In 2023, almost 90% of Americans older than 25 had a driver’s license, which means that the majority of people drive regularly. Our vehicles become our second homes, and often, we get too busy to clean our actual houses, much less our cars.
Instead of doing the work themselves, car owners often opt for detailing services since they’re convenient and affordable. So if you want to start your own business, this may be worth considering.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to start a car detailing business so you start off on the right foot.
Get Professional Training First
Detailing a car may look simple, but it’s more than just cleaning. If you have no experience at all, then opening and running a business on your own can be extremely challenging, and it may set you up for failure.
Try to find opportunities to shadow others in the industry to get a glimpse into their daily lives. This will help you handle all the small details flawlessly.
In addition, you should get an auto detailing certification from the International Detailing Association. This isn’t required to start your company, but it’ll be highly beneficial. Not only will it be a unique selling point (USP), but you’ll also learn vital skills to boost your chances at success.
Write Out a Business Plan
Before starting a detailing business, you need to have a sense of direction. So after you’ve gone through training, sit down and write out a detailed business plan.
If you’re stuck, then a good idea is to do market research. Identify your potential customers and take a closer look at your competitors to see what they’re doing right and what they could do better.
The above information can help you create a thorough document that proves your company can make money. It should outline your goals, target market, services offered, pricing, marketing strategy, and financial projections. You can set your prices based on local competition, service costs, and your target market.
Choose Your Services
On that note, when writing up your business plan, you should decide which services you want to offer. You should have a solid idea of which are attractive to the local area based on your market research, as a key point is to determine the demand for car detailing services.
In general, there are three types you can have: basic, advanced, and mobile. Depending on your skills, funding, and resources, you might want to only focus on basic services first before expanding, or you might want to go all out from the start.
Here’s what’s in each category:
- Basic: washing, waxing, interior cleaning, vacuuming
- Advanced: paint correction, ceramic coating, engine bay cleaning, headlight restoration, odor removal
- Mobile: services at customers’ homes or workplaces
Do Legal and Administrative Setup
One of the most important things you’ll have to decide is the business structure for your new company. The most common options are sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. They all have advantages and drawbacks, but many entrepreneurs form LLCs since these entities offer personal protection.
Regardless of the type you choose, we can help with our FREE business registration service so you don’t have to handle any paperwork. You can also benefit from free consultations with our experts to figure out the best route for your personal situation.
After that, obtain any necessary permits and/or licenses required in your area. Typically, you’ll have to get basic operating licenses on both the local and state levels. Some areas may also require that you register with government departments that deal with pollution since your business will use a significant amount of water.
Don’t forget to purchase insurance too. Liability insurance will protect both your business and customers’ vehicles, so we highly recommend it. Consult with a business attorney to find out what other policies may work for you.
Set Up Your Finances
Determine your budget right from the start to avoid financial surprises. Estimate startup costs, including equipment, supplies, marketing, and legal fees.
To keep your personal and business finances separate, open a business bank account. Combine this with accounting software or hire an accountant to manage everything.
You should also apply for an employer identification number (EIN), as this is required for any business with employees.
Get Equipment and Supplies
Now that you’ve set a budget, you can allocate that money to essential equipment and supplies. Some examples here include:
- Pressure washer
- Vacuum cleaner
- Steam cleaner
- Buffers and polishers
- Air compressor
- Cleaning chemicals
- Waxes and polishes
- Microfiber towels
- Brushes
- Buckets
- Hoses
Are you planning on offering mobile services? Then invest in a van or truck with water tanks, generators, and a secure place to store equipment.
Chances are, you won’t be able to make all these purchases yourself. If you’re applying for a loan or looking for investors, the business plan you’ve written up may help convince third parties to provide funding.
Find a Good Location
Those starting a traditional car detailing business will want to find a garage or shop that’s a decent size and in a good location. Work with a real estate agent to see what’s available within your budget.
Once you’ve secured a place, keep your workspace clean, well-organized, and equipped with the necessary tools.
Market and Brand Your Business
You’re pretty much set now, so the next step is attracting customers. To do this, you need to market your car detailing company, and to do that, you’ll have to do branding first.
Choose a catching name and design a professional logo to go with it. This should establish company colors too, which you’ll use in your marketing material.
Then, create a website where potential customers can find your services and pricing. Including customer testimonials and online booking for added convenience.
After your site’s done, market your new business on social media. In addition, distribute flyers, place ads in local newspapers, and network with local businesses. Keep things going by encouraging your satisfied customers to refer others in order to get discounts or other incentives.
This Is How to Start a Car Detailing Business
Knowing how to start a car detailing business is half the battle, so if a lack of knowledge was stopping you before, then let this article put your mind at ease.
You’ll have to put in hard work to learn the trade and outshine your competitors. However, the payoff will be amazing, especially if you consistently deliver exceptional service. If you remain dedicated to your customers, then you’ll surely build a lasting empire.
Sign up with Business Anywhere if you’d like to learn more about how to start a detailing business. Utilize our free business registration service, which has zero hidden fees.
