The Mobile Detailing Equipment Checklist ($5) lists 122 items by category so you can price your own startup list. Code RINSE20 takes 20% off through Nov 23, 2026.
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The 7 budget categories
- Water and power: water tank, pump, hose reel, generator or inverter; or a waterless/rinseless setup.
- Cleaning equipment: pressure washer or foam setup, vacuum, extractor, steamer (optional), polisher if you’ll do paint work.
- Chemicals and consumables: soap, APC, wheel cleaner, glass, dressings, protection, microfiber.
- Vehicle setup: shelving, tie-downs, a trailer if needed.
- Business basics: registration or LLC fees in your state, general liability insurance, a business bank account.
- Tools to run it: booking, pricing, invoicing; a spreadsheet works while you’re solo (spreadsheet vs software).
- Marketing: Google Business Profile (free), business cards, a simple site, first-customer offers.
Worked example: lean start vs full rig (hypothetical)
Every number in the example below is made up to show the math. It is not an industry average or a recommendation. Use your own costs.
| Category | Lean (example) | Full rig (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Water and power | $150 (rinseless method) | $1,800 |
| Cleaning equipment | $450 | $2,200 |
| Chemicals and microfiber | $250 | $600 |
| Vehicle setup | $100 | $900 |
| Registration and first insurance payment | $300 | $300 |
| Tools and software | $0–$30 | $50 |
| Marketing | $100 | $400 |
| Total | about $1,380 | $6,250 |
Your totals will differ. The point is to know which column you’re in and what each item is for before you spend.
How fast will it pay back?
Payback in jobs = startup cost ÷ profit per job. With the lean example ($1,380) and an example profit per job of $150, that’s about 10 jobs. Work out your own profit per job in how much do mobile detailers make and set prices with how to price mobile detailing.
Get the whole detailing toolkit
Kit: Mobile Detailing Business Kit
Five tools in one download: the Job Pricing & Profit Calculator, Invoice + Payment Tracker, Job Costing + Monthly Profit Tracker, Chemical Cost Per Car Calculator and the Car Wash & Detailing AI Prompt Pack (61 prompts), plus a 1-page Start Here guide.
Excel + Google Sheets + PDF. $29 for the kit ($59 if bought separately); check the listing for current price. Prompts written with AI assistance and reviewed by a person.
Code RINSE20: 20% off at Payhip checkout through Nov 23, 2026.
Get the kit on Payhip