Get Your Marketing Plan In Place
Returning customers are valuable to a car detailing business, so consider establishing a loyalty rewards program to encourage repeat customers. A referral rewards program can also help build clientele as your existing customers refer your business to their friends. If youre looking for a business that you can start on a part-time basis, a mobile car detailing business offers that flexibility. It makes for an easier entry into business ownership than some traditional retail businesses do.
For volume sales, look to networking with a local car dealership. While the profit per car will be low, the number of vehicles may be worth it.
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Scope Out The Competition
Do extensive research to find out which car wash companies are operating in your area. You will want to know whether they offer on-site or mobile car washes, services offered and the price range. The more you understand your competitors, the better you can shape your brand and services to be superior.
Once Youve Decided Which Way To Go You Can Finally Start Building Your Business Empire Proper
You can indulge in guerrilla-style advertising by taking advantage of your online social networks and telling people to tell their friends about your business. Complement this with traditional printed materials such as fliers, decals, and business cards, and youre good to start your very own business advertising campaign.
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Apply For Business Licenses And Permits
The owner of a detailing business must obtain various licenses and permits before starting the business. These requirements can vary depending on location a local town hall or business administration office can advise you about the permits youll need. Since your business will be dealing with waste weather, your city may require environmental clearances before you begin operation.
Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state
Remember The Water Bill
Especially when it comes to running a detailing business from your home, it is easy to forget the potentially massive water bill that will naturally follow.
Filling buckets and using the hose consistently is much different than taking long showers every day.
Be sure to account for this in your initial business plan and projected expenses.
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Car Wash Business Formation
While many small business owners opt to start a sole proprietorship, it may be more beneficial to form an LLC. This type of business structure limits your liability if a creditor or client decides to sue you. Forming an LLC is less burdensome than forming a S Corp but requires more paperwork than a sole proprietorship.
Learn more about the different types of business structures at the U.S. Small Business Administration
Whats Needed For A Mobile Car Detailing Business
Often, professional detailers set up packages and pricing in advance for the services that they want to offer. Many use a business management app like Mobile Tech RX to keep track of their packages, pricing, estimates, and invoices. You can try the app completely free it will help you set up your customer database , your price list, branded invoices, your bookkeeping , payment processing, marketing, and more.
The most important thing you need to start a mobile detailing business is a vehicle to help you get around to your customers. Most business owners choose a sedan, SUV, or a van because they are large enough to store enough equipment for you to provide your services. You can buy a used vehicle starting at around $5,000.
If you will provide water car washes, you will need to supply the water yourself at the site. A water reclamation system is also needed, because most states dont allow you to dump water. You should have the capacity to use 80 to 100 gallons of water. You can also offer waterless car detailing which doesnt require a water supply tank or reclamation system.
A power supply is also important. You will need enough power to operate a power washer, buffer, vacuum, and/or steamer. Most mobile detailers use portable generators.
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How And When To Build A Team
Car detailing is a one-person job, so you will want to start out on your own. As you start to build a customer base that you cannot service on your own, consider adding a team member. This will not only allow your business to service more customers, it will also allow your to expand your service area. Just make sure each employee is experienced, professional, and personable.
Next Steps
Check out our How to Start a Business page.
Sign up at the Business Center to access useful tools for your business.
Acquire The Essential Business Tools
One of the good things about an auto detailing business is the low startup costs. You dont need to invest thousands of dollars as you start, neither do you have to initially buy expensive equipment.
Some vital equipment to get you started includes:
You also need cleaning agents like car shampoo, wax and polish, window cleaners, and spot remover to name a few. With an investment of about $3,000, youll be good to go with your venture. You can buy more and bigger equipment depending on the amount of money you have, or save this for later.
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How To Start A Car Valeting Business
About us
- Henry Williams
- Bryn Glover Editor
Car owners, or businesses who provide company cars, are understandably keen to see them cared for, which means there’s good money to be made in a well-run valet service.
Cleaning services have also quickly become one of the fastest booming industries post-Covid, thanks to a new emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene.
In fact, the safety equipment and supplies industry is estimated by a IBISWorld 2021 market trend report to grow by 78% between 2021-22.
But car valeting can also be a surprisingly difficult industry to break into thanks to the niche requirements and marketing required to build up a consumer base and reputation.
Read on to learn expert advice on how to launch a car valeting service including likely costs, overheads and profits.
At Startups.co.uk, we’re here to help small UK businesses to get started, grow and succeed. We have practical resources for helping new businesses get off the ground you can use the tool below to get started today.
Use A Business Plan Template Before Getting Started
There are dozens of other small steps needed to get started, but hopefully you have a good idea of what to expect overall when putting together a business plan. It may seem a little trivial, but it is incredibly important to have your goals and objectives outlined so you can hold yourself accountable.
There are a bunch of templates online to model after like this one from Bplans.com. They have a pretty good selection of plans you can copy and tweak depending on your goals. Most contain sections where you highlight the structure of your business, like:
- Executive Summary
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Business Image And Representation
Aside from your work performed, your business name, logo, and people will define your business locally. When you create your name, be creative. Many people recommend letting your name explain the services that you perform. Examples of this include AnyCity Car Detailing or Sunrise Car Detailing.Create a logo. Have this logo on your business cards and your auto detailing employee shirts. Having a uniformed team projects a professional business image and promotes a high-quality service. Associate yourself with high quality local and national organizations. The International Detailing Association is the leading industry organization for detailers and suppliers. The organization promotes the value of professional detailing, plus other services. Consider joining the IDA to learn and add credibility to your new business.â
Meet The Legal Requirements
Establishing a legal structure is vital and legally necessary, and it might require professional help. Dont hesitate to reach out to an attorney, accountant, or tax specialist.
