Business opportunity. Help.

[slaayer88]

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..

[David Fermani]

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.

[Scottwax]

It can be very profitable, even if you just do washes.

[PhatHoodDetail]

u got advice from 2 of the best guys in the business, i would listen

[jimmybuffit]

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...

[slaayer88]

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.

[imported_WCD]

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.

[[SS]Shooter]

Operators of `building amenities` typically pay little in the way of rent, as mentioned. You should basically get the space for free...

[slaayer88]

WCD, are you doing any interior work other than vacuum?