How much would you pay ???

[proline31]

Hello All.
I am finally properly equipped and getting everything together (business license,general liability insurance, commercial auto policy) for my mobile marine/auto detailing business here in my small town. I've been detailing cars for 12 years and boats for 8.
Where i live fishing is the one thing everyone does. most people here in alaska give a crap about there rig, but there boat on the other hand, well thats where all the money goes.So here we are. Keep in mind i do have a day job.

I am thinking of offering monthly boat "detail"wash ( p wash w/degreaser, scrub everything w/toothbrush, deck brush etc( to remove all green mildew and grime, bird crap etc)),again with soap, chamois dry and squeege windows for 5/ft.
offering
1 wax at 10/ft (obv only clean hulls..)
2 buff and compound then wax at 20/ft
3 wet sanding then compound then wax at 30/ft.
all three restoration services also come with the detail wash
Engine room & bilge detailing at 50/hr

I even thought of meeting people at the dock with fresh water to pwash the boat and flush motor while they filet fish,...

Does anyone have comments, advice, or suggestions ?

The cohos are gunna be here soon !!!
God Bless + Happy Boating

 

[dingbat]

22' walkaround w/hardtop. Total detail....wash, compound and two coats of wax. Cabin, hatches, fish boxes and bilge cleaned.
$25 per ft.= $550

 

[ondarvr]

The cost is also determined by where you live and the length of the season, in warm regions of North America there is a great deal of competition for detailing and similar services, plus you can make a living all year. In AK there won't be as much competition and it will only be for part of the year, this usually increases the price. Plus, things are typically just more expensive in Alaska.

​The down side is that where you find hot weather and water, you find guys with money trying to impress people and look good, they tend to spend money freely, when most of the people are going out to catch crab, halibut and salmon they don't put the same amount of money into appearance.


​Forgot to add, I wouldn't pay anything, I'm the fisherman, the boat gets pressure washed a couple of times a year (maybe), and I have never waxed a boat I own. I will do it (well, used to) to someone else's boat for money though.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Those numbers you threw out the sound very reasonable to me. I have paid much more in the past

 

[proline31]

22' walkaround w/hardtop. Total detail....wash, compound and two coats of wax. Cabin, hatches, fish boxes and bilge cleaned.
$25 per ft.= $550

Yes thank you for you input. I'm hoping to keep my prices affordable to always have work and spread my name around town. Thank you sir

 

[proline31]

The cost is also determined by where you live and the length of the season, in warm regions of North America there is a great deal of competition for detailing and similar services, plus you can make a living all year. In AK there won't be as much competition and it will only be for part of the year, this usually increases the price. Plus, things are typically just more expensive in Alaska.

​The down side is that where you find hot weather and water, you find guys with money trying to impress people and look good, they tend to spend money freely, when most of the people are going out to catch crab, halibut and salmon they don't put the same amount of money into appearance.


​Forgot to add, I wouldn't pay anything, I'm the fisherman, the boat gets pressure washed a couple of times a year (maybe), and I have never waxed a boat I own. I will do it (well, used to) to someone else's boat for money though.

Yeah I assumed commercial fisherman would do it themselves. I'm sure lots of people just hire a laborer to smear wax everywhere.I offer detailing.
There is nobody here in my town doing this.

Occasionally the one fiberglass guy we do have will buff one out.
I'm trying to appeal to a certain crowd, which is why I'm posting here to see if anyone can give me tips for marketing or sales.. Flyers on all boats in marina? Put Business card in a ziploc on them?

 

[proline31]

Those numbers you threw out the sound very reasonable to me. I have paid much more in the past

What made you decide ok I'll pay for this guy to buff my boat.?? Even though you say his rates were high ?
Do higher rates make people think professional quality ??
In business like this would you say it's better to have lower rates to have more people buy the service?

I would rather have someone hire me to detail there boat and tip me because of the hard work, rather than get shot down because of the price.

 

[wrvond]

FWIW, when I bought my boat, the marina that sold it on consignment paid a guy to detail it. He did a pretty decent job, all things considered, except he used a pressure washer. Suddenly a boat that had never leaked had water running in all four portlights and the tambour doors on two of the cabinets were ruined. Campers, boats, and autos should never be pressure washed as far as I'm concerned.

 

[ondarvr]

FWIW, boats, and autos should never be pressure washed as far as I'm concerned.

