Starting a chauffeur business
Discussion
I would like to pick your brains if I may.
I'm looking to move back to the UK December/January after 8 years away, and have been looking at the prospect of starting my own chauffeur service using a Mercedes S class or BMW 7 series. I would mainly concentrate on airport runs that kind of thing. I've looked at a few companies offering this service and the prices charged, and I think I would be able to come in a bit lower whilst still giving a decent service.
Am I being totally insane thinking this could work?
I'm looking to move back to the UK December/January after 8 years away, and have been looking at the prospect of starting my own chauffeur service using a Mercedes S class or BMW 7 series. I would mainly concentrate on airport runs that kind of thing. I've looked at a few companies offering this service and the prices charged, and I think I would be able to come in a bit lower whilst still giving a decent service.
Am I being totally insane thinking this could work?
It's always worth running the numbers and SWOT analysis. Then it's down to getting the work and making an acceptable profit.
So, say you have an S-Class Merc sitting outside and your chauffeur cap is on the peg. How are you going to (1) find a customer (2) get the booking over the rivals?
So, say you have an S-Class Merc sitting outside and your chauffeur cap is on the peg. How are you going to (1) find a customer (2) get the booking over the rivals?
Simpo Two said:
It's always worth running the numbers and SWOT analysis. Then it's down to getting the work and making an acceptable profit.
So, say you have an S-Class Merc sitting outside and your chauffeur cap is on the peg. How are you going to (1) find a customer (2) get the booking over the rivals?
My aim is to have a decent social media presence, I will also approach local businesses in the area that have staff that travel. I'm also trying to establish my USP, I have a few ideas but requires other companies to be on board to do so.So, say you have an S-Class Merc sitting outside and your chauffeur cap is on the peg. How are you going to (1) find a customer (2) get the booking over the rivals?
QROPS said:
My aim is to have a decent social media presence, I will also approach local businesses in the area that have staff that travel. I'm also trying to establish my USP, I have a few ideas but requires other companies to be on board to do so.
Seems like a sound start. Keep sharp, stay flexible. Good luck 
chauffeuring will be tough.
i would think it is a very niche market/. companies i worked for used taxis for all levels.
Acorn type 7 would be a good market to aim for, if you are going to use social media.
how will you business model differentiate over taxis an completion., what will be value for money?
the biggest problem will be getting the mix of clients that don't clash, and downtime/waste time.
buying an sclass and a cap will not be enough.
i would think it is a very niche market/. companies i worked for used taxis for all levels.
Acorn type 7 would be a good market to aim for, if you are going to use social media.
how will you business model differentiate over taxis an completion., what will be value for money?
the biggest problem will be getting the mix of clients that don't clash, and downtime/waste time.
buying an sclass and a cap will not be enough.
QROPS said:
My aim is to have a decent social media presence, I will also approach local businesses in the area that have staff that travel. I'm also trying to establish my USP, I have a few ideas but requires other companies to be on board to do so.
SM is fine but don't expect much frmn it initially. A decent (not crappy DIY job) website and some PPC will be a good first step. I'd approach local businesses initially. You won't have as USP. I work with a chauffeuring company (website/CRM) and there really isn't much to it as a business model. I disagree about Uber, that affects taxis but not chauffeur driven premium cars.Have a look at competitors websites for ideas.
You will not earn a living as an independent, one man Chauffeur business.
All the London airport run type services are contracted out to a small number of firms; Addison Lee, Sovereign, Cabot, etc... They pitch to the banks, law firms, airlines, etc and work on multi-year contracts and thus have the clients and infrastructure already in place.
All of them operate owner-drivers. So, if you have a smart, exec car less than three years old, you sign up and drive for them.
My business partner has an controlling interest in one of the above (no spaces there before you ask!) and some of their drivers are clearing £80k - £90k a year - out of which you have to fund the car, fuel, etc. However, to get to that level, you need to be working pretty much 7 days a week, doing late night / early morning pick-ups and have good relationships with the control room as it is they that decide who gets what job (to a degree).
The £90k a year guys are earning a salary equivalent of around £45k - £50k but £30k - £35k is the average.
HTH
All the London airport run type services are contracted out to a small number of firms; Addison Lee, Sovereign, Cabot, etc... They pitch to the banks, law firms, airlines, etc and work on multi-year contracts and thus have the clients and infrastructure already in place.
All of them operate owner-drivers. So, if you have a smart, exec car less than three years old, you sign up and drive for them.
