A LESSON IN ECONOMICS
Most observers would agree that the cleaning industry is
one of the fastest growing and most profitable ever.
Many small businesses have turned into large companies
in a very short time. Opportunities such as contract
cleaning, or carpet cleaning, have been winners for some!
Of course, the large potential profits make cleaning very
competitive. So, what is needed is a venture within
cleaning that is still very underdeveloped. Such an
opportunity can be found in car valeting - a high paying
business that is just waiting to take off!
Car valeting is an essential service. The high value of
cars and the need to keep up appearances of these
prestige possessions dictates this. Who would not pay
œ50-œ60 for the thorough cleaning of a œ20,000 car? You
can be sure there is more than enough demand for this
service.
All the service involves is advertising and carrying out
thorough car cleaning - easy and not unpleasant.
Customers both trade and private are everywhere. You
don't need premises - the modern way is to offer a mobile
service. But - it could be the start of your own valeting
and car care centre!
START TODAY!
Starting as a valeter is so easy you could just start today!
All you need to do is think of a professional name to trade
under - comical names are often best e.g. 'Mr. Cleanacar'.
Have some business cards printed which can be circulated
to pull in business.
Your home is an ideal base and the use of a telephone
will be helpful. You can work full time or part time with
another job. Weekends are a good time for this service -
and even cleaning 3 or 4 large cars per weekend could
earn you œ200!
The only essentials needed to start include some form of
transport - a car, van or even a bike. If you live in a
densely populated area you could even walk which
really keeps the cost of each job low. Either way,
running a mobile service is much cheaper than using
premises - use your customers facilities!
Build up a small collection of the usual car cleaning
tools - cloths, dusters, sponges, buckets and various types
of cleaning compound - a good wax polish is a must! At
a later date you can buy steam cleaners for washing
vehicle exteriors and cleaning carpets and upholstery.
But, these are not vital to start - especially as you will
require two machines for at least œ100 each!
You don't need any skill to start. Techniques for
obtaining high standards come easily with practice. One
tip is not to 'skimp' on cleaning compounds. Some of
these might be expensive but they cut down the effort
needed!
SELLING YOUR SERVICE
Selling valeting services couldn't be easier. Just think
how many cars are on the road. Even cleaning a tiny
fraction of them would lead to a certainly-not-tiny
fortune. Pitch your service everywhere you find a car.
Cars less than 4 years old are most likely to be your
business. Luxury/Executive cars are very lucrative - but
there is plenty of money in small cars too!
Private motorists use this service readily. This is
particularly so if they are selling their car. Having it
professionally cleaned can add hundreds of pounds to its
value - so valeting really does pay for itself. Travelling
round cleaning cars outside private homes is a not
inconsiderable business!
There are also many business operators of cars you should
sell to. Business fleet operators, car hire and taxi firms
all need your services. Regularly cleaned cars look better
for business and keep their resale value. But, some of the
most lucrative business is to be obtained from motor
dealers of both new and used cars. Most dealers valet cars
prior to sale, but most see this as an unwanted distraction.
You can offer to prepare vehicles for them.
Indeed, many car valeters have lucrative contracts with
garages to valet new and used cars for sale.
This provides regular, lucrative work - and you can
operate from the garages own premises. A full time
business could thrive on 20-25 cars per week, each
cleaned for only œ30 each!
Use as many different ways as possible for selling your
service. Make sure they are professional and reflect a
high quality service. Press advertising, leaflets and door
to door calling are excellent ways of getting work from
private motorists. Personal visits and mailshots are good
ways of selling your service to trade customers. However,
an excellent source of business is recommendation by past
customers and this costs you nothing. In particular garage
customers might recommend your service to friends in the
trade - which could turn out to be very lucrative!
Deal with all enquiries carefully and professionally. The
customer might be trusting you with a vehicle worth
œ10,000 - œ20,000 so you must sound reliable. Explain
that your service is mobile, i.e. you come to them. With
each order try and obtain a firm time and date when you
will call to carry out the work.
Always agree a price in advance. This can be more or
less what you like as your costs are very low indeed. A
fair and profitable way of pricing is to match your price
to the value of the car. Don't charge less than about œ20
for even a small car like a Mini. Family type cars e.g. a
Sierra or Cavalier should cost around œ30. An executive
Granada or Rover could be cleaned for œ40 or so. For
any type of luxury car or sports car - Mercedes, BMW,
Porsche etc, don't charge less than œ50-œ60. Your
service is worth it, and the owner will demand a good
job.
