Including a car wash, these days it is extremely profitable. Over the years, the number of cars on the roads, and, accordingly, the number of your customers will only increase.

At the same time, opening a car wash does not require special knowledge and skills, which favorably distinguishes this business from, for example, a car service. This direction is optimal for a beginner entrepreneur who has never been involved in business before.

So how to open a car wash from scratch? Six stages can be distinguished:

1. Writing
2. Purchase of a land plot for a car wash;
3. Buying a car wash;
4. Connection to power grids and water supply systems;
5. Obtaining official permission.

Step 1: create a business plan

It may seem to some that opening a car wash from scratch is a simple and straightforward business, and there is nothing special to count on. This is a big misconception.

Firstly, without a clear-cut, any business is doomed to failure.

Secondly, despite its attractiveness, this business has a certain specificity, and there are points that need to be taken into account.

Seasonality is among them: car washes are much more in demand in spring and autumn than at other times. Winter snowfalls and summer rains allow you to tidy up the car “on your own”, and the flow of customers during these seasons will significantly decrease. It is necessary to think over how this disadvantage will be compensated.

What should a business plan include?

The first thing to do before making a plan is study the competitive market. For a business to be a success, you need to distinguish itself favorably from other car washes, to implement what, in the opinion of customers, they lack. Collect information about which areas of the city lack such a service.

Do not immediately sweep aside places where there are already functioning car washes: it is possible that it is in these areas that the traffic is so great that competitors will thank you for getting rid of the unbearable load.

• The type of future car wash. Depending on the cleaning technology, they are divided into tunnel and portal. In addition, there are self-service car washes, which imply the client's independent work. This type will help you save on staff wages;
• Square future car wash, the number of compartments for cars;
• Functions that you will perform. Will it be just a general wash, or will you decide to provide additional chemical cleaning services for the cabin?
• whom you decide to hire;
• Schedule.

Expenses that will be necessary at the opening stage:

• Buying a car wash or renting premises;
• Registration of documents;
• Equipment;
• Consumables;
• Advertising. At least at first, it is necessary to invest in it, even if you sincerely think that such a luxury is beyond your means.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account further monthly expenses associated with paying salaries to employees, repairing equipment and maintaining it in working order.

If you are not confident in your abilities, or do not have experience in drawing up such projects, a reasonable solution would be to leave the creation to specialists. They will take into account all the nuances and help you anticipate any unforeseen situations.

Step 2: We settle legal issues

The first thing to do is to register as an individual entrepreneur (this is the most convenient form of doing business) and now, in order to get the right to open a car wash, you need to collect an impressive package of documents.

Doing this yourself, you run the risk of delaying the process for six months: however, purchasing a mobile car wash will greatly simplify the task.

The seller will provide you with the necessary papers along with the complex itself. These documents include a variety of certifications and licenses for the health and safety of the equipment.

Step 3: Acquiring land

Of course, the best option is purchase of land for ownership. But if your budget does not allow it yet, you can get by with a lease or sublease.

The latter option assumes that you are borrowing a plot from a larger organization that has previously rented it for their own needs (for example, a parking lot). In a sense, it is more convenient than renting from scratch, since it is still easier to find a language with “colleagues” than with municipal authorities.

Separately, it should be said about the choice of a place for a car wash. Many aspiring entrepreneurs make the mistake of thinking that the busier the track, the more drivers will decide to use their services. This is not entirely true, since people in a hurry are usually not up to painstaking car care and professional cleaning procedures.

The benchmark should be kept not on random drivers, but on regular customers who will appreciate the quality of your service and will be able to trust you with their favorite car without fear. Therefore, settling in a residential area, or not far from a large shopping center, is the most reasonable decision.

Step 4: buy a car wash

If you don't have enough start-up capital, you can start by renting a car wash. This will help you to directly plunge into this area and finally decide whether you want to do this in the future.

However, as practice shows, such enterprises are rarely leased, and if they are leased, it is possible that the reason for this is poor income. Therefore, it is wiser to save up the required amount and start your own business - of course, having previously learned everything about the specifics of the work and drawing up a detailed business plan.

Car wash construction- the approach is serious, but rather troublesome and energy-consuming. It makes sense to take on such a difficult task only if you have experience.

The best way to save money at the initial stage is to purchase a mobile car wash. Such units are now sold complete with the necessary equipment, and their purchase is ultimately cheaper than collecting everything you need yourself.

In addition, a mobile car wash has another significant advantage: if you miss the place, and it turns out to be insufficiently profitable, the complex can be easily transported.

Step 5: Establishing electrification and water supply

Despite the fact that modern equipment allows you to work autonomously from city networks, you still need to connect to them. Operating equipment on its own generators can lead to unexpected breakdowns in the middle of the working day, which is fraught with the loss of customers.

Waste water requires plums. All this must be supported by the conclusion of the appropriate contracts that you will need to obtain the final permission to open a car wash.

Step 6: get permission

And so, what remains for you is just collect the entire package of documents and apply with him for permission to provide services.

In order to gain the attention of customers and expand their circle, experts recommend opening cafes, shops, tire inflation points or any other services that may be of interest to drivers near car washes.

However, there is no need to rush to this, since the maintenance of individual enterprises entails a new round of paperwork. It is better to let the car wash pay off first, and then think about additions..

The approximate size of the initial investment:

• Mobile car wash for two modules - 2,000,000 rubles;
• Car wash installation, preparation for work - 150-200 thousand rubles;
• Consumables - 50 thousand rubles.

With an urban population of 500 thousand people, the average monthly income of a car wash, taking into account the seasonality, will be about 350 thousand rubles. About half of this amount will be spent on salaries for employees, maintenance of equipment, supplies and more.

On average, you will receive 170 thousand rubles with a net profit per month. Thus, the car wash will pay off completely after 13 months. Car wash may not be the most profitable and profitable business possible, but this disadvantage is fully paid off by the relative ease of implementation.

How to open a car wash from scratch? A business plan and detailed instructions in this video: