Q&A for How to Open a Car Wash Business

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How can I train myself or my employees if I don't have prior experience?

Community Answer

I suppose you could hire someone with experience.

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Question

How many employees does a car wash business need?

Community Answer

It depends on your budget, how high your business ratings are, and the average number of cars visiting you venue daily. On average though, about 2-3 would be good enough.

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Question

How can I get enough space for a service station? There is nothing here.

Community Answer

Start by looking for reasonable spaces for rent or sale which you can occupy for such a business with a good source of water or water availability and then apply for a bank loan. Location is very important with car washes -- it needs to be accessible to many people. Perhaps look for old houses or offices that are now unoccupied to demolish and gain an excellent site position or talk to your local municipality and real estate agents about what is available in the area you're keen on starting up. Another option is to talk to existing car wash places in case someone is nearing retirement or wanting to sell on.

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Question

Is a coin-operated car wash better than an automatic car wash?

Community Answer

It depends how the owner set up the car wash. An automatic car wash means you pay more, though it could give you better results, but every car wash will vary.

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Question

Is the use of pamphlets or flyers the best way to advertise a hand washing car wash?

Community Answer

Yes, it is a good way to advertise as most of your customers will be local.

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Question

How much does it cost to start a car wash business, and how much revenue does it normally generate on average?

Community Answer

It will likely cost $100,000-400,000 to start up, depending on the type of car wash. Revenue is determined by repeat customers, and additional or add on services, such as detailing.

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Question

Do I need planning permission?

Community Answer

That will depend on your location - for example in an unincorporated county in Texas, you can do just about anything you want, with just a few environmental exceptions, water usage being one. In an incorporated area, you would need to understand the zoning of your location to determine what would be allowed there. Or you can request a zoning change, if you think the local council and/or citizens would agree.

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Question

What supplies do I need to start a car wash?

Community Answer

Car washing soap, sponge, water, tire cleaner, rim cleaner, window cleaner, interior cleaner and a vacuum cleaner or shop vac.

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Question

How much does a car wash employee get paid?

Community Answer

It depends on how much the car wash business is making as a whole. For a good car wash, you might get paid around 10 to 15 dollars an hour.

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Question

What can I do to bring more people to my car wash?

Community Answer

A great way to get new customers is with a buy 1 get 1 half off deal, this works well for new customers who want a deal. You must, however, do a good job so they want to return.

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Question

I have bad credit and no one gives me a chance to borrow money. How can I start a car wash?

Community Answer

Start with a slow grind, get basic stuff from Walmart if you have to. Start offering to wash neighbors and family members cars for cheap. Save that money to get better equipment for bigger jobs for more money. Basically slowly make your way up by detailing and eventually you can make a business out of it by saving the money from the washing.

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