Starting a mobile car wash is a smart and affordable way to enter the entrepreneurship space. This type of business is ideal if you enjoy working with cars and want to avoid high startup costs, such as the rent of a physical shop. With more people looking for convenient services that come to their homes or offices, a mobile car wash can be a highly lucrative business.
What is a Mobile Car Wash?
Mobile car washing service is a type of car cleaning service where a team of professionals will come to a customer’s location to wash and clean their vehicle, rather than the customer having to drive to a car wash facility. This can include services such as exterior washing, interior cleaning, and detailing. The service is typically provided by a van or truck equipped with water and cleaning supplies.
Learn the Basics
It is important to know how to wash and clean a car, which includes washing and drying the car, cleaning inside by vacuuming, dusting, and wiping, removing stains from seats or carpets, polishing, waxing, and cleaning the tires and windows. You can learn these by watching online videos on YouTube or by getting hands-on experience working with someone who already runs a car wash business.
Register your Business
It is important to register your business; this will allow you to conduct business legally. In South Africa, you can register your company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). This will make your business appear professional and assist when you are seeking business accounts or funding.
Also, you need to register with SARS for tax and consider getting business insurance to protect your tools, vehicle, and any employees you have.
Choose a Name for Your Business
Choose a name that is easy to remember and tell people what your services are. For example, “Quick Clean Mobile Wash”. You will also need a logo and should place it on your vehicle, work overalls, flyers, and social media pages to build a professional look.
Set Prices
Conduct research and see what other mobile car wash businesses are charging. Your prices need to be reasonable, yet cover your costs plus profit. You can offer other service packages like:
- Basic wash – exterior only
- Full wash – includes both inside and outside
- Deluxe wash – includes waxing and polishing.
You can also offer monthly subscription packages that include standardised car wash services where you wash your customers’ cars four times a month at a fixed amount. Customers can pay monthly. This will create a sense of convenience, cost savings, and priority service for your customers, as well as ensuring you have a steady income.
You can also sell other items, such as body wax, dashboard spray, car carpets, wipers, and more, to make extra profit from your sales.
Laws and Regulations
Car washes have to comply with their city’s by-laws to operate legally. Operators must ensure that soap and chemicals used for washing vehicles are discharged into the sewer system, not the stormwater system, where they can contaminate rivers. They also have to comply with good water conservation practices.
Benefits of Starting a Mobile Car Wash Business
- Low startup cost
- Flexible hours
- Mobility advantage
- Scalable
What Equipment Do You Need?
Here’s the essential equipment you will need to run a successful mobile car wash business
Water Tank
A water tank is one of the first pieces of equipment you’ll need for your mobile car wash. Portable water tanks allow you to store and transport water from customer to customer throughout the day.
Pressure Washer
With a mobile car wash, you’ll need to do the cleaning instead of relying on a washing bay. The most efficient way to clean is with a pressure washer.
Generator
Pressure washers and other electrical equipment are necessary for your car wash, and you’ll need to power them. A generator is a reliable source of energy for your mobile detailing business.
Vacuum Cleaner
Another vital piece of equipment you’ll need is a vacuum cleaner. This device is integral when cleaning a vehicle’s interior, so you’ll need to choose a suitable vacuum.
Vehicle
The best place to store your generator and electrical equipment is inside your vehicle. Vans are an excellent choice because they provide ample storage space for your equipment. Plus, they are more secure than trucks and trailers because cargo access is more complicated.
Waxing Supplies
When running a detailing business, it’s essential to provide waxing services. Car owners deal with rusting and corrosion in their vehicles, whether from heavy rain, snow, or salty ocean air on the coasts.
Microfiber Towels
Using microfibre cloths or towels is very important. Other materials may be abrasive and scratch the surface of a car, while microfibre is a very soft compound that is safe on car surfaces.
Safety and Protection for Your Mobile Car Wash
Always ask your customers to take their personal belongings with them before you wash the car, and offer a large sealable plastic or storage box where they can put their items. By doing this, you are protecting your business from any items lost. This can show professionalism and a good image that your business cares about the personal belongings of customers.
Your first customers can be your family, friends, and neighbours. Ask them to help spread the word. Market your services with WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and flyers in your area. You can also approach office parks, shopping centres, and residential complexes.
Always take pictures of your work before and after, and share them on social media to show people what you can do.
