[AcuraLover]

Does anyone know if opening an automated car wash port is profitable? I have been thinking about doing some research on this and getting a business plan together. Let me know if you know anything about this industry. Thanks.

[babyjoy214]

I really have no idea on automated car wash.. you're right on research though.. do your research first and the business plan.. Goodluck!

[InsomnicBrain]

Cool! I looked into this as well. I saw that the machines themselves going for about $80k-$200k. That's about all the research I have done but it sounds very interesting. I use it at least once every two weeks and see tons of cars lining up. Post what you find out about it.

Thanks,

Robert

[OnTheWayUp]

Depends on the location. I have a friend that owns a laser wash and made 150k his first year open, since all the other car washes were the kind you had to do yourself.

[tazman9r]

Location, location, location. And when it comes to location, pick a place with lots of traffic (I know, "Duh") but also in a nicer neighborhood. People who drive expensive cars want to keep them looking nice and presentable. Another thought, I know some higher end auto dealerships offer free periodical car washes, see about partnering with one of them to perform those car washes at a discount. I would see if there was an auto row and put it near to that, if auto row was in a nice neighborhood with a lot of traffic.

[Hooman]

How about this instead...

This will take less than $150 capital to start up, and it might be easier. I might actually do this myself, who knows, depends on potential profit.

Check it.

Do a mobile car wash. All you need is 1-2 buckets, sheepskin wash cloth, car shampoo, and 1-2 shamees. (and transportation of course).

First you find people who want it. So you go to one of these websites that sell business cards. You can get 1000 from uprinting.com for less than $40. Front/back color. Use this like an ad...I get these on my front porch all the time from landscapers, etc.

Your pitch will be the convenience of a car wash at a person's home. Charge something like $25-$30. Ideally, you could make it into a membership, as an incentive for them to save money. So $30 a wash, or $25 if they get 2 per month, or something like that.

I think people who drive nice cars and work full-time might like it. In any case distributing 1000 business cards at people's homes only takes a few days, and costs you maybe $40 total (+ cost of your time to do so).

So anyway, you see how many people take the offer. Best case scenario would be getting more than one person in the same neighborhood, which makes for convenient back-to-back washing.

Once you get a good number of responses, people lined up for a weekend or a few weeks, then you delegate. Post an ad in Craigslist to hire college students at $10/hr.

You figure if you hire 2 people, that's $20/hr for your expense per hour. Personally, I drive a Scion coupe, and I can wash and dry it nicely in 30min. But I get really detailed. My friend can wash and dry his truck in 20min.

Let's say 2 people can wash/dry 3-4 cars per hour, but put at 3 assuming they have to travel between homes in a neighborhood. That's $75-$90 per hour for your revenue. Cost is about $20/hr, plus maybe a few bucks for supplies.

So, you could be making around $50/hr profit, depending on how many customers you can get.

Just a random idea. Oil changes could work too, and car wax, but those take more expertise, and you might not be able to hire inexperienced college students.

Anyway, just some thoughts. Good luck with your investment, hope it's successful.

[Wozo]

Thx for the great idea! Thats actually the way my father started... with a simple carwash.

[stlyoungbizman]

the mobile car wash would be nice but your water supply is the only question I have if you have to go on to someone job to wash their car or something of that sort.

[pboychuk]

location and dont do it in a possible drought area unless you "recycle" the water because they will shut you down if there is a drought

[2gould]

Originally Posted by Hooman

How about this instead...

This will take less than $150 capital to start up, and it might be easier. I might actually do this myself, who knows, depends on potential profit.

Check it.

Do a mobile car wash. All you need is 1-2 buckets, sheepskin wash cloth, car shampoo, and 1-2 shamees. (and transportation of course).

First you find people who want it. So you go to one of these websites that sell business cards. You can get 1000 from uprinting.com for less than $40. Front/back color. Use this like an ad...I get these on my front porch all the time from landscapers, etc.

Your pitch will be the convenience of a car wash at a person's home. Charge something like $25-$30. Ideally, you could make it into a membership, as an incentive for them to save money. So $30 a wash, or $25 if they get 2 per month, or something like that.

I think people who drive nice cars and work full-time might like it. In any case distributing 1000 business cards at people's homes only takes a few days, and costs you maybe $40 total (+ cost of your time to do so).

So anyway, you see how many people take the offer. Best case scenario would be getting more than one person in the same neighborhood, which makes for convenient back-to-back washing.

Once you get a good number of responses, people lined up for a weekend or a few weeks, then you delegate. Post an ad in Craigslist to hire college students at $10/hr.

You figure if you hire 2 people, that's $20/hr for your expense per hour. Personally, I drive a Scion coupe, and I can wash and dry it nicely in 30min. But I get really detailed. My friend can wash and dry his truck in 20min.

Let's say 2 people can wash/dry 3-4 cars per hour, but put at 3 assuming they have to travel between homes in a neighborhood. That's $75-$90 per hour for your revenue. Cost is about $20/hr, plus maybe a few bucks for supplies.

So, you could be making around $50/hr profit, depending on how many customers you can get.

Just a random idea. Oil changes could work too, and car wax, but those take more expertise, and you might not be able to hire inexperienced college students.

Anyway, just some thoughts. Good luck with your investment, hope it's successful.

Very interesting idea. I like the creativity.

[Cole Taylor]

Originally Posted by Hooman

How about this instead...

This will take less than $150 capital to start up, and it might be easier. I might actually do this myself, who knows, depends on potential profit.

Check it.

Do a mobile car wash. All you need is 1-2 buckets, sheepskin wash cloth, car shampoo, and 1-2 shamees. (and transportation of course).

First you find people who want it. So you go to one of these websites that sell business cards. You can get 1000 from uprinting.com for less than $40. Front/back color. Use this like an ad...I get these on my front porch all the time from landscapers, etc.

Your pitch will be the convenience of a car wash at a person's home. Charge something like $25-$30. Ideally, you could make it into a membership, as an incentive for them to save money. So $30 a wash, or $25 if they get 2 per month, or something like that.

I think people who drive nice cars and work full-time might like it. In any case distributing 1000 business cards at people's homes only takes a few days, and costs you maybe $40 total (+ cost of your time to do so).

So anyway, you see how many people take the offer. Best case scenario would be getting more than one person in the same neighborhood, which makes for convenient back-to-back washing.

Once you get a good number of responses, people lined up for a weekend or a few weeks, then you delegate. Post an ad in Craigslist to hire college students at $10/hr.

You figure if you hire 2 people, that's $20/hr for your expense per hour. Personally, I drive a Scion coupe, and I can wash and dry it nicely in 30min. But I get really detailed. My friend can wash and dry his truck in 20min.

Let's say 2 people can wash/dry 3-4 cars per hour, but put at 3 assuming they have to travel between homes in a neighborhood. That's $75-$90 per hour for your revenue. Cost is about $20/hr, plus maybe a few bucks for supplies.

So, you could be making around $50/hr profit, depending on how many customers you can get.

Just a random idea. Oil changes could work too, and car wax, but those take more expertise, and you might not be able to hire inexperienced college students.

Anyway, just some thoughts. Good luck with your investment, hope it's successful.

Dont forget insurance...the nicer the car the more likely they are to have an attorney on speed dial. Realize you dont need to actually cause any damage to be sued.

I like the thinking but I think your prices are way too high. There are at least three different guys that work the office complex I'm in and all charge $20 for a full size SUV. All bring their own pressure washer. The guy I use bills me once a month and I cant remember the last time I washed my own car.

I know a guy here in Socal that owns three car washes, he's not hurting. Like others have said: location. Also, having a full detail setup will bring in extra money. I probably average about $200 for a full detail, including clay bar, polish, letting it breath...shampoo carpets, steam clean the motor, full leather conditioning, etc.