How to Start a Car Detailing Business in 12 Steps

1. Get on the job experience

Washing cars sounds easy enough, but many things can go wrong if you’re inexperienced—like damaging a vehicle with too much water pressure.

Before you start your own business, gain on the job experience to improve your car detailing skills. 

Car detailing is all about perfection and creating an experience that keeps customers coming back. Whether you’re restoring a vehicle to “like new” condition or offering premium ceramic coatings, you need to know what kind of detailing fits your goals.

2. Write a car detailing business plan

Writing a business plan helps you start your auto detailing company on the right foot Writing a business plan helps you start your auto detailing company on the right foot and keeps you moving in the right direction. It also comes in handy if you need to attract investors and secure funding for your business.

Your car detailing business plan should include:

• Cover page that includes your auto detailing business name, logo, and contact information
• Executive summary with a quick overview of your business, what makes you stand out from the competition, and how much funding you need to get up and running
• Business overview providing a summary of your business structure and history
• Services list showing which car detailing services you’ll offer customers
• Pricing strategy showing how you plan to price your services
• Market and competitive analysis describing who your ideal customer is and the other car detailing businesses in your area
• Marketing plan describing how you intend to market your business and attract new customers
• Financial plan showing the money coming into and going out of your business for the first year (including a sales forecast, budget, and any employee costs)

Learn how to write a business plan with a complete guide from the Small Business Administration.

3. Open a business bank account

Set up a business bank account and get a business credit card. This will help keep your auto detailing income and expenses separate from your personal finances. 

You’ll also want to invest in accounting software like QuickBooks Online to track expenses, view your income, and run payroll—all in one place.

4. Secure funding

Unless you have money set aside for your new business venture, you’ll need financing to buy equipment, pay for insurance, and get your marketing under way.

There are a number of ways you can secure funding for your business, including:

• Government funding: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides nationwide financing to help you become a small business owner, including loans and investment funds. The Government of Canada also offers grants and financing for businesses. If you’re starting a business outside Canada or the U.S., search your government name and small business funding to see what options are available.
• Business loan: Apply for a small business loan from your bank or a business line of credit to help you pay startup costs.
• Personal loan: Tell your family and friends that you’re starting a car detailing business and see if they’d be willing to provide a small startup loan. They may be willing to support you in exchange for a stake in the business.
• Business financing: Access flexible business financing through Jobber’s partnership with Stripe Capital. Eligibility is based on your history of sales paid through Jobber Payments, so you’ll need to be up and running for a little while before you can apply for financing.
• Jobber Grants: The Jobber Grants program offers thousands of dollars in available funding to recognize excellence in small home services businesses.

5. Get the necessary licenses and permits

The licenses and permits you need to legally run your business will depend on whether you’re starting a mobile car detailing business or opening a physical location.

Most states will require you to obtain a car detailing license which includes a mobile detailing license and a business license. You’ll also need a sales permit if you plan on selling car care products, such as wax, microfiber towels, or cleaning solutions.

Check with your local Chamber of Commerce to make sure you have the right local, state, and federal permits before opening your business.

6. Register your business

Before you can start offering auto detailing services, you need to register your business. Here’s how:

• Pick a business name that describes who you are and what services you offer. Make sure it’s memorable, easy to spell, and unique in your geographic area.
• Visit your local registry to register your business. If you’re in the U.S., you’ll need to pay the business registration fee, trademark your business name, and register your domain name. (Here’s how to register your name in Canada, the UK, or Australia.)
• Choose a business structure. In the U.S., you can register your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). There are more business entity options in other countries. You can also decide if you’d like to incorporate your business.
• If you plan to have employees or work with a partner, apply for an employer identification number (EIN) so you can accurately file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service.

The process for registering a business and the type of business structures available will differ based on your location. Check with the business registration division of your local, regional, or federal government to see what’s required.

7. Invest in the right insurance

Cleaning expensive vehicles and working with chemicals comes with risk. To make sure you’re covered in the event of an accident or injury, you’ll need a comprehensive small business insurance policy that includes: 

• General liability to cover any property damage and personal injury
• Commercial property insurance for equipment or property damage
• Commercial auto in case a company vehicle is involved in a collision or other damage 
• Garage keeper’s liability to cover any damage to a customer’s vehicle
• Worker’s compensation in case an employee is injured on the job

Speak to your insurance provider to determine what coverage you’ll need for your detailing business and the services you offer.

8. Create a car detailing service list

Make a list of the car detailing services you plan to offer. Some of the most common services you can provide for customers include:

Basic detailing

Most customers expect the fundamentals, so make sure your base package covers:

• Exterior wash and wax: A hand wash, followed by a protective wax to keep the paint looking fresh.
• Interior vacuuming and wipe-down: Dust-free dashboards, spotless seats, and a clean floor make all the difference.
• Window and mirror cleaning: Glass without streaks for better visibility and a professional touch.
• Tire and wheel cleaning: Removes grime and brake dust to keep wheels looking sharp.

