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OK, here's my situation. I've been detailing for a couple years now. I am proficient with both PC and rotary and IMO do a pretty darn good job. I mainly do family cars, as well as my own, and do the occasional detail for a friend (one or two a month). This summer I'd like to step it up, and I'd like to get to the point where I'm detailing three or more cars a week. When I mention to people that this is what I do, people are usually more interested in getting their interiors "really" clean. This has lead me to start looking into an extractor. Now, I've got a refund check from the local Toyota dealership because I traded my truck in without even going over the factory warranty, much less the extended 6 year/100,000 mile warranty I bought. I'll be getting around $1300 back. I was thinking of taking that money and buying a good extractor.
The ability to do interiors professionally and efficiently should be a good moneymaker for me if I can get clients. I have a few parents of friends with BMWs, Mercedes, and SUVs that are interested in my services, but I haven't nailed anything down yet. I'm thinking if I can do a few "full" details (exterior prep, polish wax, interior carpet extraction, dressing, etc) at $200+ each it should pay for itself in no time (just a little side note, is a $200 starting price for a full treatment too high, low?). My thought against it is I don't even really have a client base yet, maybe I should just wait until I actually have customers before making such a large purchase.
So what do you guys think? Should I just focus on exteriors, and do some basic interior vacuuming, spot cleaning, and dressing, and then maybe add the extractor later if it becomes necessary? Or should I bite the bullet and be set up right from the start? If it becomes worthwhile, I will try to make it a fulltime thing. I'm a student living at home, and I don't have tuition to pay, so working 15-20 hours at my dad's company and doing a few cars a week should be just fine for my current situation.
BTW, I already have a pressure washer, a good wet/dry vac, a PC and a Makita 9227c, with plenty of pads for each, and I'm well stocked up on chemicals, so there's not really much else I'd need before getting an extractor.
All input is greatly appreciated.
The ability to do interiors professionally and efficiently should be a good moneymaker for me if I can get clients. I have a few parents of friends with BMWs, Mercedes, and SUVs that are interested in my services, but I haven't nailed anything down yet. I'm thinking if I can do a few "full" details (exterior prep, polish wax, interior carpet extraction, dressing, etc) at $200+ each it should pay for itself in no time (just a little side note, is a $200 starting price for a full treatment too high, low?). My thought against it is I don't even really have a client base yet, maybe I should just wait until I actually have customers before making such a large purchase.
So what do you guys think? Should I just focus on exteriors, and do some basic interior vacuuming, spot cleaning, and dressing, and then maybe add the extractor later if it becomes necessary? Or should I bite the bullet and be set up right from the start? If it becomes worthwhile, I will try to make it a fulltime thing. I'm a student living at home, and I don't have tuition to pay, so working 15-20 hours at my dad's company and doing a few cars a week should be just fine for my current situation.
BTW, I already have a pressure washer, a good wet/dry vac, a PC and a Makita 9227c, with plenty of pads for each, and I'm well stocked up on chemicals, so there's not really much else I'd need before getting an extractor.
All input is greatly appreciated.
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