Starting a Home-Based Auto Detailing Business

There are millions of automobiles on the road in the USA, along with boats, trailers, RVs, and other vehicles. Most people appreciate a clean and detailed vehicle. However, many people lack the time, interest, or facilities to detail their own vehicle regularly.

The auto detailing business provides auto cleaning and detailing services to private vehicle owners and to businesses. The auto detailing business can be started on a shoestring budget and operated as a home-based business. Very little overhead is required to start an auto detailing business.

The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles occupational projections data on many occupations. The agency does not maintain a dedicated category for auto detailers though, instead lumping these workers in with "cleaners of vehicles and equipment."

This broad and somewhat nebulous category, cleaners of vehicles and equipment, accounted for nearly 350,000 US jobs in 2008. The occupational outlook anticipates a modest one percent growth over the decade from 2008 - 2018. BLS reports that median annual wages in this occupation are "very low" at $19,450. 6.5 percent of vehicle and equipment cleaners are self-employed.

Getting Started

Many people considering starting an auto detailing business may already have a nice collection of supplies and equipment for their business. However, you will typically need cleaning supplies, a buffer, a vacuum, and possibly a shampoo machine for cleaning carpet and upholstery. Some auto detailers start with homeowner equipment and upgrade to commercial equipment once they are seeing regular sales. This can keep your start-up costs lower, but sometimes this can cost you money early on too if it takes longer to complete a vehicle detailing because of inadequate equipment or supplies.

This business can be operated out of a business location, a home garage (if local zoning allows), or as a mobile business where you go to the customer. The biggest challenges with taking the detailing business to the customer may be water and weather. Some mobile detailers carry water in a tank in their pickup truck or van. This allows them to have water on sites without an easy water connection. Mobile detailers also sometimes carry a portable awning that can be set up over the vehicle to provide some relief from the hot summer sun. Finally, electricity may be an issue if you need to run an electric vacuum or buffer. A portable generator could solve this problem in the cases where a reliable electrical connection was not available.

Marketing

This business many be targeted toward private vehicle owners, fleet vehicle owners, or toward auto sales lots. Each target market will require a different marketing approach. While it is certainly possible to operate a cross-over business that services more than one market, it will be easier early on to focus on one or two markets for your business.

When dealing with private vehicle owners, many auto detailing businesses prefer to target owners of expensive vehicles believing that they will be more likely to spend for auto detailing. Even within the private vehicle market there is room for additional niches.

Distributing brochures and business cards to locations where car owners may congregate can be a good way to promote your business. Posting brochures at an auto parts store, for example, would allow you to target people who are interested in maintaining their vehicles. Community bulletin boards can be another good location for brochures and business cards.

Direct mail campaigns can also be effective, particularly if coupled with a coupon or special offer. Mailing lists can be purchased online with precise demographic profiling. This approach allows you to get a brochure and business card into the hands of customers who fit the demographic you are seeking for your business.

Setting up a business website can help attract local customers. By optimizing your site for local search it will be easy for customers searching for auto detailing in your city or area to locate your business. Your website should include a description of services, photos of your work, testimonials from satisfied customers, prices, and any appropriate information about locations and hours of operation.

Business accounts, such as fleet accounts or used car sales lots, can be approached directly. Many companies are outsourcing now and it is likely that these companies are no exception. Rates may sometimes be lower from these companies, but they may also not expect the same level of service that private customers expect. In any event, a contract with a few corporate accounts could keep you busy in between the higher paying private customers.

Consider putting a sign or lettering on your work vehicle if you are providing mobile services. Putting a sign on your vehicle turns it into a rolling billboard. This is particularly good advertising when you are working at someone's house. If the vehicle looks nice when you are finished you may just get a call from a neighbor who was impressed with your work. In any event, a sign or lettering on your vehicle raises your profile in the city or area where you live and work.

Cautions

Commercial equipment may cost more than homeowner-grade equipment, though it will almost certainly pay for itself in the long run. Many detailers start with what they already own and upgrade as they are able.

Be sure to insure your vehicle for business use if you are using your vehicle for business. Your insurance company may disclaim responsibility if your vehicle is not properly insured for business use.

Any time you are working on someone else's expensive property it can be a good idea to have business liability insurance. This could be a real lifesaver if you accidentally back a $50,000 car into a post while you are working on the vehicle! Your insurance agent can advise you about what type of insurance would be best for your business.

Conclusion

The auto detailing business can be a lot of hard work, and sometimes hard, dirty work. Nonetheless, this business offers some good profit potential for those who enjoy working with cars or who enjoy making things look nice and new again.

The auto detailing business can be started on a shoestring budget and operated from a home-based office. This keeps the start-up costs and operational costs low. This also affords maximum flexibility for the auto detailer who wants to work on their own.

SOURCES

United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Site accessed on 7 October 2010.

Starting an Automobile Detailing Business. Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts. Site accessed on 12 November 2010.

Hubert Kolodziejski. Starting a Car Detailing Business How to Guide: Start a Detailing Business of Your Own. Associated Content. Site accessed on 12 November 2010.

Hubert Kolodziejski. How to Start a Mobile Auto Detailing Business: Starting a Mobile Auto Detailing Business is a Little Different Than a Fixed Location. Associated Content. Site accessed on 12 November 2010.

Sue Barrett. How to Start an Auto Detailing Business. Sooper Articles. Site accessed on 12 November 2010.