Business opportunity. Help.

slaayer88

New member
Hey all! So my wife works in a 24 story building in downtown Long Beach, Ca. The building has 5 floors of parking and hundreds of cars and suv's parked daily in it, on the bottom level of the structure there is approx 450 sq ft available for a wash and detailer. The in house detailer up and left, no word to management or anyone. The building is now looking for a detailer to set up shop. I do have a full time job that I do not enjoy like I do detailing. My question is, how profitable can this be, and at what point do I go full time? I do weekend details now and would like to further this. The building management is creating a proposal for me, as soon as I get it I will post some details.. Any advice would be great..
 
These operations can be extremely profitable. The key is to have people doing the work for you and having multiple locations. Do it!!! It's a great opportunity. Focus on the "Green" waterless wash approach for the win.
 
Be aware that the Landlord wants to provide an amenity for their tenants. You should expect only token overhead costs. Here in Indy, I am aware of at least two 'detail' operations in "Class A" office developments where the operators pay just $50 per month rent, which includes phone and all utilities! They do washes and 'mini-details'. One even does oil changes and brake jobs!



Could be a golden opportunity, but don't expect to have Autopian standards...
 
Thank you guys for the advice, and I will listen! I do understand that a majority would be just washes and that does bum me out quite a bit. We will just have to see what happens. I will keep you posted.
 
We do an express type wash: We put Opt. spray wax over the waterless product, clean exterior glass, wheel faces and put tire dressing on. $25 per four door car. Two guys with the right set up almost complete 4 per hr. so yes, it can be profitable. If customers want more, that's fine, but it goes up. Also, we limit our $35 wash to a 10 min. vacuum. I was getting killed with quotes for a "simple" wash only to find a vacuum job would need 20 min.!



Rob



Like Jimmy stated, these are not $50 washes in quality, but most people say that their car is better than the same price wash from a tunnel wash down the street + they are getting Opt. Spray Wax in that $25.
 
Operators of 'building amenities' typically pay little in the way of rent, as mentioned. You should basically get the space for free...
 
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