Grassroots Detailing, or, The Forums Have Enabled Me

So in three weeks, I'm moving to BC. This means that I have to find a way to come up with some scratch to buy myself something to wrench on. I've had the idea to go and start a mobile detailing business, where I come to clients, use Eco-friendly waterless detailing methods, and undercut all the other guys in town on pricing. If I invest around $350 in products, I should be able to create a sustainable business that allows me to do what I love, and get paid for it. Hypothetically speaking, if you were in my city, and I provided exterior detailing starting at $50 a car, would you guys use my service?

I wouldn't because I wash my own car. Hate to be a debbie downer but there is a lot of competition out there in the detailing business and this sounds like a good way to turn something you love into something you hate.

Where do you live?

First lesson. Don't be the cheapest, be the best.
The cheapest guy will attract the customers who "would rather not pay."
The best will attract the customers willing to pay more.

Made up, sample numbers for illustrative purpose:
If you are cheap you might have to do two cars a day at $50 each. On a good day, you might have time for 3 cars which would make you a max of $150 for the day.

If you are the best, you can do one car per day at $100 each. On a good day, you might have time for only two cars but you will make $200 for the day.

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Be the best, not the cheapest. Thanks for the tip!

What are mobile detailers getting per car in the area you're moving to? A quick internet search should turn up a few, call them and ask, not as a competitor, but as a potential client. How much? What all is done? See what you can learn about your market first.

I've considered doing this as a sideline, as I do enjoy detailing, but I decided the work/income ratio was not good enough. But you're a young fella, so it might be for you. Auto Fetish detail has a bunch of "how to" stuff involving running a detailing business on their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/autofetishdetail

I wonder if you could find work with an existing shop or mobile detailer and learn the business a bit before laying out your own cash. Would probably teach a lot about the area, pricing, vendors et cetera.

mazdeuce wrote: What are mobile detailers getting per car in the area you're moving to? A quick internet search should turn up a few, call them and ask, not as a competitor, but as a potential client. How much? What all is done? See what you can learn about your market first.

The average appears to be $150 a car for leather cleaning, exterior wash and wax, wheel and tire cleaning, interior shampoo, and a dash protectant.

I have done a lot of research seeing as I'm competing, I for example live in Austin, I charge $150 for cars and $180 for trucks for interior and exterior that includes a wax and a light interior cleaning. I have tiers of services offered for folks who just want their headlights cleaned to full on paint correction. I've made business cards on vistaprint and I primarily use social media as well as craigslist, though I know someone mentioned fliers, that's the next step for me. I take a lot of before and after pictures so I have a portfolio to show to people as well as adding it on the facetwitterinstabook. I think using chemical guys or other high end products helps in the fact that when you show up they know they're getting a better product then just going to joes carwash and having their spray on wax and armor-all interior bomb special. I would research companies and as Mazdaeuce said try calling a few places and see what they're offering for the price.