Considering starting up a part time car washing business

dazcouz

Hi guys,

I'm considering setting up a mini-car washing business that I can do when I'm not working. My salary is only £15,000 so I am considering using my two days off washing cars. I know it is something that teenagers do to earn pocket money, but it could be worthwhile If I put the effort in.:j

I will of course buy my own car wash shampoo and am considering also buying those nice smelling christmas trees you stick in your car to make it sell nice.

Also I think it would be a great idea to make up some business cards that I can post through peoples doors.

Should I invest in my own hoover?
How much should I charge for washing a car?
How much should I charge for both interior and exterior?

Do you think it is a good idea overall?

Please be kind, thanks!:o

brightonman123

check out what local firms are charging, and what services offered- can you betterthem, and still make money?

'wash at work' could appeal- no transport costs for customer- you wash car in their carpark.

what about water supply, and heating?

and insurance, if vehicles damaged?

lookoutapiano_2

do you watch the apprentice by any chance?

id be quite careful re: insurance. there are definitely people out there who would claim damage that was already there had been done by you unfortunately

[Deleted User]

Yeh just remember... to close the doors before you start!
:rotfl:

custardy

well to give a price scale
my local car wash place charges £6 to have the whole exterior cleaned including under car and alloys
this is guys doing it by hand/jetwashes
i assume they profit by numbers as £6 isnt that much

mluton

Check out: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/

Antispam

Whatever you do, dont employ her

littlemrtinkle

haha i'm surprised they didn;t sack the deputy , she was so smug and full of herself.

kazwookie

I work next door to a car valeting business, a full steam clean, and clean in side, the whole works, to show room finish is £70 and the cars look really good, he does load of 'upmarket' expensive cars Astons, Range Rovers etc etc

Not so show room standard is about £40 to £50

They are fully insured etc and pay business rates / water etc. and get charge extra by whom I am not sure, for the soakway drain they have as it gets full of 'muck'

To the OP, I would suggest you do you research into your local area well.

Good luck.

ali1972

lookoutapiano wrote: »

do you watch the apprentice by any chance?

You took the words right out of my fingertips! Anyone could have done a better job than "Britain's brightest business prospects"!

TrowbridgeTraveller

dazcouz wrote: »

Hi guys,

Also I think it would be a great idea to make up some business cards that I can post through peoples doors.

Should I invest in my own hoover?
How much should I charge for washing a car?
How much should I charge for both interior and exterior?

Do you think it is a good idea overall?

Please be kind, thanks!:o

There is a professional company that does it at our local Tesco's.

They have about 3-4 people there. Each one has a little cart that they pull around with them (with all their cleaning stuff), and also a big stick with a sign on it, so when you park you know where you can find them.

They only do the outside of a car, and charge £5 for it. They do a VERY good job - including alloys and wheels. I think it takes them about 10 mins per car (but they are used to doing it - i'd allow 15 mins per car to startwith if you are making a budget spreadsheet/business plan).

They get the water from an outside tap from the Tesco building (i think they have an agreement in place with Tesco - but it's buckets only - no pressure washers at all).

It's about the same price as a local automatic car wash, but in my opinion, it's a much better service as the car comes out cleaner and isn't as likely to get scratched by those horrible automatic washing brushes.

Good luck with it!