Is it always profitable to open a car wash from scratch?

The latest trend: all large shopping centers began to place self-service car wash boxes on their territory. While wives are passionate about shopping, men calmly bring beauty to their four-wheeled friend. I also had a desire: to open a car wash from scratch in my area ...

The demand for automotive services never loses its popularity. Regardless of the situation in the country, weather or economy, people want to drive and rely on quality service for their favorite cars. They need not only service stations and gas stations, but also modern car washes. Without a doubt, the car wash business is one of the most profitable, and you can start it at any time.

The car wash business has its own specifics.

the range of services offered (including additional services - plastic cleaning, tire fitting, blackening of bumpers and wheels, toning, etc.);
service of all brands of cars (both domestic and foreign);
service level;
the liveliness of the area where the car wash is located;
presence / absence of competitors nearby;
service prices;
work schedule (around the clock, late, early in the morning).

Watch the video: What Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Opening a Successful Car Wash.

What it takes to open a car wash

send a written request to the city administration about the intention to open a car wash and wait for consent. Please note that such requests are considered within one month;
prepare a sketch of the project and coordinate it with a municipal-level architect;
obtain approvals from the Fire Inspectorate, the Environmental Protection Service and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station;
having received the appropriate technical conditions, develop project documentation for the future car wash;
to agree on the project and obtain a positive conclusion of the state examination together with the building permit;
conclude contracts with all resource supplying organizations (Energosbyt, Gorvodokanal, etc.).

What type of car wash to choose

manual;
mobile;
automatic;
self-service car washes.

Which one should I open? This needs to be decided at the planning stage. Because your choice affects the entire future strategy, investment volumes and profits. Let's take a closer look at each type of car wash.

Manual

contact - a person washes the car. This type of sink is the most common. In terms of costs, it is the cheapest. But it is also less and less relevant.
non-contact - water and detergents are supplied using special equipment, and the operator only controls and corrects the process;

With manual maintenance, there is a high risk of damage to the paintwork of the car body.

If at the initial stage of business development your funds are limited, it is recommended to choose the second option. However, keep in mind: over time, you will want to move to a more serious level, which will require new investments.

Mobile

Today it is an intensively developing trend.

minimum initial investment;
mobility;
high quality services thanks to the use of modern detergents.

washing services are provided on-site upon the client's call;
exit complex can be of different types (collapsible autonomous point, dry exit car wash, mobile car wash with a trailer, exit car wash team, mobile box);
costs relate only to the maintenance of the main asset - boxing, the place of permanent location of the brigade or storage of the dismantled structure;
services often belong to the vip category, so the profitability of the business is high.

Automatic

tunnel - the machine moves on a conveyor belt along the washing units;
portal - the machine stands still, and an automated arched structure moves along it. She also cleans the car body with brushes and high pressure detergent.

significant savings on personnel (just a couple of people are enough for work);
modern equipment is quite expensive;
in most cases, redevelopment of the premises or the construction of a new one (to match the equipment) is inevitable.

Self-service car wash

the site is equipped with high-tech equipment;
both the site and the equipment are provided to the client, who himself performs all the operations step by step;
the ability to select the required washing mode: foam, high pressure of cold / hot water, removal of traces of insects, hot wax, etc.;
the lack of staff gives the owner of the car wash savings on investments;

This type of car washes is popular, since the equipment is easy to use, and the prices for services are lower than with the presence of staff (the client himself carries out and controls the entire process).

Self-service car wash equipment

See what equipment is used for a self-service car wash, and how it works inside:

In large metropolitan areas, it is self-service car wash that occupies a leading position.

Requirements for car washes

it is necessary to conclude an agreement with Vodokanal, since during the operation of the car wash, dirty wastewater is discharged into the city sewage system;
the contract specifies the volume of wastewater and the responsibility of the owner of the car wash to prevent the discharge of toxic substances;
the composition of wastewater is prescribed in the regulatory requirements;
a water treatment unit must be installed at the car wash;
to treat the incoming water it is also necessary to install the appropriate equipment.

We share our experience. Video: Highlights in starting a car wash business - examples from personal experience.

How to choose a seat

The success of an enterprise depends to a large extent on the choice of location.

location (intensity of client flows);
costs of the premises (regular lease or one-time investment for the purchase of an object in the property).

All beginners are advised to rent only. Enter into a contract for a long term, insisting on a fixed amount of payment. Buying your own premises without experience is a senseless risk. Inexpensive building rental options are found quickly. The main thing is that there is a free driveway to the sink.

Where to locate your business: in central or residential areas? Attendance directly affects profitability. After all, if there are no customers, there will be no profit. Compare:

As you can see, the dilemma is serious, there is something to think about.

