'Home Car Wash' business idea? could it be worth it?

[CIulian]

I've been considering a few opportunities for self employment recently, as a way of earning a little extra without having to invest a lot; I'm 24, and I've studied Marketing Management.
Although I haven't worked in marketing or run a business before, the skills I have gained in Uni allows me to start up a small business, some investment and a little bit of advertising (leafleting, social networking, promotions, etc.) might get me the customer base I need to get regular work.

So I'm considering a 'home car wash'. The selling point would be the comfort of having your car serviced at home, saving you the trip to the car wash and having your car valeted for half the price that say AutoBell charges. The standards would be high, and the client will appreciate the fact that instead of waiting in line at the car wash for a bunch of unknowns to thrown some soapy water on his car, he will be attended individually and have the possibility to inspect and interfere if he wishes to. I will be offering the normal set of services, including interior, exterior, carpet shampoo, wax, Rain-X Treatment, wheel clean, Tyre gloss, etc, and expect to spend an average of one hour per car. I will be doing this on the weekend, so I'm only looking at 3 - 4 clients per day that would hopefully call me on a regular basis.

I know that in theory sounds simple, but on a first glance, does this sound like something viable and realistic to anyone? and is there legislation and environmental considerations that I need to take into account, obviously I will have to find environmentally-friendly ways to dispose of the used water and not spill detergents, which is why I'm looking for a second opinion on this, I'm only looking for a little bit of extra cash to put towards a larger future investment.

I got the idea while sitting a home, thinking how I wish there was somebody I could call to wash my car, as I for one, not sure how other people feel, hate washing my car, I take it to a hand car wash about once a month, but I'm never happy with them and I know how bad some detergents are for the car paint, plus on older cars, the water gets into every single orifice accelerating rust.

 

[matt seymour]

Unfortunately, you are one of many, many people who have had the same idea and for exactly the same reasons as you.

Have a look on Ebay at how many failed mobile valeting businesses are up for sale. There is a steady stream of them constantly.

I have a friend who did this and he already had numerous contacts in the auto industry including his Dad who owned a car dealership and he still had to pull the plug in a matter of months due to a lack of work. He even had a very good website professionally built and did everything right, but it still didn't happen.

To be honest, I would think of something else.

 

[CIulian]

Thanks for being so frank, to be honest, I didn't expect this to be a successful business, I am only looking for something to do on my own, and gradually get out of the "bear-trap" of employment. don't get me wrong, I understand how difficult it is today to even stay in employment, it just hardly pays off and everybody dreams of setting up their own companies, and my skills only allow me to do marketing but that's far off as I haven't got the experience or resources to act on this at the moment.

 

[matt seymour]

To be honest, you seem far too intelligent to be wasting your time earning next to nothing cleaning cars for a living.

Car washing/valeting is very competitive and even supermarkets are doing hand car washing now. I always think of car washing as being something that is generally spur of the moment. People look at their car, see it needs a clean and either do it themselves at the weekend or head off to the local car wash whether it be a conventional one or a hand wash. Even those who clean their car on a regular basis are inclined to do it themselves or stick their car through the car wash when they do their weekly shop.

The kind of people who chose to phone up a mobile valeter and wait for whenever he or she can fit them in are in the minority and there are A LOT of people competing for work from these people.

 

[Paul Norman]

Valeting/cleaning cars is thankless - especially as you are honest enough to confess you do not enjoy cleaning your own car.

A full inside/outside clean on a car will take closer to two hours, I am afraid. And people who pay a premium for having their car professionally cleaned are going to be extremely ungracious about the outcome.

I live in a road that you might regard as a target market for that service. I have only ever seen 1 person have their car cleaned at their house, out of 68 houses.

However, you are to be commended for coming up with ideas. Keep at it!

 

[MH1]

I would think 95% 0f this business is an on the spot decision as people drive by a car wash business, for the occassional client hapy to pay a very hefty premium for a home service, there are many more who would prefer not to be bothered.

Something to consider, the target market you are aiming at expect the best, including equipment and materials, security and insurances. Scratch a Ferrari and expect to pay for the repair. I would guess it is very much a word of mouth recommendation type business, something which will take a fair time to build.

As suggested, I think there would be many better ideas available to a clever person.

