I live in Peru, IL. Population around 9,700. There are two car washes that are not touchless and are slammed pack all the time. There are other car washes that have self service and a skimpy touchless system and these car washes also have lines all the time. However, I don’t prefer to go to any of them because they just don’t do a good job. I think my area needs an awesome touchless system put in. There’s a pretty good one but is 25min away in another town. I feel like the business is here and a new touchless system would survive and thrive! How does one go about starting this? Create a business plan and propose it to a bank? Find an investor?
Car Wash Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Where to start, for a new construction touchless?
- Thread starter KleenKars
- Start date
There are four or more car washes in a town of 9,700 and you want to add another? Did you ever think about buying one of the existing washes? Most of the time it will cost less. If you want to build probably the first thing to do is to get some estimated costs for your proposal. We did this initially and apparently talked to the wrong people because we were very low on our estimated costs. Think in the low millions.
There all junk, so yes we need one that is good. The self service ones are old and small. The two drive through automatics are scratch machines. So again yes I think we need a better option. A town with 3,000 pop just built a brand new touchless wash 25min away. Why do you think it sounds stupid and to question me like an idiot? Thought this page would have been helpful.
Wow! The gall of the OP is amazing.
1. come here asking for help.
2. someone with actual car wash ownership and recent major renovations experience offers help.
3. Lash out at the helper because you don't like what they have to say.
Good job to the OP! This forum and the experienced owner/operators are VERY helpful - just because you don't like the reality that is pointed out to you, doesn't mean its not helpful.
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
This is not the place to take that tone with long time successful operators. A couple of observations from my 25 years of experience:
1) Driving by existing washes on busy days and assuming that means there is an overall need for another wash is not a valid assumption. In fact, it's quite a dangerous assumption. The list of dreamers I could give you who've lost their ass this way is long. Those busy days tend to be preceded by several days where the site is making little to no revenue.
2) Depending on equipment, land, construction, permitting, etc you could be looking at least $500K(and probably more) for a 1 bay automatic. No way that pencils out.
3) Long term, you'll probably be better off if you can acquire an existing site for a reasonable price and upgrade it as you go.
4) Forgive me if I'm wrong, but you appear to be someone with little to no experience in the car wash business. It's not passive income. It's not partially passive income. It's hands on. Constantly. Every single day. You have to have at least of rudimentary knowledge of electrical, plumbing, water treatment, control systems, etc to have even the slightest chance at success.
Last edited:
Too bad you can’t make this post an automatic reply to everyone who posts about wanting to build a car wash because they seen a line at their local ones
Couldn’t be more accurate.
Waxman
Super Moderator
the op displays a lack of industry knowledge and a lack of respect for industry veteran operators. this is becoming more common; " hey, i stumbled across this forum when i googled ' car wash'. here's my laypersons observations. do my homework for me. " then, when proper advice is given, op doesn't like it, disagrees and says the one with the knowledge is an a$$hole.
hmmmmmmm....
hmmmmmmm....
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
It's the social media effect. They see these clowns on social media talking about how much easy money is to be made in car washes and when they find out the reality they think we're all a bunch of pricks. It's happening in a lot of areas. At least 90% of the people you find on social media bragging about their lifestyles are up to their eyeballs in dept, faking it or some combination of the two. I have one customer that has several washes and laundry mats and he gets an inquiry at least weekly from someone thinking they can buy them for next to nothing and make their fortune.
Another "I saw on Youtube how easy it is make bank with a car wash. I demand you industry veterans tell me how to do it".
Ugh. Getting so tiring.
OP, Most of us here help and offer advice to many newcomers asking the same same questions... but if you're going to be rude, none of us will help you.
Ugh. Getting so tiring.
OP, Most of us here help and offer advice to many newcomers asking the same same questions... but if you're going to be rude, none of us will help you.
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
I think I may save it on my computer so I can just copy/paste.
You absolutely should. This won’t be the last time.
You may even want to get t shirts printed. They will sell like hot cakes at the car wash show.
Booth Sign Reads:
“Have you seen a line at your local car wash?
“You want to build a car wash now?”
Salesman: Boy do I have the t shirt for you lol This $20 t shirt can save you millions and a bankruptcy! BUY IT NOW! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
traveler17
Well-known member
Who says Sucka?
So you just got sound advice from an experienced operator and didn’t like what you heard and got your feelings hurt? Tell us you voted for Kamala without telling us
