Here’s what they don’t tell you about owning a car wash!!

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  • Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
  • Want to own your own car wash and be your own boss?! Watch this first.

Комментарии • 1,6 тыс.

  • @jamiecooksey9037
    @jamiecooksey9037 2 года назад +1002

    There is a lot, lot more, to running a car wash than I gave business owners credit for. The operating costs, wow! Thx for the reveal, very interesting insight.

    • @jambajuice2408
      @jambajuice2408 2 года назад +24

      Yeah, cost may be high. It’s great for owner operators. But I’ve built a many that net 500k 1st year. 1 mil second. You have to spend money to make money in the wash world. Soap is important. Very very important

    • @muttBunch
      @muttBunch 2 года назад +3

      Yes indeed. Considering the one near me is only $4.75 to start the self service rinse bay and that gives you 7 minutes. Most people are in and out within those 7 minutes or less

    • @casanovataylor470
      @casanovataylor470 2 года назад

      Fuck what credit you gave them,who are you lmao

    • @rjdatdude23
      @rjdatdude23 2 года назад +1

      That’s more common sense. Otherwise everyone would own one

    • @seinfan9
      @seinfan9 2 года назад +3

      Think about that the next time you feel a business is price gouging or doesn't pay their employees well.

  • @jonslagter
    @jonslagter 2 года назад +624

    As a current owner of a business that sells, installs and services carwashes and someone who has worked as a carwash technician for over 30 years in several different parts of the country, I can tell you your observations are pretty accurate. There are a lot of hidden costs and unappreciated tasks that go with owning a carwash. The larger the operation the greater those become. Imagine a full service tunnel with 20 employees, 10 different machines in the equipment room, a bunch of moving parts in the tunnel and 15 different chemical products in use. Some of my customers have electric bills of over 6 grand a month and water bills to match, don't even ask about labor costs. To service this equipment I have to be proficient at mechanics, electrical, plumbing, hydraulics, pneumatics, low voltage control systems, electronics, networking, computers and have a good understanding of how and why the chemicals work together and why they do what they do.

    • @jonslagter
      @jonslagter 2 года назад +25

      One of the things about the videos of the guys collecting there money is that they just did the most stupid thing they could possibly have done and that is show the criminally inclined a very real target.

    • @TheFrenchPug
      @TheFrenchPug 2 года назад

      You're the man to be!

    • @corysturgis6660
      @corysturgis6660 2 года назад +4

      Where did you learn your skills for this trade? How does one get into car wash repair? Thank you

    • @jordonveinot4371
      @jordonveinot4371 2 года назад +5

      @@corysturgis6660 I stated by getting a job at a local tunnel wash. show eagerness most of these places do self repair. You can work your way in, millwrights also know as industry mechanics play a good role in the industry from what I’ve seen as wel

    • @ledouche1990
      @ledouche1990 2 года назад +11

      Thats every business in their own right. Customers don't understand that.

  • @nullhill6486
    @nullhill6486 2 года назад +202

    I will NEVER take a self-serve carwash for granted again. I most certainly appreciate the facilities you provide.

  • @randyedward1
    @randyedward1 2 года назад +119

    This video is the reason RUclips exists! Who would've thought we could learn so much about car washes? Well presented, informative, and transparent...

    • @zeuskronos2018
      @zeuskronos2018 2 года назад

      Yea really show us the smoke and mirror of the business.

  • @JonC341
    @JonC341 2 года назад +70

    Now I understand why carwashes do not get remodeled as often as needed. My respect and gratitude towards all who run carwashes .

    • @t00bgazer
      @t00bgazer 2 года назад

      My respect to the workers in the car wash. May all the owners of carwashes have a horrible life.

  • @tayzonday
    @tayzonday 2 года назад +7

    Breaking Bad made running a car wash look like a lemonade stand!

  • @TheSoloAsylum
    @TheSoloAsylum 2 года назад +266

    I can just about go point for point with you as a laundromat owner. There is an entire world behind the scenes people have no idea about. With zero problems it costs $5000/Mo for our mat to be open. With 41 machines, change machines, pay apps, and security systems, there is NEVER a zero problem month. The general public can and will destroy everything.

    • @eltonshamblen9766
      @eltonshamblen9766 2 года назад +20

      If you owned an anvil playground, you'd show up some day and see some Karen's kids beating the horns off them all with day old bananas. The capacity of the human mind for misuse, willful and wanton abuse is unparalleled in the remainder of animal kingdom. It makes weather abashed.

