How To Break Into Car Wash Change Machines? Top Answer Update

A car wash business can be attractive to a budding entrepreneur. Starting a car wash business has many benefits such as: B. the ongoing need for affordable, accessible vehicle cleaning and maintenance that makes a car wash a safe investment. However, there are also disadvantages, such as very expensive repairs in the event of equipment failure and in some markets slack in the off-season. Before investing in a car wash business, do a thorough research of the market you intend to operate in to determine if the benefits of owning a car wash outweigh the disadvantages – or vice versa.

Pro: car washes are always needed

According to Hedges & Company, 276.1 million vehicles were registered in the United States in 2018. That’s 276.1 million vehicles that need regular washing and maintenance. Despite reports that younger Americans are buying fewer cars and driving less than previous generations, there’s no shortage of vehicles on America’s roads — and no drop in demand for car washes.

Car washes cannot be outsourced either. If an American driver needs to wash their vehicle, it must be washed on site. Unlike other services that can be automated and outsourced, a car wash can only operate as a brick-and-mortar location.

Disadvantage: Car washes are often seasonal

Car washes are a seasonal business in many markets. In snowy climates, customers can have their cars washed more frequently in winter to remove salt stains. In humid climates, car washes are far less active during the rainy season than during the dry season, as rainwater washes dirt and debris from the vehicle’s exterior. With a self-service car wash, car owners in colder climates tend not to wash their vehicles as frequently during the winter, which is not the case with car washes where the customer stays in the vehicle or waits for it to be cleaned and detailed.

One of the main downsides to owning a car wash that prospective owners need to keep in mind is how much the weather can affect their profits. Consecutive weeks of rainy weather can spell a sharp drop in business, and a pollen-rich spring can be a boon. Running a successful car wash requires the ability to forecast profits based on annual weather patterns and a financial strategy that prevents the company from going into debt during periods of low profits.

Pro: Car washes can be profitable

Among the many benefits of owning a car wash, one of the most appealing to new business owners is the amount of profit one can make. Small self-service car washes average just over $40,000 a year, while larger luxury car washes can bring owners in excess of $500,000 a year.

Cons: It’s more than just washing cars

There is more to owning a car wash than washing customers’ vehicles or buying a turnkey operation. One of the biggest downsides to owning a car wash is the complexity of this type of business and how expensive it can be to fix specialty car washes when parts break. Prospective car wash owners should have enough savings to cover the maintenance and replacement of equipment if necessary, as one broken part can shut down the entire operation.

Another downside is the owner’s responsibility for managing the team that helps keep the business running. As with any business, a knowledgeable, friendly staff can increase profits or drive customers away. For an owner who does not have the time or managerial skills to lead a team effectively, hiring competent managers is a must.

The majority of automatic transmission drivers rarely use neutral, so why is it even there? Well – the idle serves a basic purpose. It is often used for vehicles with manual transmissions, especially since manual cars must always be in neutral first. While most automatic transmission drivers rarely rely on it. When your vehicle is idling, it cannot accelerate. Since this position is rarely engaged, when should you put your vehicle in neutral?

Fun Fact: Did you know that neutral is not a gear? When shifting to “N”, no gear is engaged at all, hence the name – neutral.

Below are the cases when you should shift your vehicle to a neutral position:

During a drive-thru car wash

If you go to the car wash frequently, you know that most drive-through car washes have regulations that require you to coast. Before you have your vehicle cleaned, you must have it idling. Putting your car in neutral allows your vehicle to go through cleaning cycles consistently with other vehicles and avoid collisions during the process.

During a tow

If your tow truck doesn’t have a dolly, then you’re in luck. Alternatively, you can put it in neutral. The feature is beneficial for tow trucks without a dolly as it keeps the engine running and prevents damage to the transmission.

If your vehicle breaks down

In the situation where your vehicle stalls or breaks down, you may need to give your vehicle a nudge to get it out of danger. Before pushing the car, you should always put it in neutral.

brake failure

When your brakes stop working while driving, most people assume the right thing to do is to turn off your car. However, it would be best not to do this because it will lock the steering wheel. You end up losing control of your vehicle, which is incredibly dangerous. Putting the car in a neutral position during a braking jam is the safest plan as it can steer you onto the side of the road.

