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Express Lube to IBA

dzeppelin

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Anyone every had any experience converting an express lube with full basement to an IBA? There is an abandonded property with a lube and wanted to look at converting it to a wash.
 

asalsy

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Why would you? How would you keep the water out of the basement? Wouldnt it be cheaper to build a carwash builing rather then remodling a random building into a carwash?
 

robert roman

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In some cases, it is economically feasible to convert a lube building with pits into an in-bay automatic facility.

If the lube is a viable candidate for this process, it would have to be functionally obsolete. In other words, worn out and a lack of customers.

If the subject can no longer sustain itself as a lube, an owned-goods service that shares many characteristics with carwash, I would want to determine if the market is appropriate for carwash products. This is often considered the first step of solving location problems.

Once the potential of the market is determined, you can measure anticipated revenue, investment and operating expense. This information will show if there is enough demand in the area to support the construction and operation of the proposed facility.

I hope this helps answer your question.
 

dzeppelin

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Thank you for the reply. The lube is mine and is becomming the 800 pound gurillia. It makes some money but not enough in my eyes to sustain the amount of work. It is in a small market 2500 in the city and 20 in county. I have a IBA and 4 ss. They are getting back up with customers so I figured close the lube and move the real profit center. Add ss and another iba. Its not there is not a need I am just wondering structurally if it is feasible i.e. just put some dirt in the pits put up walls etc.
 

MEP001

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It sounds like a bad idea - the structure wasn't meant for a car wash, you'd have to dig up most of the floor for pits and plumbing, wall off the bays for the machines and equipment - it'd probably cost as much as leveling it and building new from scratch, and on top of all that it wouldn't look very good. It would look like a cheesy conversion instead of a purpose-built car wash building.
 

troysaffell

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Your in a small town of 2500 people. I would explore renovating the site. We have done many renovations through the years with great success. Just don't limmit your selection of automatics due to inadequate bay dimmensions. A good wash is a good wash as long as the car is squeaky clean and dry especially in a small town.
 
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