 

[Mitch3473]

Despite what a lot of people on this thread say,car valeting can be a lucrative business,if done correctly.My first venture into self employment was through a franchise for valeting cars,I only really needed the franchise for training and equipment.I was the most expensive in the area,I eventually ended up employing 3 people and having 3 vans and a contractor working for me.I was always busy and we are talking 7 days a week with the threat of divorce hanging over my head if I didn't slow down.I eventually sold it to one of my employees and used the proceeds to set a car rental business.(I did finally get divorced....)
But,it has to be done properly and proffesionally and bearing in mind there are more than 30 million cars on the road your market is massive.
People do have money,you only have to drive around for 5 minutes and count the number of prestige cars on the road and these people will and do spend money looking after their investment.
We used to have contracts with blue chip companies,smaller businesses down to Mr and Mrs Joe Bloggs and 65% of the business was repeat custom.The remaining 35% was easily taken up by people having their cars valeted for special occasions or for sale.
If I can be of any help,please get in touch.

 

[claim&legal]

I ran a large car wash in cheshire for few years its hard work, also done mobile when i was 17 and its even harder,

if you have internet skills why not make a website or service and be the middle man i.e people ring or book online or over the phone a valet or service and farm it out to the valeting firms and take a cut, all you do is pass on the work, you can do internet request's etc

all the big valeting firms have insurance to collect, you could start local area county and move on and build up

its an idear and it will need work but in the right hands it could work

Evan

 

[TotalSports]

Hi CIulian, to be honest your business i dont think would benefit from leaflet drops ect ect, just a question are you any good at sales/cold calling ? because this is what you need to do if you decide to do this, well i would anyway.
Just one thought that sprung to mind is that why dont you cold call into factories, offices well basically any business and see if you can drum up some business.
Just one example is Boots where i live near, they have thousends of employees who bring their cars to work so maybe once they see you offering this service to them, they will think bugger it i will get it done at work later.

just my input if it helps.

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

This is very generally speaking, but as a rule the market that you want to operate in is the toughest and has next to disappeared. You are looking at mobile valeting and at an hour a time you will be offering a service which you can charge £20-£25 for.
These days people getting the car washed for them are either looking for the £5 hand car wash where half a dozen people jump on the car and its done in 10 minutes in a supermarket car park, old petrol station etc or they want a proper detailing service which as a rule is £500-600 for the first treatment which takes a couple of days and then £100-150 for maintenance treatments typically once a month.
You are will be too expensive for the first type of customer and don't have the skills, equipment or reputation required by the second type of customer.
What you propose can be done, but be ready for alot of work for modest rewards.

 

[S-Marketing]

Having studied marketing you really should be able to tell quickly that there are ways to make this kind of business pay, and also that its not the business model that is actually used by valeters.

Look back through your Uni stuff and refresh your memory paying particular attention to differentiation, competitive advantage and strategic alliance marketing. You already actually know how to make this work.

Sorry to everyone else for the cryptic answer but the OP is wondering how to operate one of the easiest possible businesses, and the key to success is in the marketing.

 

[CIulian]

Indeed Stretchy, it it one of the simplest businesses out there. it requires little investment and the work could be fun. as somebody mentioned before, if I scratched a Ferrari, I will end up paying for it. to be honest, I've only seen two Ferraris in my entire life, its not like they grow on trees, and it's obvious to be that whoever owns one, would not even let his own mom touch it. I wouldn't.

I think I will give it a try, I've already worked out the investment which falls well below £1000 (including here marketing and equipment) and have selected targeted areas. Affluent, indeed, but nowhere near Ferrari type.

My only concern was say, environment-related. what should I do with the used water and where to dispose of it? Could it be possible that potential clients will be fussy about the state of their driveways when I'm finished? It'll be watery, soapy and perhaps muddy in some circumstances, perhaps their neighbours will disapprove?

Indeed, I believe washing cars has got to be one of the oldest businesses and perhaps one that can prove to be the least rewarding nowadays when you can just have it cleaned at the gas station for £3, but it's all about presentation; people will buy anything as long as you market it in a way that will make them feel like they NEED it, for whatever reason (even though sometimes - in most cases - they don't.) we don't need chocolate-muffin-flavoured milk, do we? then how come Tesco keeps running out of it?

and differentiation, like you said, is key to any business, any size, any industry. but I will keep brainstorming..

 

[wilwong1971]

Hi;

Don't forget to look into public liability insurance and possible Valet Motor Trade insurance (even if you don't scratch a Ferrari but damage someone's Astra...still would cost your business, or any possible claims they make)

 

[S-Marketing]

First thing, if you dont know exactly how you are supposed to deal with the waste water to comply with the recent legislation you haven't done your market research properly. If you struggle to find the info PM me and ill give you a link.