While the neutral feature isn’t used regularly, it’s best to know when to use it. As you may know by now, it’s only used in emergencies and mechanical failures (if you have an automatic transmission). If you’re having trouble with your vehicle, give us a call or visit TC Auto Service today!

Washing etiquette: Do you fold in the side mirrors? – Plus behavior in the event of damage

An automated car wash is a very convenient place as you can get rid of the dirt on your beloved four-wheeler super quickly and efficiently. However, it is not without risks as the car wash may accidentally damage your car in the process. There are a few precautions that need to be taken before taking your car to a car wash and some of these have to do with your side mirrors.

When driving through a car wash, the side mirrors should be folded in. This is especially true for large cars or trucks, as the car wash could hit the side mirrors, damaging them. Most automatic car washes require the car owner to fold in the side mirrors to avoid possible damage.

In this article I will go over the reasons why the mirrors fold in the car wash and how you should deal with them. I’ll also go through some possible reasons why you might not want to fold them. Finally, I will give you a few tips on what to do if your car is damaged at the car wash.

Need to fold mirrors in a car wash?

Folding the side mirrors in before using an automatic car wash is considered good practice as it avoids possible damage to the side mirrors. This applies in particular to large cars and trucks. There is a maximum width for using a car wash and folding in the mirrors usually ensures that this limit is not exceeded.

The easiest way is to look at the instructions for your car wash. If there are no written instructions, ask the staff about the rules and guidelines. If you’re instructed to fold your mirrors, do it – the team most likely knows what they’re talking about.

If there are no such guidelines, you probably don’t need to take any precautions and you can leave your mirrors as they are. This could save you some time as you don’t have to adjust them again after washing. However, fold them anyway if you don’t want to take the slightest risk.

If you fold your mirror, make sure you do it yourself. Some car wash owners have complained that the preppers damage cars. This will prevent damage and save the owner some headaches.

So if you’re really in a hurry or worried that tinkering with your mirror might cause problems, you can choose not to plug it in.

Alternatively, you can opt for a hands-free car wash. Since no piece of equipment comes close to your car, you don’t have to worry about damaging it in any way. This is also good for your paint job; You don’t have to worry about paintwork damage of any kind.

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What to do if the car wash damaged your mirrors?

If the car wash damaged your mirrors, you should know your rights and assert yourself. Many car washes have a sign saying they are not responsible for any damage. However, this is often wrong and you have every right to ask them to pay for the damage. You can even take them to a small claims court.

Make sure you always follow your car wash’s guidelines. That way you can’t be held liable if your car is damaged and they can’t easily wash their hands off it.

In addition, you should ensure that the damaged mirror is a factory part and not sourced from a third party. If the latter is the case, most car washes will claim that they are not responsible for the damage, as mentioned in this Youtube video:

Therefore, make sure that all parts on your car are original and be ready to back it up with evidence. You can even contact your car dealer and ask them to help you. You might be willing to do it.

Here are a few additional things you can do:

Consider the age of your vehicle. Another point to consider is the age of your car. If it is an older car, the owner can see this as the reason for the damage and thus reject your claims. However, if your vehicle is in good condition, this shouldn’t be a problem as its age doesn’t necessarily mean it’s prone to damage. So don’t give up on this point.

Another point to consider is the age of your car. If it is an older car, the owner can see this as the reason for the damage and thus reject your claims. However, if your vehicle is in good condition, this shouldn’t be a problem as its age doesn’t necessarily mean it’s prone to damage. So don’t give up on this point. Get Video Evidence: You should also try to get video of the incident if possible. This makes it clear who is to blame and what exactly happened. It will also give you some hard evidence against the car wash. Finally, it is very difficult to argue against obvious evidence.

You should also try to get a video of the incident if possible. This makes it clear who is to blame and what exactly happened. It will also give you some hard evidence against the car wash. Finally, it is very difficult to argue against obvious evidence. be persistent. Perseverance is often the key in such situations; If you are persistent enough, the car wash can give in to your demands and pay for the damage. After all, nobody likes being bothered by an angry customer or risking damage to their image. You can even mention this in passing, just so they know they’re dealing with a serious person.

