Many Russians these days are looking for an acceptable way to generate a reliable income, and the thought of starting their own business increasingly takes possession of the minds of fellow citizens. Where, in what area is it relatively easy to make money? Where to go if you do not have huge funds for organizing a serious business or buying a new business? And what if absolutely all niches have been occupied for a long time, and inventing something new is still the task?
What is profitable?
Let's not reinvent the wheel and today we'll talk about one of the classic, well-established types of business, the opening of which, although it requires quite serious investments, is still a very real task.
It's about washing cars. How to open a car wash from scratch? What is needed for this, and how to properly organize the business in order to have a guarantee with a profit, and not a loss? In this article, we will tell you how to open a car wash correctly, and explain some important nuances.
How relevant is it?
Why a car wash? The relevance of this business in modern urban conditions is proven by life itself. Judge for yourself: car washes are in demand absolutely everywhere - from a metropolis to a small town, and people use their services in any season.
In winter, every driver needs to visit a car wash to wash off salt, sand and reagents. In spring and autumn, you have to look there at least once every 2-3 days due to constant mud and puddles on domestic roads. In the summer, it is customary for car owners to carefully polish their cars until they shine. And today we will focus on how to open a car wash from scratch.
This business (according to professionals) has a fairly high profitability (30-40%), that is, it belongs to the number of profitable enterprises. We can talk about full payback after about 12-16 months after opening a business, of course, provided it is successfully set up and promoted. If we are talking about a portal, more expensive option, then this period is extended, and it will be possible to calculate the net profits in a year or two.
How to open a car wash from scratch: a business plan
2. Visit for permission from the local council of the district where your business will be located, as well as obtain opinions from the Fire Service, Moskompriroda, MP Mosvodostok and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision.
3. The construction plan is to be coordinated with the Moskomarkhitektura.
What else will need to be agreed
In addition, the Moscow government will require you to provide contracts for the lease of a land plot, cleaning the adjacent territory with the removal of solid waste, with the designated boundaries of your site and a document certifying that your cash register equipment is registered.
Before opening a car wash from scratch, it will be necessary to submit information about the proposed construction of the facility to the Office of Communications and Transport. To obtain a FEZ and approve the project, you will have to contact Rospotrebnadzor (its territorial department).
We select a place and premises for our car wash
The payback rate and, as a consequence, the profitability of this business project are directly related to the location of the car wash. Almost ideal place for this is the side of the city's central avenues, pay attention to the busiest highways.
Car washes are often organized at the entrance to the city, next to the customs or border post. But, being in the area of a large transport hub, drivers often give up the idea of using the services of a car wash because of the increased fuss and crush. It will be more profitable to offer its services near gas stations and maintenance stations.
Rent - cheaper
How to open a car wash from scratch when building your own building for it is an unbearable financial task for you? In this case, renting a space at an ATP, suitable in all respects, may be a good option. In addition, you will have to draw up much less paperwork. Car enthusiasts, as a rule, are familiar with all similar enterprises in their city.
The type and volume of services provided depends on the parameters of the premises. For example, if you are thinking about how to start a truck wash from scratch, there are a number of additional factors to consider, starting with the height of the ceilings.
Do not forget about the need for an auxiliary area in which you will store consumables.
Car wash water treatment
In connection with the growth of serious environmental problems, the owners of car washes are put forward requirements, which you will certainly have to take into account when opening. For example, a purification system will be required without fail, the filters of which will have to remove fats, oil products and other chemicals from wastewater.
Such equipment is quite compact and belongs to the transportable units. The water purification procedure itself is carried out in stages. The available circulating tank allows you to purify the liquid using a circulating cycle. Thus, circulating several times in a row along the circuit, the water remains practically free of impurities.
Since the operation of cleaning equipment is provided at temperatures above +5 ° C, it should be installed in a heated room.
What's next?
A commission of representatives of the administration, firefighters, traffic police and other services must be present at the opening of the car wash. They will be signed by your object.