Dont forget that a competitive advantage isn't just about getting customers to use your service. A well thought out and executed strategy for advantage can also be used to ensure maximum profit from a given target market. Also remember than its actually more effective to cut costs than it is to add revenue.

With regards to differentiation, make sure that you investigate all possible tactics you could use. Everyone seems to assume the best way to differentiate is to go 'up market' so you can charge more. There are other ways to gain leverage in the market, other than simply doing a better job.

I wouldn't say that marketing based on perceived need is ideal for the market you are targeting, much better to position yourself to leverage a more emotional response from the ' keeping up with the Jones's' target market.

I hope i've given you something to think about.

 

[CIulian]

is public liability insurance and any other type of insurance compulsory? will I not be able to operate until I'm covered? I would not want to buy insurance until I'm certain the business shows potential. can I still trade without insurance? in other words, is it illegal?

 

[GlenCB]

Look very carefully at insurance for cleaning. When I was cleaning windows many of the companies I got quotes from did not cover the item being cleaned for damage!

This meant that if I accidentally broke the window, I had to pay for it myself, but if i scratches the customers car with the end of my pole (almost did that to a brand new Nissan GT-R ) I was covered.

 

[wilwong1971]

Hi

It's not compulsory in that line of business but the day to day operation will involve the most risk, ie what if you damaged your clients car when the handle on your brush snaps and scratches the car, or someone trips over your hose?

My detailer told me things that customers that try to claim off him, like electrics going wrong after a valet or a scratch that they noticed after a clean. They were disproved but there always the risk.

 

[Mitch3473]

Having studied marketing you really should be able to tell quickly that there are ways to make this kind of business pay, and also that its not the business model that is actually used by valeters.

Look back through your Uni stuff and refresh your memory paying particular attention to differentiation, competitive advantage and strategic alliance marketing. You already actually know how to make this work.

Sorry to everyone else for the cryptic answer but the OP is wondering how to operate one of the easiest possible businesses, and the key to success is in the marketing.

Very true and good advice.The other is pricing.Price yourself at least level if not above the competition.So many people fail when they start out in business with the ' if I'm cheaper I'll get more work' mentality.It's so easy to become a busy fool

 

[matt seymour]

I wouldn't even consider doing car valeting without public liability insurance that included cover for damage to the property/car being worked on. You will undoubtedly find that some customers demand to see your insurance before they let you anywhere near their car.

Still, I wouldn't even consider doing mobile car valeting anyway.

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

I wouldn't even consider doing car valeting without public liability insurance that included cover for damage to the property/car being worked on. You will undoubtedly find that some customers demand to see your insurance before they let you anywhere near their car.

Still, I wouldn't even consider doing mobile car valeting anyway.

Whilst I agree that insurance is essential, the comment about customers demanding to see insurance is nonsense. Hands up who has ever asked to see insurance before having their car cleaned? I haven't.

 

[dubOnline]

Interesting!

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

 

[matt seymour]

Whilst I agree that insurance is essential, the comment about customers demanding to see insurance is nonsense. Hands up who has ever asked to see insurance before having their car cleaned? I haven't.

As someone who ran a cleaning business, I was frequently asked for evidence of my insurance when cleaning items of far less value than a car. Most don't but some do and you're going to look like a proper cowboy if you can't produce it.

Private customers who own high value cars and generally use mobile valeters won't let any old Tom, Dick or Harry loose on it.

If he is looking for work at car showrooms he is also likely to be asked for evidence that he is insured.

 

[Mitch3473]

To be fair,in something like 10 years of running a valeting business I was only asked for my insurance details once,a certain bowel loosening moment when we scratched a car belonging to the Sultan of Brunai.I don't even remember being asked at car dealerships,that said,yes, you would look a proper cowboy without it

 

r they want a proper detailing service which as a rule is £500-600 for the first treatment which takes a couple of days and then £100-150 for maintenance treatments typically once a month.

600 quid are you mad?

My car gets cleaned everytime it rains.I pop out and spray it with washing up liquid.

Job done.:|

I used to drive along the seafront when the waves were coming over the front.

But it kept leaving white salt marks on the Rolls

Earl

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

600 quid are you mad?

My car gets cleaned everytime it rains.I pop out and spray it with washing up liquid.

Job done.:|

I used to drive along the seafront when the waves were coming over the front.

But it kept leaving white salt marks on the Rolls

Earl

What is your point? Are you doubting my figures or simply saying that you don't pay to get your cars cleaned?