If all else fails, you can go to small claims court, according to this ABC15 Arizona report.

If the damage isn’t significant, this probably isn’t the best idea, but it may be worth it if it is. Still, according to an analysis by Zucker and Her, just about anything can be brought before a small claims court.

The central theses

So, should you fold your mirrors in the car wash? You have to remember this:

Folding the mirrors is not a must

It can be the safest bet if you don’t want to take any risks

Be sure to fold them yourself

If you don’t want to fold them in, make sure they’re small enough to get out of the way

If your mirrors get damaged, don’t keep calm, make a stink

You can even take the matter to a small claims court

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Sources

Car wash tokens work just like tokens from any type of arcade, game room, or Chuck E. Cheese. Shop patrons buy the coins and use them to purchase certain services.

However, you can only use car wash tokens at the same company that sold them. So your tokens might still qualify you for a car wash – but only if you can find out where they came from. Keep in mind that many companies no longer accept brands of car washes, so it may not be worth the effort.

What kind of token should I use? How to choose the right tokens for your car wash.

There are over 60 different token types on the market and there is no “right” way to choose one. By law, they cannot be the same size as circulating coins. Here are some questions to get you started: What type of token should I use for my car wash?

Which washing brand size fits in my devices (changers, switches, coin doors)? Most coin machines accept a specific size range. See our token conversion guide for more information.

Is there a color preference? Car wash tokens are available in brass, copper sheet, nickel sheet, or two-tone bimetal. While your coin validators and counters can tell tokens from coins, some operators like a visual difference. US quarters are easy to spot in a bucket of copper-colored counters.

At what value will my car wash tokens be sold? With today’s higher retail prices, coin boxes fill up with quarters so quickly that they have to be emptied almost daily. Many operators have moved to higher denomination coins, $1, $5 even $14! Security tokens are highly recommended for higher token prices.

Am I willing to occasionally accept a token from another company? When tokens are worth as little as $0.25, it can be cost-effective to use a cheaper off-the-shelf token and not worry about mutual acceptance. Standard red brass tokens are a cheap solution at $0.25 value, but for $1 value there is always a fear that someone on the street will eventually start selling the same tokens at a lower price. For $1 token values, consider controlled value tokens.

With that in mind, the first step in the selection process is to visit other businesses in your area that use tokens. Buy a few of each (don’t forget arcades and miniature golf) and have the rejection test tokens ready when you begin your selection process.

Select your preferred type of car wash brands and then follow the manufacturer’s instructions; Program the acceptor used for the pattern tokens. Once programmed they should accept 100% of the time. Then drop tokens from nearby stores to ensure they are declined. If you consistently accept a competitor’s token, switch to a different style and repeat. It takes some time but avoids later cross-acceptance problems. With the largest range of products from the manufacturer, you’re sure to find a winner from TokensDirect’s 60 different size and metal combinations.

Standard Token:

The most inexpensive and commonly used brands of car washes are made of brass or copper-plated zinc. With a typical coin denomination of just 25 cents, accepting a few of your competitors’ tokens is just a nuisance, not a costly problem. For pennies more, red brass tokens have a unique electronic signature for coin acceptors, giving operators a wider choice of tokens that they accept. Gunmetal coin acceptor sets reject standard brass and copper plated arcade tokens, reducing unwanted cross-acceptance.

High Security Token:

Controlled Value: In this model, each user sells them at the same price – $1. We call these tokens TimeSaver™ because with a face value of $1, fewer tokens are needed to wash in a self-serve bay. Customers save time as they only need to use 1 or 2 tokens to start car wash instead of 4 – 8 quarters. And operators of coin-operated washing systems save time because they have to fill and empty change machines or coin boxes less often.

TimeSaver tokens are only available in stores – and not on the web. In fact, each buyer agrees in writing to sell them at a price of $1 only. There is no benefit in buying tokens in one place and using them in another, so you will see very little mutual acceptance. Also, each TimeSaver token is tagged with the operator’s contact information for easy identification. They are minted from a secure metal not seen on circulating coins or tokens. They’re an economical alternative if you want to price in $1 increments and don’t want to accept videos or other low-value tokens.