    • @micheletetley6142
      @micheletetley6142 2 года назад +3

      My dad was into laundry and car washes. Nightmare. I am glad it's over and I don't have to live depending on the WEATHER.

    • @TheSoloAsylum
      @TheSoloAsylum 2 года назад +2

      @crunthat I see you don't own a laundromat as you would not thing this is one bit funny. The app not working has the same effect as the power being off.

    • @TheSoloAsylum
      @TheSoloAsylum 2 года назад +1

      @crunthat You don't own a business, sit quietly while the grown folks are talking kid.

    • @rickytorres9089
      @rickytorres9089 2 года назад

      @@micheletetley6142 Sorry but even going to Target for your vegs can be affected by weather too. You kinda have to lives with that one. :)

  • @craigallen7554
    @craigallen7554 2 года назад +33

    Owned and ran 2 car washes for 15 years. Was tired of all the issues in this video. Very accurate content. Sold them and realized there are 1,000,000 better ways to make money!!

    • @TheBanjoShowOfficial
      @TheBanjoShowOfficial 2 года назад +2

      No shit, if you dumped all that money into an ETF you'd probably have double the returns in the same amount of time. And that would literally be **passive**

    • @Technie87
      @Technie87 Год назад +3

      Which are?

    • @kendallevans4079
      @kendallevans4079 11 месяцев назад

      Good point. "Ego satisfaction" is the driving force behind much of the "be your own boss/own your own business" mantra! I have done both and find if you just want to earn a living and have many OTHER outside interests it's easier to just work at a company, go home at 5pm and enjoy the rest of your day/life! To me, having my own business meant it was ALWAYS living in my head. If you don't want to let your livelihood define who you are I would say don't do it, just work for a company. It's much easier and MUCH less stress!

  • @jakesgarage905
    @jakesgarage905  2 года назад +352

    Thanks for all the comments guys. Am I unhappy? Absolutely not! This video wasn’t intended to complain but rather share the truth. This was what I was able to afford in my late 20’s and plan to use this as a stepping stone to grow / improve /expanded. Some of the “whining” and “griping” is more for comedic relief rather than actual complaints.

    • @MrRedTux
      @MrRedTux 2 года назад +21

      Thanks for the video, it was refreshing "real talk" with no judgement. Though if I recall correctly you missed the two biggest expenses, rent/mortgage and taxes, both of which can be absolute killers.

    • @popsicle22209
      @popsicle22209 2 года назад +4

      Real talk!

    • @PutMeInDaGameCoach
      @PutMeInDaGameCoach 2 года назад +4

      Oh... Ok cool

    • @johnu6174
      @johnu6174 2 года назад +4

      Your the first American I see that owns a car wash... most people I bump into that own a car wash are from India or Yemen in the middle east.

    • @marekbalaz695
      @marekbalaz695 2 года назад +5

      It is prohibited to wash dirty ass mud vehicles in our car wash. There is a warning sign and people respect it.

  • @KadvaKorp
    @KadvaKorp 2 года назад +69

    Kudos on providing us with an insight into what it takes to run a car-wash operation, including the logistics, costs, and life investment required. Wow! Thank you very much. Appreciate you unravelling this operation...

  • @bjstengel
    @bjstengel 2 года назад +2

    Great video sir!! Love seeing some of the details we all take for granted while loving your company! Thanks for the hard work and blunt honesty!!

  • @mahmoodmoossavi243
    @mahmoodmoossavi243 2 года назад +5

    Thank you for going through the details of carwash business responsibilities and educating us. It sure needs a good amount of patience.
    Wishing you,family and loved ones a prosperous life.
    Liked and Subscribed.

  • @chrisreynolds2410
    @chrisreynolds2410 2 года назад +383

    I have no interest in car washes as a biz but absolutely have an interest in the mentality of folks that make shit happen rather than sit on the sideline.
    This is the type of person we need to speak at schools or summer camp or whatever…a mason or electrician people that are doing well with a skilled trade or being an entrepreneur.
    Good work dude.

    • @s0nnyburnett
      @s0nnyburnett 2 года назад

      They don't want average people running their own business. They want your kids in debt with a useless degree working for a big corporation so the elites can own and control everything.

    • @Bramon83
      @Bramon83 2 года назад +5

      Should get a good self serve or tunnel wash owners input. This guy is trash. Been in the industry 8+ years as a service tech with my own company. He's the worst type of customer to have.

