“I have been thinking about ideas to generate more revenue and detailing is one of them…..Is this a good idea?”
The same the logic I suggested in your other thread also applies to this thread.
http://www.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?13318-How-do-I-know-what-kind-of-car-wash-to-build
“Also is there something besides detailing that I can do with my space?”
This is question of highest and best use. To determine this, you would need to calculate highest and use as carwash site and then compare this to possible alternative uses.
I use net operating income per square feet.
For example, when I operated high volume carwash in Atlanta, we averaged 25 express detail services a day and 2.5 full-service details.
Express detail NOI per SF was $58 and full-service detail NOI was $25 per SF.
Express detail requires a minor investment and full-service requires modest investment.
Then there are qualitative aspects to consider.
Express detail is quick, is high volume, requires two people per car but knowledge and level of skills required is low. So, it’s relatively easy to cross-train carwash staff.
Full-service takes longer, is low volume, only one person needed per car but knowledge and level of skills required is much greater.
Experienced detailers tend to be prima donnas and difficult to teach and supervise. Conversely, it takes a lot of time (and money) to train and groom carwash staff as detailer.
http://www.carwashmag.com/home/arti...-center/fe3c103f850ee1bd10309bf9f826361f.html
Here’s an article in Auto Laundry News that discusses additional profit centers.
Hope this helps.