Controlled Distribution: These tokens are sold exclusively to a single car wash. They are intended for operators who want a token that no one else has in their area. Known as a CT or CTX token, you will receive an “exclusive use” agreement within a 75 mile radius as long as you continue to order tokens. Ultra-high security CT-Tokens™ are the most mature tokens and are required for high-value applications. The hardest to counterfeit, we make them by combining two different metals to create a unique and highly reliable electronic signature. They are used for values ​​from $1 up to $14. CTX Tokens™ are made from other specialty alloys not typically found in coins or tokens. Each has a unique electronic signature so coin validators can distinguish them from ordinary tokens. We offer over 20 unique strains, all available with exclusivity for distribution in controlled territories. They are recommended for values ​​of 50¢ or more.

Remember to leverage the value of tokens:

No matter what style or type of car wash brand you choose, you’re missing the boat if you don’t personalize the brands with your name, logo and marketing message. And it is indeed a big boat. Because the marketing value associated with tokens is one of the key selling points for switching quarters.

Customers cite advertising and branding as a reason they use tokens. Some refer to them as mini billboards – which your customers see every time they see your token with their loose change. Wave Wash’s Frank Meneghetti wants his tokens to get noticed. Its bimetallic tokens are functional because they eliminate cross-acceptance from nearby batting cages, FECs, arcades, and other venues. Additionally, he designed them to be distinctive and memorable—two differentiators that neighborhood-based car washes can never match.

Any batch can be ordered with custom graphics for a small one-time fee.

Tokens are a profit center

As Virgil Vance, the token king of Lexington, once wrote, “If you’ve used tokens before, you’re already familiar with the ‘walk-away’ or ‘shrinkage’ factor… being sold and being held by the customer , go away. This is pure profit and represents a significant sum of money over a period of time. Sell a token for a quarter and pay a dime; They make fifteen cents every time someone does that. not return.

The “shrinkage” factor is always present, even with higher values.

Some tokens are sold once or twice and then disappear. Most tokens are sold many times, recycled and resold again and again. If a token is sold 50 times, it is only bought once. The ratio of income (sales) to one-time costs improves with every sale!

Hopefully you have built in a suicide feature to destroy your old smart contract so no new tokens are created. Basically, the easiest way to do this is to first freeze the assets of the old token.

If the chain you create is EVM-like, you can simply create a new Genesis block with coin values ​​assigned to each token holder.

If you’re working with a brand new blockchain interface, you’ll need to somehow communicate directly with your token holders to give them the private key that will keep their coins on the new chain. Instruct them to then move the coins to an address created by a private key you don’t own.

Tezos did this by collecting emails from all token buyers. I hope you haven’t done an ICO and are now just thinking about how to start your chain.

As long as vehicles are on the roads, there will always be a need for car washes. For the budding entrepreneur looking to invest in a lucrative opportunity, a car wash business can be just the ticket.

The Houston Chronicle, which reports on a survey conducted by Auto Laundry News, a leading car wash industry publication, said annual profits range from $55,000 to $100,000 for a self-service car wash and $500,000 to $900,000 for a Full service companies can lie.

If you’re looking to invest in the car wash business, here are five secrets successful operators will tell you to help them get on the right track.

1. Know what you don’t know

There are a lot of things you might not know about what it takes to run a successful car wash business, including everything from site selection to water conservation to the chemicals and equipment used in marketing, advertising, hiring, pricing and even the software needed to run your business.

There is a lot to learn… and the best place to start is to “know what you don’t know” and then set yourself a task of gaining as much knowledge and expertise as you can about all facets of the car wash business.

2. Ask for help

If you’re new to the business, get advice from the experts — and hear what they have to say. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches by learning from the experiences of others.

According to Steve Gaudreau, a 25-year car wash veteran and author of “So You Want to Own a Carwash,” when you ask for help, you do what you would do at any business: check references, visit successful car washes to see what success looks like and ask operators their opinions on who you would like to work with. The more you learn, the greater your chances of success.

A good place to get inside information is on LinkedIn car wash industry groups like the Midwest Car Wash Network and others. Industry publications such as Auto Laundry News and Professional Carwashing & Detailing also contain a wealth of knowledge.

3. Choose the best possible site

“Location, location, location” is the motto of the real estate industry. That should also exist in our industry. For a car wash business, location is everything, so choose the best possible location.