    • @rushymoto
      @rushymoto 2 года назад

      We need less masons. They discriminate against the wider population by thinking they can get ahead by being in a special club or expecting extra treatment after giving a funny handshake. I give them extra treatment. That handshake or phrase will put the price up.

    • @kathym6603
      @kathym6603 2 года назад +7

      Absolutely. Kids need to know there are other things in life besides electronics and these "other things" can be very interesting and fulfilling.

    • @juanalmos1959
      @juanalmos1959 2 года назад

      Just by your uneducated response I sure do not want to have you as an investor

  • @willj4411
    @willj4411 2 года назад +90

    Outstanding ! As usual, there's much more to running a successful business than the initial purchase. You've brought reality to those thinking instant money-maker. I get the feeling you'll, make it work one way or another. Now what's your next venture ? Godspeed Jake !

    • @JayAR_YT
      @JayAR_YT 2 года назад +2

      As a classic car owner I can confirm I'm the one who gets mad about rocks and shit.

  • @noahtroyer6717
    @noahtroyer6717 2 года назад +5

    As a fellow car wash owner; this is most accurate video I’ve seen by far. A couple different setups from mine, but very similar in many ways. Thanks for sharing the truth.

  • @eddievilla1584
    @eddievilla1584 2 года назад +8

    A man stud out side a bank handing out $5 bills to anyone walking by. He started getting a big crowd of people. The police arrived and asked him, ''what are you doing", he replied, I was thinking of opening up a carwash, but this is faster. 🤣God bless the business owner.

  • @speedzero7478
    @speedzero7478 2 года назад +57

    Love it. My dad taught me very young in life, there is no such thing as easy money. I don't mind working hard every day and I don't feel entitled to free money. No matter how complicated it is, I think the car wash business is cool. It's a service that's valuable and important, and it can't be offshored.

    • @ewicky
      @ewicky 2 года назад +2

      There is such a thing as easy money. Crypto.

    • @rubenII
      @rubenII 2 года назад +2

      @@ewicky lol

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +2

      @@ewicky cryptocurrency and the stock market in my opinion is legalized gambling.
      Unless you're joking
      I know a lot of people that lost a boat load of money in the market for the exception of one man.
      One trick pony that's what he was good at. Nothing else. Needs help putting batteries in a flashlight type of person.

    • @markm0000
      @markm0000 2 года назад +3

      @@ewicky This bot aged poorly

    • @transphotography
      @transphotography 2 года назад

      @@Mr.Robert1 I agree that short term traders are just skimming value and causing market volatility, however, their losses can be your gains if you’re a value investor. :) I’m interested to see what becomes of the crypto market and how it could transform the way we do things in the future. Think of someone from the 1940’s seeing the technology we have now. I hope I live long enough to have a similar experience.

  • @joekent6576
    @joekent6576 2 года назад +22

    I used to work for a guy that owned a car wash when I was in college. My entire job was either cleaning the bays for the exact reason you mentioned or troubleshooting the constant problems that occurred every damn day.

  • @GnosisMan50
    @GnosisMan50 2 года назад +1

    Thanks Jake for sharing your concerns and thoughts on the car wash. I had no idea there was so much involved.

  • @matoflynn
    @matoflynn 2 года назад +3

    We need more videos like this for all industries. Very neat look into what you do, cheers!

  • @sebrofc
    @sebrofc 2 года назад +34

    Worked in the business for many years in many capacities on washes from dirt to squirt phases and from maintenance to executive level as well as all types (IBA, tunnel, ss etc...) and must say that I completely agree that there is way more that goes into it that they will tell you. You must absolutely be either unafraid to learn or be proficient in most all trades and business accumen including electric, plumbing, HVAC, chemistry, water quality analyst, security, maintenance, grounds, marketing, landscaping, I.T., customer service, janitorial, hurt feelings counselor, carpentry, HR, legal defense, acconting etc.... When you look at a run down wash that is typically an owner that was sold a bill of goods about how easy it is and how it is mailbox money...let me assure you it is not. As far as the muddy bays that's a cost of doing business I mean it's a car wash what can you really say....only wash a clean car? Having shoveled and hosed down many sandbars in my day trust me I get the frustrations. Membership is a great way to help your ebbs and flows of seasonal change for income. Interesting system for anti freeze why wouldn't you just weep your bays especially with a well? I left the business because literally every owner I ever worked for was a complete self absorbed bat shit crazy lunatic, but I do miss it and long to have a wash of my own though the costs are such that the big outfits have all but taken over in many markets. Anyhow sorry for the rant I guess it's my way of saying "I agree" great video and best of success.

