| In these recessionary times, many of us are | | | | you need your equipment which will at least be |
| seeking to start business with low start up costs. | | | | the following:o Pressure washer for the outside of |
| Car Cleaning is one of those businesses that has | | | | the vehicle and the tyres.o Vacuum cleaner, as |
| the potential to be very profitable but has low | | | | powerful as you can afford, for the inside of the |
| start up costs. So how do you go about starting | | | | vehicle.o Specialist cleaners for inside the vehicle |
| such a business? | | | | and the tyres including tyre black and air |
| Well first of all you need to decide what kind of | | | | fresheners.o Specialist cleaners for such items as |
| car cleaning services you are going to offer. | | | | chewing gum, wine etc.o Clothes, brushes, |
| Decide on whether you want to clean private | | | | buffers, chami leathers etc.o A lot of elbow |
| cars or prep cars that will be sold to the public | | | | grease! |
| from local car sellers/garages. You might even | | | | Now for your marketing strategy. Work out how |
| consider cleaning taxis for your local firm. I know | | | | much you want to charge for cleaning your |
| of one enterprising guy who cleans funeral cars. It | | | | chosen vehicle. Now decide on your charges for |
| sounds strange, but even in recessionary times | | | | several vehicles and for a regular service. Hop |
| funeral cars, taxis and cars for sale have to be | | | | down to your local printer or find a good one |
| kept clean. You could even consider cleaning | | | | online - VistaPrint does some lovely postcards etc. |
| limousines - which are bigger but still need to be | | | | Get some made up describing your services, your |
| spotlessly clean. Then there are local trucks/vans | | | | contact details and maybe a special offer for the |
| and if you are feeling very brave/energetic - large | | | | first time you work with these people. |
| haulage trucks. Your challenge will be finding the | | | | Now burn some shoe leather by putting your |
| company that is looking for these services. | | | | cards in whatever shop, supermarket etc that will |
| Once you have decided on what area of car | | | | allow you to. Place some classified ads in the local |
| cleaning you need to decide whether you want to | | | | paper and put yourself in the yellow pages as |
| be static of mobile. Mobile will help you get to a lot | | | | soon as you can. |
| of the companies mentioned above and static will | | | | Now dress up smart and go and visit your local |
| help you with private cars and get passing trade. | | | | businesses of your chosen type. Ask to speak to |
| Now you need to get your equipment. The | | | | the appropriate person and give them a quick |
| largest cost will be either for your van/truck | | | | overview of what you can do, leave your card |
| (mobile) or for your Wash Machine if you decide | | | | and ask for an appointment to discuss matters |
| to install one in a static area. If you are starting | | | | further which is when you can discuss your prices. |
| low cost - everything points to a van/truck. Now | | | | Then good luck and get cleaning! |