to be realistic about how much you can make...do you want to work alone or have a shop with employees? I had seven employees at one point and hated every minute of it. All I did was look for work for them and I didn't get to do any work myself. Some people like that situation. There are alot of things that affect bottom line. Some guys like to pay cash for their equipment and buy the best that they can afford and not have payments. I personally like having the best equipment available so I will lease new equipment every 4-5 years. It pays for itself in the long run. I've never missed a day due to equipment being down and I keep all my cash in the bank. Material costs should not exceed 5-10% of your gross sales if you are using good quality readily available products such as the products available from DB supporters like DD and Eshine. If you want to use LSPs such as Crystal Rock, Vintage etc than your product cost is going to go up. You also have to decide if you are going to supply weekly carwashes and lower cost wash and waxes(how I started) or just high end detailing services(where I am now). The carwash/wax scenario will allow you to build a large client list quickly and allow you to stay busier sooner. The most important thing to remember is this...THE SLOWER YOU WORK, THE MORE MONEY YOU WILL MAKE. Its that simple. Slow down. Do it right. Do not sacrifice your standards for anyone. Sooner than you think you will have a reputation for doing great work and will be able to charge at the higher end of the scale. If you are serious about pursuing this as a career,( I enjoy it very much,) i would be happy to sit down with you.

 

wow 911. i'm hoping i'll still see you here next yr.. i have a big plan to start business next year.. i would really love to hear your advise on how to start.

 

I'll still be here. I've got plans, big plans!:awesome:

 

Great job 911

Doing detailing on the side, with no advertising I do about 2-3 details a week. Making anywhere from 150-400 a detail that's just a little extra cash in my pocket. If you do 2 details a day say at $150 monday-friday...Thats $72,000 a year. Now thats the min. think if you did 2 more on sat, thats $86,400 a year. Now once you get your client base and start getting well known. And people praise your name and say you are amazing and you raise your prices instead of 150 a detail to $220 a detail...thats 126,720 a year. Now of course this is not all profit. You have to pay your insurance, products, and advertisement, ect. this is still a profitable business. Also if your wife works that's just more $$$ and maybe she has a job with benefits. There is alot to figure in and business can fluctuate every year. Thats my 2 cents

 

that is great.. i hope to get started next year.

 

Anytime you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Good stuff Nuba-Gurus

 

911 thanks for posting as I am in my first year of my detailing business currently. My first season didn't go so swell as I was only able to do 3 full correction details. I have another job and go to school so I just can't find the time. Next season I am going to to try harder to cut down working for someone 50 hrs a week and concentrate on establishing myself more as a professional detailer. I also own a snow removal company with now this year almost 30 accounts so if I have a good winter it will put me in a good finical position to start the spring season where I don't have to worry as much in the beginning. I wish everyone out there trying to start their own business the best of luck and the established guys luck to continue to expand.

 

Great thread indeed ! Go to school,and remember where you came from. 90 percent of us do this as a lifestyle. your young do this as a hobby, and post with love.

 

I started a little differently, I have been detailing for fun for about ten years. A couple years ago I hooked up with a high end detailer and help sell his product line. This got me a little influence in the industry and if the product was good, my services must be good too. Then I started my own official business on the side, a mobile unit. I spent most of the past two years researching, aqainting myself to suppliers, getting a logo, brochure and few of the other backshop type things done. My goal is next year to promote a little, my budget for this year was 0 and I still managed enough clients. Word of mouth and a little marketing mext year and I plan on being busy enough. I think I've spent over 5000 dollars, mostly due to the bug that is detailing and not real start up costs.:graduation:

 

wow never thought this thread would get so big. I was just interested and it was a thought. Detailing so far isn't my number one choice (no offence) I'd like to be an architect as well, but I'm smart enough to know that there is a slim chance since I'm not that book smart. I'm more of a people person, and thats why I thought of doing real estate and detailing. That way its the best of both worlds, hands on and business as well. Thanks for the really helpful reply Ken, I and many other people have benefited from this. I hope we can meet up soon once you've got your hands free.

 

This is a fantastic thread :thumb:

I can imagine that there are lots of "Weekend Warrior" amateur detailers out there who absolutely love shining cars and wonder if it's possible to do it professionally.

I can also imagine that most of these guys have no idea what it is like to start and run their own business.

Keep the stories coming gents.. There's a whole lotta' wisdom in this forum :afro:

 

I'm also new to this business. I've started like two months ago but i only had a chance to do two details with paint correction. I don't know how to find customers. I have my own logo and business cards. I also do all my work in my garage. Do i have to register my business and is it possible if i want to do this in my garage. Please guys pm me with all your advices and ideas. I really want to do this for living. I work 55hrs a week and i have school. Right now i'm saving to buy a pickup or cargo van for mobile services. 911 maybe you have some advice for me

 

I really think population and income per household relative to your location have a big role in the equation.

and Scott's MD adding to that 72,000/yr.
that would be 530 different clients if it was a new customer everytime, but lets say 1/3 of the clientele are repeats per/year, that would still be 350 different clients. Also, how much does each client cost per advertising dollar. Lets say $5 per person thats $1750 just to get those customers. Word of mouth is the cheapest but may take longer.

I would also find it almost impossible for a mobile detailer to do 2 a day everyday. Even if each detail takes 4 hrs that doesnt include lunch, driving, setting up etc for 2 details per day. So your talking 10-12 hrs everyday. thats one thing if its out of your home and the customers are bringing their cars to you.

A different way to look at it would be 30 clients you get 2x a year and 40 random ones. thats 100 all together and all the details average $300 thats 30k a year. Not that great but thats also only 100 out of 265 working days a year. all the rest of the time you can work on building the business, whether it be a web site, new advertising etc. this $300 average may also be nothing compared to 911's average so it really varies depending on skill and area.

I am also basing my numbers on what I feel like my market is capable of, so if your market area is more populated with higher income bracket then the clients are more readily available.

REMEMBER, this is just my 2cents

 

Detailing for a living is not for everyone though. I will point out a few major cons which resulted in myself reducing my detailing by 95%

-It does beat you up. Sore backs, arms, neck...

- Compared to other trades it does not pay so great. Sometimes your area in which you live greatly limits your income. I can tell you there are no high end clients in my area! I have not seen an exotic car in 9 months! In my area people are real whiny forking over $250 for a 12 hour detail.

- There are guys out there offering a high speed buff for $100! Yes they do shotty work but the average consumer looks past it, again if you are in an area where there is not a lot of wealth you are at the short end of a stick against these hackers.

I still do a small amount of details on a referral basis and it keeps my skills sharp and keep my product knowledge current but I simply can not handle more than one detail a week.