A good website has the following characteristics:

ease of access. Make it easy for your customers to find the entrance to your car wash. Putting your laundry at a busy intersection won’t do you much good if people can’t easily figure out how to get there.

Busy road or street. Find a location on a busy road or street where the speed limit is set at 40 MPH or less. You not only benefit from heavy traffic, but also from a speed limit that gives drivers time to read your signs.

Enough space. Your location should be large enough for vehicles of all sizes to navigate through car washes and onto other areas, such as parking lots. B. the vacuum bays can access. Also, make sure you have enough space for cars to line up without blocking the streets.

What are the best locations for car washes?

Andy Pazz, author of How to Set Up an Express Exterior Car Wash, shares some sound advice on choosing a prime location:

“Primarily, a location that is in an area such as near a Wal-Mart, near a commercial area such as a mall, near a traffic light, or near a stop sign on a major thoroughfare. …You need to be close to a destination…where people are actually shopping…Anywhere in a commercial area like this you’re going to make a lot more money than you would in an area that’s mostly residential.”

4. Know your competition

Gaudreau says in his book to use a map to identify all competitors within a 5 mile radius and determine what their trading area is, what your natural trading area is and where there is overlap.

5. Choose the right manufacturers and suppliers

Selecting a manufacturer that supplies quality tunnel systems, components and parts, and who backs the sale with prompt, expert support and service is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Also, don’t overlook the importance of the chemicals you use as they are vital to your success.

According to Gaudreau, the main issues related to the use of chemicals are:

Understanding the link between equipment and chemicals;

Defining the desired quality for your laundry;

Deciding how much equipment you need in conjunction with the chemicals to achieve the desired result;

control of chemical costs;

Ensuring a high level of service by the chemical distributor.

You might be tempted to go for the cheapest products, but don’t give up. The chemicals you use are like a business card for your car wash. You don’t want a dull finish, water spots, and other blemishes to keep customers from coming back.

Conclusion

While these five secrets are vital to the success of your car wash business, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. You must also consider factors such as financing, construction, zoning codes and permits, marketing and advertising, hiring staff, and more.

It is therefore important to network with established operators and learn from them. You will find that most are happy to share their knowledge.

Motor City Wash Works helps new investors get started. Call us at 866-362-6377 or email us to discuss your interests and needs.

In our modern, fast-paced and often tiring world, car owners’ demand for car wash is growing. While owning a car wash would be a great earning opportunity, those considering this business may be wondering, “How much money can you make owning a car wash?”

Many factors can affect car wash revenue, but on average, they can range from $41,000 per year for a small self-service car wash to $686,250 per year for a larger luxury car wash.

Potential car wash profit by car wash type

Having a car wash business can be very promising. In our fast-paced world where people are looking for quick and easy fixes, most car owners would rather have their car cleaned at a car wash. This brings high profit potential for car washes.

But there are also factors that can affect the profit of the car wash and the salary of the car wash owner. The main factor in how much profit you can make by opening a car wash is the type of car wash. There are many types of car washes, and each one can generate a different profit.

Below are the different car wash types and their average car wash income

1. Automatic car wash in the bay

The automatic car wash in the bay does not take up much space and can easily be added to an already existing shop, e.g. B. a gas station or a mechanic shop. And it doesn’t require much work either as it runs automatically once the customer pays and enters the bay.

This type of car wash has a typical charge of about $6.34 with a profit of $4.35 per wash. It’s the third-highest profit potential, next to full-service car wash and outside car wash. On average, it can generate an annual income of $139,000, which can result in an average profit of $86,531.

2. External washing system for conveyor belts

The outside conveyor car wash or also known as the tunnel car wash is often compared to fast food drive-throughs due to some similarities in the service process. Like a fast food drive-thru, after choosing service at an outside conveyor car wash, your car would move forward to receive the service, but from a variety of car washes.

It is one of the most profitable car washes along with the full service car wash with just one small difference. The average charge of $15 is more than double the cost of the bay’s automatic car wash. This type of car wash can earn you an average income of $686,250 per year.

3. Full service car wash

The full service car wash offers car cleaning services for both the exterior and interior of the car. It offers additional services including vacuum cleaning and car detailing services for vehicle interiors. In some cases, field service is performed in a hall or conveyor belt washing facility.

It is the most expensive of all car washes, but it can also generate the highest profit. The average charge for this car wash is $15, which is also more than double the cost of an automated car wash on the bay. Additionally, about 20% of these car washes would charge $18 or more. So you deserve a little more than an outside car wash.

4. Self-service car wash

Similar to the automatic car wash on the bay, the self-service car wash is also a great addition to a pre-existing business like a gas station or rest stop, as it also doesn’t require any manpower from the self-service car wash owners.

It’s the customers who wash the car – by simply putting some money into a machine to activate the equipment to clean their car.

Compared with the above car washes, it does not have high business volume and its profit is not very high. But it’s definitely a great way to generate additional income as an additional service to an already existing business. This is a low cost business that can make $1,489 per bay each month and an average annual income of $41,000. For more information on buying a car wash business click here.

How much money can you make from a car wash?

Aside from the type of car wash, there are other factors that can affect car wash revenue:

1. Cost

Owning a car wash comes with a high cost, especially if you are building a car wash from scratch. Some of these costs are:

land acquisition

The plot size would depend on the car wash types chosen. For example:

An automated car wash on the bay – 7,000 square feet

One automated car wash on the bay – 7,000 square feet Two automated car washes on the bay with two self-service bays – 18,000 square feet

Two automatic car washes in the bay with two self-service bays – 18,000 square feet Two automatic car washes in the bay and four self-service bays – 22,500 square feet

Two on-bay automatic car washes and four self-service bays — 22,500 square feet of full-service car wash — They also need more land to create a waiting area and possibly a sales area so customers can shop while their cars are being washed.

Lot costs vary greatly between different locations. An amount of at least $3 per square foot would suffice for a successful car wash.

construction

The construction costs also depend on the location. It also depends on the type of car wash:

A self-service car wash – $17,000

A self-service car wash – $17,000 An automated car wash – $42,000

car wash

Car wash prices also depend on a few factors. For example, the price of a car washer of an automatic bayside car wash would differ from that of an outside conveyor car wash. Aside from the types of car washes for your business, the brand and location of the equipment are two other factors.

Below are the average equipment costs:

Per self-service car wash – $8,000 to $10,000

Per self-service car wash – $8,000 to $10,000. Per automatic car wash – $31,000 to $49,000

Variable costs

Variable costs are expenses of a business that vary monthly. Below are the average variable costs of a car wash per car:

Electricity – $0.50

Electricity – $0.50 Water – $0.16

Water – $0.16 Detergents and Chemicals – $0.64

Detergents and Chemicals – $0.64 Natural Gas – $0.12

Natural Gas – $0.12 Maintenance – $0.47

fixed costs

Fixed costs are the ongoing expenses of a business. Below are the average fixed costs of a car wash per car:

Site work – $1.24

Onsite Labor – $1.24 Administrative Fees – $1.00

Administrative expenses – $1.00 rent/mortgage and property taxes – depend on business location

2nd location

Location is a crucial factor in the success of a car wash. In fact, a recent survey by the International Car Wash Association found that 75% of car wash customers spotted the car wash they use while driving past.

If you happen to have purchased a not-so-conveniently located car wash, it would help to add highly visible signs that can draw customers off the roadway.

3. Population

Areas with high population densities usually bring higher revenues. However, when there is a lot of competition in the area, owners need to put up highly visible signage for their business and their car wash needs to be accessible on busy roads.

4. Marketing

Marketing would help increase customers and profits. There are many ways to do this, such as:

social media

Social Media Setting up a website

Setting Up a Website Flyer – Make sure you include links to your company’s website and social media

Flyers – Make sure to include links to your company’s website and yellow pages advertisements on social media

5. Seasons and Natural Disasters

Business can be slow during rainy weather or natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, while it can thrive during pollen-heavy spring or winter that leads to salt accumulation.

Therefore, areas prone to natural disasters must be avoided when starting a car wash operation. And car wash owners need to predict their profit based on weather patterns and have a financial strategy in place to avoid going into debt during periods of low profit.

