One day, you wake up feeling great about opening your own car wash business. You’ve thought about it long enough, and you’ve decided that today is the right moment to start. But before you get too excited about taking the big step, you need to figure out what type of car wash you want to build in the first place.
There are three major types of car wash systems. They are as follows: automatic car wash, self-serve car wash, and tunnel car wash. There are many pros and cons with regards to these types but for today, we’ll look into tunnel car washes. Let’s get into it!
How a Tunnel Car Wash Works
If you want to be able to handle high volumes of customers, then this type of car wash is what you need. It’s perfect as a standalone business but it can also be great in fleet services (i.e. automotive dealership or rental car services).
A tunnel car wash is powered by a conveyor system. This means that when a vehicle enters the tunnel, a conveyor belt pulls it through the washing tunnel. The car then undergoes a series of steps, from presoaking all the way to the drying process at the end of the tunnel.
This system is excellent because machinery is in charge of all the washing processes, so you won’t need to worry too much about staffing. It also enables your customers to use your car wash 24/7, even without the presence of an attendant. All they have to do is go through the tunnel, and voila, their cars are sparkling clean!
Things You Need to Consider
When it comes to building your own tunnel car wash, you need to consider a lot of things, especially these key elements:
- Location – The type of car wash you want to build can accommodate many customers, which means the potential for profit is high. So a good location is essential because your car wash must be accessible. Note that you need a large area to fit all the necessary machinery and equipment. A tunnel car wash requires a lot of space to build the tunnel, including the entrance and the exit.
If you want to establish a 125-foot conveyor system, you’ll need at least 225 feet of area in one direction. Take note, even if you have the best equipment and system for your car wash, if you don’t have a good location and ample amount of space for cars to maneuver, there is little chance of success.
- Cost and Equipment – A conveyor system requires a lot of equipment and that can be costly. But given a high volume of washes along with a prime location can net you a good return on your investment. But if the volume of customers is low, then the high cost of your equipment can lead to losses. Proper planning and liaising with the best suppliers are keys to helping you mitigate these risks.
- Customer Journey and Overall Experience – When your conveyor system works properly, you have enough space to accommodate your customers, and your location is easy to find, then your customers will have a great experience in your overall car wash service. Satisfied customers can spread the word about the quality of your service, and they’ll keep coming back again and again!
Conclusion
A tunnel car wash is an excellent option for vehicle owners who don’t have the time to go through all the steps of washing on their own. And if you want to build your own car wash, there are many things you need to consider, including location, cost, equipment, and customer journey. With this guide, you are one step closer to opening a booming tunnel car wash business.
CCW Solutions can help build and design your very own tunnel car wash. We are a trusted company of car wash builders that will help you through every step, from the ideation phase to the next necessary stages needed to build your dream car wash. Contact us today to get started!
