Mobile Valeting - Anyone do it/Done it?

[T6ChrisO]

Hi guys,
As most will know, been made redundant and considering doing my main job (AutoCAD) as a freelance self-employed role which got me wondering about another passion of mine, car cleaning. The two would hopefully keep me busy enough and the £££ coming in

I'm seriously thinking about setting up a mobile valet business as I have most of the gear and can get a cheap small van with the sale of my T6 (need to sell the T6 to ease finances so not an option to use for this purpose). Has anyone ever done it or still does it? My friend does it and seems to earn well from it and even has a unit now although he has progressed himself into detailing which I don't plan to do.

Plan is to get a Ford Transit Courier and kit it out with water tank and wet & dry vac, I have all the other gear. Looked at Caddys but they are still ££££££ and at the minute beggers cant be choosers!

PS - Please let me stay if I can a transit

 

[Bertrum]

I think if you do a great job and are priced so it’s worth your while and you’re not uncompetitive then it’ll all be good. I have been self employed for many decades and it’s always a bit of feast and famine for a little bit while you build a client base that you can keep satisfied. I wish you all the best in your endeavours. Take care and be well.

 

[DaveD]

Hi guys,
As most will know, been made redundant and considering doing my main job (AutoCAD) as a freelance self-employed role which got me wondering about another passion of mine, car cleaning. The two would hopefully keep me busy enough and the £££ coming in

I'm seriously thinking about setting up a mobile valet business as I have most of the gear and can get a cheap small van with the sale of my T6 (need to sell the T6 to ease finances so not an option to use for this purpose). Has anyone ever done it or still does it? My friend does it and seems to earn well from it and even has a unit now although he has progressed himself into detailing which I don't plan to do.

Plan is to get a Ford Transit Courier and kit it out with water tank and wet & dry vac, I have all the other gear. Looked at Caddys but they are still ££££££ and at the minute beggers cant be choosers!

PS - Please let me stay if I can a transit

My two pennyworth;
Mobile valeting is something that people spend spare money on and in the event of economic problems or higher taxes (trying to stay off politics!!!) it's also one of the first things that people cut back on when times are hard.
They still phone a plumber when their pipes burst, they still MOT their car, they still replace the tyres when they have to, but nobody phones to book a mobile valet if they can't afford to pay the council tax this month.
Despite that, there are probably always going to be those who don't want to wash their own car or queue up at the local money laundering establishment waiting for somebody to wash it, and who can afford to pay somebody to attend their home or workplace and valet their car. Especially in Essex.
You might be well placed to do this as you don't have to start from nothing and buy everything you need.
Whatever you decide, keep us updated!

 

[Chippie1]

I use a guy that’s a mobile Detailer probably twice a year does van and car in a day.The rest of the year I enjoy cleaning myself. The problem is most people who use these kind of services are after more than just a valet most of the time.Mine does a decontamination before a machine polish (to get rid of any swirls I’ve created) and some sort of protection to last me the year.
Wish you luck what ever you decide

 

[T6ChrisO]

My two pennyworth;
Mobile valeting is something that people spend spare money on and in the event of economic problems or higher taxes (trying to stay off politics!!!) it's also one of the first things that people cut back on when times are hard.
They still phone a plumber when their pipes burst, they still MOT their car, they still replace the tyres when they have to, but nobody phones to book a mobile valet if they can't afford to pay the council tax this month.
Despite that, there are probably always going to be those who don't want to wash their own car or queue up at the local money laundering establishment waiting for somebody to wash it, and who can afford to pay somebody to attend their home or workplace and valet their car. Especially in Essex.
You might be well placed to do this as you don't have to start from nothing and buy everything you need.
Whatever you decide, keep us updated!

You are right in saying a may be well placed because it’s exactly that here. Lots of well off older generation with nice cars who don’t do it themselves. All I think is it’s worth a punt as I have everything I need to set up and do it.

Thank you for your input

 

[Macp]

I spoke to a local guy couple weeks ago, and he apologised for being booked solid. So the work is definitely out there. The positive is I decided to get my own DA polisher and lotions & potions

 

[Ali-G]

Good luck.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Good luck.

Thank you

 

[Bav]

If you decide to do it, I'm sure you'll smash it Chris.

 

[Pewt]

I know a lad who started with touring caravans. Stumbled on a business when he was cleaning his parent's at a caravan storage place and then others asked him to do theirs.....he's now doing really well and packed in his job and went full time.

All the best buddy

 

[Transportus Maximus]

Stating the bleeding obvious and all that …

And only my second post on here so it feels a bit awkward dispensing a little wisdom from 35 years of self employed tradesman work but absolutely top of the list is adequate public and products liability mate. Before you even do your first job.

Trust me, you’ll sleep far better for it.

 

[Transportus Maximus]

Oh, and another thing…

Again I’m probably spouting common knowledge but this one is new to me. I’ve just discovered a company called Spotless Water. They have a static deionised water dispensing station two minutes drive from my house. Pure, deionised water for about 4p (with an account) or 6p (without) per litre.

My misses bought one of those steam generator irons and it drinks water so I filled up empty, washed out adblue containers 40 (ish) litres for about two quid.

Could he worth looking for the same or similar if you don’t have the kit to produce your own.

 

[Bav]

Stating the bleeding obvious and all that …

And only my second post on here so it feels a bit awkward dispensing a little wisdom from 35 years of self employed tradesman work but absolutely top of the list is adequate public and products liability mate. Before you even do your first job.

Trust me, you’ll sleep far better for it.

TBF, that's not necessarily bleeding obvious to a salaried employee who may be branching-out into self-employent for the first time.

 

[DXX]

@Tourershine refurbishes mobile homes as far as I’m aware, along the lines although a lot more involved, maybe there’s some advice to be given?

 

[Transportus Maximus]

TBF, that's not necessarily bleeding obvious to a salaried employee who may be branching-out into self-employent for the first time.

Yep. And as a devout believer in Sod’s Law, then the only time you’ll need that insurance is when you haven’t got it.
35 years I’ve never claimed once but if I give it up you just know the very next day that I’m gonna tread on someone’s Stradivarius when I walk in their house to pick up a job.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Many thanks everyone and yeah don't worry I'll be looking into any insurance that is required

 

[JOG]

Public liability insurance is cheap as chips….its usually bundled up with other insurance policies. So, take out a business insurance anyway. It’s seen as a selling point to have “fully insured” as a strap-line on a flyer or business card.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Done one quote just now for business insurance and public liability and that came out at £18 per month. £100k business and £1m liability (couldn't have less than that)

 

[Ricardo T]

Good luck with eveything buddy, stay positive and things will work out. Shame you are a but too far away for me to use your services.
Even £18 a month seems steep to me tbh...try James Haliam insurance Brokers in Ipswich...always teated me well and mine comes in at under £180 for the year.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Good luck with eveything buddy, stay positive and things will work out. Shame you are a but too far away for me to use your services.
Even £18 a month seems steep to me tbh...try James Haliam insurance Brokers in Ipswich...always teated me well and mine comes in at under £180 for the year.

Thank you mate, actually really excited about the whole thing