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Why should running a car wash be a business bull’s-eye? Because people love their cars and like to look after them. But to earn good money from a car wash, you need to remember a few important things. They say that to become a millionaire you have to create something that solves people’s problems, because people are very willing to pay for simple solutions that make their everyday lives easier. So why not think about building a professional car wash?
People like owning… cars
Let’s look at the figures first, using Poland – BKF’s home market – as an example. Poland has a population of around 38 million. According to the Polish Central Register of Vehicles and Drivers, more than 28.5 million vehicles were registered in the country in 2017, the largest share of them – 22 million – being passenger cars. In practice, that means roughly three vehicles for every four inhabitants.
It is no great discovery to say that owning a car or motorbike costs money. You have to pay for fuel, repairs, spare parts and insurance. And if you want your car to look good, you cannot neglect it – you have to wash it regularly.
Times have changed. Washing your car in front of your block of flats is a thing of the past
With so many cars on the road, why not open a business related to motoring? Opening your own car wash should prove to be an investment bull’s-eye.
In the past, many people washed their cars themselves in front of their block of flats or garage. Today we are busier and like our comfort, so we are happy to use professional solutions that save time and deliver better results.
A good location, new technology and several bays are the basics!
Above all, don’t forget about a good location. A car wash should operate where there are many drivers: next to a petrol station, a car repair shop or a shopping centre, on a large housing estate, at the entrance to a town, in tourist resorts or by busy roads.
It helps if the investor has their own plot, but a sufficiently long lease can also be a good solution. The car wash itself should operate 24/7/365, use technology that allows it to work in both high and low temperatures and have enough bays so that customers are not put off by queues.
Running a car wash pays off!
If you follow these few rules, you will easily find customers and the business will be profitable. Of course, at the beginning you cannot do without promotional activities such as discounts, leaflets or a social media presence. In the long run, however, success depends on washing quality, a loyalty system, reliability and technology.
If you decide to invest in a car wash, first get in touch with professionals who have been on the market for years and have many successful projects to their name. Such a partner knows the market and customers’ needs and can help you build a profitable business.
All right, but how much do you have to invest in such a business and when will the costs pay back? In Poland, you should assume an outlay of at least PLN 200,000–250,000. That is not a small amount, but a well-run three-bay car wash can generate very attractive revenue. You have to admit – this business simply pays off.