Dog Wash Investment

[DiamondWash]

I'am looking at investing into a Dog Wash system, a fully prefabbed building with all the bells and whistles I have a concrete slab of 10' x 25' plenty of space and with the Heartland Car Wash show in a couple months they always seem to have show specials. I wanted to get some feedback on what everybody else would recommend, pros and cons, hidden surprises, because I did this before with a propane filling site on the same pad and it was an OK investment but then we pulled the plug on it 1 yr later due to availability and overall sales it was costing more to lease the tank then making a profit, so I don't want to repeat the same mistake.

 

[DiamondWash]

Woof Woof???

 

[Randy]

I think the Dog wash fad is about over, at least in my area. There were 5 dogs here at one time now there “O”. There was one location that had 3 tubs, it stunk so bad that I don’t know anyone could even walk in the door, the one time I was there I made it in about 6 feet before I almost puked. The other ones just slowly went away, not big profits in it for the amount of labor one owners said, $600 - $800 a month gross and had to be cleaned at least twice a day sometimes 3 times.

 

[WikiWash]

I think the Dog wash fad is about over, at least in my area. There were 5 dogs here at one time now there “O”. There was one location that had 3 tubs, it stunk so bad that I don’t know anyone could even walk in the door, the one time I was there I made it in about 6 feet before I almost puked. The other ones just slowly went away, not big profits in it for the amount of labor one owners said, $600 - $800 a month gross and had to be cleaned at least twice a day sometimes 3 times.

I agree with Randy and the hardest part is keeping them cleaned all the time. I clean ours several times a day and at least once a week bleach and scrub down. Then after you get done with your bleach and scrub down someone comes in and completely destroys it after one dog. If I were to build a new wash, I wouldn't bother to put another one in.

 

[chaz]

I don't know of any dog washes at car washes in my area. I seriously researched when I built several years ago, and decided to use that space for other profit centers. Based on feedback here over the years, I'm glad I did. Some pet stores in my area have self serve pet tubs. As these stores are always staffed when open, it's likely a better fit, as these really need cleaning after each use, at least for me to want to wash my dog,

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I have a dog wash. I've done between $350-$1,100/mo in it since I re-opened my wash about 6 months ago.

I will echo what Randy said - It is the most labor intensive aspect of a "Self-Service" wash. Most of the reason I hired a person to be up at my wash was to clean the dang messes people sometimes leave.

If I eventually decide to pull the trigger on either detailing or converting to some other format, I'll convert the dog room to a waiting room.

 

[MEP001]

I have a dog wash. I've done between $350-$1,100/mo in it since I re-opened my wash about 6 months ago.

How many tubs do you have?

 

[mjwalsh]

I'am looking at investing into a Dog Wash system, a fully prefabbed building with all the bells and whistles I have a concrete slab of 10' x 25' plenty of space and with the Heartland Car Wash show in a couple months they always seem to have show specials. I wanted to get some feedback on what everybody else would recommend, pros and cons, hidden surprises, because I did this before with a propane filling site on the same pad and it was an OK investment but then we pulled the plug on it 1 yr later due to availability and overall sales it was costing more to lease the tank then making a profit, so I don't want to repeat the same mistake.

Steve,

How is the ventilation within the prefab buildings you are looking at? One of the reasons why we have been successful with our 2 room pet wash is the way the air flows through from one door to the next door & also the charcoal filter fan etc. "Breeze way" if you will. I am not going to argue about the amount of work involved. I will say that I am convinced ... if people start carrying around just $5 & up bills instead of including those pesky ratty $1 paper bills ... it will not just be a plus for our dog wash but also for our 6 bay self service car wash.

Try to notice how many vehicles that come to your car wash that have one or more dogs as esteemed passenger(s) ... that could be an indication of more potential than some areas of our hopefully great & wonderful not too debt filled USA.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

How many tubs do you have?

Just one. We have a lot of hiking trails nearby, and I think everyone has dogs out here. lol

 

[DiamondWash]

I'm going to be talking with a rep from All Paws pet wash in the morning, I have also been talking with customers about the idea of adding pet wash seeing what they think about it, I hear that we should only accept credit cards only no cash it will deter the customers that trash the dog wash I don't have the facts to backup what they say but it sounds good.

 

[jprb]

We have a single tub dog wash. I will repeat what others have said about the cleaning - it will need a lot of it. We have a hose outlet inside, and wash it down from ceiling to floor. It doesn't take too many shedding dogs to make a big mess and clog up the drain filter. We added our dog wash in a new construction wash that we built 5 years ago. It does about the same as a self service bay each month and takes up 1/4 of the space (not including parking). Usage has stayed pretty steady the whole time we've had it. We had previously looked into the complete separate building idea at another wash. The cost, which would have included a new water service and electric service, was too high for us. If there are no other dog washes around you, and yours would have great visibility at your wash, it may at least bring a few more people to your wash. Ours is always a topic of discussion when people see it.
Good Luck with your decision!
JPRB

http://showmetimes.com/BlogPost/unab/Mud-Magnet-Dog-Wash-is-Convenient

 

[WikiWash]

I have a dog wash. I've done between $350-$1,100/mo in it since I re-opened my wash about 6 months ago.

I will echo what Randy said - It is the most labor intensive aspect of a "Self-Service" wash. Most of the reason I hired a person to be up at my wash was to clean the dang messes people sometimes leave.

If I eventually decide to pull the trigger on either detailing or converting to some other format, I'll convert the dog room to a waiting room.

What do you charge to start your wash and how much time?

 

[WikiWash]

We have a single tub dog wash. I will repeat what others have said about the cleaning - it will need a lot of it. We have a hose outlet inside, and wash it down from ceiling to floor. It doesn't take too many shedding dogs to make a big mess and clog up the drain filter. We added our dog wash in a new construction wash that we built 5 years ago. It does about the same as a self service bay each month and takes up 1/4 of the space (not including parking). Usage has stayed pretty steady the whole time we've had it. We had previously looked into the complete separate building idea at another wash. The cost, which would have included a new water service and electric service, was too high for us. If there are no other dog washes around you, and yours would have great visibility at your wash, it may at least bring a few more people to your wash. Ours is always a topic of discussion when people see it.
Good Luck with your decision!
JPRB

http://showmetimes.com/BlogPost/unab/Mud-Magnet-Dog-Wash-is-Convenient

What do you charge to start your wash and how much time?

 

[jprb]

We charge $5 (to Start) for 8 minutes.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

What do you charge to start your wash and how much time?

$8 for 8 mins. I have WashCard and it counts up - usually ending up about $11/wash.

I have a competitor down the street about 3 miles that is $10 for 30mins. I'm not lowering my prices.

 

[WikiWash]

I use to just have old fashion coin boxes no display and took quarters and tokens only at $3 to start for 4 mins. I put in new coin boxes with Dixmour display timers along with cryptopay (count up), quaters, tokens, and $1 thru $10 bills now at a $7 start up for 10 mins.

I was maybe thinking about dropping the price down to $5 for 8 and hopefully get more traffic. The thing is so much time is spent keeping these clean all the time. With a lower price I think it may bring in a different clientele and it would get worst than it is but maybe make a little extra money idk.