There’s no better way to ensure that your car looks great (and remains that way) than by utilising the services of a car detailing company. From enhancement to protection, gleaming bodywork comes about through strategic efforts. However, not all service providers are made equal.
Any vehicle owner should be sure to carry out due diligence before entrusting their precious motor for any aspect of detailing. After all, your car doesn’t only represent a significant investment – it’s also an extension of your personality. The following are essential questions that the savvy driver should ask before he or she hands over the keys (and their hard-earned cash).
Car Detailing Company Checklist
1. Experience
How long has the potential provider been in business? Not only that, what about the experience of the technicians working on your car? Whether they’re applying a ceramic coating or machine polishing the paintwork, it’s comforting to know that the people doing it are at the top of their game. Any provider will be happy to talk you through their years in the business. Plus the best will have a track record of happy customers.
This leads us neatly onto…
2. Check out their reviews
While reviews can, of course, be faked, they shouldn’t be disregarded. Ignore those that are OTT or downright terrible – both could be either paid for or deliberate sabotage – and look at the average. View them from multiple sources (Google, Facebook etc) and you should begin to get an idea of the level of satisfied (or otherwise) customers.
3. What’s the cost and what’s included?
You might know the exact work you want to be carried out or you might ask for the company’s professional advice. Either way, you should determine exactly what’s included in the price. A word to the wise… Cheapest is not best in many scenarios, and this definitely applies to choosing a car detailing company.
Not only are you paying for their expertise, but also the calibre of the products they use. So be sure to check that they use proven brand leaders rather than cheap imitations.
4. Ask about their insurance
Should the worst happen (and no company can never say that accidents never occur), then you need to know that the supplier has adequate insurance to pay for any damage. In addition, they need to hold insurance to drive and move their customers’ vehicles, even if any movement will be solely on private land.
5. What are the premises like?
Any car detailing company worth its salt has professional premises from which to work. This allows them the right lighting to be able to view paintwork imperfections in the greatest detail. It also means they can guarantee just the right ambient temperature to apply ceramic coatings. This is vital because a too hot or too cold environment makes for a poor quality finish. The detailer also needs to ensure a clean location in which to best carry out the work, plus be able to store the vehicle during coat applications. Last, but by no means least, it needs to be large enough to allow the car to stand for a period afterwards to ensure good curing and that no water or residue can taint the work for the first 24 hours.
6. Do they offer mobile detailing?
Because that would be really handy, right? Actually – nothing could be further from the truth. While it’s possible to wash and valet a vehicle from a mobile workstation to a very high standard, true car detailing is a far more specialised process. In fact, it’s virtually impossible to carry out paint correction and apply ceramic coatings or PPF to a high standard from anywhere but fixed premises with the right lighting and heat control.
7. Your gut feeling
What’s your instinct when you talk to a potential car detailing company? Do they fill you with confidence that they know their trade and that your pride and joy will be well looked after? Are their technicians smart – perhaps dressed in the company colours or overalls? Is the premises well lit, with security cameras and an alarm system?
If the answer is yes to all the above then you might have come across a winner. If they fail to make the grade at any level then it’s probably time to look elsewhere.
Finding the Right Car Detailing Company
By far the best recommendation is word of mouth. Failing that, do your homework and make sure you satisfy yourself that all of the above points are covered. Then, and only then, should you seal the deal and hand over your vehicle.
Once done, settle back, wait the required amount of days and then pick up your showroom-beautiful car. Because, you know, that’s how you roll…Want the best service for detailing your vehicle? Check out our detailing services and get in touch today for a no-obligation chat.