Conclusion

A car wash can generate high income and profits. But how much money you can make from a car wash also depends on various factors. So, if you are planning to start a car wash business, just keep these factors in mind to achieve desirable outcomes for your business.

5/5 – (2 votes)

tunnel and support equipment

Blowers, tire shiners, conveyors, hydraulics, pumping stations, arches, boilers

Base cost $650,000

Variance range +/- $150,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Type of conveyor mechanism

Belt conveyors have some clear advantages over the established chain conveyor car wash systems, but these advantages come with a higher ticket price

conveyor length

This also affects bows and other additional equipment

Choices and levels of additional equipment

High discretion towards the owner and car wash planner

‍

water treatment plant

Water recovery system, water filtration system

Base cost $150,000

Variance range +/- $100,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Whether you implement a return system at all

Level of water filtration and type of water filtration and softening system implemented

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Electronic components

Pay Station(s), Tunnel Controller, Relay Station(s), Misc. electric

Base cost $275,000

Variance range +/- $125,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Expected volume will have the greatest impact due to the capacity your systems and payment terminals/automated teller (if implemented) can and must be able to handle

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Site construction and landscaping

Paving, paving, asphalt, green areas, general landscaping

Base cost $200,000

Variance range +/- $100,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Size, shape and frontage of the property

Level of landscaping and extras requested by owner

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vacuum system

Motors, drops, accessories and hoses, plumbing work, associated cement work

Base cost $180,000

Variance range +/- $100,000

Primary cost variance drivers

The expected volume will have the greatest impact due to the capacity your vacuum system and facility must be able to accommodate

Type and quality of vacuum system and equipment

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HVAC & Plumbing

Furnace, heaters, various electrics, other installation

Base cost $80,000

Variance range +/- $40,000

Primary cost variance drivers

The geographical location of the laundry is important

Seasonal and temperature variations that need to be considered

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Signage & Marketing

Primary signage, menus and pricing boards, branding and logo design, and launch marketing

Base cost $150,000

Variance range +/- $100,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Desired visibility for passers-by

Lot of street frontage available on site

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Planning & Approval

Engineering, architecture, permit requirements

Base cost $175,000

Variance range +/- $100,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Geographical Area and Local Government

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The highly variable costs

With the car wash design and construction costs now more predictable, and with a reasonable variance depending on the specifics of the car wash to be built, it is time to focus on the most difficult to predict costs and which vary the most from car wash to car wash differentiate.

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real estate and land

Land costs vary greatly

Base cost $1,250,000

Variance range +/- $750,000

Primary cost variance drivers

geographic area

Quality and rating of the site

lot size

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consultants and third parties

Not always necessary and very situation dependent

Base cost $250,000

Variance range +/- $250,000

These add a worthwhile cost item to your overall building costs. Whether it’s right for you depends on your situation, the desired time commitment, your goals – and most importantly – the quality and tangible value that the consultant brings and provides during the construction process.

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financing and debt servicing

Financing a car wash is very different. Financing for the construction of car wash facilities varies even more than acquisition financing.

Base cost $175,000

Variance range +/- $75,000

Primary cost variance drivers

Cash Equity % down

Quality and rating of the site

Type of financing (SBVg 7a, SBVg 504, conventional / commercial, alternative financing)

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Summary of construction costs for building a car wash

Cost Component Lower End Base Costs Higher End Building & Fixed Site Improvements $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 Water Treatment $50,000 $150,000 $250,000 Primary Tunnel & Support Equipment $500,000 $650,000 $800,000 Primary Electronic Components $150,000 $275,000 $400,000 Site & Landscaping $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 Vacuum System $80,000 $180,000 $280,000 HVAC & Plumbing $40,000 $ 80,000 $ 120,000 signing $ 150,000 $ 250,000 Planning & allowed $ 75,000 $ 275,000 $ 1,676,802 $ 2,642.605 $ 6,930,998 $

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summary

Car wash costs vary. Hopefully, however, the above analysis provides a useful starting point and limits for estimating how much you should spend building and building the car wash facility you are considering.

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Last word

While we will certainly be releasing some pieces and materials specifically on the subject, the CWA team would like to leave you with one final thought and suggestion for those considering building a new car wash (regardless of whether you choose to build or build ). . an alternative way of earning a living or not).

