Writing in favor of mobile detailing
Fixed-site vs mobile detailing

Writing in favor of mobile detailing
Jose Fernandez

"We come to you."

Those four words separate a mobile auto detailing business from a fixed detail shop.

For the mobile detailing customer these four words can be summed up by one more word — convenience. It is no longer necessary to find time to take your vehicle to a detail shop, you can spend your time doing the things you want.

In today's world, most of us live a very busy, fast-paced lifestyle. Finding time to take your vehicle to the detail shop leaves less time for our families and recreation.

On the clock

My clients value their time. Having the convenience of a professional detailer perform the detailing service on-site at our client's location is invaluable.

Not to mention the benefits it provides to the mobile detailer, such as:

  • Service a large number of weekly washes at an office building, giving us more business on our average work day;

  • Service fleets and large vehicles, such as RVs and big rigs;

  • Opportunity to demonstrate services to potential clients while on location;

  • Our vans on the road provide my company with very high exposure to potential customers; and

  • We enjoy a change of scenery daily.

A fully-equipped, well-thought-out detail rig can provide all the services of a fixed location.

We can not only wash, wax, polish and perform just about any service inside or out on any vehicle, but we can do it while satisfying the strictest of environmental regulations.

A mobile rig can be set up for windshield repair, paint touch-up and interior repair, in addition to traditional auto detailing services.

Set-up time to provide on site services with a canopy, water reclaim and other various pieces of equipment is minimal.

Mobility and capability

Being mobile also allows us to perform work that would be impractical for a fixed shop to do, such as servicing a large number of weekly washes at an office building or a number of wash and waxes for a client with many vehicles.

A mobile auto detail business can also adapt easily to service fleets and large vehicles such as RVs and big rigs.

We recently detailed 45 vehicles for a major vehicle manufacture that held a press launch for a new model at a local prestigious hotel.

We were able to arrive early every morning for five consecutive days and detail the vehicles to perfection before removing our equipment in time for the unveiling of the vehicles later in the afternoon.

It would have been a logistic and manpower nightmare to get the same 45 vehicles to a detail shop and back every day.

While on-site we meet prospective new customers. We have the opportunity to demonstrate our services and answer questions for those potential customers while on location.

Being mobile also allows us to take our service into select prime markets while skipping areas that don't meet the standards for the type of clients we target. We have serviced client's vehicles up to 300 miles away from our home city.

Our vans traveling on the roads in the area we service provides my company with high exposure. My vans are traveling billboards and we get many calls from people who have seen them traveling about.

We also enjoy the change of scenery daily.

Mobile detailing gives the detailer more face time with customers, more exposure time with new customers and also enables the detailer to do bigger jobs than the fixed-site location.

If the detailer takes the time to build a quality mobile business and make good investments, the paybacks will be numerous.

Jose "Joe" Fernandez is president of Superior Shine Mobile Auto Detailing Inc. in Covina, CA.

 
The Great Debate Reader Poll
  Are mobile detailing businesses a good idea?
  Yes
  No
   