Advertising on billboards located in the immediate vicinity of your outlet will be very effective if you indicate in a short form its location, opening hours, discounts, basic services and important bonuses.
We select personnel
Having overcome bureaucratic obstacles, engage in the selection of suitable personnel. What should it be? The main requirements for job applicants are the ability to understand cars of the category that is supposed to be serviced in your case, contact (to form a list of regular customers) and courteous treatment.
In order not to lose consumers of services, it is advisable for the car wash to operate around the clock - such a schedule is optimal for it. In this case, you will have to hire washers in the amount of 5 or 6 people and one foreman.
Higher education is not required for your employees; students can also work for hire. They should be paid based on the amount of work done. Employees should be motivated by additional material incentives, and stylish overalls with a corporate logo will help to raise the car wash's image as a reputable enterprise.
Let's calculate the cost of the project
When calculating the required expenses, proceed from the rental cost. This amount will vary depending on the premises and the area where it is located. The lease should be supplemented by investments in the purchase of equipment.
A high-pressure washer with hot water functionality will cost you between $ 1,800 and $ 3,000. The device supplying water to 1 post - at 500-1300 cu. e. Compressor - $ 200-250. Washing vacuum cleaner (or vacuum cleaner) - $ 400-550. - at 4800-6600 dollars.
Most car wash owners prefer to purchase imported equipment. In this market segment, 80% of sales belong to the German company Karcher. In addition, Italian and Danish equipment is appreciated. Apparatus for water purification are usually bought from Russian manufacturers.
The list of basic materials related to consumables consists of car shampoo, polishing agent, means with which dry cleaning is carried out, cleaning of wheel disks, engine, bumpers. Monthly costs for them will be about $ 300, provided that a car wash service 30-40 cars daily.
In the summer, the flow of customers usually dries up. Car wash services are mainly used by those who want to wax their car. What should a businessman do in order not to lose profit? The only way out here is to slightly lower prices while expanding the range of services. Second, try to offer your customers additional reasons to visit your outlet. For example, set up a small tent with tables next to the establishment, where those who wish can relax and have a snack (for example, a barbecue). While on holiday, someone will definitely want to wash the car.
An excellent solution is a mini-market with groceries or a small store selling spare parts within walking distance.
What to do if funds are insufficient
Perhaps you want to spend as little money as possible and are thinking, for example, how to open a self-service car wash. Well, this option is quite possible. Its advantages are that it saves money on staff wages. Of course, this type of service has individual characteristics that must be taken into account when drawing up a business plan.
If you have an idea of how to open a car wash in the garage, it is better to give it up right away. Apart from the need to settle issues with the management at its full height, the problem of water supply, a "busy" place and the arrangement of all expensive equipment mentioned above arises.
The main point due to which this project can be considered unviable is the lack of the ability to connect to water supply and sewerage networks. Even if there is one, you will be required to build a wastewater treatment system. In short, this idea is not very good.
How to open a self-service car wash from scratch: a few tips
Let's say you want to get this type of sink. You already know how to open a car wash from scratch. The business plan in this case should only be slightly adjusted for the specifics of such a service.
As you know, services for washing cars are portal and tunnel, in which washing is carried out in an absolutely automated way, manually (the personnel are engaged in washing cars) and open - based on the principle of self-service.
In the latter case, the drivers themselves wash their cars with the provided funds. Such a sink consists of a set of equipment with a set of necessary materials. All equipment (pistols for water supply, vacuum cleaners, dryers) is as simple and understandable as possible. Clients use the services of such a wash much more willingly because of the opportunity to save money.
The list of services provided includes washing with warm water with powder (removing dirt), rinsing off foam with cold water, waxing a car, polymerization to eliminate drips.
The main problem with setting up such a car wash is how to deal with freezing liquids in winter? There is a solution, and it consists in a device under a heated floor using a system of pipes with circulating running hot water. Heating of water in the system is ensured by automatic switching on at the right time of a gas or diesel boiler. Equipment should also be selected with continuous fluid circulation, such as pressurized water guns.