When considering the potential payoff and financial prudence (not to mention location, route, etc.) of building a car wash, we strongly recommend focusing heavily on a single indicator and metric of potential operational and financial performance – your breakeven year car counting. As with anything, or at least we believe so, it’s always safest to hope for the best but plan for the worst. So if you are considering building a car wash, go to your downside case that you made pro forma forecasts for, extract the effective ticket price (make sure you keep expected unlimited membership prices and expected volume allocation and not just use a simple and dangerous weight average single wash ticket, along with your expected negative annual car count volume, and find out what level of safety and margin and error you have in this scenario compared to the ongoing maintenance costs and debt service costs when you consider the total construction costs That’s what you now expect after using this guide. If your downside/conservative pro forma value doesn’t realistically have a significant margin of error compared to your ongoing simple total maintenance and keep-the-lights-on costs – please take it she n ot this lightly. It may be the case that you have a flaw in your math, or you may need to reconsider and further sensitize your underlying projection assumptions. But that number, the minimum number of cars you need to wash to service ongoing debt service due to your new build, plus the usual operating, maintenance and labor costs of running the car wash – please make sure the math adds up, before you commit to building a new facility.

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On a hot day, there’s nothing quite like tossing some loose change into a vending machine and listening to a cold drink make its way down the dispensing chute. It’s hard for most of us to imagine a time when we can’t get a cold drink or a snack — or even rent a movie — from a conveniently located vending machine.

There is an incredible variety of vending machines around the world today. For payment in the form of coins, bills or credit, the machines sell everything from drinks and snacks to newspapers and DVDs. Some of the more interesting vending machines you’re likely to find dispense things like electronics, live fishing lures, french fries, cars, and blue jeans.

The very first vending machine may have been the hero of Alexandria’s first-century machine, which dispensed holy water when a coin was deposited. Vending machines only became popular in the early 1880s when the first coin-operated postcard vending machines made their debut in London, England. The United States’ first vending machine sold chewing gum on train platforms in New York City starting in 1888.

A long time ago, you often needed exactly the change to use a machine. Today, however, vending machines accept coins, paper money, and even credit cards. You can also return change in the form of coins and bills.

How did vending machines get so smart? How can a machine tell a quarter from a dime? How does it know the difference between a five dollar bill and a one dollar bill?

Vending machines that accept paper money do things that most people couldn’t do. They recognize bills based on multiple observations of different characteristics.

For example, many vending machines that accept bills first identify bills based on optical scanning. Tiny photocells or miniature digital cameras use images of the inserted bill to “look” for tell-tale patterns that identify each individual bill.

Of course it is possible to print an image of an invoice that looks exactly like a real invoice. Luckily for vending machine manufacturers, actual currency has security features that allow them to verify that real currency has been introduced.

For example, one-dollar bills contain fluorescent ink that glows when an ultraviolet light shines on it. Some vending machines use UV scanners to measure a bill’s glow and verify that it is genuine.

Real money bills are also printed with magnetic ink. Many vending machines also use a magnetic reader to recognize a banknote’s magnetic signature to ensure it is genuine and to determine its denomination.

Still other vending machines have devices that measure bills to ensure they are exactly the right size. Some can also run a small electric current through a bill to verify that it is genuine. Due to the different security features in currencies, each denomination has a slightly different conductivity.

Coins are primarily identified and verified based on their physical properties. Although some machines may have advanced technology that allows them to determine the chemical composition of coins, most vending machines simply compare the physical properties of coins, such as their diameter, thickness, and the number of ribs on the rim.

For example, a vending machine can recognize a quarter because it is .955 inches in diameter, .069 inches thick, and has 119 ribs along its outer edge. This differs from a dime, which is .705 inches in diameter, .053 inches thick, and has 118 ribs.

Would you have any idea that vending machines are so clever? Believe it or not, they’re actually getting smarter all the time. Many of today’s vending machines can be wirelessly connected to the Internet to transmit data to their owners. This can help owners know which items have been sold and need restocking.

Some machines can also take orders without contact. Some touchless vending machines use motion detection devices to interpret hand signals that users make to indicate which products they want. Still other vending machines allow users to purchase products by sending text messages from their mobile phones!