As a guide, the average annual revenue for a well-situated brushless car wash is $175,000. This number is based on washing 17,500 cars annually at a basic $10 per wash. It equates to washing around 70 cars per day, operating for 5 days per week. The average annual take-home income is in the range of $70,000-$90,000. Adjust this figure to suit pricing strategies for your car wash business and the turnover of vehicles washed per year.
Note, the profitability of a brushless car wash is heavily dependent on your location, what you charge, add-ons, etc. If you struggle to find an ideal site in a high-traffic area, there is another way to make money. Consider exploring mobile car detailing services as an alternative.
Costs to Enter the Market
You need to think first about location, then the land, equipment, and construction costs. A standard brushless car wash system with quality equipment typically costs around $35,000. But expect to pay upwards of $60,000 for premium brushless wash systems with advanced features.
Do you plan to buy or lease land? Do your due diligence because costs vary considerably between different locations and states. Buying real estate can add value to your business, but leasing may be a more affordable option for small business owners who want to acquire a larger site when first entering the market. Also, think about future business growth. If you have the budget for a bigger site, it allows you to add more bays and services further down the line.
Alternatively, check out Businesses For Sale. For example, the asking price for a brushless car wash in Orange County, California, was $1,800,000, with a sales revenue of $580,000. If you don’t have the kind of money to invest in a location and equipment, you can still own a lucrative car wash by exploring mobile options.
Maintenance Costs
Brushless car wash equipment relies on sophisticated spray systems, precise chemical dispensers, and carefully calibrated water pressure components. Even high-quality systems can sometimes experience issues or failure. This means you may find yourself having to pay for costly repairs.
As with any automated car wash, proper equipment maintenance is necessary. Carrying out regular checks will save you money in the long run by identifying any potential problems before they arise.
Operating Costs
Your monthly expenses will include general utilities such as water and electricity. You will also need to maintain a stock of chemical cleaners. Pay attention to water usage, too. The specialized cleaning solutions and rinse systems used in a modern brushless car wash can use up to 12 gallons of water per vehicle, although many systems now incorporate water recycling technology.
Additionally, you can keep recruitment costs down with a self-serve computer-controlled brushless car wash. Leave it to the customer to input wash instructions, preferences, and payment.
Average Income of a Brushless Car Wash
The latest brushless wash equipment has improved efficiency and wash quality. And quality equals increased customer satisfaction and return business. Moreover, faster processing times mean shorter wash lines – your customers will like that and keep coming back.
A brushless wash and rinse can take 6 minutes or less. Adding wax and dry options can increase the time to 9 minutes per wash, but you will charge more for the service. There is the potential to wash 7-8 cars per hour. Price per car wash can range from $12-$35 for a basic wash. Add-ons are going to generate extra revenue.
How to Maximize Your Profits
Think about adding auto detailing services to generate extra revenue. It is entirely possible to double your profits by the time you reach the 5-year mark in business. For example, you could make $110,000-$130,000 per annum by offering more than a basic exterior car wash.
Give customers the option to purchase add-ons, such as underbody rinse, triple-foam polish, rain repellent treatments, or ceramic coating applications. These extras can potentially raise revenue by around 25% per vehicle. Offer interior detailing services. This can be another way to boost income and profits.
You can also increase profits by washing more cars. Either add another brushless bay to your site or open another car wash. Also, you can stay open 24/7, which will make a big difference to your bottom line. Customer loyalty programs can bring in more money, too.
Is a Brushless Car Wash Safe?
You also need to consider the customer’s perception of automatic car washes. Are brushless car washes safe? That’s what people want to know. Car enthusiasts can be wary about potential damage to their vehicles. Lack of trust in your car wash will hit profits.
So, what makes brushless car washes attractive? Well, they eliminate the risk of brush scratches while still providing effective cleaning. Many customers specifically seek out brushless options to protect their vehicle’s paint. Consider emphasizing the gentle nature of your cleaning systems in your marketing materials.
Conclusion
A brushless car wash can be very profitable. However, you need to invest in quality equipment and efficient systems. And this is a large investment. But it will allow you to provide superior service that customers are willing to pay premium prices for.
However, automated brushless car washes do not guarantee attention to detail like a professional detailer can. Furthermore, a brushless car wash focuses on the exterior wash only. If you can’t expand your list of services by offering car interior detailing, for example, you will miss out on potential profits.
As you do your research, pay attention to consumer trends and demands, such as environmentally friendly practices and convenience factors. You can make a start by thoroughly researching equipment options and visiting successful brushless car wash operations in your area.