If you are able to obtain contract work from a garage
you could offer them a trade reduction. Regular
business on which you can build a sound venture is
always highly desirable.
CAR VALETING TRADE 'SECRETS'
When you obtain orders you should organise work
carefully. This will depend on whether you are working
full or part time. In general, a small car will only take
about two hours to valet. Allow half a day for the larger
cars - but œ50 is still good earnings for a half days work!
Be sure to take all your equipment with you to the
customers premises. Whether you are working at a
house or business premises you should not clean a car
parked in a busy road - apart from the danger it will
soon get dirty. Ask the customer to provide water and
power and a vacuum cleaner which is better than using
your own. A garage might have a power washer or
upholstery cleaning machine you can use.
It is best to start by cleaning the exterior of the car as
this is hardest. You can then sit down to clean the
interior. Wash all over with a good quality car shampoo
and hot water. Never use washing up liquid as this
causes streaks which make polishing harder. After
washing dry off with a rubber buffer. Using a wet and
dry polish means you can polish the exterior
immediately with no waiting. Most polishes (but not
silicone ones) will clean the windows to a good standard
too.
Make a point of cleaning any chrome - but this is fairly
rate on modern cars. However, cleaning it does make a
big difference to the vehicle. Clean any black or grey
plastic trim - bumpers, spoilers, etc. with a good silicone
polish so that they shine.
You should not neglect to clean all minor things like
headlights, rear lights, number plates and any badges.
Clean and sparkling glass makes the rest of the car look
clean too!
Clean wheels and tyres thoroughly. Paint tyres over with
a solution of tyre paint and turps. This restores that 'as
new' look.
Do not clean the engine compartment or under body etc,
unless specifically asked to do so. You will really need a
pressure washer to do this and you should charge œ10-œ15
extra for the service. Brand new cars might have a
protective wax covering and this will need to be removed
with a pressure washer - most garages will have one
though.
When the vehicle exterior is finished you can turn to the
inside. First, clean all the door shuts as these are rarely
cleaned and doing so will make a big difference. Then,
start on the inside. Clear all 'junk' out of a used car -
sweet papers, cigarette packets etc! Remove protective
covers from a new car.
If you have a carpet/upholstery cleaner, you can steam
clean soiled interiors. Otherwise a thorough vacuuming
will suffice. Also vacuum the headlining.
Clean all interior trim which is usually PVC. This
includes door interiors and seat backs. Carefully clean the
dash. Dust can be removed with a vacuum cleaner, then
polish with a silicone polish. On a used car windows will
then need to be washed to remove the greasy film that
usually develops. On a new car various labels and crayon
markings will need to be cleaned off. When working for
a dealer ask them to supply seat covers and mats to
protect the finished car.
Finally, don't forget to clean the boot area when working
for a dealer. If cleaning a private car this service
should not be included. People don't expect it - and
cleaning most boots is sometimes a virtually impossible
task!
You will soon find various types and ways of cleaning
that will really make your finished work look impressive
and ensure customer satisfaction. When cleaning a
private car clean it to get clean. When cleaning a trade
car clean it to look clean - and to sell!
On completion of the work ask your customer to check it
over. It is not unreasonable to ask them to pay now - no
credit! Try and negotiate contract work for a trade
customer. Try and get private customers to book their
next valet - in six or twelve months time. It's all extra
income!
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!
Car valeting certainly offers a good opportunity for a
small or not-so-small business. The work is not hard but
can still earn you œ20 or more per hour clear profit!
What's more - some people are doing it now, it's no
dream.
If you want a larger business there is ample room for
expansion. Once you have a regular business you could
consider opening a valet centre in small premises in
addition to your mobile service. Much better for getting
regular contracts.
Many other services can also be easily offered. You
don't have to know anything about cars or offer
mechanical services. Car rustproofing is a popular and
profitable service. Many paintwork preserving
treatments can be applied. Upholstery protection
services are the latest car care service - get the chemical
needed from a carpet cleaners supplier. Styling
accessories like spoilers or body styling kits or stripes
can all be easily fitted for high profits. There are lots of
car services that don't come under the realm of a garage
and are just waiting to be exploited by you! And - what
about valeting vans, lorry cabs, caravans, motor homes, etc?
The cleaning industry is a truly vast multi-million pound
one. Unlike many businesses there are still profitable
opportunities that are not saturated with new operators, a
quality car valet service is one such opportunity.
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