A hungry man can eat for £1 or £300, you being happy eating baked beans from a can doesn't change that.

 

[Mitch3473]

I also think you are being somewhat naive in your initial costing.From experience £1000 is nowhere near enough to offer affluent clients a proffesional service.It would just about cover advertising and insurance costs let alone the equipment,chemicals,workware,printed literature etc etc and the means to transport it

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Equipment.

2 Buckets
1 Watering Can
1 Hose

Decent Leathers, Sponges, Microfibre cloths, brushes

Shampoo, wheel cleaner, paper towel....

Overalls

Some leaflets

Insurance

Start knocking on doors and when you get your first customer stick a few cards in the houses either side before you start. You'll have people queuing up for a home car washing service.

BUT.......you cannot do this alone. I would suggest a team of 3 people with 2 cleaning the car and the third going ahead to secure the hose, fill the bucket and wet the car in readiness. Operator 2 helps while the first man leapfrogs and seeks out the next customer, fills the bucket etc.,

The downsides....

Unlike window cleaning you may find that last weeks Saturday customers are out the following week?

You'd need to be doing half a dozen cars an hour at a fiver a time to earn beer money.:redface:

 

What is your point? Are you doubting my figures or simply saying that you don't pay to get your cars cleaned?

A hungry man can eat for £1 or £300, you being happy eating baked beans from a can doesn't change that.

Not doubting your figure just the sanity of anyone paying 600 cans of beans to have a big baked bean can cleaned.

Besides all that dirt helps protect a car from rust as the water can't get to it.:|

Must have a tiny weany.

Earl

 

[SeaTheStars]

Why don't you go into the local council there must be at least 150 cars in the car park, £5 per car would yield a nice profit per week.

 

[Esk247]

600 quid are you mad?

My car gets cleaned everytime it rains.I pop out and spray it with washing up liquid.

Job done.:|

I used to drive along the seafront when the waves were coming over the front.

But it kept leaving white salt marks on the Rolls

Earl

no i think he said DETAILING, which is a little more 'detailed' than a clay bar and a bit of elbow grease. Doesn't protect the vehicle though, it tends to remove a layer of paint to restore it to a factory finish and remove imperfections and uneven paint levels.

you know all about that anyway you twit, just creating an optical illusion that you're really poor and only have a broken walking stick to hand...all lies...you live in Earl HQ and have a custom hybrid car with a Chauffeur called Hector!

 

you know all about that anyway you twit, just creating an optical illusion that you're really poor and only have a broken walking stick to hand...all lies...you live in Earl HQ and have a custom hybrid car with a Chauffeur called Hector!

Nope I managed to glue the walking stick back together.

And his name is Parker.

Earl

 

[Aaron Holloway-Jenks]

Just out of interest, how did your mobile car cleaning business go? do you still do it? I am thinking of doing something low key on the side income as well as my full time job, would appreciate any advice.

 

[Ally Maxwell]

Not sure what the mechanics of it are/were but a few years ago, there was a guy who came round and did 'waterless' car washing in the office car park where I was contracting. I used him on a few occasions and the results were pretty good. he was kept pretty busy.

 

[The Byre]

Listen kid, I started a car-wash business on weekends when I was 14. It worked OK, because back in those days (1964-5) there were no car-wash drive-through stations. I soon had a round of regulars who booked me every week or every second week. I did this to have the money to buy a tape recorder and a movie camera.

As soon as I had the money, I stopped and I have never cleaned a car since. If I own a car for five years, then that is five years of dirt on it, both inside and out.

To be honest, you seem far too intelligent to be wasting your time earning next to nothing cleaning cars for a living.

This!

It is OK for a 14-year-old to wash cars, it ain't OK for a man with a degree in marketing. Get a bloody grip! If you want to start a business, do so, but this is not a business. It is one step away from "Will work for food!"

If you can't get a decent job in marketing, then develop a skill that people will PAY for. Failing that, find some product people want, buy in bulk in China and sell on ebay and Amazon. There are more opportunities today than there ever were, but cleaning cars in the cold and wet for pennies ain't one of them!

 

[MOIC]

buy in bulk in China and sell on ebay and Amazon.

It really is that simple.

Start with one product.

BTW this is such an old thread the OP has probably opened his car wash business, franchised the concept and driving in his (unscratched) Ferrari.

A sponge and a bucket . . . . . . .Those were the days.

A pair of shears and a ladder . . . . . .Now I'm reminiscing!