Pros & Cons of Starting a Car Wash Business
A car wash business can be attractive to a prospective entrepreneur. There are many advantages to starting a car wash business like the enduring need for affordable, accessible vehicle cleaning and maintenance, which makes a car wash appear to be a safe investment. However, there are also disadvantages, like very expensive repairs when equipment breaks and, in some markets, lulls during the off season. Before investing in a car wash business, thoroughly research the market where you plan to operate to determine whether the pros of car wash ownership outweigh the cons – or vice versa.
Pro: Car Washes Are Always Needed
According to Hedges & Company, there were 276.1 million vehicles registered in the U.S. in 2018. That is 276.1 million vehicles that need to be washed and maintained regularly. Despite reports that younger Americans are buying fewer cars and driving less than previous generations, there is no shortage of vehicles on American roadways – and no decrease in demand for car washes.
Car washes also cannot be outsourced. When an American driver needs her vehicle washed, she needs it to be washed locally. Unlike other services that can be automated and outsourced, a car wash business can only operate as a brick-and-mortar location.
Con: Car Washes Are Often Seasonal
In many markets, car washes are seasonal businesses. In snowy climates, clients may get their cars washed more frequently in the winter to remove salt stains. In wet climates, car washes see far less business during the rainy season than during the dry season because rainwater washes dirt and debris off vehicle exteriors. At a self-service car wash, car owners in colder climates tend not to wash their vehicles as frequently during the winter, which is not the case at car washes where the client remains in the vehicle or waits for it to be cleaned and detailed.
One of the most important disadvantages to owning a car wash that prospective owners must keep in mind is how much the weather can impact their profits. Consecutive weeks of rainy weather can mean a sharp reduction in business, and a pollen-heavy spring can be a boon. Operating a successful car wash requires the ability to forecast profits based on annual weather patterns and a financial strategy that keeps the company from going into debt during low-profit periods.
Pro: Car Washes Can Be Profitable
Among the many advantages to owning a car wash, one of the most attractive to new business owners is the amount of profit one can generate. Small-scale, self-service car washes average just over $40,000 per year in profit while larger luxury car washes can net owners more than $500,000 per year.
Con: It’s More Than Washing Cars
Owning a car wash involves more than washing clients’ vehicles or buying a turnkey operation. One of the greatest disadvantages to owning a car wash is the complexity of this type of business and how expensive it can be to repair specialized car wash equipment when pieces break. Prospective car wash owners should keep a sufficient amount of savings on hand to cover equipment maintenance and replacement when necessary, because one broken part can grind the whole operation to a halt.
Another disadvantage is the owner’s responsibility for managing the team that helps keep the business running. Like any other business, a competent, friendly staff can drive up profits or drive customers away. For an owner who does not have the time or management skills to effectively manage a team, hiring competent managers is a must.
The most profitable car wash is not necessarily the one that charges the most. In most cases, it is the one best suited to its location and clientele. When researching ownership advantages, take note of what the other car washes in your area are doing successfully as well as where their services fall short of clients’ needs.
Things you didn´t know about car washes
- Conveyor. Car wash conveyors that you never need to think about, that are easy to maintain, and deliver unparalleled safety and reliability. …
- High Pressure. …
- Chemical Applicators. …
- Rinse Equipment. …
- Friction Wash. …
- Drying Systems.
HOW MUCH IS A CAR WASH ?
A car wash is an answer to when you have no time, energy, appropriate space, or necessary tools for washing your car yourself. But then that leads you to the question: “How much does a car wash cost?”
It depends because there are different car wash types. It may cost as low as approximately $10 for an automatic car wash or as high as approximately $100 for a full-service car wash. And other factors can affect the cost, but there are also ways to save on car washes.
Each of the various car wash types uses different methods for washing or cleaning vehicles as well as equipment. The varying methods and equipment entail variable average car wash prices. Check out the list of the different types of car washes to see what fits your needs and budget.
1. Automatic Car Wash
The average automatic car wash cost isn’t too expensive compared to other car wash types’ average cost. The usual basic automatic car wash price is around $10 to $20. However, you shouldn’t get this car wash too often because frequent automatic car washes can damage the car’s paint, as the brushes’ bristles can scratch the paint.
Typically, an automatic car wash makes use of large brushes, high-pressure jets for water and soap, and a conveyor for pulling a vehicle towards the cleaning mechanisms within a tunnel structure. This process is a quick and effortless way to get your car cleaned.
2. Touchless Car Wash
Similar to the automatic car wash, this car wash type is also automated and more or less has a similar average car wash price, which is around $10 to $30.
But one difference is that it uses high-pressure jets and strong detergents for washing vehicles. This car wash type has lower chances of damaging vehicles’ paint than the automatic car wash.
3. Hand Car Wash
Compared to an automated car wash, a hand car wash takes longer and is more expensive, usually costing around $20 to $30. However, its advantages are that it’s more gentle on vehicles, as it doesn’t cause any scratches, and it also doesn’t leave swirl marks or watermarks after washing.
In a hand car wash, a team would usually manually apply the soap on a vehicle, scrub the dirt and grime, and dry the car with much care and attention to detail. It would usually also include vacuum cleaning and cleaning the vehicle’s interior.
4. Full-Service Car Wash
A full-service car wash takes care of the entire car from the exterior down to the interior, involving thorough car washing and car detailing.
Compared to a basic car wash, which would only last a couple of minutes, a full-service car wash can take several hours. It would also include many other cleaning services or premium products and additional equipment.
So, it is understandable that the cost is normally much higher than a basic car wash. Of course, it also depends on what services you avail of and the size of your vehicle.
The full-service car wash with basic car detailing includes car washing, waxing, interior vacuum cleaning and polishing, window washing, mirror and trim cleaning, tire cleaning and protectant application, and headlight polishing.
- For regular-sized vehicles, the average cost would be around $50 to $100
- For the bigger SUVs and vans, it would be around $75 to $125.
There are also upgraded detailing packages you can avail of with premium products like high-quality wax, carpet shampoo, leather cleaner, etc. The service also includes additional equipment like a steam cleaner, extractor vacuum, etc.
Other upgraded detailing packages would also offer engine cleaning and dent removal.
An upgraded package
- For regular-sided vehicles would cost around $100 to $200 on average
- For the bigger SUVs or vans, the average cost for an upgraded package would be $150-250
5. Mobile Car Wash
A mobile car wash takes away the hassle of traveling to a car wash establishment and waiting in line to get a car wash.
- Hand car washing is around $30 to $60.
- Full-service washing and interior cleaning is around $60 to $150 for regular-sized cars and $100 to $175 dollars for the bigger SUVs and vans.
- And detailing is around $125 to $275 for regular-sized cars and $175 to $325 for the bigger SUVs and vans.
It will be the one to come to you to provide your car cleaning needs. Mobile car washes usually offer hand car washing, full-service washing, interior cleaning, and detailing, usually costing more.
6. Self-Service Car Wash
A self-service car wash establishment provides coin-operated machines equipped with tools and settings that car owners can wash their cars themselves.