Question for Self Serve Car Wash Owners

[miniatustx]

Please, this isn't intended as spam in any shape form or fashion. I simply have a question.

I'm currently unemployed and while looking for work, I think I may have found a service that I could provide, but I don't know if it's even needed.

Years ago I had a friend that owned a couple of self serve car washes in the Austin area. For extra money I would go up there once a day, usually in the evening, and empty the trash, sweep up trash in the bays, wash down the bays, let him know if there was any damage or grafitti or that type of thing. Mostly just things that kept the place clean, looking decent, and so on. It allowed him time on his other businesses and I only lived a block away, so it was simply extra cash in my pocket.

Now I'm wondering if this is a viable service that owners would be actually willing to pay for?

I know alot of the owners are probably very hands on with their properties, but is there any kind of demand for this type of service?

And if you are, I'm in the Spring/Woodlands area!

Again, I'm sorry if this is not the appropriate place to post this.

Thank you for your time.

 

[MikeV]

If you would consider traveling to the Seabrook area, let me know.

 

[Waxman]

I think a good idea would be to post your ad in the classifieds section of this website.

Also, why not drive around to your local carwashes and post/drop off your resume for the owner.

The position you are inquiring about is a:"part-time carwash attendant".

Good luck!

 

[washme1]

The idea of having an independent contractor doing the work you describe has appeal. With that type of relationship, the carwash owner is not responsible for employment taxes or workers compensation insurance.

 

[pitzerwm]

To be an independent contractor and add appeal to the owner, get a business license from the city or whatever. They should also insist that you have insurance and maybe even a bond, but you could wait on those. No operator in their right mind would allow any one to "work" on their property without those. That being said, some do.

Like said, just hit every wash in your area with your info. I don't know that it would pay enough to be a career, but its a start.

 

[ted mcmeekin]

Funny we were just talking about exactly that. We would like to get a contract in place for exactly what you describe. My son will be getting another job to increase his salary and continue with preventative and corrective maintenence for the wash.

Ted

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Almost like a contract house that is dedicated to serving the car wash industry.....intriguing.

 

[miniatustx]

But would you actually call it an "attendant"? I wouldn't want keys to anything, or to make change. I think there would be too much liability in that type of situation. More like a "clean up" type service. Empty the trash cans, sweep up around the vaccuum areas, pick up any trash on the property, wash down the bays and inform the owner of anything broken or in need of repair.
That's basically what I did for the owner in Austin. I did have a key to his pump room so that I could turn on the bays to rinse them down, but if tokens were accepted in the bays that would be all I would need.
Any other ideas that would be of interest in this type of situation?

 

[miniatustx]

The business license and insurance would be a good idea--I agree.
I'm wondering though if it could actually become a "career". When I was younger doing this for the car wash there in Austin, I was paid $125 a week.
That's not much, but if I could get 7 or 8 local car washes if could actually be profitable in my mind. The car wash there was an 8 bay and it took me about an hour on a good day, 2 on a weekend. Usually Saturdays and Sundays I would go up there twice to make sure things were ok.

 

[miniatustx]

MikeV,
I'm in The Woodlands. I'm not sure it would be cost effective for either of us!

 

[miniatustx]

Ted,
Where are you located?

 

[MikeV]

Yes, I saw where you are in the Woodlands, but because I am out of town a lot and my partner has other things to do, I am now paying $1000.00 a month for a mediocre clean up crew. Is it worth it for you?

 

[miniatustx]

MikeV,
Let's talk. How do I get in touch with you, or you get in touch with me?

 

[miniatustx]

Mike,
Never mind. I found your website with your contact information. I will get in touch later today.