Everyone asks: “How much to start?” The internet says £200 to £5,000. Both are technically true but useless.
Here’s what I actually spent, what I should have spent, and what you really need for your first paying customers.
The Absolute Minimum (£250-400)
Can you start for under £500? Yes. Should you? Depends how desperate you are.
This is what I call the “prove the concept” setup. You’re not going professional yet - you’re testing whether you actually like this before investing properly.
Cleaning supplies (£120-150):
- Bucket and grit guard: £15
- Wash mitt and drying towel: £20
- Snow foam lance (Karcher compatible): £25
- Basic shampoo, APC, glass cleaner: £30
- Brushes (wheel, interior, detail): £30
Equipment (£130-200):
- Karcher K2 or K3 pressure washer: £80-120
- Wet/dry vacuum (Karcher WD3 or similar): £50-80
Extras (£50):
- Microfiber cloths (pack of 20): £15
- Spray bottles: £10
- Knee pads: £15
- Gloves: £10
Total: £300-400
This setup let me do basic wash and vac services. I used my own car initially to practice and build a portfolio. Made my money back in about 15 jobs.
Reality: You’ll look amateur. Results will be decent, not impressive. Can’t do paint correction or deep interior cleans yet. But you can learn and earn.
The Serious Starter (£800-1,200)
This is where I wish I’d started. It’s the sweet spot between cheap and professional.
Cleaning products (£200-250):
- Quality shampoo (Bilt Hamber Auto Wash): £15
- Snow foam (Bilt Hamber Auto Foam): £20
- All-purpose cleaner (Meguiar’s APC): £15
- Wheel cleaner (Iron-X or similar): £15
- Tar remover: £12
- Glass cleaner: £8
- Interior cleaner: £15
- Fabric/carpet cleaner: £15
- Tyre dressing: £10
- Quick detailer: £12
- Wax or sealant: £25
- Microfiber towels (proper kit): £40
- Wash mitts (multiple): £25
- Brushes (full set): £50
Equipment (£450-600):
- Karcher K4 or K5: £180-250
- Nilfisk Alto or similar (better option): £200-280
- Proper wet/dry vacuum (Karcher WD5 or George): £120-180
- Foam lance: £40
- Extension hose (10m): £30
- Water tank/carrier (25L): £40
Extras (£150-200):
- Buckets with grit guards (2): £30
- Professional microfiber cloths (50+): £60
- Spray bottles and containers: £20
- Knee pads (good ones): £25
- Gloves (multiple pairs): £15
- Apron or work clothes: £30
- Basic first aid kit: £15
Total: £800-1,100
This setup lets you offer proper deep clean services and get professional results. You’ll look legitimate and your work will reflect it.
The Vehicle Situation
Nobody mentions this, but your vehicle matters hugely.
Using your personal car:
- Pros: No extra cost, you already have insurance
- Cons: Limited space, gets filthy, customers see your personal car, mixing personal and business use
I started with a Ford Focus. Within three months I hated emptying gear every night and refilling every morning. The boot was damp and smelled like chemicals.
Van (recommended):
- Small van (Caddy, Connect, Berlingo): £3,000-8,000 used
- Medium van (Transit Custom, Vivaro): £8,000-15,000 used
- Insurance: £800-1,500/year for business use
- Fuel: Budget £150-300/month depending on travel radius
I bought a second-hand Caddy for £4,500 after six months. Best move I made. Everything stays organized, fits a 100L water tank, looks professional at jobs.
Water tank reality: Some jobs have no water access. A 25L container does one car. A 100L tank makes you independent. I spent £180 on a tank with a 12V pump. It’s paid for itself in jobs others couldn’t take.
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Here’s where the real money disappears:
Insurance (£300-800/year):
- Public liability insurance: £200-400
- Professional indemnity: £100-200
- Van insurance (business use): £800-1,500
- Most detailers skip this initially. I did. Don’t be like me. The first time someone claims you damaged their car (even if you didn’t), you’ll wish you had cover.
