Startup cost: $500 - $1k

I get this question a lot so I figured I would just lay it out super clearly.

When I started my detailing business, I gave myself a $500 budget and filmed a video called something like “how to start a mobile detailing business” where I literally went out with that budget and bought what I needed. If you search that, my video is the first one that pops up.

Here is how I think about startup cost now, based on my own experience.

 

The real minimum to get started

A fair approach to get going is between 500 and 600 dollars.

With that, you can:

• Go to places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, O’Reilly’s

• Order a couple things on Amazon

• Get the basic products and tools you need to start taking paid jobs

You do not need the nicest products in the world on day one. You just need stuff that lets you clean cars well enough to charge a fair price and start learning.

For context, when I first started, I think my exact number was around 610 dollars. So you can definitely start with 500, but I personally ended up a bit over that once I had everything in the cart.

 

 

What about training and “being legit”

There is an association called the IDA (International Detailers Association) and there are also local workshops you can take.

• The trainings I took were under 300 dollars

• They did not come with certifications, but they taught the basics really well

• There is no legal requirement for certifications in order to offer detailing services

So you do not have to pay for training to start, but I do recommend getting trained by somebody who is a professional at some point. If you cannot deliver a quality result, you will not get good testimonials and that slows your growth a lot.

 

The way I like to explain it is:

• Your first and best training is with that 500 to 600 dollars worth of supplies

• Use that on your car, your parents’ cars, your friends’ cars, people in your network

• Work on people who will not be mad at you if the job is not perfect yet

• Then, once you make a bit of money, roll some of that back into a proper training

 

So the training cost is basically on top of the original 500 to 600.

 

Why I tell people 500 to 1,000 dollars

In the interview I said that if you want a clean range to put in a database, it is fair to say:

Startup cost: 500 to 1,000 dollars

Here is why that range makes sense based on what I actually did and what I see now:

• Around 500 dollars

  Gets you the basics from big box stores and Amazon so you can start detailing and charging people.

• Around 600 to 700 dollars

  This is closer to what I actually spent at the beginning. It gives you a little more room for better products and tools so the work is easier and faster.

• Up to about 900 to 1,000 dollars

  This is if you want:

  • Slightly better initial setup

  • Plus money you can roll into an in person training later that costs under 300 dollars

You do not have to start at the top of the range. You can absolutely start at 500, get some experience, then upgrade your products and invest in training as the money comes in.

 

 

So if you are just trying to plug in a realistic number:

• You can start for about 500 dollars

• I personally started at around 610 dollars

• With training and nicer supplies, 500 to 1,000 dollars total is a fair, honest range

 

If you are smart about reinvesting and you are willing to practice on your own network at the beginning, that range is more than enough to get a legit detailing business off the ground.