Valeting Business - Start

[Lewis1600]

Morning Saxp,

Ive decided as my current job contract ends christmas, In the new year Im going to be starting my own business, valeting.

Allready ive bought a 53 plate Trasit,

Some products

Water Tank

Wet/dry Hoover

Going to local place this week hopefully get some more info about actually starting, Business plan, grants etc.

Can anyone give any tips?

Does anyone have their own company doing the same?

Will be doing cars/bikes/boats/caravans & general..

Plus I get alot of help from my dad as he runs his own business aswell so he knows some stuff lol

Thanks
Lewis

[M1VT]

you can wash my car for free ;)

[swampy]

Get some good public liability cover!
What experiance do you have?

[baker556]

Theres too many car washes about now mate..

[J222JRA]

Theres too many car washes about now mate..

This is true...you have alot of competition.

Its a tough time of year to start this type of business as its so dam cold.

Also starting a business right now is going to be even harder as people really arent spending money unless its necessary.


Either way.....Good Luck

[wesley-saxo]

ill let u practice on my car:)

[Lewis1600]

you can have my car for free ;)

Fixed ;)



I worked in a bodyshop for 2 and half years.. I valeted the cars there and did paint correction..

and ive been doing it for friends and family for the last 6months....

[M1VT]

Fixed ;)



I worked in a bodyshop for 2 and half years.. I valeted the cars there and did paint correction..

and ive been doing it for friends and family for the last 6months....

you bloody wish sunshine ;)


mine needs some scratches removing and a machine polish actually ;)

[Paul]

There's a good thread on DW about starting up.

Its all about building a reputation really.

[Gary-VTR]

Make sure you track all expenses properly.
Also order as many business cards as you can afford. :y:

[Lewis1600]

Yeah ive got a good rep with mates etc will hope it will get round quick when I start...

[M1VT]

Yeah ive got a good rep with mates etc will hope it will get round quick when I start...

i heard you touch kids

;)

[Lewis1600]

Thats another subject.... and yes why?




:D

[M1VT]

Thats another subject.... and yes why?




:D


:clapping:

haha have a word with a few local mobile valet's there's one in colwyn bay and he does a fan-tas-tik job fair play to him,did my old breddy before i got rid,inside was like new

might get him to do the wagen soon

[TypeRDavid]

As im sure your dad will advise you, insurance cover is a big must with anything like this, really sit down and work out all the cost, materials, fuel costs, water rates etc etc.

Valeting is a massive business these days and with an awful lot of competition out there, it wont be easy, as mentioned people are not spending the money these days.

Having a good reputation is vital and you must keep all your work up to the highest possible standard at all times , as soon as one person complains you will find it increasingly difficult to gain extra work.

The best approach in terms of gaining work from regular customers is to try and establish a contract (monthly/ weekly), at least you will have a rough idea of regular income as such.

Be organized, work out a time table for the week , whilst trying not to spend too much time on one specific job, but make sure you dont rush things, perhaps start jobs a little earlier giving yourself plenty of time to complete the work.

In this weather i would seriously consider using hot/warm water as this will benefit you and will be much nicer to work with when its really cold.

Hope this is of some use to you mate and good luck with what you decide to do, and remember word of mouth is the best form of advertisement!;)

[Giraffe]

One thing I always got told when I worked in customer service was with good service, you are lucky if that person tells 1 other person, but with bad service, the average person WILL tell on average 8 or 9 people. Just adding some clout to what David said above.

[Paul]

One thing I always got told when I worked in customer service was with good service, you are lucky if that person tells 1 other person, but with bad service, the average person WILL tell on average 8 or 9 people. Just adding some clout to what David said above.

Very true.
Deliver a good service and they might tell one person.
Deliver a bad service and they will tell atleast ten people.

[Petee]

If I were you. Starting up your buisness at first. I would under cut all the big boys. To get you self well known snd a good reputation. Then you just level out your prices :)

[Lewis1600]

Thanks for all this will take it all onboard :D

[mattchewone]

Try and get in touch with local business to clean there trucks/cars on a weekly/monthly basis as most businesses will want to maintain clean cars for a good representation.

Good Luck!

[M1VT]

also mate
call round locla businessssessss/offices/industrial estates(llangefni for example) and ask then if they want a contract where you call every month/few weeks to do a simple wash and hoover(tahts what the wish wash company do for us down in junction/colwyn bay) its steady business then and you'll allways get a few jobs out of them,and if your good as said above word of mouth will get around about you beeing a pervert

EDIT
bugger,just read the above post and the cunt beat me to it haha :P

[jaybiss]

go local business park and put a leaflet through every office there. try and speak to someone to introduce yourself.

maybe do some offers if three or more people have their car done.

[CEdwards]

Good Luck mate hope it works out well for you

[Powellyboi]

Good luck mate but I struggle to see how you will make similar money to a normal 9-5 job. Daylight hours in jan are minimal, cost of materials and diesel are not cheap anymore and around where i live there is a group of polish people willing to charge you 10 pound for a basic wash.

4 of them jump on your car and it is done in 25mins - A good enough job for the average person who just doesn't want to do it themselves...

Have you thought about your target audience and what you can charge??

[Mochachino]

As previously said theres ALOT doing it now beside of petrol stations etc. Most poeple dont care what products they use as long as their car looks clean and they charge £5 usually take about £200 an hour at peak times.

Also id rather pay someone to clean my car in the winter months or when its cold than in the summer when I can do it myself in the heat :)

[Mr_X]

Good luck, anything is possible if you try hard enough.

iirc a guy i met down the pub did detailing to cars while they were at a garage being serviced. possible idea?

[MikeyW]

Get yourself a snow foam lance, they will love it and always come back for more action lol ;)