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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need experience in the CarWash Business to be Successful?
No. Some basic business sense, and the motivation to consistently
deliver the highest level of quality service in order to maximize
Customer satisfaction.
Who do I start with in the process of building a self-serve
car wash?
The best place to start is the equipment supplier. The potential
supplier should be able to direct you to, or obtain for you,
all the necessary resources to locate, design, build, and
market your car wash project. The equipment supplier will
have experience with what services sell best in which areas
and how to lay out your facility for maximum appeal. You should
choose a supplier with demonstrated capability to service
and support your business after completion and well into the
future.
How long can I expect it to take to recover my Investment?
Obviously this can vary tremendously based on the success
of your business. A good rule of thumb in the retail business
world is a 15-20% ROI(return on investment) or a 5-7 year
window. You should work within this window to build your business
volume so that the profitability is rewarding after the initial
investment has been amortized and to make the business attractive
for potential resale, lease-out, refinancing, or as collateral
for the finance of future projects.
What kind of financing is available for a car wash project?
As with any start-up business, capital can come from numerous
sources. Banks tend to have the most attractive rates but
the most demanding terms. SBA and other government subsidized
loan programs are available and should be explored thoroughly.
Venture capital can come from family, partners, or even venture
capital firms. Equipment can typically be leased and there
are tax implications to each type of financing. A CPA or financial
advisor can be invaluable in helping to assess your options.
You can expect to need up to 20% of the project financing
in cash and be prepared to provide extensive business and
personal financial information. Lending institutions will
require a detailed business plan that will include proposed
equipment quotes and projections of revenue and costs. Your
equipment supplier should be able to provide much of this
information.
How long will it take to build and start-up a self-serve
car wash facility?
This will vary widely depending on the scope and location
of the project. Be prepared to spend 3-6 months in the design
to permit phase and another 3-4 months from permit to completion
of the construction. Weather and contractor scheduling usually
represent the biggest challenges. A number of activities must
occur simultaneously so an experienced project manager and
a detailed plan are essential. An equipment supplier that
can provide a dedicated project manager is a tremendous asset
and will prevent unnecessary delays and costs.
How much should I plan to spend to open a self-serve car
wash?
There are probably more variables involved with this question
than any other yet it is the most frequently asked question.
If you are going to invest in a business your first question
should be "How much money can I plan to make with a self-serve
car wash?" The biggest mistake you could make is to under-build
for the location since it makes it more difficult to evaluate
or recover your investment and leaves the door open for a
competitor to move in and take away your customers with a
nicer facility. Again, a competent equipment supplier can
advise you on expected costs based on the area, the scope
of the project, and average or typical experiences of their
customers.
What Construction services do you offer?
We have worked with Contractors in many areas, and are
glad to refer you to them. We also, with the help of our Project
Manager, will work with the General Contractor of your choice
in communicating the requirements and procedures that will
get you the results you want.
Do you offer a Car Wash Building?
Yes. We have a Concrete Form Building from RBS, which is the
best suited building for the Car Wash Industry. It never needs
painting or finishing, only cleaning!
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