You’re looking at choosing a detailing service to get your car nice and clean? Ok great. So – what do you? Most of today’s car owners hop over to Google and start searching for a detailing service. And believe it or not – the most popular phrase typed into the search engine is “car detailing near me“.
Unfortunately, this opens Pandora’s box of car detailing services. What you are met with is tons and tons of listings, links, companies, and websites that offer you detailing services, sale detailing products, or even have drive-through car wash facilities. On each of those websites, there are tons of different options and packages that these companies offer at all kinds of prices and complexity levels, from the fine details of cleaning the wheel wells to full exterior/ interior detailing. So how would you know which car detailing and auto detailing service is best for you?
If you’re confused and stressed at this point – don’t worry, you’re not alone. Take a deep breath and don’t worry – Uncle Gabe is going to share with you 6 secrets to choosing a trustworthy detailing service or ceramic coating installer that will fit the needs of your vehicle and level of protection that fits your budget.
Tip #1 – Do they have Positive Consumer Reviews?
This one should be obvious, right? You want to work with a car wash service that has amazing, detailed reviews. While the quantity of reviews will indicate a lot of experience, with professional detailing, the quality will trump volume.
When you start your Google search for car detailing, and you find the top 5 in your area, look for businesses that have positive consumer reviews. You want to find a car detailing service that has reviews that talk about the actual experience that they had and highlight some key areas. Professionalism, Communication, Education/Knowledge.
If you can find a service that has all those items mentioned in the reviews, there is a good chance that you’re going to have a similar experience.
Now, here is the cherry on the sundae. If they have a LOT of reviews that are similar to the positive ones, that’s an indicator that you can trust them with your precious vehicle. Auto detail shops spend years mastering their craft for you to get the best possible results.
Tip #2 – Do they have a Professional Appearing Website?
Regardless of the type of service you’re looking for – from plumbing to automotive detailing, the more information you can gather – the more informed your decision. The website of the detailing service you’re looking for should be professionally done – but more importantly, it should give you the information you need. Look at the types of services they provide and find what best suits your needs.
Are you looking for something as simple as a car wash or something with a more difficult installation process such as ceramic coatings? There is a multitude of services an auto detailing company can provide you with. Some detailing companies even offer services such as mobile detailing.
Russ Christman – Paint Correction Apprentice at Total Detailing Auto Surface Protection in Pottstown, PA.
I don’t want to toot my own horn, but our website TotalDetailingPa.com is a great example of this attribute. We designed it to replicate the polished and clean appearance your vehicle will have once we’ve completed your detailing project. The website is filled with educational information telling you about the different services that the detailing service offers along with what to expect from each level of service that the company offers.
Now, if you read my first blog – you’ll know that my previous job was designing and building websites and serving as an IT professional. So, I’ve got some skin in the game’ and might have a bit of an advantage over most detailing shops. However, when you’ve got limited time and need to make good decisions quickly – the online platform of any service-based business that is clean, neat, and straight will help you streamline that objective.
Tip #3 – Are they Certified to Apply Professional-Grade Coatings?
Here is the reality – the ceramic coating world is unbelievably complex and saturated. There are some companies that sprinkle some ceramic ingredients in a polymer-based liquid that are sprayed onto the surface – and others like Ceramic Pro that are the upper echelon of the automotive coating world.
If you’re going to work with a professional detailer, and are looking to truly protect your vehicle, you want to find a detailing service near you that is certified or accredited by a company like Ceramic Pro.
A professional company like Ceramic Pro is quite picky as to who they allow to install their products – and they’ve earned the right to do so quite frankly. The detailing process takes time and effort to get perfect. If a detailer is certified by a proven brand like Ceramic Pro, that means that they have had to undergo training and have taken certification classes.
This is especially crucial if you are looking for a service that offers higher end services, like KAVACA Window Tint, Paint Protection Film or Ceramic Pro Nano Coatings. You should also look to see if they have attended paint correction training as well.
Tip #4 – Do they offer you Educational Resources?
It’s quite possible that you choose to bring your vehicle to a professional detailer because you don’t care how it gets done – you just want your car to sparkle. However, if you’re going to make the investment into a professional-grade paint protection solution, you choose should be willing to educate you on their process. Car paint depending on the age of the vehicle and the condition of the clear coat can affect how the process of exterior detailing is handled.
The best detailers near you are going to take time to explain how they perform a service, step by step. What does a full interior/ exterior detail entail?
Do these services include engine cleaning or a full clay bar treatment? A professional detailing or ceramic coating installer has nothing to hide when it comes to their processes or products that they use. If you ask them about a process or a question, they should be able to provide you with a professional and knowledgeable answer to your question.
Tip #5 – How well do they Communicate?
Here is a pop quiz – if you’re going to spend money on a new HVAC system for your home – are you going to work with a contractor who only contacts you to collect money? Odds are – you won’t. And you know what – you shouldn’t. Anytime you’re spending money on a professional service, you should expect white-glove professionalism and communication through the process.
Gabe Fletcher, the owner of Total Detailing Auto Surface Protection is a former IT and website developer who turned his ‘side-hustle’ into a quickly growing detailing business.
Whatever Ceramic Pro 9H Ceramic Coating Installer or Paint Protection Film service you choose should be able to stay in communication with you during the entire process. Good communication is an indispensable part of operating a thriving and successful detailing business. They should be able to tell you exactly what stage they are in at any given time while your vehicle is in for detailing.
Tip #6 – Are they Really a Detailer Near Me?
If you searched for a car detailer near me on Google, the search engine giant is going to give you many choices. However, smart businesses understand the value in GEO-based search engine optimization. This means, they create content and website pages that are targeted specifically to consumers who are close to their business location.
The most important detail about an auto spa is they should occupy a physical location. Now, I’m not knocking or shaming mobile detailers – heck that’s how I got my start. Mobile detailing does have its advantages, however, a mobile auto detailer is limited to the services they can offer – mainly by mother nature and the specific requirements of some professional-grade detailing solutions.
The car detailers location should be clean and organized. Also, most businesses will only be able to be insured to protect your vehicle if they are operating out of a properly zoned and inspected business location. This is quite possibly the most important part of selecting any car detailing service.
In the end, the choice is yours as to whom you choose to care for your valuable ride. Whether you own a Lexus, BMW, or a Honda Civic, when you opt for a detailer near you, it’s obvious you love your ride. By following the tips and tricks mentioned above, you’ll save time, pick the right detailer, and drive home with an elegant appearing vehicle.
If you’d like to locate a professional detailer near you, click the button below.