    • @transphotography
      @transphotography 2 года назад +2

      You basically described the required skills for every successful entrepreneur. Although, “hurt feelings counselor” made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the laugh! 😂

  • @neilopfer5687
    @neilopfer5687 2 года назад +7

    Thanks for the solid insights on the car wash business!! In line with conversations with friends who have owned or still own these businesses.

  • @shannonjensrud5712
    @shannonjensrud5712 2 года назад +1

    I've often thought about what it must cost JUST in water and power bills to run a car wash, let alone supplies and maintenance! Your video helped put it all into perspective. Well done

  • @VincentWilliams007
    @VincentWilliams007 2 года назад +5

    Thanks for sharing Jake. There are a lot of people out in the interzone being sold on "passive income" without knowing there is still some heavy work involved. It would be nice for everyone to see this video before taking the plunge.

    • @rickytorres9089
      @rickytorres9089 2 года назад

      Honestly at this point it's just like running any other business. Even online businesses can be full of smoking mirrors of uncertainties, WEIRD ASH failures that you didn't expect/could prepare for, etc.

  • @eleven8948
    @eleven8948 2 года назад +32

    Thanks. Far too many folks think its easy. One of my good friends just sent me a video about 3 days ago just like the ones you described. I dont own a carwash but I explained a small portion of operating costs. You put it out in the light with all the small details to the large details. 100% Great Job. Keep Hustling

  • @20truck
    @20truck 2 года назад +20

    I recently purchased a car wash and it wasn't in that good of condition when I purchased it the automatic Bay did not work and the property itself had not been well maintained. I considered keeping it as a car wash but the cost of a new automatic Bay was little above $400,000. So I tore the car wash down and put self storage on the property.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад +1

      Ok? Thanks for bragging

    • @20truck
      @20truck 2 года назад +12

      @@jacobpie3692 how was I bragging I simply stated I bought land with a car wash on it, it was too expensive to do a $400,000 repair to the auto wash bay so I tore it down and put something else on the land that wasn't bragging I just made a statement.

    • @RichRotorhead
      @RichRotorhead 2 года назад +11

      @@20truck don't bother explaining yourself, some people just can't accept that they can't do what others can.

    • @20truck
      @20truck 2 года назад +5

      @@RichRotorhead I still don't understand your sarcasm, I had not intended to run the car wash when I purchased the land, because the cost was more than the income the car wash would make, smart business decision not because I couldn't afford to operate the car wash.

    • @abdullahbabar5529
      @abdullahbabar5529 2 года назад +2

      @@20truck he means the Jacob fellow is still in high school thinking he can get TikTok famous and make bank that way

  • @Humble_Electronic_Musician
    @Humble_Electronic_Musician 2 года назад

    Great informative video.
    I was not looking for car wash videos but watched this one until the end, Great job!

  • @Fopeano
    @Fopeano 2 года назад +7

    Working my way up to manager of a exterior car wash was my first career, 4 years when I was 16-20. During the winter line out to street days, I could get 135 cars/hour through that wash with a 4 man team. In the summer, you worked on your car in the parking lot or read books most of the day. So many stories, and all of this looks so familiar. Video enjoyed.

  • @wurly164
    @wurly164 2 года назад +39

    My uncle owned a self service car wash in Western Pennsylvania years ago. It payed for all of his kids college. He was a head mechanic at US airways so he could do all the repairs. Then he sold it for a great amount.
    This fellow would not be in it, if he wasn't making a profit.

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +7

      In the video he talks about his profit margins and how he is making money in other businesses.
      Yes its turns a profit. He's trying to explain that there are expenses that people do not consider. He is just trying to open people's eyes nothing wrong with it.

    • @dok2304
      @dok2304 2 года назад +1

      You don’t know who to believe now, your uncle, this guy, oh man….

    • @transphotography
      @transphotography 2 года назад +1

      @@dok2304 That’s ok. Believe in yourself and you’ll be fine. 😜

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +2

      @@dok2304
      Why would he lie about the fact that every business has expenses to run and his case he actually goes from item to item it explains it that was actually very nice of him

    • @wurly164
      @wurly164 2 года назад +1

      @@dok2304 my uncle would have dumped it, if it wasn't making money. That being said, he never hired any repair guys because he could do it all himself.

