Mobile car wash and valet

Busy households, office workers, small businesses with a few vehicles and landlords or garages needing cars cleaned.

Fixed price per wash, with higher prices for full valets and extras like wax. Regular weekly or monthly customers and workplace bookings give steadier income.

• Careful, thorough hand washing
• Knowing which products suit which surfaces
• Reliable timekeeping and customer service

• Public liability insurance, and cover for customers' cars while you work on them
• Check local rules on run-off: washing water going into surface drains can cause problems, so ask your council or the Environment Agency (or equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Some workplaces and car parks need permission before you can wash there
• Weather and physical work, so plan for quiet winter weeks

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your vehicle, water and power set-up, and the products and equipment you buy. Insurance is another cost to allow for.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,500, depending on how many cars you clean, your pricing and the hours you work. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week, with quieter winter weeks possible.

Check local rules on run-off, as washing water entering surface drains can cause problems, by asking your council or the Environment Agency or its equivalent. Also check whether workplaces and car parks need to give permission, and arrange public liability and customers' car cover.