"You've gotta take as much work as you possible when it's busy, but also just come to terms with the fact that when it's quiet you just gotta get on with it" - As the owner of a bouncy castle company, this is literally it. I've got a few people I know who do it disheartened or trying to push for work. But when my Google Ads has tanked from spending £180 a month to just under £40, there's nothing to do. It literally is what it is, unless you want to be doing dog sh*t gardens (as we call them) for discount prices just because you desperately need the money. My biggest lesson from Year 1 (that I think alot of people who work self-employed can learn from) is get a winter buffer. I spend money January to June, I squirrel money away August to November. I made sure I had £5k stashed to buffer my lower cash flow over November and December and it has made it much more palateable.
Absolutely spot on!! Been doing mobile valeting 17 years and it's getting much harder year after year, and as you mentioned the weather has been horrendous for months. You definitely need a 'slush fund' to get thru the bad months. People think "oh you only clean cars, it's not hard", they've no idea how stressful this job can be!
I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say the middle market has droped,I’ve certainly noticed it people are just cutting back and more are starting to have a go at doing it .The weather has been terrible and people are just not wanting to spend the money and drive 3 miles down the road for the car to be filthy again ,is what it but just have to work at it and try and get the right people ,that’s the hard part 😂
You are awesome, just an all round honest chap and family man making a living. Best wishes to all the detailers and valeters out there, you do an awesome job!!💪😎
Great advice mate, I’m in the East Midlands and 3 years ago when my wife was fighting cancer, she told me to give up work and start up car cleaning (detailing), i thought long and hard about it but looking where we live i would be travelling more and spend less time with her, so i decided not too, i think if we lived more south or Chester way i would of done it , anyway good luck to anyone who is going for it 👍
Just started my valeting business this year and im quite surprised with the volume of people interested in my services.. Being mobile works the charm.. Big opening in my area and i hope get going this year 🙌
Great video as always, I started watching your channel for advice on how to keep my car in good order during lockdown, rather than have someone come round because of being in a higher risk category. Like I’ve said before, your advice has been invaluable, I find it great that you leave links to products you use, saves me time and helps you out too. I have also just started following you on FB, and Insta, having not realised you were on there too. (Not a stalker honest 😂) It’s a bit of a shame there’s no Epic Merch available, because I’m sure I’m not the only one that’d like to support you that way too. Anyway hope you achieve all your goals in 2024 because you deserve to working so bleedin hard.
lol thank you. I try to post daily videos on instagram and facebook now as its easier than youtube to publish quick content. Epic Merch is available soon. the website is under construction but next week we should be live
i have to say your channel has helped me out to no end... im not in the slightest interested in becoming a car cleaner, valter or detailer but just want my pride and joy to look great as much as i can... and ive never had a car look so clean all the time! tyvm
That’s the idea behind this channel.. help people who are interested, but also those that just want a better clean on their own vehicle. Dave does loads of hints and tips, but you can trust it’s learned on the Job, not just on UA-cam.
Mate , I live in Australia 🇦🇺 and have a 2022 ute 4WD Dule cab that's titanium black . If I could get someone here to clean my ute inside and out and under her I would get them in at least once a fortnight. If I was going into Sydney or down to Goulburn for the week I would also get then to clean her before I left and the next day I returned. And that's the truth mate . I have a lot of car to clean. But the thi g is , if you looked after her, cleaning wise, she would still look bright and fast 10 years down the track. I can't find anyone to do what you do here . I live way out the back of bum hole . PS no I'm not rich or well of , I just don't clean that well , I cut way to many corners 😢 . Yeah my beautiful ute needs loving care . I've got the best mechanic looking after her running bits as I have the best tyre bloke's looking after her . Just need a good caring car cleaning , polishing and leather seat caring bloke 👍. I wish you and your family the best of luck in 2024 , people like me really need bloke's like you . Keep up the great work mate. Stuff Me Stubbie! This is a big comment lol
She doing ok mate but will never work again as she get tired very quickly, and now my step dad who has brought me up and taught me all about cars and how to rebuild them has prostate cancer and he cares for my amazing mum who has dementia and cannot do anything for herself now, so life is very tough for us, but I just try and keep positive as there are so many people a lot worse off Anyway keep posting your amazing stuff as it takes me away from all the crap we seem to have Happy new year to you and your family 🥂
Got close friends who are full timers and your 100% right David the top end of the market is untouched but money 💰 being so tight it’s really effecting the other end and that’s why I’m still a full time Pro welder and part time UA-camr
Great video, I-definitely saw the drop last year, but luckily for me we have a couple of concerts with various business, sites, offices and golf course were we go maybe once a week twice or once every month depending on witch one! And we also do private work when we can, but the good think about the concerts is that it’s guaranteed work we get the list of Cars a couple of days before so we always know what we’re doing on the day rain or shine so my advice would be to look for some Office Work. It works for me they even provide water and electric! Get yourself a couple of gazebos and you’re good to go!!
