INFO: Starting out. How much can I make?

[Tex Star Detail]

So you want to get in the Detail profession.........

What do you have to do? Well, if you are going to do this for a career, and not just looking at money, get insurance, do your homework, advertise, have something to fall back on during the days/weeks where nothing is coming in.
Get professional training. Know what the hell you are doing. Learn to use a buffer. (Not the Wal-Mart junk) Business cards to hand out are nice. Know what you are talking about when a client asks you a question about detailing.
Have fun at what you are doing.

What to charge or what amount can I make at detailing?
No one can answer your question. Probably not even yourself. Detailing is a a tricky business to get into, as stated time and time again. You have to work hard at it to get it started and even harder to keep it going. After the first 5 years, you should have your system down.

Ask yourself this: "How much do I NEED to make to make ends meet, pay bills, cover insurance, buy supplies when they are low, have money set aside for when something goes wrong (buffer or shampooer break) Figure that out and add another $500. That is what you NEED to make.

The harder you work, the better you get, the more referrals you get, will all affect your bottom line. It's UP TO YOU and how much you can make, or not make for that matter.
If you have the drive to work hard every day for 6-7 days a week for the first year, whether working, advertising, mailers, and so on, will eventually pay off. I'm going on over 4 years and growing every year. I have a system down and know what I need to make to get by and live comfortable. My prices reflect what I need to make and do not reflect what Steves Scratch and Swirl Car Wash Center down the road charges. I could care less what they charge and how much cheaper they are. You can charge anything you want (to a reasonable amount) as long as you are good and KNOW HOW TO SELL YOUR SERVICES. Something that I think I have done well, and still working on....... I charge probably 1/3-1/2 MORE than other shops here charge, and I have a line 2 weeks out.
Some places are concerned about how many they can do in a day. If you get that mind set, then good for you. But I prefer the QUALITY over QUANTITY attitude. If I do 1 or 2 cars a day to my standards, I'm fine with that. When I see the local tunnel wash/detail(swirl)center with lines out to the street, I know they are making money.... BUT.... My clients are educated about my services. They return time and time again. Hence, learn how to sell yourself and business without sounding like a salesman/woman.

Don't fall for all the hype about products, you'll go broke, faster than you can imagine. Buy what you need to start off and then buy other products/equipment as you need it. (I still have products from 4 years ago that I thought I needed but never even opened) Read the forums and gain knowledge from people that have been doing this for a long time or for a living. They know how to survive downfalls and bounce back.

Retail versus Wholesale:
You'll probably be confronted with this after a while. With Retail, you can charge more than Wholesale. With wholesale, you'll most likely get more vehicles, but again, at a cheaper price. One example of Wholesale is a dealership. From my experience: I was contracted by a car dealership (newer used cars[05 and up]) to clean their cars bought from either auction or traded in. I said clean, not detail, as what I was doing was far from what I consider a detail. They gave me anywhere from 70-100 cars a month, at about 1/3-1/2 less than what I would normally charge a retail client. Why? Because I had volume, and that is what they were willing to pay. Normally, not always, with wholesale, you can cut corners to keep costs down and cut time. It's nothing you want to do for retail by any means. Wholesale is a dog eat dog business. If you get undercut by XXXX Detail, they will drop you, unless you are good at what you do, do timely work, and BE ON TIME.
Retail to me is more rewarding mentally. Wholesale is more rewarding to the bank account. Adjusting to the 2 sounds easy, but you will get in a groove to do one or the other and have to step back for a moment when you do the other.

I'll have more info when I let my brain rest.

(Sticky??????)

[JaredPointer]

I vote for sticky. My vote might not count.

You know - even if it is a sticky, folks are gonna come on here and ask the same questions anyway.

[DLR Detailing]

Good info there TexasTB! sticky - sticky - sticky
This thread should be a big help to those thinking about the profession.



I'll bet you guys thought I only posted when firearms were being discussed.

[tuscarora dave]

very nice write, good job TexasTB, STICKY

[Ronkh]

[Beemerboy]

[cwcad]

It was a very well thought out(as in lived) post.

It would seem that the saying, "you have come a long way, baby!" is very apropos!!

[Dtrick.22]

Nicely done. I would like to emphasize the part about not buying unnessesary supplies. If I could return all my useless products I could buy another buffer. Once you find products you are satisfied with stick with them.... This has
my vote for a Sticky

[Tex Star Detail]

Headed to San Antonio for the weekend. When I get back I should have more to add.

[Bullitt]

I like the part about how you charge more and still have many clients. I'm the same way. I started out with, not low, but not high prices and I was doing O.K. When I raised my prices, the phone calls and emails changed; it was a completely different crowd, and that crowd now has compiled a waiting list that as of today is extending into late March.

Also the part about Hyped up products. This sucked me in at first, but the mistakes I've made have only helped me if that makes sense.

Yea, I vote for a sticky, everyone should just keep compiling up what they've learned what to do and what not to do in the business.