Your new detailing business will likely need assorted licenses, permits, and tax forms. Find just what youll need from the Small Business Administration and Municode Library.
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Final Thoughts On Starting A Mobile Detailing Business
Starting a mobile car detailing business is a great option for those who get gratification seeing the transformation of a vehicle from dirty to polished. It requires a strong attention to detail and a few essential tools and supplies to get started. You can plan to spend anywhere from $250 to $5,000 on initial supplies with the largest costs being a power washer, vacuum, and transportation costs.
Your detailing services can start by offering you part-time work on nights and weekends before transitioning into a full-time position.
Making money by detailing cars is an excellent business opportunity for many.
How To Start A Mobile Auto Detailing Business
When starting a detailing service, there are numerous things you need to plan out like what to include in your detailing packages or how much to charge a customer. But before you get into those, you must finish a few necessary steps. For a summarized version, here are 3 steps below but if you want a more in-depth tutorial, head on over to Chron.
Get a License
The first thing you need to do is to get a mobile detailing business license. There is no set duration for the application process since it varies from place to place. So, if you want to set up shop immediately, the sooner you start your application, the better.
To do this, you must visit the city government where you plan to do your business. Get the necessary requirements you may need to fulfill and pay the application fees. One of these requirements is the name of your business which will be filed in the record. So, make sure you have one ready! Again, the amount you need to pay may vary depending on your location.
Aside from a business license, you may also need additional permits to operate more efficiently and successfully. You must remember to get a sales permit. If youre planning on selling car tools and supplies aside from the actual service, now is the time to ask for additional requirements you might have to submit.
Buy a Service Vehicle
As you become more successful, you might hire more employees and in turn, might need more vehicles.
Stock Up on Supplies
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What Is A Mobile Car Detailing Business
A mobile car detailing business is exactly what it sounds like: it is a detailing service that is mobile, meaning it can come to the vehicle instead of the vehicle having to come to your fixed address.
This option is only growing in popularity as vehicle owners are more than willing to pay a little more for a convenient solution to their detailing needs.
Purchase The Appropriate Levels Of Insurance
Building a successful business takes a lot of work. Its only natural that you should want to take steps to protect that business so that you can be sure that it will last into the future. This is what makes purchasing business insurance so important.
While the types and amounts of business insurance you need will depend on your specific business, there are certain types of insurance that most detailing businesses will need. These include general liability insurance vehicle and property insurance and workers compensation, unemployment and disability insurance.
If youre unsure of which types of business insurance you need, or how much coverage you need in each category, working with a business attorney can be an excellent idea.
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Mobile Car Wash Insurance
Dont forget to get liability insurance and/or business insurance. Having good coverage is a sign of trust so mention it on your website and business card.
The most common insurance for a mobile car wash business is Garage Keepers Liability. This will cover you while you are working on a vehicle and while it is in your possession.
Brainstorm A Business Name
Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name thats short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.
Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:
- Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
- Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
- Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
- Ask around family, friends, colleagues, social media for suggestions
- Including keywords, such as car detailing or auto detailing, boosts SEO
- Name should allow for expansion, for ex: Jims Bakery over Jims Cookies
- Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
- Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit generate and youll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.
Once youve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using .com or .org sharply increases credibility, so its best to focus on these.
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How To Start A Mobile Car Detailing Business
If youre looking to start a business with little upfront cash, a mobile car detailing business could be right for you. You can charge an hourly rate or a flat rate for your services, giving you the ability to grow as your demand increases. Depending on your geographical location, starting a car detailing business can bring year-round income while offering the flexibility many are envious of.
Because car detailing is a relatively simple process, it can be a great option for those willing to put in the time and effort to master.
Keep reading to learn what you need to start your car detailing business, how to detail a car, tips to grow a successful car detailing business, and how much money you can make starting an auto detailing business. Let’s get started!
Invest In The Essentials
Another important early step is investing in the essential pieces of equipment. Vacco says if you already have a truck or van and plan on starting as a mobile business, you can invest anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 for equipment such as a pressure washer, hot water extractor, buffer, towels, buckets, sponges, and other various necessities. Of course, it is possible to spend more if you want to start out as a larger operation, but generally its not an especially expensive industry to break into.
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Invest In The Right Equipment
Now that you have a plan in mind, decide what equipment you will need to invest in at a minimum to become operational. It really depends on what business model you choose, but below are a couple of essentials for each type to keep in mind.
If youre a beginner, get your copy of my free eBook 25 Essential Detailing Products for Beginners for a few affordable products to consider picking up.
Start Your Mobile Car Detailing Business With No
When wondering how to start a mobile detailing business, No-H2O could be the perfect answer!
No-H2O has revolutionized the auto detailing industry by offering waterless cleaning and dealing solutions AND providing incredible on-demand franchise opportunities.
With No-H2Os quality products and innovative on-demand app, you will have everything you need to step into your mobile detailing business and give customers the convenience, service, and environmental accountability they desire!
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Step : Get Business Insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your companyâs financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If youâre unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so itâs a great place to start for your business.
Learn more about General Liability Insurance.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workersâ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, itâs a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Recommended: Learn what business insurance for your Car Detailing Business will cost.
Get The Necessary Detailing Item
Of course, you will not be able to start an automotive detailing business without the necessary detailing tools and materials.
The list of necessary items can vary depending on the extent of your services, but generally speaking, the most basic tools and equipment you will need to start detailing are as follows.
Keep in mind that you can buy specific kits for a detailing startup that have your basic needs covered.
Here are some examples of what you will need:
- Several Buckets
- Drying Towels or Other Paint-Safe Drying Cloths
- Interior Cleaners
- A Tool Belt
- A Steam Cleaner
A detailed breakdown of these tools and their purpose for automotive detailing can be found on The Vehicle Labs car detailing guide.
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