Income Generator = Dealer Lot Washe$

[Bert]

Last year I operated a mobile pressure washing company alongside my detailing business and I can assure you that nobody is generating 400K washing cars. Having spent a fair bit of time on a fleet washing forum I would say that you would be lucky to get $1 per car. The equipment you need to efficiently do this work will set you back 10K or more and the quality labour you can afford if you want to make any kind of money is going to be unreliable at best.



I'm not saying there is not money to be made, but it is most definitely not as easy as it sounds. (Just like doing a proper detail is not as easy as it sounds). I offered commercial truck washing and that was OK money but it is HARD work and a nightmare collecting $.



If you are considering this I strongly recommend you join a fleetwash forum before you spend any money on the idea...I learnt that the hard way.

Labor would be the tough part. This type of work would be exhausting and I could see you losing employees every other week. Even if you paid your employees by the car, I still think turnover would be very high and the type of employees who would work for you would be low wager earners who don't give two weeks notice, you just show up one morning and find out you are on your own that day. This may be something where all 2 or 3 guys/gals have some type of ownership in the business to keep everyone committed.



I never thought about the problems getting dealers to pay you but I bet you are correct, I bet it would be a pain.

 

[David Fermani]

Last year I operated a mobile pressure washing company alongside my detailing business and I can assure you that nobody is generating 400K washing cars. Having spent a fair bit of time on a fleet washing forum I would say that you would be lucky to get $1 per car. The equipment you need to efficiently do this work will set you back 10K or more and the quality labour you can afford if you want to make any kind of money is going to be unreliable at best.



I'm not saying there is not money to be made, but it is most definitely not as easy as it sounds. (Just like doing a proper detail is not as easy as it sounds). I offered commercial truck washing and that was OK money but it is HARD work and a nightmare collecting $.



If you are considering this I strongly recommend you join a fleetwash forum before you spend any money on the idea...I learnt that the hard way.

Just thinking optimistically.....Prices totally vary by region. Here in Mero Detroit it's around $2/car according to my limited research. $10K for startup is pretty low compared to the cost to open a detail shop. Overhead is alot lower too. Wash 500 car/day and that's $1000. Just say that labor for 3 people 9assuming you as the owner isn't doing the work) is at or less than $600. That's a pretty good profit if you can do this 5 days a week. Bring in more accounts, more people, more profit.



As far as labor, it takes alot less skill to wash cars then it does detail them so finding qualified candidates isn't as challenging. If you pay your people properly I feel it can be a win-win. Also, it's alot less back breaking work compared to detailing too.



As far as collecting from dealers....it's normal to get paid net 30 after a month's worth of work. Because your main line of business would be detailing cars for dealers, there would be non difference to your pay arrangement.



Also, you have the freedom to make your own hours. The cars aren't going anywhere and there's always good lighting. Could be a bonus during hot summer months.

 

[autoconcierge]

Last year I operated a mobile pressure washing company alongside my detailing business and I can assure you that nobody is generating 400K washing cars. Having spent a fair bit of time on a fleet washing forum I would say that you would be lucky to get $1 per car. The equipment you need to efficiently do this work will set you back 10K or more and the quality labour you can afford if you want to make any kind of money is going to be unreliable at best.



I'm not saying there is not money to be made, but it is most definitely not as easy as it sounds. (Just like doing a proper detail is not as easy as it sounds). I offered commercial truck washing and that was OK money but it is HARD work and a nightmare collecting $.



If you are considering this I strongly recommend you join a fleetwash forum before you spend any money on the idea...I learnt that the hard way.

Experience is the teacher.......................always.

 

[Ron Ketcham]

The vehicles are not "dryed" at this price.

RO or DI water is used, and allowed to dry on it's own, no time to dry a vehicle and make money at the price.

Like has been said, need a large investment in equipment to be able to do a 100 cars on a lot, and move on to the next lot.

 

[Ron Ketcham]

What does one do, when the weather get's below freezing, for let's say 50 days out of 75?

No income flow for those days, in SoCal, Florida, not as long of time between weather changes.

The owner of AI, several years ago had his typical "brain freeze" and wanted our processing center to set up and do lot washes as an additional profit center.

Tried to talk him out of it, as did Tim and David, but he was on a roll.

Tim and I set up an old pickup with 100 gal tank, RO tanks, pressure washer, etc

We got hold of some used equipment, investment was around $6,500.00

They did the deal for 45 days and the owner finally let his brain thaw out and we shut the operation down.

Sold off the equipment and old truck for a $3,000.00 loss.

 

[IHA Mark]

You guys are thinking way too "structured" for a business of this kind. The guy I worked for used a tiny Ford hatchback with a pressure washer, gas can, 300 feet of water hose, and 50 feet of pressure hose. The main tool was a 2100 psi pressure washer. He would use the dealers water supply, and charged anywhere from 1.75 to 2.50 a vehicle, depending on what you wanted. This business model can be feasible but you have to pinch pennies and be ready for sub par results. Clean, quick, thats all the dealers cared about.