Excellent content and informative presentation again Dave. Yes, the weather and incessant rain (in the South West) has been a real drag and I can imagine the effects on a valeting business as you describe. Got the quiz right as well as I figured most folks (not in the business) would call it cleaning and not detailing or valeting. Not sure about fuel prices being flat either. A lot of shipping is now being routed around the horn of Africa and not through Suez because of the Houthi unrest and so the extra distance travelled will surely push prices up. Time will tell I guess - that will be the determining factor. Was that a shackleton you were cleaning at approximately 03:55? I hope you got a great rate for that as it's a lot of surface area to clean! I won't make a joke about your business 'taking off' or anything like that as it would be too obvious 😀 Either way 'mad props' to you (contra rotating kind, of course) for remaining positive when 'blue Monday' (the 15th) isn't that far away 🙂
Been watching you for a few years it seems now and just wanted to say how good everything is that you do, no BS, no nonsense just straight forward good advice and tips, keep it up mate 👍 😉
Superb vlog as always Dave and you are again spot on in everything you say In regards to the advertising people that pester you for business on instagram for example I remember days in the 90’s when cardata or other car sales magazines would phone you if you were selling a car, say to you they have many people in your area interested or looking for your car but would want about £70 upfront to put you in touch with them, err no I used to say sell it first then I will pay you commission then put the phone down, those were the days 😂😂
I’ve been doing this on the side for over a year now and I could never do this full time. I go weeks without a job and I’ve never had a bad review. People just can’t afford to have there car done even more so regular
Too many variables. Mobile / unit. Rents and mortgages vary across the country. It all comes down to costs. Somebody living with parents can charge far less than a husband with 3 kids and a 5 bed house to pay for…
@@Tmp205👍 Good advice. But in my opinion. What you really need to fear 😱 is the greedy evil 😈 I.R.S Tax_Man, wanting his cut !. This can in some countries be as high as annually 48.3 %......
Great video... Not car related however useful none the less... Check your led light in your office for Hz as your shutter speed on your camera seems to differ from time to time hence the odd bit of banding in the video. Anyhow as usual great tips for car "CLEANING" excuse the pun... Let's hope things pick up eh.
Hi Dave ! I only do car on the weekend but i do find it difficult to charge more for a valet as there are so many car washers around with like 6 men running around someone's car doing it quicker and cheaper , i quote a car and it's o ok i will get back to you etc . People looking for a cheap clean and not willing to spend the money .
Hi Dave, I was approached by my local golf club to appear in their 2024 brochure (small advertisement). Is this something you’d recommend or have you done this before yourself. Cheers
I used to get those all the time. Honestly I wouldn't bother. What I did was counter offer with the opportunity to set up at the club and when people arrive coach them over. Its a great client base but nobody reads those magazines to be honest
@@epicautomotivedetailing thanks Dave, this was my initial instinct so didn’t follow on in the end. They also wanted payment and I was told by a member nobody reads them. I seem to get enough work anyway just from word of mouth and repeat customers. I think sometimes you can over sell/advertise it makes you look desperate for jobs.
I hate to say this but sometimes you have to offer limited time specials at a lower price with less steps obviously as in just a spray wax versus a machine wax no shampoo on the upholstery ect,ect,a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
Get a good accountant, that 11k is a business expense mate. get help with understanding what you can claim for eg. using your home as an office, fuel etc...
I started my car cleaning back in November and it’s getting busy, i work fall time as a hgv driver, but the car cleaning is getting very busy so I am thinking off packing in my hgv job and concentrate on my own business, any advice what to do from any body… Ady
@@Theeternalpondereryou will so learn the hard way. By the time the greedy evil 😈 Tax-man comes calling for his cut. You will be working for nothing !!..
The main problem with being a car cleaner / detailer is the same as a "gardener". Anyone can have a go at it. You don't need qualifications so therefore when times get hard, the market gets saturated. That together with a downward economy, it's the first thing to get cut from a persons budget.
