Setting up a valeting business?
Discussion
I have about 5 years left in my present job, so am trying to cobble ideas together of what i would like to do in my next life.....i appreciate cars and do not mind a bit of hard work, so one of the ideas that came to me re-training and getting into valeting....i have 4 options i wish to investigate...
1) is it recommended to start my own business?
2) can i buy into a franchise?
3) go into business with a good mate who had a valeting business previously?
4) work for someone else?
thanks in advance...Nick
1) is it recommended to start my own business?
2) can i buy into a franchise?
3) go into business with a good mate who had a valeting business previously?
4) work for someone else?
thanks in advance...Nick
Why give x amount of £££'s to a company for a franchise when you can use this to set yourself up and be completely in control of your own destiny.
I would use the cash to set yourself up with a little premises (or a vehicle if you want to go mobile). Buy all the kit (not much I would imagine) and distribute lots of leaflets on a regular basis, advertise, do editorials with friendly papers etc.
I would use the cash to set yourself up with a little premises (or a vehicle if you want to go mobile). Buy all the kit (not much I would imagine) and distribute lots of leaflets on a regular basis, advertise, do editorials with friendly papers etc.
I would suggest targetting business parks and offices. Clean peoples cars while they are at work. Seems very popular around us.
There have been a few "Kosavan CarWashes" been set up in Milton Keynes where you get a hand carwash in minutes for a couple of quid by a group of surly immigrants.
There have been a few "Kosavan CarWashes" been set up in Milton Keynes where you get a hand carwash in minutes for a couple of quid by a group of surly immigrants.
Nick P said:
what sort of ball park figure are you looking at to start a mobile business?
Depends I guess on what you want to do but shouldnt be too dificult to work out.
You need a van of some kind (probably best to lease this), fitted out with a pressure washer, vaccum and all your cleaning materials, waxes, polishes etc.
The rest is just graft and perceverance.
Good advice earlier, target industrial estates and perhaps visit each one once a fortnight or so regularly so clients and potential clients know you are around every other Tuesday for example.
Ask if you can put leaflets on company notice boards, wait till lunchtime perhaps when people leave the building for a smoke or a sandwhich and pitch the idea to them.
Initially just carpet bomb your area with leaflets and try to pick up regular clients.
'Miracle' 
Nick P said:
I have about 5 years left in my present job, so am trying to cobble ideas together of what i would like to do in my next life.....i appreciate cars and do not mind a bit of hard work, so one of the ideas that came to me re-training and getting into valeting....i have 4 options i wish to investigate...
1) is it recommended to start my own business?
2) can i buy into a franchise?
3) go into business with a good mate who had a valeting business previously?
4) work for someone else?
thanks in advance...Nick
Couldn`t you offer to sweep runways as an "external" contractor
Seriously - 1) without a doubt, the rewards you gain (hopefully - not guaranteed of course) from your hard work will line your pockets and not the boss`s!
Are you considering high end valeting or just the car wash end?
I would say you should offer both mobile and have a small unit aswell. You could collect customers cars and drop them back whilst they are at work??
What I would say DON'T get tied into a dealership I have seen it time and time again a small valeting company gets into one and then one of the big players comes in under cuts the price and there gone... with no other customers its good night vienna..
What I would say DON'T get tied into a dealership I have seen it time and time again a small valeting company gets into one and then one of the big players comes in under cuts the price and there gone... with no other customers its good night vienna..
Franchising might (and I stress MIGHT) get you off the ground quicker, and open doors say to car showrooms etc, and will take out all the hassle of choosing products, designing literature etc. But after year one it will probably be a monkey on your back.
You will need a new van - it has to be immaculate of course. Get one in black or some other dark colour, polish the crap out of it, and stick a chrome vinyl logo on the side. You need to be blinding people in bright sunlight to drum up business. Get some logo'd up overalls as well. Image is totally everything when what you are selling is essentially image.
You will need a new van - it has to be immaculate of course. Get one in black or some other dark colour, polish the crap out of it, and stick a chrome vinyl logo on the side. You need to be blinding people in bright sunlight to drum up business. Get some logo'd up overalls as well. Image is totally everything when what you are selling is essentially image.
The problem I have always thought is thus; I love washing cars. I take real pride in it and I enjoy doing all the (what I call) titty bits to my car.
But, can you imagine being given a Citroen C5 with curbed filthy alloys, hasn't been washed for ages, crap on the inside. I mean the work to get that looking beautiful will be alot - but will it be worth to the customer what you have to put in? As such, it may be cost prohibitive at that end of the market.
On the other hand, people will happily pay £100 to have their Ferrari cleaned properly - but you need to be spot on - and, indeed, have that £5800 wax!
I would say NO to the small unit. Never, not EVER, would I give my pride and joy to anyone (no offence intended) to drive to a small industrial unit somewhere (which could be 10...15 miles away!). Not a chance. EVER.
But, can you imagine being given a Citroen C5 with curbed filthy alloys, hasn't been washed for ages, crap on the inside. I mean the work to get that looking beautiful will be alot - but will it be worth to the customer what you have to put in? As such, it may be cost prohibitive at that end of the market.
On the other hand, people will happily pay £100 to have their Ferrari cleaned properly - but you need to be spot on - and, indeed, have that £5800 wax!
I would say NO to the small unit. Never, not EVER, would I give my pride and joy to anyone (no offence intended) to drive to a small industrial unit somewhere (which could be 10...15 miles away!). Not a chance. EVER.
my sister used to run a franchised car wash/valeting business in aldershot. when she first started she made an absolute fortune, eventually the company that ran the franchise kept raising the price of their share of the 'drive through' carwash which meant people stayed away, or went somewhere else
however the biggest part of her earnings was through valeting. its very hard work as people expect to bea able to get their cars cleaned 24 hours a day, very busy on the weekend too... and lots of competition from the eastern europeans, which is why she bailed out
however the biggest part of her earnings was through valeting. its very hard work as people expect to bea able to get their cars cleaned 24 hours a day, very busy on the weekend too... and lots of competition from the eastern europeans, which is why she bailed out
Have a look on Ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mobile-Valet-Business-for-sale
There is normally a few up for sale....
I'm not sure if that means they have failed or not...
They might give you an idea of cost/equipment etc...
You could even ask them a few questions...?
Dave
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mobile-Valet-Business-for-sale
There is normally a few up for sale....
I'm not sure if that means they have failed or not...
They might give you an idea of cost/equipment etc...
You could even ask them a few questions...?
Dave
iandbeech said:
Are you considering high end valeting or just the car wash end?
Definitely the high end and aiming at doing quality motors.....the vision i have is the one where i have a smart van, overalls, decent equipment, polish etc to project a professional image. Being in the forces at present i consider myself to have a hard working attitude and take pride in what i do....as long as i get the benefits too ££££££££££££££££££££££££££. I already have a good contact who is in the chemicals industry and makes all sorts of polishes and cleaners, so that would be a head start. i would also aim to provide the Zymol type service as well for the 'more discerning' customer.
at the end of the day as long as i can pay the mortgage, look after the family and buy some toys, i'll be happy....and if it means spending my days rubbing myself on smart cars then so be it
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