  • @microdesigns2000
    @microdesigns2000 2 года назад +93

    I'm a controls engineer, familiar with all that electrical equipment. It looks like a fairly simple design. I notice you are operating a 25hp motor without a variable frequency drive. Maybe a vfd would reduce the number of motor rebuild events because startups and shut downs would be smoother. There are just too many relays on that panel.
    I also noticed you are on the hook for chemicals that maybe you can dispense with. I really appreciate the spot free rinse and don't mind paying the $12 to get it (what I pay here in southern Minnesota).
    Anyway I like your video talking about the business, really cool.

    • @dorjanhajdari2670
      @dorjanhajdari2670 2 года назад +4

      Used to work in the industry. Yea they are available, but they cost alot of money. There are many mechanical designs. Recently they have been mostly electric motors directly onto the brushes. Extended towards the vehicle by air pressure. Although alot of them still use a main hydraulic motor with valves to control spin on the equipment. This can get quite messy. Now, the actual controllers are pretty much archaic. Only a few support direct vfd control, and they are limited by the number of vfds they can control. Most of the time vfds are connected to a normally open contact on the controller which basically tells the vfd to ramp up, basically binary on off. I don't know if I can technically disclose more than that but there are better ways of controlling those motors during steady days where they ramp up and down many times a day.

    • @NotnaRed
      @NotnaRed 2 года назад +7

      Soft start is also an option

    • @rubenbarela
      @rubenbarela 2 года назад

      Free advice let's see if that guy is posting for likes

    • @sdunn0417
      @sdunn0417 2 года назад +4

      @@NotnaRed An opinion or an experience kind of goes hand in hand. Especially in a RUclips comment section

  • @courtneysylvester7089
    @courtneysylvester7089 2 года назад +3

    Love your presentation style - informative, easy to understand, frank and honest.
    I notice you have only posted two videos
    I think you should consider posting more videos like this about managing a business etc.

  • @gregorynagy8500
    @gregorynagy8500 2 года назад

    Thank you for your service!!! I didn’t know,any of,what you were, talking about!! G

  • @frankiesdaliydrinks
    @frankiesdaliydrinks 2 года назад +6

    Great video and opens the eyes to being a business owner.

  • @PertainingtoRose
    @PertainingtoRose 2 года назад +3

    I am so happy you did this video, I truly appreciate you, I was talking to my family about buying one, and I will show them this video

  • @theluxlyfe
    @theluxlyfe 2 года назад

    Wow! Thank you very much for the knowledge. So real 💯 factz

  • @Samlol23_drrich
    @Samlol23_drrich 2 года назад +1

    That was absolutely eye opening and fantastic. You have a knack for talking to the camera and I anticipate a much larger channel in your future.

  • @Seth-mu3wo
    @Seth-mu3wo 2 года назад +13

    Owning any business is difficult. I live in Latin America, and I love the how resourceful the people are here running small businesses. You'll see teenagers with full food service carts they created and operate.

    • @billbmsn
      @billbmsn 2 года назад +1

      That is so true. I spent several months in Medellin, Colombia over the last year and was astonished by the small business operations I saw. Many people are desperately selling whatever they can to stay alive and the rest of the population supports them with patronage rather than just buying things at bigger stores. It's part of the fabric of their society. It's sad to see people struggling so hard but it was heartwarming to see the respect that Colombianos show for small vendors.

    • @Seth-mu3wo
      @Seth-mu3wo 2 года назад

      @@billbmsn
      That's actually where I live right now, and have lived before (amongst many other places). I actually change my consumer habits while living here. I buy fruit from the guy at the bus stop, a coffee from a guy selling it from a pot backpack he designed, get a viva 100 from the dude in the street selling them.
      I completely agree with you. They are so resourceful here. I live their spirit, ingenuity, mentality, etc.
      Pues me encanta vivir aquí en Medellín parcero.

  • @db8823
    @db8823 2 года назад +5

    Hope you have good prints for the panels. Very interesting behind the scenes look. Thanks

  • @MrBEli-dw4rl
    @MrBEli-dw4rl 2 года назад

    Thank you for laying everything out. I truly appreciate your video.

