onebaywonder
New member
Hello All,
I finally got registered and set up after lurking here and looking around for a while, this is a neat forum!
I am looking for some advice & info on possibly buying an existing small one bay car wash in a small midwest town, population less then 5000 the wash has been around many years and never closed but it is run down and needs updating & cosmetic work, paint etc.
The Good - The Car wash is on the main street which is also a major road through town which leads to other neighboring towns, there is a freeway near by also, not thinking I will get a bunch of that traffic, but alot of commuters and local traffic get off the freeway there and take the road that goes by the car wash.
The Bad - It needs the following, new overhead rollup door that can with stand frigid winter weather, new small walk in door, needs paint or panels inside for sure (probably panels based on what I have been reading here) and the lighting is junk and needs to be replaced (not the wiring just fixtures, I hear the name Scottsdale on here?) the lot itself needs some pot holes fixed and smoothed out.
I can do alot of the cosmetic work myself and have lots of friends and family who are in the trades, carpentry, heating etc.
There is some small vending there, soda machine etc. but could be a lot better, the vacum system was replaced a couple years ago and looks to be in decent shape.
My questions are:
Can these small one bay washes be profitable? nearest wash is 10 miles away in one direction and 15 miles away in another.
What advice can you give to a potential buyer? the current owner claims he will show any and all records?
Please feel free to ask any questions, it will help me make a decision if this is right or not, I have always thought detailing cars or having a car wash would be cool, but I know they dont run themselves.
Thank you.
I finally got registered and set up after lurking here and looking around for a while, this is a neat forum!
I am looking for some advice & info on possibly buying an existing small one bay car wash in a small midwest town, population less then 5000 the wash has been around many years and never closed but it is run down and needs updating & cosmetic work, paint etc.
The Good - The Car wash is on the main street which is also a major road through town which leads to other neighboring towns, there is a freeway near by also, not thinking I will get a bunch of that traffic, but alot of commuters and local traffic get off the freeway there and take the road that goes by the car wash.
The Bad - It needs the following, new overhead rollup door that can with stand frigid winter weather, new small walk in door, needs paint or panels inside for sure (probably panels based on what I have been reading here) and the lighting is junk and needs to be replaced (not the wiring just fixtures, I hear the name Scottsdale on here?) the lot itself needs some pot holes fixed and smoothed out.
I can do alot of the cosmetic work myself and have lots of friends and family who are in the trades, carpentry, heating etc.
There is some small vending there, soda machine etc. but could be a lot better, the vacum system was replaced a couple years ago and looks to be in decent shape.
My questions are:
Can these small one bay washes be profitable? nearest wash is 10 miles away in one direction and 15 miles away in another.
What advice can you give to a potential buyer? the current owner claims he will show any and all records?
Please feel free to ask any questions, it will help me make a decision if this is right or not, I have always thought detailing cars or having a car wash would be cool, but I know they dont run themselves.
Thank you.
