Opening a self-service car wash at a car service centre: procedure and tips

Opening a car wash – a profitable way to invest money, because the number of cars is growing every year, and the dust, dirt, gnats and reagents do not go anywhere. In this article we will touch on the basic principles of opening a self-service car wash.

The types of car washes

To understand the advantages and disadvantages of self-service car wash over others, see the table below:

Documents required for opening

To make your business not only profitable but also fun, take care to fully legalise it. Start by registering your business entity form. Only 20 thousand rubles. – and no problems with the law. The registration authority will assign the code (OKPD 2) 45.20 «Motor vehicle maintenance and repair services», or more specific, at its discretion.

If you are opening a self-service car wash with the investment of several persons, register an LLC (limited liability company). Otherwise – register an IE (individual entrepreneur) and you will save yourself from complicated bureaucratic procedures.

Naturally, to open a self-service car wash you should get permission from the local administration. To do this, apply to it with a petition to allocate a plot of land for the construction of the future car wash. Also don't forget to prepare a sketch of the project and coordinate it with municipal architects, the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and the fire inspectorate.

When you receive a reply letter with a building permit, you can start working out a detailed business plan for the car wash. Once it is approved, the state authorities will draw up a deed for land ownership (temporary – in case of lease, permanent – in case of purchase), and then issue a warrant for the construction of the facility.

And then you will be able to build the facility.

From the documents you will definitely need: passport and a copy, application for state registration of a commercial organisation, receipt of state duty for the state registration of the company. The full list of required documents will be announced to you by the law firm you apply to.

Full list of documents you will need.

Necessary equipment

If you want a steady stream of customers and good self-promotion, purchase quality equipment. You will need:

1. equipment modules for the multiple programmes needed to control each post;
2. systems:

• treatment of incoming and waste water, as well as its softening and heating;
• heated floors;
• waste water sumps;
• security and video surveillance;
• stabilisation of water pressure at all sites;
• winter operations;
• payment for services by the client;

3. hoses, consoles, «guns» per post.

Additional equipment: timer with countdown for each post (if you plan to pay by the minute), hoovers, fire shield with equipment, detergents, instruction manual for washing equipment.

How to choose car wash equipment

In this matter, you should research all suppliers, collect customer reviews about them, and decide what is more important to you: quality or quantity. That is, pay attention to what functions the equipment performs, who manufactures it, and what warranty and terms of use they offer.

All of these factors are important.

And if you want to expand your car service, you can buy air conditioning maintenance equipment on our website.

Cost of opening a self-service car wash

Costs:

1. Plot of land – the price depends on the area and location.
2. Creation of the project, approvals and obtaining a building permit – from 350 thousand rubles.
3. Preparation of the site and withdrawal of communications – individually, depending on the amount of work to be done (on average 4 million rubles. for 6-post washing).
4. Treatment facilities – 400-600 thousand rubles.
5. Awning – from 1 million to 6 million rubles.
6. Beautification (asphalting, lighting, landscaping, etc.) – from 0,2 to 3 million rubles.
7. Additional equipment, inventory – from 0.5 to 1.3 million rubles.
8. Equipment – depending on the goals. If you need a budget option, you can invest in a couple of million rubles for 6 posts. However, this option does not guarantee a high competitive advantage, because it has low reliability and a narrow set of functions. If you approach the business with all responsibility, count on the amount of 5-9 million rubles for 6 posts.
9. Advertising – there is no clear price tag. The level of expenditure will depend on your region, the type of advertising, its period.

The payback of self-service car wash will come after 1.5-2 years, which will depend on its location, attractiveness, cost of service.