My business partner has an controlling interest in one of the above (no spaces there before you ask!) and some of their drivers are clearing £80k - £90k a year - out of which you have to fund the car, fuel, etc. However, to get to that level, you need to be working pretty much 7 days a week, doing late night / early morning pick-ups and have good relationships with the control room as it is they that decide who gets what job (to a degree).
The £90k a year guys are earning a salary equivalent of around £45k - £50k but £30k - £35k is the average.
HTH
To make even a half decent wage chauffeuring you will need to do long hours and be available at the drop of a hat. Even then the money isn't great.
With one car you will probably have to get work from other firms as you won't be able to keep a client bank happy - they will give you one, maybe 2 chances and if you can't help them they'll look elsewhere and lose your number.
With one car you will probably have to get work from other firms as you won't be able to keep a client bank happy - they will give you one, maybe 2 chances and if you can't help them they'll look elsewhere and lose your number.
My cousin does limo hire on the side, he runs a garage so can handle the servicing and other bits and pieces, but it's taken off nicely. They do weddings, hen and stag parties, birthday nights out and the odd airport run if needed. Insurance is a bit steep and you need something capable of carrying 6 people and bags but he's always on the lookout for themed cars or something a bit unusual
A chauffeur business tbh, you're going to end up competing on price and killing it for everyone. And Uber will outweigh you in any major city it's in
A chauffeur business tbh, you're going to end up competing on price and killing it for everyone. And Uber will outweigh you in any major city it's in
I think it would be very difficult to fill your time with airport transfers that all dovetail together. What happens when a flight is delayed and your whole days planned work gets screwed. As a one man operation it doesn't work unless you subcontract to larger operators (and then only get a percentage of the fare)
You need jobs that last days or weeks at a time, and some decent customers that don't care too much about the cost.
In my experience you can't find them, but somehow they find you (if you're any good which isn't that hard!)
I've been doing it for about 8yrs...
You need jobs that last days or weeks at a time, and some decent customers that don't care too much about the cost.
In my experience you can't find them, but somehow they find you (if you're any good which isn't that hard!)
I've been doing it for about 8yrs...
Tough one, given that technology now works more in favour of the customer and volume supplier than the individual supplier.
My guess would be to make yourself available to one of the airport taxi companies that use an app, and work via them whilst you try to build up a network of private customers and businesses.
Without meaning to take the thread off-topic, a slightly unusual-looking executive-type car dropped somebody near me the other day. It was a Skoda Superb. Might be worth investigating to start with whilst you're watching your costs.
My guess would be to make yourself available to one of the airport taxi companies that use an app, and work via them whilst you try to build up a network of private customers and businesses.
Without meaning to take the thread off-topic, a slightly unusual-looking executive-type car dropped somebody near me the other day. It was a Skoda Superb. Might be worth investigating to start with whilst you're watching your costs.
Op, where will you be based? I've just finished my first stint as a chauffeur for a private family from the Middle East. Most of my time was spent between Windsor and West London. Being new to this career I was amazed at the amount of chauffeur type companies at it. Depending on your area I think you could make a go of it with airport runs, and runs for local businesses. If you can find the right customers, they will pay more for a top class service and the right vehicle kept in immaculate condition.
I would consider the same myself, but funds do not permit at the mo. I have luckily fallen into another chauffeur type roll driving a guy around in his Bentley Mulsanne. It's a nice little number but only part time sadly. I could see a way of expanding my work in my downtime but think this would require a website, something I have no experience of.
Good luck if you go ahead with your venture, I'd be very interested to hear how you get on.
I would consider the same myself, but funds do not permit at the mo. I have luckily fallen into another chauffeur type roll driving a guy around in his Bentley Mulsanne. It's a nice little number but only part time sadly. I could see a way of expanding my work in my downtime but think this would require a website, something I have no experience of.
Good luck if you go ahead with your venture, I'd be very interested to hear how you get on.
A lot of the above is a London-centric view...
Out in the sticks it can be very different, a wealthy area of the country can provide quite a bit of work - trips to London / airports / elsewhere, lots of people with money... I know quite a few people who 'share' a driver - i.e. one person will drive for a few families - will do kids to school / people to stations / etc. - may be worth looking at...
Out in the sticks it can be very different, a wealthy area of the country can provide quite a bit of work - trips to London / airports / elsewhere, lots of people with money... I know quite a few people who 'share' a driver - i.e. one person will drive for a few families - will do kids to school / people to stations / etc. - may be worth looking at...
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