  • @Inconsistensea
    @Inconsistensea 2 года назад +2

    Hey Jake,
    Thank you for the video, it opened my eyes to issues I hadn't thought of previously when considering a carwash as a business venture.
    I work in credit processing with PayRoc and would love to sit down and see if we can save you some of that %3-5 in processing fees. Let me know if you're interested!

  • @patriotprepperchannel1828
    @patriotprepperchannel1828 2 года назад +8

    Thank you for sharing the truth about carwashes.

  • @dennyliegerot4021
    @dennyliegerot4021 2 года назад +7

    I know what you mean about the dirt left from some patrons,...That being said, I've been an offroad motorcycle rider and racer for over 45 years and have used these car wash business all over the SE US. But because of probably the way I was raised or military background I've always had the decency to clean up the bay afterwards....because I also use these for my on road only nice cars and it socks when the only bay available is full of mud. Nice video and something to think about....every business has it's downside.

  • @marcopacheco860
    @marcopacheco860 2 года назад

    I appreciate the honesty of your video and for sharing this info ; I leaned a lot about it

  • @jakobgoree
    @jakobgoree 2 года назад

    Awesome video man, thanks for taking the time to put this together!

  • @silvergrizzly316
    @silvergrizzly316 2 года назад +3

    I give you a 👍just bcoz I admire your ambition, work ethic and just for being a good person. I've always respected all car washes bcoz I understand the amount of overhead that one single owner has and have never washed mud off any of my vehicles or atv's, I just take them home and clean them up there but I know how disrespectful most people can be when it's just not their problem.
    You will do fine. 👍👍

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +1

      On the other hand.
      Some people don't have a home that has an outdoor hose to do what you're saying. I used to have one however I'm living in a building now that does not have one.

  • @chrisreynolds2410
    @chrisreynolds2410 2 года назад +15

    You gotta sell drugs outta the car wash…you are missing the mark.

  • @bsiccs
    @bsiccs 2 года назад

    Thanks for being in your community actually taking care of a car wash. Probably won’t hear about it but it’s nice. Those diy car washes are really fun as a car guy for taking care of your car.

  • @ComenzandoBien
    @ComenzandoBien 2 года назад

    Thank you for this video it's amazing, God bless your business and God bless you family.

  • @mikemorris1217
    @mikemorris1217 2 года назад +5

    Hello, look into nordic geothermal heat pumps. Can heat floors and water with them. I have one in my house .

    • @jonyemm
      @jonyemm 2 года назад +1

      I'm not to sure how good one would be at keeping the floors from freezing, unless you had enormous system. It's one thing to heat a floor inside, trying to heat a floor outside that's always wet is a whole different thing. Also, I think most if not all geothermal systems, use a liquid through pipes to heat floors. So he would have to rip up all the floors and redo them.

  • @Harlanmote
    @Harlanmote 2 года назад +6

    I always wash down the stall if I leave mud everywhere. It’s called courtesy.

    • @ewicky
      @ewicky 2 года назад +3

      When the machine charges me by the second with a countdown alarm and everything, there's no chance I'm wasting that time rinsing down the bay.

  • @idahofur
    @idahofur 2 года назад

    I know you posted a video a while back. Thank you for showing the insides of the cost of running a business. Also thank you for staying on top of cleaning and maintaining your car wash.

  • @meticulousdetail5140
    @meticulousdetail5140 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for actual honesty! I’m so tired of people thinking you get rich. It’s a slow grind and your actually doing pretty good. I’m not near break even but would be nice hopefully soon. Then you have to not take a paycheck for your hard work. Lol

  • @mtwilla
    @mtwilla 2 года назад +4

    Great content... I've been looking and thinking for years about owning one when I retire.. I've always thought about the supplies that you'd need.. but not really about the electric or plumbing.. is the upkeep on the systems that intense or frequent?

