What are some things I need to pull together a carwash?

Question

Example
You would need the following
1.P number of people to wash C number of cars
2. You should charge at most this A
3. Materals you need M , M , M

Answer 1

First, figure out how many cars you will be washing. Are you advertising? Going door to door?

It will take one person about 30-40 minutes to thoroughly wash a vehicle (I am super meticulous, and would expect the same level of quality if I were to pay someone to do it). Use this as your guideline - so say two people can do a car in 20 minutes. So you and a partner could feasibly wash 24 cars in a day.

Make sure you know how to properly wash a car:
1) Spray down rims w/ a rim cleaning product. Let sit for several minutes.
2) spray down the car using a nozzle that gets a strong stream going.
2) use a bug and tar remover on...bugs and tar (go figure!) using a soft cloth. Read the label first.
3) Use a brush to clean rims - the spray isn't usually enough, but it will loosen debris to make removal easy
4) Use a separate sponge to scrub down the car (using soapy water).
5) Rinse car - go back and check for missed areas.
6) Dry car using a chamois, dry windows w/ a squeegy (spelling?)

Materials:
1) Hose + nozzle + water supply
2) Bucket
3) Proper car soap + rim cleaner spray + bug/tar remover
4) Softer sponge for body + soft bristled brush for rims
5) chamois + squeegy

Most automated car washes charge about $7-$10 for a wash. Depending on how good you are, you could charge a little more. Sell your "expertise" - tell customers that you will get their car far cleaner than an automated car wash and you won't scratch it, unlike those horrible contraptions that attack the car.

I would charge $15 per car wash. It really does depend on where you live though...I live in a nice suburb where people are more willing to pay for a quality service. Guadge your area before making your choice!

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

You need to consider the following factors to ensure greater profitability in your car wash business:

1. Location - you need to choose a location that will support the operations of your business, and it should be very visible

2. Type - what car wash operation are you planning to operate (self service car wash or in-bay automatic, which can either be friction automatics or touch free automatics)

3. Equipment - Unless the car wash business you are thinking of is the self service type, an automatic car wash business requires significant capital equipment

One good resource I found in the car wash business is Hill and Foss Car Wash Business Systems. They have an FAQ section that answers some of the common questions in starting a car wash business. http://www.hillandfoss.com/faq.html

It is hard to categorically say how much income you can expect to make from a car wash business. The rule of thumb is 15-20% return on investment on a 5-7 year window. It really depends on the type of car wash you decide on and the services you will offer.

I suggest you read the book "Start Your Own Car Wash"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891984918/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid to get more detailed information about the business.

Answer 3

Three people per car at least. At least per car tal enough to reach the top and center of the roof, which is tough with SUV's and vans.

A few people with signs standing along roadside for advertising.

Suggest $10 per wash, but if it's for a worthy cause drop hints for more.

Heavily trafficed location, abundant water (at least one hose per car to be washed simultaneously).

Soap, soft wash rags, drying rags, extra stuff for dealing with dried bird droppings on cars (brushes, plastic pencil erasers sometimes work well)

Answer 4

Lots of money

Answer 5

A bucket of water