There is another point related to the municipal authorities - they do not like when car washes open in the city center. Look for an unoccupied spot in some upmarket area of the city. It may not be big, but its residents drive elite cars and are ready to use expensive services to maintain their personal car fleet in perfect condition. In addition, wealthy people willingly order additional services.

Another option is to stay on the track. But again, there should be a gas station nearby, as well as a shop, toilet, cafe. Otherwise, drivers will pass by, postponing the issue of washing the car until they arrive at their destination.

Selection of equipment and materials

compressor;
water treatment system;
high-pressure apparatus for water supply and heating;
washing vacuum cleaner;
detergents.

Carebridge;
Weidner;
California Kleindienst;
Karcher.

Their branded prices are kept at the same level, so you won't be able to save money here.

Organization of space

there should be a customer area (an equipped waiting area - a sofa, armchairs, a TV set, a couple of tables and chairs for a snack or a coffee, a cooler with fresh water, or a vending machine with drinks, sandwiches and chocolates);
it is also necessary to organize a personnel area (administrator's office, cash desk, staff rest room).

Life has shown more than once that a person subconsciously strives for comfort. It is enough to pay a little attention to this sector, and it will soon pay off - some customers will prefer your car wash rather than your closest competitors.

Staff

The recruitment of staff is the stage that precedes the opening of the establishment. On the one hand, it is quite easy to find people - there are enough people willing to work.

it is possible to accept washers without experience, but on condition that the person is trainable, efficient, responsible;
minimum requirements - knowledge of the device of the car, hard work, good physical shape;
additional requirements - friendliness, stress resistance, sociability.

Please note that not all candidates are ready to work at night. And those who have expressed a desire, it is not yet a fact that they are able to remain cheerful at night. In this case, take into account the irregular working day.

Basic and additional services

body wash;
interior dry cleaning;
polishing.

glass washing using anti-rain and anti-sweat technology;
blackening of wheels;
applying a protective wax layer to the body;
blackening of bumpers;
engine wash;
abrasive polishing;
radiator sink;
cleaning of plastic interior parts;
removal of holograms;
headlights armor (applying a protective film);
toning;
tire fitting.

Remember that today's car owner is a sophisticated person, partly spoiled by service. And the wider the range of your services, the higher the popularity of your car wash will be.

Possible car wash franchises

The idea of a franchise business should not be dismissed. On the contrary, sometimes it is just it that will bring benefits, while the promotion of an unknown car wash will take a lot of energy with a zero result.

A small open franchise goes well with a car wash. Perhaps your companion will be pleased to have a cup of aromatic coffee while you put a gloss on your car.

A franchise is understood as a "ready-made business" from a well-known brand, that is, the right to use a specific trademark for commercial purposes on a reimbursable basis. What are the benefits? You don't have to build up a client base, build your reputation, and prove your worth in the market. Consider the most famous:

Brand "Mobile car wash"

a team of trained washers leaves for a pre-agreed place and provides services;
unique chemicals are used in the work (without water, so no dirt or water remains in the form of puddles);
preparations are underway to create stationary car washes near gas stations, shopping centers and other crowded places.

Fast and Shine brand

many branches have already been created in Russia (in 60 cities);
the brand is recognizable and respected by car owners;
By purchasing this franchise, you get a ready-made solution and a ready-made business plan.

LuxCarwash brand

quite popular brand;
Calculations have shown that opening an establishment costs 8 times less than opening a standard and customary washing box.

How much does it cost to open a car wash

With the right organization, the sink pays for itself pretty quickly, despite the initial difficulties.

the car remains clean and presentable for only a few days (this is due to abundant and frequent rainfall, poor quality of roads);
today no one wants to wash the car on their own, but a ready-made service is popular and in demand;
there is no need to be afraid of competition (it is enough to find an unoccupied place and "integrate" into the streams of client streams).

set of equipment - about 300,000 rubles;
detergents and auxiliary consumables - about $ 300 monthly (based on 30 serviced cars during the day);
to build a box from scratch - from 2700 to 3000 thousand rubles.

Let's watch a video on how to properly build a car wash box:

Estimated profitability

the average profitability is quite high - 40%;
the initial investment pays off within the first 1-3 years.

The numbers are taken from real life. The car wash business has been operating for decades, it is not something exotic and unknown. An extensive analytical base has been accumulated over the years. Therefore, it is easy to make forecasts, they are understandable and adequate.

Keep in mind that a high threshold for basic investment is a major challenge for aspiring businessmen. To ease the financial burden, start with a portable car wash, and later build a full-fledged multifunctional complex on its basis. By that time, you will already have both the experience and the accumulated clientele. Sberbank will help you in this small business.