    • @josmith9662
      @josmith9662 2 года назад +3

      My entire knowledge of car washes consists of this one video but the answer seems clear to me, it has the potential to be very intensive.
      The biggest risk has to be leaving it alone.
      1. Vandalism, theft and misuse. Where I live they strip live circuits in external boxes for the copper to buy drugs, all that unattended equipment, gone in a week. I am talking pilferable fuses etc, let alone 800 dollars of fuel and other chemicals.... maybe you live in a safer area but....
      2. You can not detect and correct new sistemic faults if you are not there, eg, a spring came loose on my top loading washing machine and the thing was vibro jumping for the exit, luckily I was at home to restrain it.......
      3. Do you trust the specialist electricians and plumbers not to overcharge or sabotage stuff for return visits? I suspect your best mates `Honest John the Sparky` and Plumber Pat might be a bit out of their depth with that set up
      Set it up next to your house and get the grand children to watch it when you are out fishing
      That is my tuppence worth,

    • @kennedychinweike9093
      @kennedychinweike9093 2 года назад

      @@josmith9662 🤣🤣🤣 quite funny

  • @WontSeeReplies
    @WontSeeReplies 2 года назад +12

    If you were a coin collector and had time to observe the quarters, it could be a second income.

  • @gandalfdergraue8444
    @gandalfdergraue8444 2 года назад

    Well thanks for your video!
    I just happened to get the attention of RUclipss video recommendation for your video...
    So i'm a big fan of "how business works-videos" and therefore behind the scenes of unusual businesses anyways, so your video was a great insight of car wash business

  • @BRVFD01
    @BRVFD01 2 года назад +2

    Been in the industry for some time and it is accurate you really have to be a jack of all trades! Equipment always breaking down, especially for customers that don’t do preventative maintenance, one of the many keys to a successful wash, happy washing!

  • @jordanoakley3584
    @jordanoakley3584 2 года назад +20

    Hey I'm a car wash Manger and i would definitely reconsider your soap vendor, a 30 gallon barrel can last us about 3 weeks and are bays use 10 gallon jugs and those last about 3 weeks

    • @canlib
      @canlib 2 года назад +1

      It would depend on how busy the facility is to get numbers on soap usage comparisons.

    • @jordanoakley3584
      @jordanoakley3584 2 года назад +5

      @@canlib even if I average around 800 cars a day and 30 gallon barrel can still almost last me a month. Winter is different

    • @andrewready1137
      @andrewready1137 2 года назад +1

      Yeah, because like most crappy car washes it takes like 2 minutes for the soap to start coming out of the damn sprayer and brush And most of the time, hardly any soap comes out. Total rip off

    • @jordanoakley3584
      @jordanoakley3584 2 года назад

      @@andrewready1137 sounds like you need to find a new car wash. Definitely don't have that problem

  • @SuperAgentman007
    @SuperAgentman007 2 года назад +4

    Where I live our car wash has a water recycling system in it where the dirty water goes into a plumbing system and basically gets recycled. Clean water is also added back in. The reason why our car wash has that system is because we have very tight rules on waste water.

    • @julianbrelsford
      @julianbrelsford 2 года назад

      I'd assume this might be common in places where water is really scarce too. I have relatives in one of those places where it costs a lot to get water because it's all piped in from the far side of some mountains

  • @appliancerepairshorts
    @appliancerepairshorts 2 года назад

    Love your video. Excellent point

  • @MikkoLuna
    @MikkoLuna 2 года назад

    I love the flow of this video. Straight to the point!

  • @rs3tuber425
    @rs3tuber425 2 года назад +20

    One of the best youtube contents I watched in a long time. Thnaks a lot for sharing and being so upfront and not sugarcoating it. You were very transparent on your description.

  • @tomjones5079
    @tomjones5079 2 года назад +4

    As a fellow car wash owner of 25 years I can totally appreciate this s***. I'm retiring from this BS and two more years

  • @andycensus
    @andycensus 2 года назад

    Thank you for the video it is extremely helpful to see what it's really like to own a business
    it's not all honey and gravy
    A lot of people that don't know what it is like to run a business and the expenses involved think he or she owns a car wash or owns a business must be rich

  • @enilsoneventos
    @enilsoneventos 2 года назад

    BROTHER, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! You oooh really helped me!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

  • @stevest1300
    @stevest1300 2 года назад +46

    I got to know the owner of a nee car wash he built locally. The permits and fees and environmental equipment and building code requirements were crippling. And the stories of vandalism, theft and stupidity of people were horrendous.
    In hunting season, he would occassionally get hunters who clean deer guts and body parts out of the back of their pickups.
    Stay in school kids.

    • @jimmyparris9892
      @jimmyparris9892 2 года назад +15

      Yes. Stay in school so you can work for the guy that owns the car wash.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад +9

      God forbid anyone use a car wash to clean a dirty car. If they aren’t spotless rich people already, you don’t want to see them. The entitlement is amazing

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +3

      @@jimmyparris9892
      Good point.

