Setting up your own valeting Co

[keith]

Wondering if anyone can advise on starting up your own valeting company or buying into a franchise?
whats the cost of going alone as oppose to the franchise option @ about £10k. How hard is it to get work on a daily basis espec in the winter months.Better to have premises or be mobile or both. whats the best equip to buy, the must haves etc..
Any advice would be great as Iam thinking of switching careers as Its something i would like doing instead of having to do lol.

[autoperfection.com]

Where abouts are you based Keith?  If you're far far away, we'll talk, but if you're anywhere near - our lips are sealed 

[keith]

Just outside Edinburgh.

[autoperfection.com]

Possibly not much chance of us being in competition then!!! 

We can help you with regards to what to buy and must-haves etc., but in terms of whether it's better to start up on your own or buy a franchise, we wouldn't really know about this as buying into a franchise isn't something we ever looked into.  As a company, we used to do wheel refurbishments and specialised paint jobs, but the passion was always for Detailing and the aim had always been to Detail full time, which is what we do now.

Have you got any of the equipment already, or would you be starting completely from scratch?

[keith]

I have PC with a 110v set up, hallogen lamp, foam lance from yourselves , small karcher and various products
so would need to buy a lot, been looking at van lease etc it all soon adds up, deciding wether an inverter or a petrol geny is best also, its harder than it seems 

[mortygttdi]

Ive been looking into this but really just need the push in the right direction...Ive found a place that will supply all the stuff I.e water tanks for mobile or static use and complete valeting products. Obviously once your used to whats what you could by better products.

www.carvaleters.co.uk

I didn't really want to go down the franchise route and was looking for premises and once settled would be looking into a small van just for the customers that couldn't make it to my location?

I think Alex at Elite car care does bulk selling aswell very fast delivery.

I could do with speaking to you guys at autoperfection and JPC cos I know he's just got some premises and doing well.

My only problem is im quite shy and talking to other people that I dont know is not my forte,  I used to work in insurance and talking on the phone is not a problem, its just when im face to face,

Darren

[vwrascal]

Starting any new business in this financial climate is gonna be tough but if thats what you enjoy & can earn money at the same time then go for it   
good luck with everything

[gazbutS3]

1 thing I noticed when watchin Jay do my car is that its fukin hard work, I think if it was your sole income you would have to work proper hard to make a decent crust, maybe do like Jim&co and supply stuff too but then you need suppliers etc

[keith]

Ive been looking into this but really just need the push in the right direction...Ive found a place that will supply all the stuff I.e water tanks for mobile or static use and complete valeting products. Obviously once your used to whats what you could by better products.

www.carvaleters.co.uk

I didn't really want to go down the franchise route and was looking for premises and once settled would be looking into a small van just for the customers that couldn't make it to my location?

I think Alex at Elite car care does bulk selling aswell very fast delivery.

I could do with speaking to you guys at autoperfection and JPC cos I know he's just got some premises and doing well.

My only problem is im quite shy and talking to other people that I dont know is not my forte,  I used to work in insurance and talking on the phone is not a problem, its just when im face to face,

Darren

looking at vans they aint cheap either lease seems the best option 200 notes a month for VW caddy 2.0tdi

[mortygttdi]

Thats actually not too bad £200 which is the one that JC tested on top gear the VW sport van??? yes I know I should know.

It is wierd cos all the people who know always ask for there car cleaning cos they know its what I do now and again but Ive never asked for any thing in return, maybe a cuppa but I always get between £40-£50 off them I only take it to cover the products I use,

I even got asked from a passing motorist in a nissan navaro(l200 thingy majig) how much I charge...I had to tell him I was doing it has a favour cos Ive not got any liability for other peoples cars so wouldn't want to damage it.

Im seriously going to look for some premises in the next couple of month,  but im really holding out to see if we get any volentary(sp) redundancies at work cos that will really give me a chance to sort some thing out and give me that kick I need.

Let us know how you go on Keith, and I can do like wise and see if we can pass abit of knowledge on to the forum.

Darren

[x5pea]

Franchise for something like a valeting business is a waste of 10k buy in or whatever they will charge you. Its the sort of bussiness you cant start up tomorrow with a few quid and half a clue in what to do.

Id suggest taking some advise from some pro's regarding products, insurance's ect
think up a good name, buy the domain name and set yourself up as a sole trader
i can put you in touch with a company who will supply you with flyers and business cards cheap

then your good to go, get ads in yellow pages, leaflets drops and defo worth getting round offices in edinburgh and surrounding areas like livingston ect.

Ive got a mate who drives over the bridge to fife and spends the day in 2 big office blocks, hes got regualr customers who have signed up to a package which gives him regular money, hes doing astras and passats but sadly thats there isnt an endless supply of 500 quid lambo and ferrari valets

a mate of mine in Dolphington is selling a new caddy 4500 IIRC its just been painted gun metal grey and got a new engine from VW under warranty.

[illyun]

Where abouts are you based Keith?  If you're far far away, we'll talk, but if you're anywhere near - our lips are sealed 

 

[keith]

Morty,
I just read this thread some good advice
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=9987&highlight=pressure+washers

[mortygttdi]

You have a PM

Darren