a few questions

[Rob R]

me and my fiance, have been looking into starting a business over the last couple of years. A self serve car wash is something we would really like to do. So if you all don't mind, let me pick your brains for a minute.

First off, any other sites you all would recommend?

how much is it gonna cost to start up? I know this will vary, how many bays, how big the lot is, location, etc.

buy existing business or start from scratch?

how do you handle maintenance? Do I need to have a repair guy down for every problem? Can some repairs be done myself?

I am in a rush right now (on my lunch break) But any other info you want to share feel free, and thanks in advance.

 

[galen]

I would go back and read a few of the archived posts. Theres years of information there. There are so many variables to your questions. I would start with an existing wash. This business is not for the light hearted. You really need a mechanical background. So you can do a lot of your own maintaining. Its very expensive to have someone come out on Sat. morning. Good luck.

 

[Dean Taylor]

Galen,

I'm not sure if you can go to archived post on this new forum or not. It would be a shame to lose all that information.....Bill?

 

[stef]

Hi Robr, The estimated cost per bay is $60,000 plus the property. Then you must be in a heavily populated area, never in a commercial area. Then your clientele base must not be to high class, as high class people never wash their own car, middle class to middle-lower class is the best. I personally bought an existing self serve wash. But most car washes are over priced. It is best to find your own propery and build, but it must be the right area and well priced or it's not worth it. Lastly, you must be able to do 95% of your own repairs or you will not make money! Good Luck

 

[soapy]

The western carwash association is having seminar on Oct. 6th in Las Vegas for people looking to get into this business. It is being held jointly with the International car wash association and a full day will be spent teaching you the basics of carwashing. After the seminar on Saturday the WCA will hold their annual convention and you can look at several peices of equipment. You will also be able to meet many members of this forum and get some ideas. It will be the best money you ever spent.

 

[pitzerwm]

Dean & others, yes you can go back for awhile, its in the area above this one, near the Announcements.

 

[Jim Caudill]

Thanks Rob R for making me laugh. I have been running all day and just sat down to pay a few bills at the computer and thought I'd check out the website. Some day, if you do your homework, you'll look back at the questions you asked with a new perspective. Right now, you probably don't know what the archives are or how to reach them. Explore the new forum and you should find a link to take you there. I'm not familiar enough with the new forum here to give you step by step instructions. Your questions have been asked probably hundreds of times in one form or another. Sometimes, the newer members answer as best they can in simplistic terms, whereas some older members may respond with sarcasm. Most just don't bother to try and reply - I happen to be in a good mood. I used to type long answers about where to look and who to contact and point out just some of the variability, but not anymore. I think there is a "new investor" section (or something along those lines) in the archives - probably a good place to start. BTW, I've told you a lot more than you think I have.

To get to the archives: click on the "Forum" button and under the "Information" heading is the "archives" link

 

[Waxman]

Here are some ideas that worked for me:

1. Get a part time job as a car wash attendant. If you're not willing to do this, the biz isn't for you, period.

2. Attend industry trade shows (the 'big one' is in Orlando 2008).

3. talk to some owners face to face outside your target market.

good luck!

 

[bigleo48]

Rob,

You have so far received some good tips. I would add at this point that you need to start the discovery process (you seem to have started somewhat). Personally, I get 3 or 4 people a week who approach me on the subject. At this point none have ever gone followed through with it. The reality is that it takes a substancial amount of equity, many skills, lots of drive and determination. I find this in only few people.

So develop a business plan. This will force you to examine every aspect of the communitity, demographics, competition, finances, disruptive technoligies and other "what if's". Spend a great deal of time surveying your close competition and some more distant (both in space and scope). You need a fairly certain market.

Once you discover the circumstances and if they are favourable, then hunt for land. Land is very important and usualy one of the hardest parts. Then build to suit the location.

There are so many ways to fail at this, hard and completely work will help avoid big mistakes. Short cuts is simply gambling.

