The best route to success may be tough to follow for operators wishing to develop or refurbish a self-service car wash business. Uncertainty might make you second-guess every action as you finalise designs, start construction, and order equipment. Thankfully, the auto care sector has continued expanding, developing, and growing based on tried-and-true strategies and sound business processes.
When it comes to outfitting a carwash, there are a lot of questions to consider:
- What are the most remarkable and appealing features of the location?
- What are the optimal numbers for pay stations, vacuums, vending machines, and other items at the site?
- What is the ideal length for a wash tunnel?
Operators who follow best practices and consult with carwash specialists are taking two massive steps in the right direction in their quest for practical solutions. The demonstrated popularity of automated car services benefits modern wash sites with all the technical bells and whistles.
A new or rebuilt car wash may optimise exposure and generate sales by learning from the experience of other owners. They can work with firms that supply consumables and car wash equipment for sale around the country.
Though there are few “safe bets” in any industry, owners may follow certain car wash principles. After all, as vehicle traffic increases and the economy rebounds, now may be the ideal moment to open a new car wash site.
Planning Procedure
A car wash business owner may anticipate spending one or two years obtaining the necessary permissions in today’s environment. Approval boards are often six months behind due to the pandemic. The approval procedure might take as little as a few months or as long as several years.
When it comes to car wash design, plans must adhere to local rules to blend in with the surrounding area. Metal panel architecture, similar to that of a modern auto dealership, is used in many areas. Some car washes now feature massive towers that stand out at the entry, exit, or both. And today, car washes have become more contemporary and retail-oriented. These days, sites are very well-kept and may provide a great deal of aesthetic attractiveness to their locations.
Operators considering a new site or a makeover should know that many more car washes are available nowadays. The rise in automatic car washing may be linked to the rise in the number of families and individuals buying cars.
Location
All business owners should think about strong traffic counts, visibility, and an excellent commercial location. Traffic count is a crucial statistic for any wash location’s performance. A daily traffic count of at least 25,000 cars is recommended. The site’s visibility from the road is essential, as is the traffic speed—ideally less than 45 mph. And most importantly, the site must be easily accessible, with a designated turn lane and so on.
Car wash builders may provide full-site validation services, including demographic breakdowns and pro forma. For potential owners, there is also a turnkey option that assists them in locating the land through the entitlement process, completing the build-out, and more.
The future or potential operator should always hire a car wash specialist to do a pro forma on any location under consideration.
Tunnel Dimensions and Equipment
Another factor to examine is the “total addressable market” possibility. This is the overall number of cars and drivers in a particular location and how that number is distributed across competitors in the area.
The size of the car wash should eventually be determined by demographics and the dimensions of the land. As a general rule, operators should plan for the busiest day to ensure that the facility can manage all wash volume surges.
Conclusion
A successful self-service car wash business means maximum efficiency and little upkeep. If you want to succeed, you need to be at the top of your game by investing in the most up-to-date car wash design, equipment, and technology.
At CCW Solutions, we build and design car washes all across Canada. We would be happy to guide you through all the critical phases to build your dream self-service car wash. Contact us today!
