How to Start a Mobile Car Wash Business

Published by Jeff Torres

Published on

How to Start a Mobile Car Wash Business

How to Start a Mobile Car Wash Business

Are you thinking about starting your own business but haven’t entirely decided yet? In this article, we will cover an exciting business, one which many people who started it have seen significant benefits. We will tell you how to start a mobile car wash business. 

The versatility of this business makes it one of a kind, with so many benefits that it surprised even us. So stick around and learn more about this fantastic trade from our article. 

Things to Consider When Establishing Your Mobile Car Wash

What Is a Mobile Car Wash Business?

The mobile car wash, as the name implies, is delivering professional car services right to the client’s location. It is very convenient for people because they don’t have to drive to the car wash and are willing to pay a bit more for the service. 

This business is perfect if you are a people person because it requires a lot of marketing and people skills to “get your name out there.” Building customer loyalty is maybe one of the trickiest parts of this business, and you need to get to know your clients well and their needs. 

So if you are a person that has excellent relations with people, and knows how to persuade a person, then this business might just be what you’re hoping for. 

Things to Consider When Establishing Your Mobile Car Wash

Research and learn as much as you can about the business

There is not much to it, but it’s best to know what this business is about and learn the trades. You can do that by first researching online all you can about the topic. This includes reading experiences from people who have been doing this for a while, knowing what equipment you will need, and calculating your budget. 

After that, you can purchase some of the equipment and try it out on your car first to get the feel of it. You can also offer a free service to your friends, which will later help spread your name and skills.

Make sure to register your mobile car wash business and make it legal 

The best thing you can do is make your mobile car wash business legal. Every state in the U.S. has different regulations for this type of business, so make sure you get familiarized with the ones in your state. 

You can either choose to start the business and declare yourself as the only owner or form an LLC, which will reduce liability later on. However, we advise you to talk to a lawyer or a financial expert before making rash decisions. 

Try to determine the best location 

This is essential since you don’t want to open a mobile car wash in an area where you would have to travel for miles just to wash one car. So make sure to research this extensively and target specific groups of people, let’s say younger people, older people, clubs, gyms, etc.

The less you have to travel, the more cars you will wash.

Invest in a higher quality equipment

To start, you first need to think about the means of transportation, namely what vehicle you will use. It is best to get an SUV or a sedan for a mobile car wash, with a lot of storage space. We recommend you buy a cheaper, used one to get you started; just make sure it is in good condition. 

When we talk about equipment, you should opt for higher mid-range quality equipment to get you started. Just the kind for getting the job done without costing you a lot of money. Standard equipment for this business would include towels, car wash soap, car wax, buckets, sponges, brushes, a hose, different pressure wash nozzles, etc. 

You should always be prepared and ready to go, so keep your equipment clean and ready for use when you need it. This tells the customers a lot about you, so bear that in mind. 

Consider the kinds of services you will be offering

You can choose to do two types of services when owning a mobile car wash. You can do exterior cleaning, interior cleaning, or both. 

  • Exterior cleaning usually involves exterior vehicle washing, mud removal, and specific polishing and detailing. 
  • Interior cleaning includes vacuuming the car’s interior, cleaning the windows, seat cleaning, polishing the front of the vehicle, etc. 

When you get the hang of it, you can also add a few extra services to earn you more money. These include an engine wash, car waxing, and even headlight restoration. 

How to Advertise Your Mobile Car Wash Business

To tell you how to start a mobile car wash business, we have to emphasize this topic. It is crucial to have an excellent marketing strategy for a successful car wash business. Marketing is key, and proper marketing will get you to the top of the client’s list. That is why it is imperative to be trustworthy and professional. 

One of the ways by which you can promote this is to wear your uniform with your company’s logo on it. This will promote confidence, professionalism, and reliability, something that is appealing to every customer. 

Your vehicle should also look spotless to advertise and promote your business. After all, you cannot be expected to wash other people’s cars if your car is dirty.

Visit local shops when you start, invest in business cards, and hand them out to people. Don’t be shy because most people appreciate openness and honesty. 

Later on, when your business grows more, you can invest in a business website that will boost your clientele numbers even higher.  

How to Start a Mobile Car Wash Business

Benefits of Owning a Mobile Car Wash Business

There are a lot of benefits that you can enjoy from owning your own mobile car wash business.

  • For one, it is a profitable business and can help you earn a lot of money if you work hard.
  • You are your own boss, which means no one will tell you what to do or how to do it. 
  • You can even grow to employ people working for you and become very successful with time and patience. 

Conclusion

If you are convinced that a mobile car wash business is the right choice, then go for it. We hope our how to start a mobile car wash business article helped you make your decision. After all, you will need little to no investment to get you going, and the profits you will start to make in time will get larger and larger.

Just remember, be patient and work hard. Results will surely come in time!

Table of Contents