    » View Results
    » View Past Polls
 
 
Would you like to comment on this story?
Name: 
Message:
Comments from other readers:
Richard K. Nevels - 3/1/2007 10:36:32 AM
I own and operate a Mobile Detailing Business,in Col,OH.I Love itand I'm doing very well.I carry everything in my pickup.
Devon Stansberry , Untouchable Detailing - 9/24/2006 5:45:03 PM
I have been very successful with the mobile operation more than I could ever dream of with a fixed location. The only downfall is the cost of fuel but I see in the long run it has paid for itself with convenience and professionalism
Jose Fernandez, Superior Shine - 7/22/2006 2:00:11 PM
I want to personally thank everybody for reading the article and posting on this page. I also thank Mr. Echenoz for his participation well.
I am flattered that I was asked for my opinion on the subject and then have my thoughts printed in a magazine for all to read.
SHINE ON!
Giasmobile.com-Anthony Flammia - 7/9/2006 10:26:04 AM
After being in a fixed location for over twent-five years (Dad was in it for over 45 years)We sold it all!
My decision to go mobile was based on conveinance to the customer.
Many customers we had were the upper socio economic clientele that demanded service and convienance. We listened to these customers over the years and they consistently asked for mobile service which at that time could not provide while being in a fixed location.
Better money is made by a properly set up mobile operator who dedicates himself to "Retail-Detail" clients.
Dealership accounts for the mobile operator shouldn't be considered. Hand-pick the very few good ones!
98% of my business is dedicated to the Retail aspect of the business.
Simone - 7/6/2006 9:40:46 AM
Mobile is the best way to establish a customer base before hanging yourself with a long term lease, fixed location. Why not have both mobile and fixed?
Terry - 7/5/2006 4:56:52 PM
i want to start a mobile detailing truck but does anyone have any ideas on hot to??? email me at tb946@aol.com or call me 646 358-5555. VERY
much appreciated.
terrence byrne - 7/5/2006 4:53:57 PM
I never tried it yet because i own a hand carwash in brooklyn ny. However, i am considering it this year...
Jerome Cocroft - 7/5/2006 8:28:20 AM
My company functions as a mobile company for the past six years. Our customers like and appreciate the convenience of our operation. This year we are establishing a fixed operation in the Atlanta area and we have plans for expanding to other states.
Scott Carpenter - 7/4/2006 1:19:12 PM
I think offering both services to your customers would be the best thing for everyone.
Jamal Saleh Ali - 6/28/2006 6:38:36 AM
One should "If possible" should take advantage of both detailing businessess "Mobile and fixed" to broaden your base of customers and increase revenue.
Marie McClearn - 6/28/2006 12:04:44 AM
From an environmental stand point I'd have to go with the fixed site detailing. Their waste is regulated/monitored by state authorities. The mobile detailing could be washing toxins into someone's neighborhood without knowing it was there in the first place. I would rather play it safe, than to be sorry later. I vote for Dave Echenoz.
Mike Myers - 6/27/2006 9:35:19 AM
I started out mobile 26 years ago, and still believe that it is the safest way for a beginning detailer to build a customer base is mobile. However, I also have less than 60 payments left on a commercial building that I now operate out of that has mored than doubled in its value in the last 15 years. I operate a mobile detailing business out of my fixed location, cleaning only large boats, aircraft, and rv's. Why not have the best of both worlds. Dave and Jose both make some very good and valid points.
Chuka Asiegbunam - 6/27/2006 3:55:51 AM
I think a little bit to the left and a little bit to the right.
Wax on Wheels - 6/26/2006 11:30:47 PM
Mr. Geco,
This statement you posted is all about you - " I go only to service car collections were the cars I know I will be working on will not need exsisive pre washing and cleaning.
I have a shop that can house three cars , I am conforable because I am organized and can be reached by phone. I have air ,water a clarifer , washing machines all the luxury that one needs to do a proper job.
for a proper price."
Being mobile is about the customer.
Buckets and Bubbles Auto Detailing - 6/26/2006 7:50:57 PM
It's a toss up isn't it , ther eis very good arguments for both sides, although a fixed location gives you better shelter from the seasons that comes at a much higher overhead than a mobile unit, a mobile unit also has the ability to bring in a higher margin because it does not have all of the expenses a fixed location, we can debate it a great deal the the proof is in the P L's net profit line.
John, A3 - 6/26/2006 6:39:04 PM
Location..Location..LocationA fixed site needs a good location to survive. Mobile detailers benefit from being able to create that location. We at Arizona Automotive Appearance offer many other services to our customers with the convience of bringing the showroom right to thier place of work or thier driveway. Also there are many types of containment and reclamation equipment available for the mobile detailer who wants to stay compliant with all environmental issues.
Robert Geco - 6/26/2006 3:53:11 PM
I have been on both sides of the fence during my 30 somme years in the auto appearance care business.
People have a preception that this service is a come to the home and be done in one hour for $65.00.
there are many varibles to this business and because of the clean water act of 1970 have made doing a mobile service much harder. I go only to service car collections were the cars I know I will be working on will not need exsisive pre washing and cleaning.
I have a shop that can house three cars , I am conforable because I am organized and can be reached by phone. I have air ,water a clarifer , washing machines all the luxury that one needs to do a proper job.
for a proper price.
FastLane Mobile Detailing - 6/26/2006 12:13:32 PM
I'd like to be able to contact Jose' Fernandez via email. The questions I have are for the expert and I value his words.
San Antonio Mobile Wash - 6/25/2006 5:35:24 PM
You can enjoy detailing and build an extremely profitable business at the same time being mobile.
Five Star Detailing - 6/25/2006 5:19:48 PM
Any profitable business owner, oversees the day to day operation of their business, or hires someone to oversee the majority of day to day operations.
I fail to see how that seperates fixed VS mobile. As it applies to both.
Gary Giffin - 6/25/2006 4:09:19 PM
The best way to go depends on what kind of person you. Ask yourself, do you want to be a self-employed detailer, or the owner of a self-sufficient detailing business? If you are a technician at heart and enjoy spending most of your time detailing cars, then a mobile detailing operation is perfect for you. If you are a business entrepreneur who wants to build a profitable business that does not require your constant presence to operate, then you want to open a fixed location detail shop.
San Antonio Mobile Wash, San Antonio,TX - 6/25/2006 3:33:11 PM
Joe is correct, being mobile is the way to go. I've been in the mobile detail business now for 8 years and out-lasted many detail shops. Serving the busy upper class and charging twice as mush as a tradition detail shop makes a great living.
Toni Morano - 6/25/2006 2:41:14 AM
Joe has me sold on mobile detailing. It is wonderful to relax in my home while my car is getting the best of care.
Five Star Detailing - 6/25/2006 2:11:43 AM
While both fixed and mobile locations have their benefits. I have to agree with Joe, Mobile Detailing is more Convenient and beneficial. While Dave has some good arguments, all professional detailers should have liability insuance, so that is not even a valid point. The mass exposure from our rolling billboards, to our canopy banners, to being able to answer and provide insight to a wide variety of prospective customers on the street, exposes our services to a wider variety than a fixed location could ever dream of without spending thousands of dollars to match it.
Scott - 6/24/2006 11:26:28 PM
There are clearly more advantages to a fixed location than there is a mobile one.