Value of landscaping, curb appeal

[1carwash1]

I was recently talking to an industrial designer on ideas to dress up my self service car wash. The wash in question has a flat roof and appears to be outdated compared to the newer washes that have an "A" framed roof. After personally visiting my wash, he said you need a landscaping plan. My property only has grass and no trees or shrubs etc. He went on to say that many business owners overlook the value landscaping provides. He told me to forget about replacing the roof and concentrate on dressing up the grounds and building. In his opinion, landscaping is one of the most important factors in attracting business. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[madscientist]

This is a great question. There is obviously no definitive answer.

In my opinion, nice landscaping probably won't make someone try your wash and probably won't make someone keep using your wash, but it may be included in a list of rationalizations for them being a repeat customer. The opposite is also true for poor/ugly landscaping.

 

[PEI]

I agree with mad scientist, this is a great question.

I think landscaping can be a way to draw potential customers eyes to your location. It has been my experience that drivers tend to focus on the road ahead and ignore the businesses they are passing by. Our signs tend to get lost in the sea of signs along the roadside. However, flowers and colorful shrubbery is something that a lot of people, especially women, tend to notice. Pulling the potential customers eye from the road to your plants can help raise awareness that you are there.

I have a car wash tucked in behind a Taco Bell and in front of a Wal-Mart. In talking to people in the Wal-Mart parking lot, I found most of them didn't know we were there, even though they had to drive by us to get to Wal-Mart. We put in a planter at the entrance to the car wash, and filled it with flowers to bloom all spring and summer. Our sales went up and later polling showed about half the people knew the car wash was there.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I have a couple washes with flat roofs, and fairly expensive to change. I have had many people comment on flowers and my lawns. My wife does alot of colorful flowers , in some two tiered planters around the signs alot of yellow and purple and red flowers. I try to keep the yards trimmed all the time. I remember at a carwash convention a gal from disney spoke, and talked about how they have to keep everything perfect, because of the sheer number of pictures taken. The main point she had was that the customer may not always notice when everything is perfect, but they always notice when things are not. The landscaper has a vested interest, but you should spend something on flowers or landscaping. At one of my apt buildings i have alot of hollyhocks, and even had people stop and take pictures. So there are alot of attention getting plants that come back year after year, and then fairly cheap.

 

[bigleo48]

Women like it....

I cut 55 gal pails, put holes in the bottom, fill with earth and plant flowers. Very easy and cheap and it looks nice. I have some shrubs and some trees at the entrance and around the property. I also keep it clean and the grass cut. The Royal Building walls look clean even when they are not. Site is well lit and in equipment in working order. Attendant there 9-5 daily to deal with any issue that comes up. So our uptime is almost perfect and we get many complements on the cleanliness and good working order. Complaints almost non-existent.

 

[pitzerwm]

Joe Mapes one of the speakers at the ICA show, when asked how to make more money at your wash, said "plant some flowers and don't let anyone water them but you". I think its good advice on a number of fronts.

 

[Waxman]

Flower Power!

Landscaping counts. Here is my website and the homepage has my sign and shrubs/flowers. http://houseofwax.us/ Below them is a mulch area alongside the road. My sign is vertical and 'CarWash' is written 'sideways' so it will stand out from all the other signs on my street (the busiest in the area).

Women love it like they love a clean restroom, which is ALOT. My Mom does the flowers and I spread new mulch myself a week ago. Took me half a day to do my area.

What Whale said is correct IMO. People may not notice it, but they will be repeat customers because the place feels nice and well-cared for.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Women like it....

I cut 55 gal pails, put holes in the bottom, fill with earth and plant flowers. Very easy and cheap and it looks nice. .

Found these
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-Kidz-10-Gal-Tub-Red/19224756

I changed from Cutting the 55 gallon drums to this. On Line they are $25.00 but I think I paid less on sale. They come in a variety of colors.

 

[JeffM]

What Whale said is correct IMO. People may not notice it, but they will be repeat customers because the place feels nice and well-cared for.

x2! I put a lot of effort into making sure we have the "Disneyland" look when it comes to landscaping. It definately pays off when customers pull up and your driveway looks inviting.