"You've gotta take as much work as you possible when it's busy, but also just come to terms with the fact that when it's quiet you just gotta get on with it" - As the owner of a bouncy castle company, this is literally it. I've got a few people I know who do it disheartened or trying to push for work. But when my Google Ads has tanked from spending £180 a month to just under £40, there's nothing to do. It literally is what it is, unless you want to be doing dog sh*t gardens (as we call them) for discount prices just because you desperately need the money. My biggest lesson from Year 1 (that I think alot of people who work self-employed can learn from) is get a winter buffer. I spend money January to June, I squirrel money away August to November. I made sure I had £5k stashed to buffer my lower cash flow over November and December and it has made it much more palateable.
Go onto Google my business and stick everywhere on maps. it worked so well for me when i needed it
Absolutely spot on!! Been doing mobile valeting 17 years and it's getting much harder year after year, and as you mentioned the weather has been horrendous for months. You definitely need a 'slush fund' to get thru the bad months. People think "oh you only clean cars, it's not hard", they've no idea how stressful this job can be!
I totally agree. Not everyone understands the amount of time, effort goes into getting a car clean beyond what the average person is use to
Hi Tony yeah i hate it when people assume its an easy job. The community needs to support eachother
I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say the middle market has droped,I’ve certainly noticed it people are just cutting back and more are starting to have a go at doing it .The weather has been terrible and people are just not wanting to spend the money and drive 3 miles down the road for the car to be filthy again ,is what it but just have to work at it and try and get the right people ,that’s the hard part 😂
Hi Simon Yeah I'm Slightly worried for newbies in this business
You are awesome, just an all round honest chap and family man making a living. Best wishes to all the detailers and valeters out there, you do an awesome job!!💪😎
Great advice mate, I’m in the East Midlands and 3 years ago when my wife was fighting cancer, she told me to give up work and start up car cleaning (detailing), i thought long and hard about it but looking where we live i would be travelling more and spend less time with her, so i decided not too, i think if we lived more south or Chester way i would of done it , anyway good luck to anyone who is going for it 👍
Argh I'm so sorry to hear this Andrew. Family comes first always. Massive respect to you. I really hope your wife is ok and recovering 🙏
Just started my valeting business this year and im quite surprised with the volume of people interested in my services.. Being mobile works the charm.. Big opening in my area and i hope get going this year 🙌
Yeah the majority want the convenience of you turning up to theirs
Great video as always, I started watching your channel for advice on how to keep my car in good order during lockdown, rather than have someone come round because of being in a higher risk category. Like I’ve said before, your advice has been invaluable, I find it great that you leave links to products you use, saves me time and helps you out too. I have also just started following you on FB, and Insta, having not realised you were on there too. (Not a stalker honest 😂)
It’s a bit of a shame there’s no Epic Merch available, because I’m sure I’m not the only one that’d like to support you that way too.
Anyway hope you achieve all your goals in 2024 because you deserve to working so bleedin hard.
lol thank you. I try to post daily videos on instagram and facebook now as its easier than youtube to publish quick content. Epic Merch is available soon. the website is under construction but next week we should be live
Happy New Year, Dave. Your energy and enthusiasm are commendable. Sound advice once again.
Cheers David
i have to say your channel has helped me out to no end... im not in the slightest interested in becoming a car cleaner, valter or detailer but just want my pride and joy to look great as much as i can... and ive never had a car look so clean all the time! tyvm
That’s the idea behind this channel.. help people who are interested, but also those that just want a better clean on their own vehicle. Dave does loads of hints and tips, but you can trust it’s learned on the Job, not just on UA-cam.
