Starting a Mobile Car Wash Business

If you want to start a car wash, it would be a great idea to go mobile. Not all customers are willing to spend 20 to 30 minutes in the car wash, so if you want to earn money, you can bring the car wash business to them.

Secure licensing and purchase the needed supplies and materials.

About Mobile Car Wash Business

Car wash businesses are usually located near gasoline stations and stopovers. Did you know that it is also possible to stat a mobile car wash business? More and more car wash owners these days are going mobile because their customers don’t have much time to spend just to get their cars washed. Twenty to 30 minutes is too long for customers who are always on the go. If you want, you can make car wash more convenient for your target market by starting your own mobile car wash business.

Among the things you need are business license, vehicle, insurance, water hose, and cleaning supplies. The requirements for licensing may vary from one place to another so you have to contact the concerned office. The good thing about this business is that you don’t need to find a location for the business. In most cases, zoning requirements are not that strict for car wash businesses. Your office can be located at home but make sure to provide some street signs so that customers know you exist. This is a service business and you will also need to apply for insurance. Purchase the right one that will give you most coverage.

Things to Do for Opening a Mobile Carwash Business

You will need a primary vehicle that you should maintain well to ensure optimum performance. Decide on the time and the day to work on a certain neighborhood. Try to have a day planner so that you can monitor and schedule all your activities. Purchase the needed supplies in bulk so that you can negotiate for lower prices. Calculate the possible expenses that you will incur during the operations and that will include transportation as well. It would be best to have an answering machine so that even when you’re out, your customers can leave their messages.

Who will be your customers? With a thorough marketing plan, you have better chances of success. You can knock on every household with a car and leave your business card or you can send out flyers in your neighborhood. You can provide car wash businesses to residential as well as businesses. With quality service, you will be able to get repeat customers soon. Your business can be referred if you offer regular customers with discounts and great deals. You should be aware of the ever changing demands of customers because this is the only way for your business to stay afloat. Learn to adjust your tactics and services to cater to the changing needs of clients.

30 Comments

  • Rattan Bhagat said on February 14, 2011
    What machinery is required and how much investment is to be made to think of this business? Please provide details. Thanks & regards.
  • bryan said on March 3, 2011
    what do i need to do to start my own auto detailing business like washing and waxing cleaning inside
  • timothy r antone said on May 3, 2011
    i have my own detailing business i only have one van, 2 guys and we dont have a pressure washer yet. we use water hoses. is that a bad thing for now?? the funds just are not available at this time to do better. please lend your opinion and choices. thank you
  • Darwin Ramos said on December 10, 2011
    I am planning to put up my mobile detailing and carwash business. i have completed already my machines. my problem is my power supply i'm thinking of buying a generator but the price is to much. do you have any idea on how to run my auto mobile detailing and carwash without using a generator. Thanks
  • PRAKASH said on August 11, 2012
    hi i stay in goa india i want to start this business i would like to know details of this business or any handbook is available in this business. thanks
  • Roy said on August 16, 2012
    My business location is in Kenya Nairobi i own a carwash but i would love to start a mobile car-wash dealership in Kenya. please advice on the procedure.
  • NICKSON SANGA AMON said on August 21, 2012
    I stay in Arusha Tanzania, I have one saloon car and believe I will be able to acquire some more requirement. I would wish to start my mobile car wash business here in Arusha. Kindly advice me the basic tips on how best I may start run this business.
  • edward n. said on October 28, 2012
    this is a bright idea. I live in capital city of Kenya that is nairobi. my concern is, what about the surface run off? how do i deal with the issue of pouring water everywhere i do my washing?
  • RAJAN said on October 29, 2012
    Hi.. I am Rajan from Ahmedabad, Gujarat-India. I am eager to set up a modern mobile or fixed cash wash station in Ahmedabad. Kindly provide me project equipments, costing and operational consumables and its costings. Thanks.
  • wallace mfuko said on December 4, 2012
    hello, i'm from dar es salaam Tanzania. i'm on plan of starting car wash, but the mobile one ring a bell to my mind. what is a general cost for starting? including what machines and their prices
  • topfun said on December 21, 2012
    Hi! i'm willing to start up mobile car business but i need to know what this will cost me, i mean the financial obligation to this business. thank from Nigeria.
  • sehewa nathaniel said on December 28, 2012
    I am from Dodoma capital city of Tanzania .the ideal is wonderful especially for dust /semi-dersert town like here in Dodoma. Kindly I need advice from you.
  • vidhukumar k.v said on December 31, 2012
    hi, i am vidhu from kerala and i want to start this business pls send me more details.
  • joshua said on January 27, 2013
    To start the mobile car washing service what machinery is required and how much investment is to be made to think of this business? Please provide details. Thanks.
  • David Joshua said on March 22, 2013
    Hi I reside in Nigeria and am totally a green horn in this type of business but am so interested in whats in it. i need some advice on the sort of capital involved and the pros and cons of this business.
  • osuvat simon said on August 12, 2013
    i kindly thanks u guys who introduced this idea of mobile car wash... i am interested in doing this ...so we'll make followup on it.. thanks
  • mahesh dalvi said on November 21, 2013
    I want to start the said business in surat or in virar, can you please send me details regarding equipments and investments required. Thanks
  • sonal said on November 27, 2013
    hi i am interested in set up of car wash business. want to know about the pros & cons. also wld like to know about all the equipments required for the setup of car wash station. thnks
  • Kimberly Hernandez said on January 20, 2014
    Hi i have a mobile car wash details business which i'm selling. .. its a very good business
  • sibananda biswas said on February 5, 2014
    i want to know the details about car wash business
  • nelson said on May 25, 2014
    Am running a carwash in kenya and need to start a mobile unit. how does one go about powering the pressure washer and water reservoir abound the carrier. I saw a video clip of a mobile car wash being run by a guy in Gaza and got impressed.
  • kuku pm said on July 8, 2014
    Dear sir, I am interested in setting up a mobile car wash business in Kerala in INDIA. please provide details like about equipments, pros & cons ,procedure etc. waiting for your response. thank you
  • Ian said on July 10, 2014
    How do i deal with the water that pours down after washing?
  • ephantus muriuki said on August 28, 2014
    I am from kenya and would like to ask how do i deal with the run off water because i cant just pour it everywhere
  • Sackeus Rough said on December 19, 2014
    1. what the favorite spots for a mobile car wash?
    2. how much should I invest into the business that caters for a town for about 10000 inhabitants?
    3. whats the suitable vehicle for a mobile car wash
  • Solomon Kuria said on April 13, 2015
    Kindly expound on the mobile car wash business by giving an average cost of starting one in an estate in a town like Nairobi Kenya
  • Deo Banjare said on April 22, 2015
    I have fully interested in mobile car washing project so please. Project details by mail, India, chattisgarh - bhilai & raipur
  • Blessing said on June 4, 2015
    I own a mobile carwash business looking to expand operations in Africa. We are therefore looking for partners in different countries. If interested in this opportunity please pm at blessingmbw@gmail.com
  • maxian murimi said on August 15, 2015
    I am interested in setting up a carwash business in Chuka, Kenya. Kindly advice me on the advertisement avenues that I can pursue. Thank.
  • Rojan Thomas Varghese said on October 29, 2017
    Greeting for the day, Dear please let me know full details regarding mobile car wash unit, also send quotation.

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