​That's the difference in how people build and use boats, I build, or rebuild, my boats for that kind of cleaning and use, and many in AK are the same way, very few have shiny go fast boats with sunscreen and bikinis as the main factor creating wear and tear on the gel coat. And I have no problem with boats or people where that's the main goal, or anything in between, it just depends on what aspect of boating you enjoy.

​I think the last time I waxed a car or truck was when I was around 20 years old, they get the occasional car wash and that's it, so it's been a very long time.

​I will say that my trucks and boats are all stored indoors though.

 

[wrvond]

​That's the difference in how people build and use boats, I build, or rebuild, my boats for that kind of cleaning and use, and many in AK are the same way, very few have shiny go fast boats with sunscreen and bikinis as the main factor creating wear and tear on the gel coat. And I have no problem with boats or people where that's the main goal, or anything in between, it just depends on what aspect of boating you enjoy.

​I think the last time I waxed a car or truck was when I was around 20 years old, they get the occasional car wash and that's it, so it's been a very long time.

​I will say that my trucks and boats are all stored indoors though.

No doubt, and I wasn't referring to your post at all. What a person does to their own property is their business as far as I'm concerned, and I'd be the last person to tell you how to take care of your boat that I've never even seen.
However, if I were to go into business washing/cleaning other people's boats, I believe it would be a very good idea to avoid forcing water at high pressure into places it might shouldn't go.
Hence my recommendation to the OP to reconsider the use of a pressure washer in his business. I know that I would be very upset if I found out a "detailer" had used a pressure washer on my computer controlled truck engine.

 

[ondarvr]

Yes, definitely.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I agree that a high pressure washer in the wrong hands can be very damaging, on any surface. It isn't a garden hose. I do car and boat detailing as a hobby and often barter for other work. I have to ask one question, Why is there no person before you to have a detailing service where you are? Paying someone to detail is like having someone come into their homes once or more a week to clean. Generally only those fairly well off can afford that. Before opening any business you have to do your due diligence. From the average income in your area to a profit/loss calculation and many things between. A business plan is needed for any venture, no matter how small. A job without a plan is a plan for disaster. Are you in a position to pay for any damage you did on a vessel whether your fault or not, can you afford liability insurance? No one is touching my $6000.00 or $600,000.00 boat if you aren't insured. Are you ready to defend yourself in court when something goes terribly wrong. Take note of the power washer story. Ruin 1 paint job and you are out of business and will pay for it for a long time. How about Workers Comp, are you paying into it? What if you accidently throw the owners puppy overboard? It might sound funny but courts are full of good intention gone wrong.

Off the cuff I would say if no one before you offered this service there probably isn't a market. I know if I owned a commercial fishing vessel I am not paying for something that my crew can do with some supervision. I find that people are willing to pay for detailing because A) They can afford to pay someone else they can do themselves B) They are trying to sell the car or boat.

Good luck.

 

[proline31]

I agree that a high pressure washer in the wrong hands can be very damaging, on any surface. It isn't a garden hose. I do car and boat detailing as a hobby and often barter for other work. I have to ask one question, Why is there no person before you to have a detailing service where you are? Paying someone to detail is like having someone come into their homes once or more a week to clean. Generally only those fairly well off can afford that. Before opening any business you have to do your due diligence. From the average income in your area to a profit/loss calculation and many things between. A business plan is needed for any venture, no matter how small. A job without a plan is a plan for disaster. Are you in a position to pay for any damage you did on a vessel whether your fault or not, can you afford liability insurance? No one is touching my $6000.00 or $600,000.00 boat if you aren't insured. Are you ready to defend yourself in court when something goes terribly wrong. Take note of the power washer story. Ruin 1 paint job and you are out of business and will pay for it for a long time. How about Workers Comp, are you paying into it? What if you accidently throw the owners puppy overboard? It might sound funny but courts are full of good intention gone wrong.

Off the cuff I would say if no one before you offered this service there probably isn't a market. I know if I owned a commercial fishing vessel I am not paying for something that my crew can do with some supervision. I find that people are willing to pay for detailing because A) They can afford to pay someone else they can do themselves B) They are trying to sell the car or boat.

Good luck.

Insurance as of now is the project, because boats and cars are like comparing apples to oranges an insurance for each is way different.
Here in AK not many people are focused on brilliant showroom homes and rigs. But it is the salmon capital of the world and everyone with money has a boat, or two.

With that being said both your options A&B are fine by me which is why I'm seeking advice for rates.

I have yet to be asked for anything paperwork wise besides my cell number and rates. It's all been word of mouth .
I don't know why nobody has started a business but I do know that I've been here three years and every summer I have done on avg 8 boats between buff and wax and bottom paint.