Thank you Dan. My advice may not always be as scientific but id rather share whats true to me
Mate , I live in Australia 🇦🇺 and have a 2022 ute 4WD Dule cab that's titanium black . If I could get someone here to clean my ute inside and out and under her I would get them in at least once a fortnight. If I was going into Sydney or down to Goulburn for the week I would also get then to clean her before I left and the next day I returned. And that's the truth mate . I have a lot of car to clean. But the thi g is , if you looked after her, cleaning wise, she would still look bright and fast 10 years down the track. I can't find anyone to do what you do here . I live way out the back of bum hole . PS no I'm not rich or well of , I just don't clean that well , I cut way to many corners 😢 . Yeah my beautiful ute needs loving care . I've got the best mechanic looking after her running bits as I have the best tyre bloke's looking after her . Just need a good caring car cleaning , polishing and leather seat caring bloke 👍. I wish you and your family the best of luck in 2024 , people like me really need bloke's like you . Keep up the great work mate. Stuff Me Stubbie! This is a big comment lol
Thank you Dean, Id happily come over to Australia if I Could
Solid content as always Dave! Looks like you have an awesome setup there in the background, keen to see more of it in action for future content :)
Thank you
She doing ok mate but will never work again as she get tired very quickly, and now my step dad who has brought me up and taught me all about cars and how to rebuild them has prostate cancer and he cares for my amazing mum who has dementia and cannot do anything for herself now, so life is very tough for us, but I just try and keep positive as there are so many people a lot worse off
Anyway keep posting your amazing stuff as it takes me away from all the crap we seem to have
Happy new year to you and your family 🥂
Really sorry to hear this. I hope 2024 gets better for you and your family 🙏
Got close friends who are full timers and your 100% right David the top end of the market is untouched but money 💰 being so tight it’s really effecting the other end and that’s why I’m still a full time Pro welder and part time UA-camr
The used car industry is in trouble. Ive had some good friends face the toughest times ever. its finally having a knock on effect :(
Fantastic! This is incredible advice all around - for detailers and new businesses more generally.
Thank you 🙏
Really great tips! I’ve definitely learned from this 😊 hoping 2024 will be a good year for everyone
Thank You for the Kind Comment
Great video, I-definitely saw the drop last year, but luckily for me we have a couple of concerts with various business, sites, offices and golf course were we go maybe once a week twice or once every month depending on witch one! And we also do private work when we can, but the good think about the concerts is that it’s guaranteed work we get the list of Cars a couple of days before so we always know what we’re doing on the day rain or shine so my advice would be to look for some Office Work. It works for me they even provide water and electric! Get yourself a couple of gazebos and you’re good to go!!
Excellent content and informative presentation again Dave. Yes, the weather and incessant rain (in the South West) has been a real drag and I can imagine the effects on a valeting business as you describe. Got the quiz right as well as I figured most folks (not in the business) would call it cleaning and not detailing or valeting.
Not sure about fuel prices being flat either. A lot of shipping is now being routed around the horn of Africa and not through Suez because of the Houthi unrest and so the extra distance travelled will surely push prices up. Time will tell I guess - that will be the determining factor.
Was that a shackleton you were cleaning at approximately 03:55? I hope you got a great rate for that as it's a lot of surface area to clean!
I won't make a joke about your business 'taking off' or anything like that as it would be too obvious 😀
Either way 'mad props' to you (contra rotating kind, of course) for remaining positive when 'blue Monday' (the 15th) isn't that far away 🙂
Thank you Karl
@@epicautomotivedetailing yes Dave, but was it a Shackleton?
Been watching you for a few years it seems now and just wanted to say how good everything is that you do, no BS, no nonsense just straight forward good advice and tips, keep it up mate 👍 😉
Thank you very much for your kind words
Superb vlog as always Dave and you are again spot on in everything you say
In regards to the advertising people that pester you for business on instagram for example I remember days in the 90’s when cardata or other car sales magazines would phone you if you were selling a car, say to you they have many people in your area interested or looking for your car but would want about £70 upfront to put you in touch with them, err no I used to say sell it first then I will pay you commission then put the phone down, those were the days 😂😂
Thanks Marcus ill show my wife this comment just to confirm my ability to get things right 😅
As always, more very useful information thanks Dave and happy new year to you and yours
Happy New year Andy! Thank you for watching
Great video Dave and a Happy New Year to you. Wise words and sound advice for anyone starting out 👍.
Thanks Karl, Happy new year!
Once again another fantastic and informative video Dave
Happy New Year to you and the family
Thank you Mark. Happy New year!
In Canada I definitely wouldn't set up a detailing shop. People here have the money but they don't want to spend it for the most part.
Exactly 100% agree the way the world is at the moment we are doomed
🤔 Maybe so. But some of us owners of a collection of classic vehicles. Like doing the detailing ourselves !..
Yeah not sure which is worse right now? Canada or the UK? Just gotta keep praying for better times ahead
@@epicautomotivedetailing what about Hawaii?