Premium packages

Serious car owners, enthusiasts, and even Uber and Lyft drivers often want a deeper clean. These premium services go beyond the basics:

• Engine bay cleaning: A clean engine compartment isn’t just for looks—it helps with maintenance and resale value.
• Full interior and exterior detailing: Shampooed carpets, conditioned seats, and an exterior that’s waxed and polished.
• Interior steam cleaning: Lifts stubborn stains from carpets, seats, and headliners.
• Leather conditioning: Keeps leather seats from cracking, fading, or drying out.
• Paint correction: Removes swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation to restore that glossy shine.
• Rain repellent for windows: Improves visibility in bad weather.
• Trim and plastic restoration: Restores faded plastic trim to a rich black finish.

Specialty services

This is where you separate yourself from the amateurs. Specialties require skill, but they also command premium pricing:

• Ceramic coating: A long-term protective layer that repels dirt and water. It’s a game-changer for car lovers.
• Convertible top cleaning & protection: Extends the life of soft-top materials.
• PPF installation: Protects against rock chips and scratches.
• Headlight restoration: Foggy headlights look bad and they’re a safety issue. A quick restoration can make them shine like new.
• Undercarriage and chassis wash: Removes road salt and grime that cause rust.
• Water spot removal: Eliminates hard water stains on glass and paint.

Seasonal considerations

Car detailing isn’t a purely seasonal business. But depending on your region, demand can fluctuate throughout the year based on the season and temperature.

Spring and summer are the busy seasons. Warm weather means more people want their cars to look great for road trips and special events.

Fall is a transition period. People will be thinking about winter prep, looking for sealants and undercarriage protection.

Winter is slow for many detailing business owners. Snow and ice mean fewer people worry about exterior detailing. If you go the mobile detailing route, you might struggle unless you find a way to offer indoor services with a shop of some kind.

Savvy owners don’t sit idle in the winter. Here’s how to keep cash flowing when demand slows down:

• Offer seasonal packages: Winter protection coatings, salt removal, and interior deep cleanings can bring in revenue.
• Target dealerships and fleets: Car dealerships and rental companies always need detailing, no matter the season.
• Expand into related services: Window tinting, paint protection film (PPF), and headlight restoration can be great additions to your service offerings.

The auto detailing services you offer should depend on the experience you have and whether you’re running a mobile business or working out of a detailing shop.

Once you have your services in place, price your auto detailing services based on the time it takes to complete, materials used, overhead, and profit margin.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry about offering paint correction (touch-ups) when you’re just starting out. The service requires training and may not be worth the liability. Start learning, though, since you’ll make more money doing paint corrections than interior detailing.

FREE TOOL: Car detailing quote template

9. Buy auto detailing equipment and chemicals

To start offering services to clients, you’ll need to stock the necessary equipment and cleaning chemicals to get the job done. 

Here’s what you’ll need to start a car detailing business.

Equipment:

• Air compressor
• Detailing brushes
• Dry vapor steamer
• Hot water extractor
• Microfiber towels
• Pressure washer
• Pressure washer wand
• Rotary polisher
• Snow foam lance
• Wet/dry vacuum cleaners

Chemicals:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Car wash soap
• Glass cleaner
• Interior cleaners (carpet, upholstery, leather)
• Tire dressing
• Waxes, sealants, and coatings for paint protection
• Wheel cleaner

Because you’ll be working with tools and chemicals, make sure to stock the necessary personal protective equipment, like safety goggles, gloves, face masks, and non-slip shoes.

You’ll also need a first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, safety data sheets for all chemicals, and storage containers for chemicals and equipment.

If you’re starting a mobile business, you’ll eventually need to invest in a truck or a van. Detailers opening a fixed location will have to invest in garage space.

10. Turn your personal network into your first customers

The easiest way to get your first customers is by turning to your personal network—friends, family, neighbors, etc.

Tell them about your services. Offer them a special rate or a free add-on in exchange for feedback and telling their friends about your business.

11. Advertise your auto detailing business

Now that you have a few jobs for friends and family under your belt, you’re ready to start marketing your car detailing business. Advertising will help you attract potential customers and stand out from other car detailers in your service area.

Find your new customers with these auto detailing marketing strategies:

• Create an auto detailing website that describes your services, shows off your great work, and makes it easy for potential customers to book services online.
• Set up a Facebook Business page and Instagram business account to share photos of completed jobs and connect with new customers.
• Claim your free Google Business Profile and add your auto detailing services, your service area, and your working hours.
• Print and distribute flyers, postcards, or door hangers in the neighborhoods you serve.
• List your business on lead generation sites to connect with customers searching for your auto detailing services.
• Start a customer referral program that encourages satisfied customers to recommend your business to family and friends.

12. Hire auto detailers and grow your business

As your auto detailing business grows, you’ll need to hire car detailers to keep up with the workload. Here’s how to hire your first employee:

• Decide whether you need a part-time or permanent detailer and how much your business can afford to pay them.
• Create a job description that includes an overview of the role, responsibilities, qualifications, and personality traits that would make a candidate successful.
• Share your job posting on online job boards like Indeed, and make it easy for potential employees to apply.
• Schedule interviews with the top candidates and ask interview questions to determine who would be the best addition to your team.
• Make an offer to your top candidate and train them to wash and detail cars like a pro.

Learn how this 20-year-old turned $300 into a $20k/month car detailing business: