For many people, their vehicle is their pride and joy, so trusting it to a mobile valeting company can be a big decision.
In today’s post, I’ll share some top tips on how to research a mobile valeting company. These tips will help you feel confident in your choice and ensure you’re hiring a trustworthy and reliable professional.
1. Check for customer reviews
- Read reviews on sites like Trustpilot, AutoTidy, Yell, and Yelp.
- Find ratings on the company’s website and social pages.
- See how they respond to negative reviews and feedback.
- Lots of positive reviews usually indicate a genuine business.
One of the best ways to research a mobile valeting company is by reading customer reviews. Start by looking for reviews on sites like Trustpilot, AutoTidy, Yell, and Yelp. These platforms are often the best places to start, as they feature unbiased reviews from genuine customers.
You should also check the company’s website or social media pages for reviews or testimonials. Facebook, for example, lets customers post reviews directly on a business’s page.
Checking reviews and seeing how the company responds to feedback can give you valuable insight into their customer service. A large number of positive reviews is a strong sign that the company is reliable and trustworthy. It also means they have a lot of experience in the mobile valeting market.
2. Verify insurance coverage
- Business insurance shows that the valeter is responsible.
- Public liability covers accidental damage during a valet.
- Check the valeter’s website or social media for details.
- Contact them directly to verify coverage or ask for proof.
Although it’s not legally required, having business insurance shows that a mobile valeting company is responsible and committed to protecting it’s customers.
In particular, public liability insurance covers any accidental damage to your vehicle during the valet service. This is essential for peace of mind, as even the most experienced valeters can make mistakes.
Check with the valeter to confirm whether they have the right insurance. These details are often listed on their website or social pages. If you’re unsure, contact them directly to verify coverage or request proof.
3. Look for work examples
- Visit the valeter’s website or social pages for work examples.
- If you can’t find any examples, ask them to provide some.
- Avoid valeters who can’t share proof of completed jobs.
- Even start-ups should have a few examples to show you.
Browsing work examples is another great way to research a mobile valeting company and ensure they’re legitimate.
In fact, most valeters regularly post photos of their work on their website or social pages. This is usually in the form of before-and-after photos or videos. If you can’t find any, reach out and ask them directly.
Avoid any valeter who is unable to provide examples of completed jobs. Even start-ups should have work to show, as they often practice on family and friends’ vehicles before officially launching. They should be able to share at least a few photos or videos as proof of their skills.
4. Study their social pages
- Review the valeter’s social media pages and activity.
- See how often they post and interact with customers.
- Look for comments, reviews, likes, and testimonials.
- Avoid inactive valeters who don’t reply to customers.
Social media can reveal a lot about a company. It’s an ideal place to not only find genuine feedback about a business but also see how they interact with customers, handle complaints, and resolve problems.
Before hiring any mobile valeting company, take some time to review their social media pages. Most will have profiles on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok.
Look for recent posts, read comments, and pay attention to how the company responds. Do they answers questions? How do they handle criticism? Are they quick to resolve customer issues?
By studying the company’s performance on social media, you can answer these questions and gain a clear understanding of their professionalism and level of customer service.
Plus, you’ll often find examples of their work, testimonials from satisfied customers, and photos of their equipment and setup on social media. It’s a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at their operation.
If the company isn’t very active, doesn’t respond to customers, or fails to address issues, it’s probably best to look for an alternative. A lot of mobile valeters that are no longer operating forget to delete their social media pages.
5. Search for the company online
- Lookup the company on Google to uncover information.
- Search for reviews, discussions, blogs, and news stories.
- Use the ”Forums” and ”News” tabs for more insights.
- Check registered businesses on Companies House.
When researching any company, a quick Google search is the easiest way to uncover useful information that can help with your hiring decision. Start by searching for the company name, and if they have a website, try entering the full web address as well.
Look for any reviews, news articles, blog posts, or discussions about the company, especially on forums like Reddit. You may need to go beyond the first page of results or use the ”News” or ”Forums” tabs to dig up important details. If the company has been mentioned anywhere online, it should appear in the search results.
For mobile valeting businesses that are registered companies, you can also look them up on Companies House, the UK’s official register of businesses. There, you’ll find essential data such as the company’s registered address, date of incorporation, and the names of its directors.
However, be aware that you’ll only find details on Companies House if the business is a registered company. A lot of mobile valeters are small businesses operating as sole traders, and they’re not required to register.
6. Inspect their website
- Explore the valater’s website for reviews, policies, and details.
- Check for awards, certificates, or unique qualifications.
- Verify contact details, owner name, and business address.
- Look for a portfolio or gallery to see examples of their work.
- A well-maintained website shows the business is legitimate.
If the mobile valeting company has a website, take some time to explore it carefully. Look for details like established date, customer reviews, business policies, and links to social pages.
You should also check for any achievements, awards, or official certificates or qualifications that highlight their expertise. Take note of anything that’s official in recognising them as a legitimate business.
Also, verify key details like the address of the business, name of the owner, and up-to-date contact details including an email and phone number.
It can also be worthwhile to test the support channels by sending an email or calling with a few questions. This gives you an opportunity to gauge response times and the quality of support, before making a booking.
Browse all sections of the website—such as the FAQs, About, and Contact pages. Most experienced mobile valeters will also feature a portfolio or gallery where you can view photos and videos of their work.
A professional and well-maintained website is a strong sign that the mobile valeting company is legitimate. After all, keeping a reliable and up-to-date website takes time and effort.
7. Read terms and conditions
- Read the company’s terms and conditions carefully.
- Check cancellation, rescheduling, and payment policies.
- Look for extra fees, travel charges, or service limitations.
- Most valeters share their terms at the time of booking.
Another important step when researching a mobile valeting company is reading their terms and conditions. This will help avoid any unwanted surprises, such as hidden costs, extras fees, or service limitations.
For example, it’s important to study the company’s cancellation policy, payment methods, and rescheduling procedures in the event of unexpected problems like bad weather.
Some valeters may charge extra for travelling to certain areas or require access to your water and electricity. These policies should always be clearly outlined in the terms and conditions.
Most mobile valeters will display their terms and conditions on their website. If not, they’ll usually provide an overview at the time of booking, either by email or using an online document.
Conclusion
When searching for a mobile valeting company, doing your research is essential. You want to make sure you’re hiring a trusted professional who arrives on time, has the right knowledge and experience, and can complete the job to a high standard—without causing any damage to your vehicle.
It’s also important to ensure the company offers competitive prices, fair policies, and takes proper precautions, such as holding insurance and documenting any existing damage, to prevent disputes or difficult situations later on.
By following the tips in this guide, you can be confident you’re choosing a reliable car care expert who will deliver quality results—without any hassle or setbacks.