Dave you look professional right up to when I saw the “bookie” pencil lol😂. Keep up the good work mate
😂 I have no idea where that came from it was just in my desk
Yeah likely story 😂
Bugger that's where I left my favourite pencil. Dave's Dad 👍🍺
Good sound advice there David. It's good to see you given back with your personal thoughts and experiences. Dad👍🍺
Cheers Dad
I’ve been doing this on the side for over a year now and I could never do this full time. I go weeks without a job and I’ve never had a bad review. People just can’t afford to have there car done even more so regular
Its so much better just cleaning your own car to be honest. The Fun gets taken out of it when it becomes a business
Top vid Dave! Just wondering if you could do a vid about pricing? As in how much h to charge etc. I'm doing maintenance starting at £40
Too many variables. Mobile / unit. Rents and mortgages vary across the country. It all comes down to costs. Somebody living with parents can charge far less than a husband with 3 kids and a 5 bed house to pay for…
Work for the most you can get away with and don’t race to the bottom, it kills the whole industry.
@@Tmp205👍 Good advice. But in my opinion. What you really need to fear 😱 is the greedy evil 😈 I.R.S Tax_Man, wanting his cut !. This can in some countries be as high as annually 48.3 %......
100% . I did a few years ago but its a bit out of date now. Ill add it to my list
Great video... Not car related however useful none the less... Check your led light in your office for Hz as your shutter speed on your camera seems to differ from time to time hence the odd bit of banding in the video. Anyhow as usual great tips for car "CLEANING" excuse the pun... Let's hope things pick up eh.
yeah its really annoying i need help with lighting and camera stuff to be honest
Hi Dave ! I only do car on the weekend but i do find it difficult to charge more for a valet as there are so many car washers around with like 6 men running around someone's car doing it quicker and cheaper , i quote a car and it's o ok i will get back to you etc .
People looking for a cheap clean and not willing to spend the money .
Feel your pain mate. I had countless times in the past like this. It was soul crushing most of the time
Love the content pal any tips on curb rash on black alloys?
Good advice
Cheers Steve
Hi Dave,
I was approached by my local golf club to appear in their 2024 brochure (small advertisement). Is this something you’d recommend or have you done this before yourself. Cheers
I used to get those all the time. Honestly I wouldn't bother. What I did was counter offer with the opportunity to set up at the club and when people arrive coach them over. Its a great client base but nobody reads those magazines to be honest
@@epicautomotivedetailing thanks Dave, this was my initial instinct so didn’t follow on in the end. They also wanted payment and I was told by a member nobody reads them. I seem to get enough work anyway just from word of mouth and repeat customers. I think sometimes you can over sell/advertise it makes you look desperate for jobs.
yeah for them to come to you its them who want your money! not you wanting their business@@jonnyb4271
What do detailers do planning for the future ie Pensions etc?
I think the lower end valets are pretty much dominated by the hand car washers. They've made it so accessable and cheap.
Yeah but I also still get lots of calls for the lower end stuff but turn it away. Its getting tough out there
thank you so much
I hate to say this but sometimes you have to offer limited time specials at a lower price with less steps obviously as in just a spray wax versus a machine wax no shampoo on the upholstery ect,ect,a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
Now ive spent 11k on a van and equipment i see this lol just my luck
Never give up. Tomorrow is another day failing that the day after . Don't let the buggers get you down.😂🤣 Dave's Dad 🍺👍
😱 Just wait until the greedy evil 😈 Tax-man comes calling for his cut !!. Be afraid, very afraid 😨......
Get a good accountant, that 11k is a business expense mate. get help with understanding what you can claim for eg. using your home as an office, fuel etc...
This is why I want out of this terrible country
I started my car cleaning back in November and it’s getting busy, i work fall time as a hgv driver, but the car cleaning is getting very busy so I am thinking off packing in my hgv job and concentrate on my own business, any advice what to do from any body… Ady
I'm also a hgv driver, been detailing 2 years on all my days off have had the sane thoughts about jacking driving
@@Theeternalpondereryou will so learn the hard way. By the time the greedy evil 😈 Tax-man comes calling for his cut. You will be working for nothing !!..
The main problem with being a car cleaner / detailer is the same as a "gardener". Anyone can have a go at it. You don't need qualifications so therefore when times get hard, the market gets saturated. That together with a downward economy, it's the first thing to get cut from a persons budget.
very true good point
No gimmicks, eh ?..... So you think I should quit with the lime green and cerise pink snow foam for a while?
Yes 100% unless it's for social media of course. Coloured snow foam really doesn't have any benefits in reality but it still looks cool
Is your website down, can't access
Down for a while as I have something different happening. Stay Tuned
Have you had an employee or has it always just been you?
I've given a few people trials but it's not an easy thing because the good ones will always go off and do their own thing
2023 was a disaster. Weather in Ireland was the worst ever.
On the plus side the data for Ireland looks better than the uk