Pro detailers come in
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
Pro detailers come in So, for those of you that detail without a shop to tale the car to how do you do it? I detail for a living at a stealership and am looking at doing it on the side. My main question is, do you pick up the car and take it to your place or do you do it at their house or what? Portable power washer or something? Any guidance would be awesome.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
That's actually what I was thinking was getting a truck and mobile power washer and power supply so I can buff and do the interior there. Do you have them sign a waiver or anything or any kind of protection for yourself if you burn a panel?
12 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,847
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if you do end up doing damage to there car you are the responsable one just like if you pick there car up and get in a wreck you have to take car of it.
my buddy does that he has a guy pick up his car and i cringe every time he tells me he's geting his truck cleaned up.
my buddy does that he has a guy pick up his car and i cringe every time he tells me he's geting his truck cleaned up.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Hence why I said less.
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Verdad Gallardo That waiver would be worthless, because if you do unexpected damage to the car you will be leliable regardless of any piece of paper.
Waivers only work if it's something beyond the company's control. For example, you sign a waiver at the gym that releases them from liability if you over-work yourself and have a heart attack, because exercise is expected and a heart-attack is a possible result of that and is beyond their control. On the other hand, not crashing your car IS within the detailer's control, and therefore it's not a waive-able liability.
If you're going to pick up cars, you're going to need business insurance. I personally wouldn't let any business pick up my car without that insurance, and as a business owner wouldn't want to take the risk of crashing a $80k car without insurance. (And I don't believe your personal auto insurance covers your pick-up detailing driving. Might want to look into that)
Waivers only work if it's something beyond the company's control. For example, you sign a waiver at the gym that releases them from liability if you over-work yourself and have a heart attack, because exercise is expected and a heart-attack is a possible result of that and is beyond their control. On the other hand, not crashing your car IS within the detailer's control, and therefore it's not a waive-able liability.
If you're going to pick up cars, you're going to need business insurance. I personally wouldn't let any business pick up my car without that insurance, and as a business owner wouldn't want to take the risk of crashing a $80k car without insurance. (And I don't believe your personal auto insurance covers your pick-up detailing driving. Might want to look into that)
the waiver i was talking about wasnt for wrecking a car. I never drive my clients cars. It was for something like someone trying to blame me for a scratch that they found on their car that I didn't have anything to do with. I've never been in a situation like that,but I'm sure it could happen to anyone.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
the waiver i was talking about wasnt for wrecking a car. I never drive my clients cars. It was for something like someone trying to blame me for a scratch that they found on their car that I didn't have anything to do with. I've never been in a situation like that,but I'm sure it could happen to anyone.
I manage a shop where we drive and work on customer vehicles and we always do an inspection, not unlike a rental car place, and I point out and describe every little flaw I can find so we won't be blamed for it later
Apply to be an LLC. It's 50 bucks IIRC and one simple form. That way you can only be sued for what you have in the company if you are really going to be doing a lot of jobs.
For example, you have 500 invested in your company, if you have an LLC, that's all you can be liable for. If you don't, you can get sued for more than that.
For example, you have 500 invested in your company, if you have an LLC, that's all you can be liable for. If you don't, you can get sued for more than that.
There has been only one person whom I let take one of my cars due to being good friends and he was in a bind. Typically they drop off or im always willing to drive to their house so as long as I have shade, time, access to water.
I did a internet search about portable washers and I got some good hits.
I did a internet search about portable washers and I got some good hits.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
I setup mobile detailers as well as full blown dealerships for a living so here is the skinny:
If your going to be picking up the customers vehicles or performing an onsite mobile service you better invest in an insurance policy to cover you in case of well ANYTHING. These policys generally cost around $100-$150 per month but the piece of mind is priceless.
If your going to go mobile you will need a pressure washer, 125 gallon water tank (no more as it will be hell on your brakes and driveline to carry the water), generator to run your tools and all of your chemicals and sundries.
If you have questions on how or what to use just shoot me a PM. I would be glad to help you get started.
Joe
If your going to be picking up the customers vehicles or performing an onsite mobile service you better invest in an insurance policy to cover you in case of well ANYTHING. These policys generally cost around $100-$150 per month but the piece of mind is priceless.
If your going to go mobile you will need a pressure washer, 125 gallon water tank (no more as it will be hell on your brakes and driveline to carry the water), generator to run your tools and all of your chemicals and sundries.
If you have questions on how or what to use just shoot me a PM. I would be glad to help you get started.
Joe
Learn to buff properly before doing it on other peoples cars. Dealership training has MUCH to be desired.... Keep it by hand only until you learn the correct skill set.
That waiver would be worthless, because if you do unexpected damage to the car you will be leliable regardless of any piece of paper.
Waivers only work if it's something beyond the company's control. For example, you sign a waiver at the gym that releases them from liability if you over-work yourself and have a heart attack, because exercise is expected and a heart-attack is a possible result of that and is beyond their control. On the other hand, not crashing your car IS within the detailer's control, and therefore it's not a waive-able liability.
If you're going to pick up cars, you're going to need business insurance. I personally wouldn't let any business pick up my car without that insurance, and as a business owner wouldn't want to take the risk of crashing a $80k car without insurance. (And I don't believe your personal auto insurance covers your pick-up detailing driving. Might want to look into that)
Waivers only work if it's something beyond the company's control. For example, you sign a waiver at the gym that releases them from liability if you over-work yourself and have a heart attack, because exercise is expected and a heart-attack is a possible result of that and is beyond their control. On the other hand, not crashing your car IS within the detailer's control, and therefore it's not a waive-able liability.
If you're going to pick up cars, you're going to need business insurance. I personally wouldn't let any business pick up my car without that insurance, and as a business owner wouldn't want to take the risk of crashing a $80k car without insurance. (And I don't believe your personal auto insurance covers your pick-up detailing driving. Might want to look into that)
the waiver i was talking about wasnt for wrecking a car. I never drive my clients cars. It was for something like someone trying to blame me for a scratch that they found on their car that I didn't have anything to do with. I've never been in a situation like that,but I'm sure it could happen to anyone.
Do you have insurance to back you up or photographic evidence with extensive before pics? If not, you can easily be vulnerable.
For detailers, Garage Keepers insurance is a must. If you are driving a customer's vehicle anywhere outside your driveway, get Garage Liability as well which covers you driving their car anywhere. For me with $1 million coverage and $500 deductable it cost me under $800/yr thru State Farm.
Restricted User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I do it at my house, the clients house, as well as a few shops. Make sure you have all your products, tools, ect. I use the clients water and power I havent had any have a problem with that. If they dont have that avalible then they will drop the vehicle off at my house or at one of the shops I work out of. Also get yourself insurance, I have a limit liability insurance for my company. Depending on where you live and the insurance company you go with you will either need a limit liability or garage keepers