Fuel:
- Count on 30-50 miles daily if you’re mobile
- That’s £30-50/week at current prices
- £1,500-2,500/year
Product replacement:
- You’ll burn through products faster than expected
- Budget £50-100/month once you’re busy
- That’s £600-1,200/year
Equipment maintenance:
- Pressure washers break (seals, pumps)
- Vacuums clog and wear out
- Budget £200-400/year for repairs/replacements
Marketing:
- Business cards: £20
- Facebook ads: £50-200/month if you use them
- Website (optional but helpful): £10-50/month
- Before/after photo editing (your time but worth noting)
Admin:
- Accounting software (or accountant): £100-300/year
- Phone/data plan: £20-40/month
- Mileage tracking app: £5-10/month
Realistically, plan for £1,500-3,000/year in hidden costs once you’re running properly.
The Upgrade Path (£1,500-3,000)
After 6-12 months, if you’re serious, you’ll want to invest in better equipment and expand services.
Machine polishing setup (£600-1,000):
- DA polisher (RUPES or similar): £300-450
- Backing plates: £40
- Polishing pads (cutting, polishing, finishing): £100
- Compounds and polishes: £80
- Pad cleaner and brush: £20
- Extension leads: £30
- Work light: £50
I waited eight months before buying a polisher. Took me another three months of practice before I felt confident charging for machine polishing. Now it’s 40% of my revenue.
Interior upgrade (£300-500):
- Steamer (Karcher or similar): £150-200
- Better vacuum (George or Numatic): £200-300
- Extraction machine (for serious work): £400+ (later investment)
- Drill brushes: £30
- Professional interior dressings: £50
Ceramic coating (£400-800):
- Training course: £200-400
- Coating products: £150-300
- Application pads and tools: £50-100
Don’t rush these upgrades. Master the basics first. I see new detailers buying £500 polishers before they’ve perfected a basic wash. Learn to walk before you run.
What I’d Do Differently
Looking back, here’s my advice:
Start with £1,000-1,500 if you can. The middle tier setup plus insurance and some marketing. You’ll look professional from day one and avoid buying cheap stuff twice.
Wait on the van until you’ve got regular work. Use your car for the first few months. It’s annoying but saves a big upfront cost.
Don’t skimp on insurance. I went nine months without proper cover. Stupid. Lucky. Don’t do it.
Buy decent microfiber cloths immediately. Cheap ones leave marks and fall apart. False economy.
Skip ceramic coating initially. The startup cost and learning curve isn’t worth it until you’ve got steady work and proven demand.
The Realistic Startup Plan
Month 0: £1,000-1,500 investment
- £800 on equipment and products (serious starter tier)
- £200 on insurance
- £100 on marketing and admin
- £100 buffer for immediate replacements
Month 1-3: Survival mode
- Use personal vehicle
- Focus on learning and building portfolio
- Aim for 10-15 jobs/month at £40-60 each
- Reinvest earnings into product stock
Month 4-6: Growth phase
- Hopefully breaking even or slight profit
- Consider van if you’ve got consistent work
- Upgrade specific tools as needed
- Maybe add machine polishing capability
Month 7-12: Establishing
- Should be profitable by now
- Making strategic upgrades
- Building repeat customer base
- Refining pricing based on real costs
The Bottom Line
Absolute minimum: £300-400 (testing the waters)
Realistic start: £1,000-1,500 (looking professional)
With van: £5,000-8,000 (properly equipped)
Full setup with polishing: £8,000-12,000 (professional grade)
I started with about £400 and wished I’d had £1,500. I spent the first year gradually upgrading, buying cheap twice, and looking less professional than I wanted.
If you’ve got £1,000-1,500 saved, you can start properly. Less than that and you’re gambling on whether you’ll make it work before running out of money or motivation.
Next lesson we’ll break down exactly what equipment and products to buy, with specific brand recommendations and where to get them in the UK. No more guessing what “quality microfiber” means or whether that £50 pressure washer will last.
Curious what customers actually pay for detailing? Check out our blog post on how much mobile detailing costs in Middlesbrough to see real pricing from the customer side.