Mobile Car Valet business
Discussion
Why not become a distributor for Zymol (etc) and offer a service putting it on people's cars as an extra? Could be some money to be made there .. takes quite a while to do - some people might want a very shiny car but without the hassle..
Being mobile is a good idea, but I can imagine it getting very cold in winter
Being mobile is a good idea, but I can imagine it getting very cold in winter
Lots of Advice if you visit the site below
Its heavily American but apart from taxes laws the basics are the same
www.autopia.org/index.php
HTH
Its heavily American but apart from taxes laws the basics are the same
www.autopia.org/index.php
HTH
I used to work at an office where a guy turned up every Monday. Leave your keys and a tenner with reception, collect them later. Two guys washed the car (properly) and hoovered up. They did a good job, and you did it when you needed it (so you weren't committed to every week).
The lesson is: find some suitable offices with car parks, put together a short proposal (heavy on quality of service, and references from dependable people so there's no concern you will cause damage or run off with the keys)
Staff get clean cars
Company offers a service to staff - all it costs is five buckets of hot water every week
You build a reputation quickly and build a nice strong customer base
I was also going to suggest the option of doing "specials" all costed as consumables + hourly rate
- Customers can select the shampoo and wax (AutoGlym, Zymol, etc.) so they know you are not just using Fairy Liquid
- They can have just a wash or a full wash & polish
- Full interior clean (glass, vinyl, rubber, leather)
- Full T-Cut & refurb
- Wheels off full polish
- Underbonnet check (water, oil, washer fluid)
A one-page sheet can explain the deals and act as an order form. If people want something off the list they can just ask.
I think the key (especially for what is effectively a premium service) is utter dependibility:
- You are there when promised
- You do it as promised
- People are giving you the keys to their car. Don't let them down.
Finally, a bit of insurance would be a wise move. If the worst happens, you want to be able to put your hands up and pay for any damage
The lesson is: find some suitable offices with car parks, put together a short proposal (heavy on quality of service, and references from dependable people so there's no concern you will cause damage or run off with the keys)
Staff get clean cars
Company offers a service to staff - all it costs is five buckets of hot water every week
You build a reputation quickly and build a nice strong customer base
I was also going to suggest the option of doing "specials" all costed as consumables + hourly rate
- Customers can select the shampoo and wax (AutoGlym, Zymol, etc.) so they know you are not just using Fairy Liquid
- They can have just a wash or a full wash & polish
- Full interior clean (glass, vinyl, rubber, leather)
- Full T-Cut & refurb
- Wheels off full polish
- Underbonnet check (water, oil, washer fluid)
A one-page sheet can explain the deals and act as an order form. If people want something off the list they can just ask.
I think the key (especially for what is effectively a premium service) is utter dependibility:
- You are there when promised
- You do it as promised
- People are giving you the keys to their car. Don't let them down.
Finally, a bit of insurance would be a wise move. If the worst happens, you want to be able to put your hands up and pay for any damage
Forget it.
Thats the best advise I can give. I've had a couple of guys offering a mobile service each week at work, the first was spot on, did a good job, used only autlglym products, was reliable and charged a tenner. He went bust. The second was shite, employed Kosovans, used fairy liquid, dirty cloths, and left me a smeary windscreen. I sacked him.
My experience of these operations is they are one of three things.
They are either one man bands with a genuine (if not slightly perverse) likeing to washing cars and a desire to do a good job, these tend to make next to no money because the market dictates £10-£15 and they cant do enough a day to make it pay. If they try to grow and employ others the rates they have to pay mean they get tossers so standards slip.
They employ asylum seeking scum bags, do a shite job, and shouldn't be trusted with your car keys.
Or finally they are part of another "organisation" that for what ever reasons
needs a lovely little cash generating business into which they can pay thousands of pounds, appear to make a profit, and draw lots of lovely legitamate cash out of. The quality of actual car wash from these depends and sometimes can be fairly good, it just depends on your ethics.
Thats the best advise I can give. I've had a couple of guys offering a mobile service each week at work, the first was spot on, did a good job, used only autlglym products, was reliable and charged a tenner. He went bust. The second was shite, employed Kosovans, used fairy liquid, dirty cloths, and left me a smeary windscreen. I sacked him.
My experience of these operations is they are one of three things.
They are either one man bands with a genuine (if not slightly perverse) likeing to washing cars and a desire to do a good job, these tend to make next to no money because the market dictates £10-£15 and they cant do enough a day to make it pay. If they try to grow and employ others the rates they have to pay mean they get tossers so standards slip.
They employ asylum seeking scum bags, do a shite job, and shouldn't be trusted with your car keys.
Or finally they are part of another "organisation" that for what ever reasons
needs a lovely little cash generating business into which they can pay thousands of pounds, appear to make a profit, and draw lots of lovely legitamate cash out of. The quality of actual car wash from these depends and sometimes can be fairly good, it just depends on your ethics. I have seen a company [url]www.evalet.co.uk[/url]that are charging up to £200 for a full valet
And a standard Wash is £30 for that you get Wash and Leather plus Vac
All rubbish removed, Mats Cleaned where appropriate, Engine bay Cleaned, Exterior Trim Dressed, Ashtrays emptied and cleaned
Would you pay 30 quid for this service? Please take a look at the site and let me know what you like and what you don't like.
The site is pretty comprehensive and they seem professional.
I am always keen to hear a PH view.
And a standard Wash is £30 for that you get Wash and Leather plus Vac
All rubbish removed, Mats Cleaned where appropriate, Engine bay Cleaned, Exterior Trim Dressed, Ashtrays emptied and cleaned
Would you pay 30 quid for this service? Please take a look at the site and let me know what you like and what you don't like.
The site is pretty comprehensive and they seem professional.
I am always keen to hear a PH view.
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