Starting Up A Part Time Detailing Company?

[willbaroo]

I have noticed a gap in the market down SW way and just wondered if any body had tried it?

How did it go?

Is it worth it for a few extra bob?

Comments would be welcome!

[BigAl_Devon]

Load of people keep asking me to detail their cars (Admittedly I'm in Devon though) but I just don't have time. If you see a gap and you have the skills then go for it :thumb:

[wayner]

i`ve started my own here is somerset i only have one spare day a week to detail and i havent had a spare day since april i`ve been so busy hoping to get a van soon to be mobile!

wayner

[Ultimate]

i`ve started my own here is somerset i only have one spare day a week to detail and i havent had a spare day since april i`ve been so busy hoping to get a van soon to be mobile!

wayner

how do your customers view the whole working from home thing? do you think it affects the price you can ask?

[Wonderdetail]

If you want to do it properly, insured, proper PTG etc, then it's a big outlay, and you'll struggle only doing it one day unless you've got a pretty easy 9-5 job. If you just want to be a 'weekend warrior' as they say, then it's not so hard. No insurance, no proper equipment, not much experience etc drops the price right down though.

[Malcy]

If you want to do it properly, insured, proper PTG etc, then it's a big outlay

So what sort of insurance policy do you need, who do you go to for it and how do they assess the risk if you don't have any formal training or qualifications?

[In The Detail]

i`ve started my own here is somerset i only have one spare day a week to detail and i havent had a spare day since april i`ve been so busy hoping to get a van soon to be mobile!

wayner

that'll be roughly 24 days work then.... turning many away? are you charging enough to cover the van and everything else that you'll need plus make up the difference in pay from the FT job?

if so, go for it :thumb:

[The Detail Doctor]

I have noticed a gap in the market down SW way and just wondered if any body had tried it?

!

I cover the South West, good luck.

All I can say is that it's not cheap to set up, by the time you have a couple of polishing machines, PW, insurance, PTG etc, it surprised me how it mounted up.

[Clark]

So what sort of insurance policy do you need, who do you go to for it and how do they assess the risk if you don't have any formal training or qualifications?

PM the likes of AndyC for info. Andy looks after the Insurance for Polished Bliss.

Ours is the best part of £5k a year i think...

[Silva1]

PM the likes of AndyC for info. Andy looks after the Insurance for Polished Bliss.

Ours is the best part of £5k a year i think...

Ouchhh

[beardboy]

I wouldn't have said there's a gap in this area either TBH.

There are a fair few around this area, and in this current economical crisis, i wouldn't want to be starting out :lol:

[Clark]

Ouchhh

That covers us for EVERYTHING though, including driving any car worth up to £150k. Anything more expensive then we just phone up to get a cover note :)

[Wonderdetail]

PM the likes of AndyC for info. Andy looks after the Insurance for Polished Bliss.

Ours is the best part of £5k a year i think...

Mine is more than that, but I'm only 26, so pricey! I can drive any car I want with no top value though. You can get cheaper policies but they exclude damage caused to people's cars so are pretty pointless. Bare in mind a new wing mirror for a lambo is £650, you start to see why a proper policy is a MUST.

[Clark]

Mine is more than that, but I'm only 26, so pricey! I can drive any car I want with no top value though. You can get cheaper policies but they exclude damage caused to people's cars so are pretty pointless. Bare in mind a new wing mirror for a lambo is £650, you start to see why a proper policy is a MUST.

I'm only 24 :p

[Wonderdetail]

So what sort of insurance policy do you need, who do you go to for it and how do they assess the risk if you don't have any formal training or qualifications?

If you don't have any training or proper experience, the top and tail of the matter is that you need to start out as a valeter. I don't know of anyone who is a good detailer that didn't start at the bottom.

[Silva1]

If you don't have any training or proper experience, the top and tail of the matter is that you need to start out as a valeter. I don't know of anyone who is a good detailer that didn't start at the bottom.

Hello :wave:

[Wonderdetail]

I'm only 24 :p

I'm 5 really.

[karl_liverpool]

i work mobile so have no need to drive customers cars. my insurance covers any damage to a car upto 100k, tools van and personal injury, had 0 no claims but they gave me an introductory 2 years (bonus)
total cost 1600 p/a

[caledonia]

Hello :wave:

Get the pics up then so we can all see your work. Big Boy. Actions speak larger than works lol.

Glad your wax arrived. any pic posted of it.

[wayner]

how do your customers view the whole working from home thing? do you think it affects the price you can ask?

oh yes !!!

i dont ask nowhere near what the pro detailer offers but most importantly my customers are happy with my work and my prices :thumb:

only overheads i currently have are my products its just started from an extension of my hobby!

also there arn't many supercars round this way so its rare i do anything more than the norm!

any donations i get from doing cars is just ploughed back for more products and equipment i have most things i need now

as for the van i need a motor as we only have one car in the family and the wife and kids have that everyday so if i was to get a van not only would be used as my daily drive but i could also load it up and do my detailing

wayner

[Shiny]

If you are using your personal car for detailing at the weekend, make sure you have additional business covered for this activity or you could find yourself right in the cart.

I take it that the weekenders also realise they will still need to get themselves registered as self employed etc.

Basic Public Liability Insurance is as cheap as chips and will at least give you some protection against injury or damage to the Public. Damage to Items worked upon should also be considered, but obviously this is more costly.

[IdealShine]

Ive just started (well a few months in now) in swindon wiltshire :)

Ive spent out so far around 3 grand on getting set up... With plenty more to come :(

[beardboy]

3K, is that it? - you got off lightly :lol:

[IdealShine]

That was already with a means of transport and free insurance which is up for renewal within the next 6 weeks...

[Wonderdetail]

If you are using your personal car for detailing at the weekend, make sure you have additional business covered for this activity or you could find yourself right in the cart.

I take it that the weekenders also realise they will still need to get themselves registered as self employed etc.

Basic Public Liability Insurance is as cheap as chips and will at least give you some protection against injury or damage to the Public. Damage to Items worked upon should also be considered, but obviously this is more costly.

Indeed! I know a lad who was delivering indians two night a week, got pulled by the old bill and ended up with 6 points. Sad thing was, he'd not long passed his test, so had his license revoked and had to go take his test again!