Good luck

Big Leo

 

[MEP001]

Guess when people approach me asking if a car wash is a good investment? When I'm carrying a bucket of quarters from a bay. Operating a successful car wash isn't just building it and raking in the money, you need to know that. It should be at the very least a part-time job for you or someone you trust to handle things properly. Too many of the guys who complain that they're not making enough do their complaining from an office a half-hour away, or say "My guy wouldn't flip the funnels in the meter box," or sound surprised when I find a half-dozen things that haven't been working for a while.

 

[jcollins]

MEP,
Why would those funnels be flipped upside down? ......only reason I can think is to keep the quarters from going down the chute to the vault?? ....hopefully by accident

 

[MEP001]

Why would those funnels be flipped upside down?

His employee was stealing. The inverted funnel stopped the quarters from going into the safe, and the owner wasn't comparing the quarters pulled to the counters. That's why I mentioned "someone you trust."

 

[Ben's Car Wash]

Wow, here we go again!

Maybe we should each make random post related to this topic and when it comes up, post whichever reply is selected.... like that 8 ball toy!

Question: "Should I build a car wash"
8 ball: "all signs say yes"


It's like having a 4 year old AGAIN...... "but why daddy?" There is no answer to this question that will satisfy!

Ok... I'll be humble, he's what I did:

1. Did a business plan that took 3 years to write and investigate.
2. Took 3-4 months to scout land.
3. Went to a few trade show years before I got a loan commitment.
4. Modeled my wash after a large family chain that my wife's family knew (before they all went EXTERIOR ONLY and blew my plan for a full service)
5. Got every trade magize for car washing for several years before I built
6. Took almost 2 years to get a loan
7. Invested almost $400,000 of my own money!
8. Drank heavy when nothing went right, my dad died 14 days after I opened and I was running out of cash!
9. Grew some balls, stopped drinking and made the dam thing work for me!

Look, my advise is free.... but my experance came with great pain! We can pass along our experances and share our pain, but what we can't do is the leg work for you.... that's up to you! Plan on spending time learning about businesses, how to market, keep books.... pay the proper taxes! These are the pitfalls of business. Then hire a consultant.

It reminds me of Chevy Chase in VAGAS VACATION when he kept gambling at the table during braekfast. The dealer say's to him "I'll tell you what, just give me your money and leave"!

Or to quote George Bush "It's hard work".

 

[Waxman]

All good points, Doug. Everyone's experiences will differ when starting any new business. I projected very conservatively, spent the bank's money very conservatively and worked hard to get things off the ground. My timing of opening a wash with gas prices and rising business expenses across the boards has made things challenging, yet somehow rewarding, too. I started small and carefully, so as not to get into financial trouble.

I wish I had used this forum more as I was planning and building, because I knew less than I thought I did and made a few mistakes. Our advice should be considered, but not solely relied upon, because things are constantly changing.

 

[MEP001]

I wish I had used this forum more as I was planning and building, because I knew less than I thought I did and made a few mistakes. Our advice should be considered, but not solely relied upon, because things are constantly changing.

Very good advice, as is Doug's.

Rob R, your questions are far too vague for you to expect any useful input. If you're really serious, you've gotten plenty of good advice to get started and to do it right. If you're blinded by dollar signs in your eyes like too many have been, look into buying an existing car wash. Take about 1/3rd off of what they tell you is its gross, and see if you can make that work financially.

 

[overpar101]

A buddy (a full time mechanic) and myself( electrical contractor) just purchased a local car wash, and it seems, from the previous owner that the machine looses its program on a regular basis. I have no paper work on the 4000 but I did find a 3v battery which indicates to me that everytime he looses power, the 3v is the only thing holding the program. My question is, since I have already talked with a distributor and was told I had a 2 month wait for reprogramming, is there any way to reprogram myself. Well , I know there is, but where can I get the paperwork needed to get machine running, since the closest service company is 100 miles away and chargeing the previous owner $800.00 a pop.