Free info to help you become a success and earn
lots of money doing things you love.
CLEAN IT - AND CASH IN
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
£50-£60 for the
thorough cleaning of a £20,000 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 £200!
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 £100 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 £30 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 £10,000 -
£20,000 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 £20 for even a
small car like a Mini. Family type cars e.g. a Sierra or
Cavalier should cost around £30. An executive Granada or
Rover could be cleaned for £40 or so. For any type of luxury
car or sports car - Mercedes, BMW, Porsche etc., don't charge
less than £50-£60. 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 £50 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 underbody etc., unless
specifically asked to do so. You will really need a pressure
washer to do this and you should charge £10-£15
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 £20 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 rust proofing 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,
motorhomes, 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.
