Have you ever wondered what it would be like to branch out and start a car-washing business? Here is a brief overview to see if this career move is right for you.
Scouting for Locations
The first tip for starting your own car wash business is to figure out where you want it to be and who you want to attract to your business. Look around different parts of town to find a place that’s easily accessible for drivers. Ideally, the location will be along a highway frontage road, next to a gas station, or along a busy street near other popular businesses. You could have the best car wash in town with the fanciest equipment and best prices, but people won’t use it if it isn’t easily accessible.
Find a location that doesn’t put you in direct competition for other car washes. For example, if you plan to charge for people to use vacuums, then you’d be at a disadvantage setting up next to another car wash that provides vacuums free of charge.
Creating a Plan
You’ll need to get a business plan up and going as early as possible. For example, you’re going to need to figure out your goals with creating an LLC, paying taxes, hiring employees and paying them properly, financing, and abiding by city codes and local business regulations.
Calculate your ongoing costs to figure out how much to charge. Depending on what location you decide on, you could have different target markets. For example, a simple self-service car wash will attract a different crowd than a full-service detailing shop. You’ll want your offerings to be near the customers so they’ll want to use them.
Building the Facility
Building carwashes can cost between $50,000 for self-service car washes up to $500,000 for touchless washing centers. You’ll need to ensure your car wash has backup equipment and supplies for when things break or supplies run low.
Getting your water filtration system figured out is also crucial. Saving water will be your best friend. This is one of the essential tips for starting your own car wash business. Invest in a backflow prevention device to prevent water pollution.
Starting a car wash could be a great business move for the right person. All it takes is finding the right location, coming up with a business plan, and setting up the facility properly.