[Tex Star Detail]

Thanks for the contribution to the thread. If you have more info, feel free to add it. And yes, if others in the business have any input, feel free to add it as well.
One thing I would like is this thread to get out of hand. It should be used as a tool for someone looking at getting in the business. Something for them to read and see what it took/takes to try to make ends meet, the struggles of starting out, the mistakes made and learned from, and to just gain a little more knowledge than I/We had when we started out.

As far as the the monetary aspect, I would like to add a few things.
Bullitt gave my brain the spark to write a little more.

Don't think that when you start up, you can charge a small fortune. If you are new to detailing, you need to learn. Your first clients, or first year for that matter will be your training. That may have came out the wrong way, but it was meant to say that you will learn with those vehicles. While working on the vehicles, you will get a pattern down and figure out what works best for you, what techniques you feel comfortable with, and eventually, know an estimate on what it will take to finish a vehicle.

Don't fool yourself, it will take time, start out slow and build from there. I would recommend taking some classes or get professional training. It is not necessary, but can only help. I never got any training. I did work for a few dealerships while younger, so I guess I got to know the "ropes" on how to "clean" a car. I got comfortable working on vehicles, on how to use a buffer, and product combos. I went to the body shops and wrecking yards to pick up damaged hoods and fenders to practice on. Usually they will give them to you for free or for a small amount of money. Try to get black or a dark blue or maroon. With these colors, you will be able to see what the polishes are doing to the paint, or not doing for that matter.

I started out charging about $100 for a "full detail" That included washing, claying, 1 step polishing, waxing, engine detail, interior detail to include "shampooing". I started out small, didn't even have a carpet extractor. I used a crude method of oxyclean, water, and a shop vac. It isn't professional, but it worked until I could save for a carpet extractor. I never finance anything, I always pay cash. When I need something, I work harder and save. 4 years down the road I charge double that and more on certain vehicles. The reason for that is, I learned more. I used better products. My time was worth more than when I started out. The term "You get what you pay for" comes to mind right now for some reason. An ASE Certified tech gets paid more than the average Joe the Mechanic on the corner. Get it???

The more you know, the better you get, the more confident you become, your time becomes more valuable. You will be able to pick and chose what you want to work on, for the most part. When you start, it's better to take anything you can get, granted it is not something you KNOW YOU CANNOT HANDLE, without the proper tools and equipment...And knowledge!
As I said, it will take time, so be patient, don't rush it. You will have your ups and your downs. I was at a point in my first year where I was on the fence on whether this was for me or not. As of now, I look forward to getting up every morning and working. It has became more of a passion. A hobby if you will. When I detail cars, it's like what meditating does to others.

I'll add more when it comes to me.....

[BlackBetty]

Great Post. I'll be applying your advice while starting my own company. Thanks for Sharing!

[tuscarora dave]

Indeed a great thread, it makes me think with a lot of gratitude.I am in my second year doing this for $$$ and am getting my name out there. Being mobile the rain is killing me. (just one of the downs to be considered) I continually think of ways to grow my business and pay particular attention to playing the roll of a professional in all my affairs. (the person you step on today might be a perspective client a year down the road.)

I currently have clients that have complete trust not just in my detailing abilities but in me as a person as well. I have the house key of a client on my key ring as I type this reply. He is in the Carribean and offered his home to me as I detail 3 vehicles for him while they are on vacation. The professionalism pays off. This is the kind of word of mouth that travels. I have a lot to learn on the business end of things but am well on my way as the detailing skills are concerned. Lots of hard work and sacrifice. Thanks for this thread and others like it. TD

[C. Charles Hahn]

Originally Posted by tuscarora dave

I have a lot to learn on the business end of things

That is the absolute #1 thing that kills a vast majority of the people who enter this profession, too. Lots of guys know how to detail well, but lack the business skills or sense to keep themselves profitable and earning repeat customers.

If you're able to learn as you go and adapt, you're ahead of a lot of guys.

[njcarting1]

Originally Posted by tuscarora dave

Indeed a great thread, it makes me think with a lot of gratitude.I am in my second year doing this for $$$ and am getting my name out there. Being mobile the rain is killing me. (just one of the downs to be considered) I continually think of ways to grow my business and pay particular attention to playing the roll of a professional in all my affairs. (the person you step on today might be a perspective client a year down the road.)

I currently have clients that have complete trust not just in my detailing abilities but in me as a person as well. I have the house key of a client on my key ring as I type this reply. He is in the Carribean and offered his home to me as I detail 3 vehicles for him while they are on vacation. The professionalism pays off. This is the kind of word of mouth that travels. I have a lot to learn on the business end of things but am well on my way as the detailing skills are concerned. Lots of hard work and sacrifice. Thanks for this thread and others like it. TD

SO BACK TO THE $$$$$$$$$ YA GOT ANY ?? or should I just go down to 6Th street and mope around... "WHERE'S MY MONEY" who said that?? Do ya have any spare change for a friend...:notm e:

Dave you are doing well keep up the good work...