Polish Up for Higher Profits
"I have a 31-step process. I shampoo seats, do the dashboard with Q-tips, clean the trunk, dress the engine, etc. It takes 3 hours for what I do, and I charge $120. That's detailed." This would be a typical response of someone who does Auto Detailing when asked what they can do for your car and how much they would charge you for it.
The age of upscale carwash is here. As we keep our cars longer (average length is 7.5 years) we take better care of them. This is why the carwash business is booming with $8 billion in revenue, and so is auto detailing.
Executive Parking
Many auto detail services nest their business in executive parking lots. They get a permit from the city and from the business whose lot they use.
This is convenient for employees who otherwise may not have time to bring their cars to a shop that would take 3 hours to get detailing done.
In a mobile operation such as this, you will need a van or pickup truck and access to running water and preferably AC power. In some cities, there are companies that convert and customize pickup trucks into mobile detail shops with its own reservoir and portable power generator.
140 Million Cars
Although many auto detailers will swear that a bulk of their business comes from car dealers, in reality the car dealer market is small and extremely competitive. Most car dealers need cars detailed before a used car is offered in an auction or is displayed in the lot.
However, the biggest market of all is still on the road, individual car owners, representing all of 140 million passenger cars plus another 30 million pickup trucks on the road. This market, with an average age of 7.5 years, is ripe for a detail job at least twice a year.
Budget Detail
The best way to build up a base in this business is to introduce a mid- priced service that offers extras that carwashes do not offer. Detail jobs in the range of $30 to $49 will open up a new market that can provide a stream of customers. You can provide a written list of what you do and how you build up your rates from the basic price of $30 to the premium rate $49. With 5 customers a day, at 1 hour each, you can average $200 a day.
Related Articles
All-Cruise Travel Club
Minimum Start-Up: $500 Average Start-UP: 10,000 Revenue: $25,000 - $250K Profits: $10,000/Month One Person Business: Yes
Couponing: How to Run an Easy and Profitable Business Selling Special Coupons
Look in your mailbox. What do you see almost every day? Coupons. Look in your newspaper. What do you see EVERY day? Coupons. It seems like coupons multiply like rabbits. Why? Prices are rising, unlike a majority of people's incomes.
The Boring Way to Become Wealthy
When some people think about becoming rich, they might imagine suddenly coming into a bunch of money. Maybe they'll win the lottery. Maybe a rich relative will die and leave a fortune to them. Or perhaps they'll suddenly make it as a famous actor. Planning to become wealthy this way is a non starter.
How to Sell Pine Cones
Ordinary pine cones, of any size, can be made to look almost exactly like tiny owls simply by adding "eyes" which can be purchased at any hobby or craft shop.
27 Service Businesses to Start Now
There are hundreds of opportunities in the service arena offering low-cost start-ups and high profit returns. Almost all can be run from home.
16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches
16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches
How to Give Away Magazines and Make Great Profits
People are always interested in saving money. If you can develop a product or service that will help them save, you are almost guaranteed success.
How to Make $50 Mailing 150 Envelopes
Order 5,000 3 x 6 commission circulars from your printer selling $1.00 items that you earn 50% commission on every order you receive. Have your name printed on them - it will save you hours of stamping time.
Big Profits In The Sign Fabrication Business
A few years ago it would have been foolish to even consider a sign business unless you were well qualified to hand paint letters and illustrations.
A Furniture Refinishing Business in Your Home
If you have a garage or work building and are willing to learn a craft, upholstering, re-upholstering and/or furniture refinishing would make an excellent home business.