The car wash and auto detailing industry in the U.S. is worth nearly $15 billion. And if you’re passionate about cars, auto detailing is a growing market you can tap into to maximize profits and build wealth.
Like any other venture, new auto service pro businesses a lot of planning, training, and grit.
We’ve put together this easy-to-use guide to get you off on the right foot. Learn everything you need to know to ensure that your auto detailing business thrives in a competitive market.
Jump to:
Many people confuse car washing with car detailing. But there are big differences between the two.
Simply put: an auto detailing service goes above and beyond a basic cleanup of your vehicle’s exterior and interior. It’s a systematic and thorough process that uses specialized tools and techniques to clean your car from the inside out.
The goal of an auto detailing service is to …
Car detailing involves cleaning every nook and cranny of the vehicle — from the exterior paint to the interior trim, seats, windows, wheels, engine, etc. Later in the article, we’ll cover more about the car detailing process.
Like any smart business owner, you want to know that there is a strong demand for the services you provide. Thankfully, auto detailing is growing in demand across the United States.
Here are some key trends and statistics you need to know to navigate the auto detailing market:
You may be wondering: is it worth the risk? Here are some of the pros of launching your car detailing business.
So what goes into an auto detailing process? Here are some of the most common auto detailing services.
This service involves thoroughly washing the exterior of the car with soap and water, and removing all the dirt, grime, pollen, and other contaminants that have built up on the vehicle.
Once the car is clean, detailers will then apply a coat of wax to protect the car’s paint and give the vehicle a showroom shine.
Like the exterior of the car, the interior also takes a beating from harsh elements — dirt and dust, grime, stains, allergens, and more.
That’s why interior detailing is a very extensive process that includes:
This service involves thoroughly cleaning and detailing the vehicle’s engine and engine compartment to remove any built-up grime, dirt, debris, and grease.
Engine cleaning helps to prevent corrosion, extends the life of the engine, and improves the car’s performance.
Paint Correction and Protection
This multi-stage service removes imperfections — scratches, swirl marks, water spots, bird droppings, etc. — in the vehicle’s paint and protects it from future damage through a coating or sealant. The goal is to restore the vehicle’s paint job to a like-new finish.
ThThe auto detailing industry doesn’t require any degree or certification. But learning the ins and outs of the business will help you get on the road to success. This step is easily accomplished by working under an experienced detailer.
To earn the trust of customers, you need to show them that you have a solid understanding of the various detailing and protective services — from cleaning and waxing to polishing and restoration.
You can also learn these skills and the latest techniques by enrolling in formal detailing classes and workshops that offer hands-on training from auto experts. Get a competitive edge by earning an industry certificate. You can also attend auto conventions and car detailing seminars to gain inspiration and wisdom from industry leaders.
You can’t master the art of auto detailing if you don’t hone your skills and practice your craft. There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.
You can get this through car detailing apprenticeships. Many auto detailing schools also have courses that let students practice the techniques in an auto shop environment. Not only will you be able to demonstrate your skills and build a portfolio of your work, but you’ll also be more confident in your ability to open an auto detailing shop.
You can’t dive into the auto detailing industry without a firm grasp of the market landscape in your local area.
Here’s why you need to conduct a market analysis and research for your auto detailing business:
A well-thought-out business plan will help you map out the specifics of your car detailing venture and focus on key areas for growth. This will cover strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
A comprehensive business plan includes:
Remember that there are two types of business plans. The first type is one that you might use to secure funding from a bank or investor. The second kind of business plan is one that you build for yourself to make sure you’ve planned properly and can reference with your CPA or small business attorney.
You’ll need to decide on a business type and location that will fit your business and your goals. These will be based on your budget and your customer’s needs.
A mobile car detailing business, for example, will appeal most to customers who are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of having a car detailing service at their homes. With this type of business, you need a reliable vehicle that’s big enough to fit all of your equipment and safely transport you from one customer location to another.
However, many local customers and passersby still prefer to have car detailing services at an auto shop. A fixed location can boost the efficiency of your car detailing operations and increase the number of jobs you can take daily. With this type, you need to buy or lease a garage or space that’s big enough to service multiple cars at a time.
To get off to a great start, you need to ensure that your car detailing business is established properly and legally.
Each state has different laws and regulations regarding licensing requirements for businesses. Check with municipal and state authorities to make sure that you comply with the rules. It’s also best to consult a lawyer so you can navigate the legalities.
Generally, you will need to do the following:
The kind of auto detailing supplies and equipment you will need for your startup depends on the type of business you choose and the services you’ll be providing. Over time, you’ll be able to figure out the tools and technology you’ll need the most.
But if you want to get started right away, here’s a list of some of the basic supplies and equipment you should consider investing in:
You can invest in more specialized equipment in the long run.
If you’re a mobile car detailing business, you’ll need to invest in a work vehicle. You may also need to look into adding mobile car detailing equipment like a water tank and a generator.
You may also consider getting a professional car detailing kit when you’re just starting. But you have to be very careful and choose kits that are put together by car detailing experts. It’s still better to source items individually if you’re after the highest quality. Check for tools with warranties.
While most auto detailing businesses start with either a one-man or two-person team, it’s still a good idea to have good, reliable people to fill essential roles so you can focus on offering excellent auto detailing services.
The decision to hire a professional team will depend on your budget, resources, and the number of services you will provide.
You may also consider working with independent contractors with the knowledge, skills, and techniques that will enable you to provide specialized detailing services for your customers.
Keep in mind that if you’re hiring employees or working with a crew, you’ll have to provide workers’ compensation, benefits, and insurance, and deduct employment taxes.
The right insurance policies or coverage will protect you, your business, and its financial well-being from unexpected events that may have a devastating impact on your cash flow.
There are many types of risks your car detailing business may face — from injuries on equipment to slips and falls and potential hazards such as chemical exposure.
Most auto detailing businesses get general liability insurance to protect from damages arising from third-party claims.
For example, this type of insurance can protect your business if someone gets hurt on your property or if you or one of your employees accidentally damage a car during service.
There are many different types of business insurance available and each carries an extra level of risk. It’s best to consult professionals to help you analyze your options and figure out which kind of coverage will work best for your detailing business.
A marketing plan outlines the specific strategies you will use to attract new customers. You need to consider which marketing tactics will work best for your local market and will benefit your business in the long term.
Here are some marketing ideas that will help you bring in new prospects:
The statistics vary per industry but generally, it’s cheaper for businesses to retain customers than acquire new ones. That means you need to prioritize ways to keep in touch with your clients and get them to come back for more of your auto detailing services.
For many businesses, email marketing and text reminders are the most effective channels for customer retention. Have people sign up for your mailing list so you can occasionally send updates, special promos, and referral discounts to your loyal customers.
Connecting with customers via SMS, Messenger, and social media channels will also help you grow your customer base.
Auto detailing is a very competitive industry. If you’re new to the game, you need to figure out how to grab the attention of your customers and make them choose you as their go-to auto detailer.
Some of the most popular advertising strategies include:
Follow these steps to start an auto detailing business and get on the right track to success.
The road ahead may be bumpy, but with hard work and dedication, you’ll be able to perfect your strategy, provide exceptional car detailing services, and take your car detailing business to the next level.