Mobile Detailing????

[carbon_crash]

So I am seriously thinking about leaving my sh!tty paying job and starting a mobile detailing business. Detailing cars, trucks, vans, boats, etc. I worked for a dealership for a few years before detailing there, so I have decent experience. I would be partners with one of my longtime friends and split the business costs evenly. We are getting a trailer, chemicals, pressure washer, water tank, burner(for hot water), vac, polisher, buffer, etc. soon. Got a good business plan worked up, just wondered if anyone had experience in this field of work and could tell me what they think.

[SouthrnStyle]

i think its a great idea good luck an once your ready ill help put your name out there

[JDM onlyy]

My dad thought bout it and told me I should do it but I didn't have the money to invest into it so it didn't really work out. But yeah it should work out if you have the will.

[carbon_crash]

Im thinkin it will work out pretty well. I talked to a good bit of mobile detailers ranging in age from 25-37 and most of them had only been in the business for 5-6 years, and they were already retiring. But I dont want to retire at a young age or anything, just want to make some money and be successful at something I enjoy.

[X-Runner]

You can make good money doing it. Im trying to decied now weather I should buy an older van cheap or an enclosed trailer.

[LiL PaKi]

when u get it up and running can u come to my job parking lot in Norcross on like Friday's or Thursdays and detail our cars?

[carbon_crash]

when u get it up and running can u come to my job parking lot in Norcross on like Friday's or Thursdays and detail our cars?

Yes I can, how many cars you think would want the service? I would hook you up for helping me out with others:D

[LiL PaKi]

Yes I can, how many cars you think would want the service? I would hook you up for helping me out with others:D

umm maybe like 6 ppl or even more.. we used to have someone at the old office but now that we have moved i'm not sure.

[JennB]

Yeah, get lined up with a few office buildings to offer the service on a certain day of the week. We have that at my office and it's always packed. Come up with a little presentation pack with services and prices and talk to management at large buildings. See if they will let you set up in a certain place on the same day each week. People get in the habit and will show up every week if the rates and service is good.

[carbon_crash]

lilpaki,sounds good to me, I will talk more with you about it when things get a little more set in stone

[Stormhammer]

It's a good idea, but it takes a lot. Boosted77 on here is doing it. You need to get your vehicle certified and make sure you have a water recycling system etc etc. The market is starting to get saturated too unfortunately :(

Not dampening your sunshine, but look into it a lot more before anything.

[carbon_crash]

It's a good idea, but it takes a lot. Boosted77 on here is doing it. You need to get your vehicle certified and make sure you have a water recycling system etc etc. The market is starting to get saturated too unfortunately :(

Not dampening your sunshine, but look into it a lot more before anything.

water recycling? Certified vehicle? Kinda wonder how you are suppose to recycle water when you are washing out doors in parking lots? Umm, I will do a little researching, but the people I have spoke with have done neither certified or water recycling and they have got by just fine.

[AirMax95]

He is referring to a Water Reclamation system. You can get heavily fined in certain jusridicitons w/o one. It basically collects all the water you use into a second tank. Which should be sent to the water treatment plant, or the sewer if you feel.

I had aspirations of doing mobile detailing, but the water restrictions and the saturated market turned me off for now.

[carbon_crash]

I know some detailers that wash a whole car lot for dealership(just pressure washing) and they dont put their used water into a secondary tank. Maybe cause it drains to the sewer? But as far as the market being saturated, I got certain plans in mind to stand away and just take care of business. And as far as water restriction, we found a way to get unlimited water for a certain city for a small price.

[AirMax95]

I know some detailers that wash a whole car lot for dealership(just pressure washing) and they dont put their used water into a secondary tank. Maybe cause it drains to the sewer? But as far as the market being saturated, I got certain plans in mind to stand away and just take care of business. And as far as water restriction, we found a way to get unlimited water for a certain city for a small price.

Good job! My plans recently were to wash cars (WASH ONLY) in my apartment complex. I need to find out if the water is still off. Charging $30 per car in the complex was going to be my $$$ plan, lol.

Many guys dont use the secondary tanks, but I have read on other forums where the seasoned/established/professional detailers were reporting the bad practices.

Read up and do well! :goodjob: