Opening your own business - self-service car washes - is a profitable undertaking (profitability is from 80 to 100%), unlike standard car wash complexes, where the competition is quite high, there are not so many self-service car washes yet. This format of business organization allows you to save on a significant current item of the entrepreneur's expenses - the remuneration of the washers.
Choosing a location for a self-service car wash
A land plot, the required area of which is determined by the estimated number of boxes and traffic, is best owned, since the lease is fraught with the risk of losing everything at one time, along with capital buildings. In addition, the car wash should be located in the direct visibility of drivers, have a convenient access from the road, be close to the highways, at the same time be close to the main communications: sewage, water and power supply systems, and its operation should not interfere with residents of nearby houses. A good option for opening a self-service car wash is on the territory of parking lots of large shopping and entertainment and business centers or sublease within gas stations or paid parking lots, but such tidbits are either already occupied, or the cost of renting / buying them is simply off scale.
Land prices, which is important, suitable for commercial construction, depend on many factors (center-outskirts, exit, proximity to traffic intersections). On average, in a city with a population of one million, the cost of 1 sq.m. starts from 180-200 USD
Self-service car wash construction
All work on the construction of the car wash complex and the arrangement of the access area is transferred to the construction company. Prices for construction - from $ 30,000 to infinity - depending on the complexity of the project, the number of boxes, the total area of the sink, the materials used.
Equipment
For a self-service complex, 2, 4, 6-post car washes with built-in washing installations, vacuum cleaners, several modes of operation, for example, with and without foam, are optimal in terms of processing speed - container or modular.
The cost of a fully equipped two-station car wash with a throughput of 5 cars per hour is from $ 45,000. From the best side, the idea has proven itself - to buy a Karcher car wash, in addition, representatives and distributors of this brand provide services for installation, configuration and training in the rules of equipment operation.
Additionally, it is necessary to install water purification systems that filter the waste water and ensure its reuse. Installation cost - from $ 800 and more for 1 set.
In addition to washing posts, it is necessary to build an administrative building with a recreation area for clients, equip an administrator's workplace (furniture, office equipment), and install vending machines. The cost of this will be about 1000 USD.
Staff
Self-service car wash excludes the presence of washers, however, 2 administrators will be required, working in shifts, who will monitor the health of the system, the behavior of visitors, advise newcomers on how to use the car wash. The wage fund for such specialists is $ 1,000. per month.
You cannot do without the involvement of the PrJSC, since, unfortunately, cases of vandalism are not uncommon.
The registration of visitors to the self-service car wash is carried out using special software, which records the number of tokens exchanged in the machines for money, thus eliminating the fact that administrators have appropriated finances.
Calculating the cost of starting a business
We will carry out the final cost calculation and deduce the amount of start-up capital that is necessary in order to open your own business - a self-service car wash for 6 posts.
One-time expenses:
- business registration, obtaining permits, solving bureaucratic issues - $ 3000;
- purchase of a land plot of 400 sq.m. - $ 80,000;
- construction work - $ 50,000;
- purchase of equipment, installation, adjustment - 120 thousand (6-post car wash, including a box for freight transport);
- outdoor advertising (signs, boards, banners) on access roads, distribution of leaflets at service stations and parking lots, with an unlimited budget, the most effective promotion methods are advertising on local radio and television.
Current expenses:
- payment for utilities (electricity, water) and outsourcing (security, garbage disposal, accounting) - $ 1000;
- staff salary - $ 1000.
Self-service car wash business profit
A standard token costs $ 1. for a simple and short procedure, as a rule, one visitor orders 2 tokens. Even with an incomplete load, self-service car washes bring owners up to $ 7-10,000. net profit per month. The payback period for a business idea is estimated at 2.5-3 years.
