Construction Space Allocation on the Property When laying out the wash on a potential site, there are a few factors to consider. • Stacking space. There should be enough stacking room for at least two vehicles for each bay. • Turning radius. Allow adequate turning radius area at the entrance and exit of the wash bay. • Vacuum area. Vacuums are best utilized when located in a highly visible area such as along the front of the property. Allow room for at least 1 vacuum per bay. The typical wash bay is 16’ wide and 12’ in height. Length will vary depending on the type of automatic and whether the dryers are on-board or free standing. Work with your distributor if you have smaller dimensions. How the complete wash is positioned on your property is a key factor for maximizing your income potential. Please allow a member of Superior Cleaning Equipment to assist you in this process. Provide us with a copy of your property survey, and we will work with you to get the most out of your site. Let’s Build Your car wash should be designed to enhance the surrounding architecture... a building that stands out among the crowd and invites you in. It should be built strong and durable to handle local weather conditions outside while protecting itself from the harsh environment inside the wash bay. Style The building design of your self-serve car wash can reflect your personality. In today’s market, some washes take on a theme. This will definitely set you apart from your competition. Whether its ‘50’s sock hop, a medieval castle, a lighthouse or something of your own creation, marketing your wash using a unique theme can be very effective at bringing in customers. The additional building costs involved in construction must be factored in to your return on investment estimates. Walls Common construction methods include modular buildings, brick, block, or ceramic-faced block. These products offer the durability mentioned above and come in a variety of textures and colors. Some operators choose to build with standard concrete masonry units (CMU’s) and apply a fiberglass panel or spray on coating on the interior bay walls. The exterior is often a different product that expresses the overall look you desire for your wash. Roof Local building codes, area weather conditions and the overall look of your wash will dictate the roof system design. Designs can include decorative fascia and backlit awnings that surround the building. These are ideal for marketing your wash. Your design may include a gable roof system, which is great for colder weather climates. They allow for a crawl space that can house hoses and cables needed for each bay. The crawl space keeps you out of inclimate weather if service is needed in that area. Superior Cleaning Equipment can provide you with building plan options and ideas. We will work with you to insure your structure meets local building codes and equipment Steps to Building a Car Wash The following is a list of the typical steps you will follow when building a self-serve car wash.(Proper zoning is assumed.) 1) Estimate cost of construction at $75-90,000.00 per self-serve bay and $150-210,000.00 per automatic bay (includes equipment) and complete site analysis questionnaire for return on investment estimates. 2) Obtain a water, sewer, electric and gas availability letter from local utility authorities. 3) Select equipment supplier. 4) Work with local architect/engineer and equipment supplier to discuss local building codes and necessary utility requirements. 5) Architect/engineer draws complete set of building plans. 6) Submit plans to city for permitting and to potential contractors for construction bidding. 7) Finalize equipment order and select building contractor. 8) Obtain building permit and start construction. 9) Make application for utilities...gas, electric and water/sewer. 10) Complete construction and install car wash equipment. 11) Utilities turned on and car wash equipment started up. 12) Obtain occupancy permit and open your car wash for business! Other Factors to Consider Zoning Your selected site should be properly zoned. Legalities in zoning ordinances should be reviewed. Speed Limits A high-speed traffic area may not be the place for a car wash because it may be difficult to enter and exit the wash. The ideal speed limit is 25-35 mph. Traffic Though a high traffic area may be ideal, a very heavy traffic in urban areas may not, especially near intersections. Property Costs You may buy or lease your property. Usually, a property purchase is a good investment. However, leasing commercial property is an alternative choice if you have limited capital resources. Commercial property prices vary from city to city and street to street. Because the property itself may appreciate rapidly, it may be wise to purchase a more expensive lot in order to get that “perfect location.” Of course, you must justify the property cost with your gross income. Lot Sizing To calculate the number of bays your car wash will have, you must consider the size of your lot and the demographics. Lot sizes must factor in setbacks and easements. See chart for estimated property sizes. Turn on the Light Since car washes operate 24 hours a day, good lighting is important to generate attention at night and to make customers feel safe. There are two basic types of lighting used in a car wash. Fluorescent lighting is the most economical but must be protected by some type of enclosure due to the overspray from the car wash. The other type of lighting is HID (high intensity light discharge). If you choose to use HID lighting, the best choice will be the metal halide type because of the white light it emits. These lights may be used in the wash bay and are recommended to be used as flood and area lights. Whichever lighting you choose to install, a minimum of 450 watts is sufficient, however, we recommend between 600-900 watts of lights per bay. Show Me the Way Easy to read, graphically attractive signs contribute to the success of a car wash. Instructional and promotional signs, especially on the inside of the bay, is extremely important. Directional signs on the outside of the bay are also important so that the customer knows where to enter and exit or where each service is located. For added attraction, some car wash owners have installed large illuminated signs in front. It is common for a city to have limits on square footage of signs allowed. Check with your city before purchasing signs. Illuminated signs will create attraction and help business during the evening and night hours. Also, a reader board sign allows you to promote wash “specials”and other activities. They provide the opportunity to pass on a message to potential customers. A number of car wash operators use the reader board as a sort of community bulletin board. Members of the community are then continually drawn to your wash to see “what’s happening.” Attractive landscaping enhances the appearance and curb appeal of your car wash.