Where to build your self-service car wash?

Locate in a growing area. Use surveys and projections to make an educated decision about the total return on investment for a particular location.

D&S factory authorized distributors can help you evaluate a possible location through site analysis surveys, lot sizing and building placement suggestions, income and expense projections and help you establish a budget for typical start up costs.

Preliminary research may also by obtained through;

Growth & Population:
U.S. Census Information
State, County, City Planning & Zoning
Municipal Officials
Regional Councils of Government,
Chambers of Commerce
Utility Companies

Traffic & Automobiles:
State & County Highway Departments
Department of Motor Vehicles
AAA Auto Club

Other:
Local Planning & Zoning Boards
Equipment Distributors & Manufacturers
Car Wash Trade Assoc.
Real Estate and Business Journals

Lot Size & Placement
The lot size and placement of the building are important factors when considering a possible location. The property must be large enough for the building, stacking of cars in line, vacuum/detail

Maps:
General Metropolitan Area
City & Neighborhood Zoning
Population Distribution
Access Improvement
Site Topography

Economic Base & Trade Area Data:
Composition
Population Trends & Projections
New Employment Sources
Community Development Programs
Population Estimates
Latest Demographics
Existing and Future Composition
Future Development
Automobile Estimates (DMV)
Natural and man made barriers

Competition:
Existing and Future
Market voids
Services, Equipment and Pricing considerations
Unusually strong or unique competitors

Access Data:
Existing Arterial Patterns
Proposed and new Arterials
Improvements and existing Arterials
Generative, shared and subsistent
Business
Special access and visibility considerations (site)
Barriers to access (site)
Traffic Flow
Transit Routes

Site:
Physical problems
Zoning problems
Preliminary Plot plan
Adjacent zoning and land uses
Utility availability and requirements
Ingress and Egress
Weather considerations
Business compatibility

Summary Data:
Include all cumulative Data and Maps
Building and Equipment Costs
Income Pro-Forma
Research Materials
Bank Presentation

areas and easy ingress/egress. A corner lot is best, although an inside lot will cost less (less width is required on a corner lot). The building should be parallel or perpendicular to the street. The exact size of the property required will depend upon the number of proposed bays and future expansion. Consult an architect for assistance with the correct plans and general site planning .

Land Cost
Depending on your locality, land costs should not exceed $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 per bay, unless it is an exceptional location. You may prefer to lease the land to reduce your total cash outlay. Whether you rent or amortize the purchase, adequate land costs should not exceed 9% of your total projected gross monthly income.

Constructing a Self-Service Carwash
Constructing estimates should include the building, excavating and paving, plumbing, concrete, electrical (include light fixtures), permit fees, the equipment and the equipment installation. You should also figure an allowance for signs, landscaping, security and have an amount for miscellaneous expenses.