As far as pressure washing goes I don't go near Windows or hatches or the high pressure tip. I simply use it to spray soap across the entire boat in a matter of 20seconds and then I use the wide tip to spray down. I don't hold the pressure washer with the 0degree tip on top the Windows or Gelcoat... I appreciate the tip and I will be sure to keep in mind.
Most boats here are used 6mo and pulled and winterized.
I've been able to stay busy without license insurance or advertising this far.

I realize that marinas require a lot of insurance compared to a mobile car Detailer which is my current predicament !!

Business Itself will be INC so that it is separate from me.

I don't want other employees , I haven't found good workers that I can trust and keep up with work ethic an attention to detail.

My client base has been people living here only 6 months and leave there boat moored all winter, older guys mid 40-60 who have never done more than rinse down with soap and water, and people with nice boats who have been so thrilled to find out about a Detailer.

I'm not advertising to impress commercial fisherman .

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I'm talking about liability insurance. If you hire a guy to shingle your roof and falls off it and doesn't have liability insurance the homeowner is on the hook for his injuries. Detailing doesn't carry the same risks for certain. 8 detailing jobs over the summer is a hobby not a business. Only you can determine what to charge for a myriad of reasons. In past great markets the formula was COST + PROFIT = PRICE, under current economic times it's PRICE-COST= PROFIT OR LOSS.

 

[proline31]

I'm talking about liability insurance. If you hire a guy to shingle your roof and falls off it and doesn't have liability insurance the homeowner is on the hook for his injuries. Detailing doesn't carry the same risks for certain. 8 detailing jobs over the summer is a hobby not a business. Only you can determine what to charge for a myriad of reasons. In past great markets the formula was COST + PROFIT = PRICE, under current economic times it's PRICE-COST= PROFIT OR LOSS.

Thank you. Yes I will most likely be starting my rates at cost of overhead+labor time set around 20?
Since the boats are only in water 6mo out of the year it has been spring,summer time when people are doing this work.

 

[proline31]

How many hours in a total wax job do you guys put in for a 30' cuddy cabin? Boat is clean and ready to go.
Wax The top sides and hull sides .
16?

 

[proline31]

Well my customer has decided to take his boat for a spin and I haven't finished the job yet. He says that's okay you'll just have to wash it again... Pfft its a 70' ....
So do I renogiate the original estimate now ?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Well my customer has decided to take his boat for a spin and I haven't finished the job yet. He says that's okay you'll just have to wash it again... Pfft its a 70' ....
So do I renogiate the original estimate now ?

Of course you add the rewash to the price. Write out a work order change and have him sign it. You must know how long it took to wash that Air Craft Carrier. If he refuses walk, if he pays you zero for what you have already done welcome to the harsh world of business and small claims court. Don't forget courts don't take lightly those that do cash businesses.You talk about being a corporation vs. LLB. You better look into the difference. From here on in my consulting fee is $125.00/hour, but only in Canadian funds.
Good luck again

 

[jbcurt00]

If you gave him a time frame you'd meet, however vague, you may have even less recourse. Even if he asked

A couple days?

And you didnt correct him, put a week in writting, Or said a few days......

A couple/few days isnt specific enough, IMO. People often hear what they want, even when they agree to something in writting and sign off on it.

Yep, welcome to running your own small business. It may end up that you forgoe charging him, but let him know you arent, because you want to keep his boat business. Charge him or stop working where you are and risk him not only using someone else next year (s) and he may make a stink that follows you, so no new business from anyone at that marina or the others in the same area. A 70ftr is probably a hefty wash and wax fee. Be nice to keep doing it and others nearby every year for the foreseeable future.

Call it a learning experience. It happens. If you can cover your expenses and make a little off it, consider doing it. Then modify how you agree to do work in the future, change how you write estimates.....



Good luck...

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Figure out what it costs you to do a complete job from start to finish for each square foot and that will help you estimate more closely. Wash, deoxidize, wax, etc. or a combination of any or all. You asked about charging too high. It is very easy to discount, try raising your price 1% and watch customers flee like refugees. Your cost plus formula will not work in todays market. Get a few books on small business and read them and understand it, not people opinions or blogs from the Internet, including here. The free market system hasn't really changed since the middle ages, or before. Is there a Community College where your are? Sit down with an admissions councillor and start taking some courses, asap. Education is a business cost. Based on your questions you are a long way from a profitable business.