    • @Mr.Robert1
      @Mr.Robert1 2 года назад +2

      It would pay for the owner of this wash to hire somebody with brains to manage his wash and to keep this place running properly. Turn people away that are doing what you say.

    • @bitcoochie4093
      @bitcoochie4093 2 года назад

      @@jimmyparris9892 if you go to school to wash cars you might be retarded

  • @hturbo1007
    @hturbo1007 2 года назад +6

    I own a full service car wash and everything you said is spot on. You should try having employees, well there goes 40 to 50 percent of the intake. Then deal with them doing a poor job, or not show up for work. Some days are nightmares.

    • @NevrrPresntt
      @NevrrPresntt 2 года назад +1

      Don't you just hate those employees? Like fuck dude why can't people do their jobs right.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад +7

      @@NevrrPresntt cough cough pay enough cough cough

    • @hturbo1007
      @hturbo1007 2 года назад +4

      @@jacobpie3692 40 to 50 % of the intake goes back to the employees. Cough, Cough. I'm struggling now cough, cough. Need a new roof 30 thousand cough, cough. Need to upgrade equipment 200 thousand cough cough. The bank wants their money back cough, cough.

    • @paullewis4134
      @paullewis4134 2 года назад +1

      @@hturbo1007 not my problem

    • @hturbo1007
      @hturbo1007 2 года назад +1

      @@paullewis4134 who's talking to you???

  • @CheesusSVT
    @CheesusSVT 2 года назад

    Always wanted to open a car wash. But man I always wondered. 😍 Thanks for the content. Subbed brudda. Very informative and interesting. More videos please. 😍

  • @mgguygardening
    @mgguygardening 2 года назад

    Great video and very informative, thanks. I think this is true for any business, people don't understand the energy and costs involved with providing a service.

  • @jmpecore
    @jmpecore 2 года назад +10

    This is very informative as I always wanted to get into the biz. This is a lot of work and overhead. I'm no slacker but wow profit on average $1000 a month? You would still need a job and this $1000 a month is small residual income. Definitely a fallacy of the cash cow. Thank you so much for being so real about it.

    • @DestinRugers.S
      @DestinRugers.S 2 года назад +1

      If he optimized the business, he'd have greater margins that what's described! But it's not a business for everyone. Some locations (like further down south), are more profitable than others!

  • @onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679
    @onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679 2 года назад +4

    Set up a prerinse station for Muddy vehicles away from the stall.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад +1

      Lol if you aren’t rich and your car isn’t spotless already he doesn’t want it because it could mean actual work for him.

  • @paulontheroad
    @paulontheroad 2 года назад

    Have often wondered about the economics of those, thanks for posting this.

  • @guillermolopez9848
    @guillermolopez9848 2 года назад

    Those late night calls. And good old flowjets. Love the video.

  • @humans4targets2
    @humans4targets2 2 года назад +6

    I REALLY appreciate the truth! Never once came off as complaining! There is a car wash owner doing videos on here for nothing but “clicks and views” and he tries to make it look like it’s all pure profit. Your video taught me more than all his videos combined.

  • @rmallea1
    @rmallea1 2 года назад +11

    Wow! you’re very generous waking up in the middle of the night to get the nickel out of the vacuum cleaner. Here in Miami. They don’t care. We need owners like you. 👍

  • @Eiight8
    @Eiight8 2 года назад

    I have a new found respect for your business
    Great stuff 👊

  • @christophersmith5922
    @christophersmith5922 2 года назад

    Ty for this insight. I have some decisions to make.

  • @jonyemm
    @jonyemm 2 года назад +7

    I know a guy who purchased a used car wash at the beginning of this past winter. He must of had at least 6 service calls(hiring company that specializes maintaining car washes) for misc issue's. Not including-Pipes busted twice. One time flooding the bathroom of the attached building. Ended up deciding to replace damn near everything(pumps, motors, hoses, wands, foam brush system, chemical measuring system). I think the only things he didn't replace was the user control boxes and the heat system.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад +2

      Ok

    • @BlakWiseCracker
      @BlakWiseCracker 2 года назад +3

      I Know A Guy” 😂 well I know a guy he could’ve gotten all that equipment for less than half the price, according to the guy I know it all fell off a truck. 👍🏻

  • @cherrychevys
    @cherrychevys 2 года назад +3

    My God... I never knew this.. no wonder they guy comes out the office and watches me when I wash my jeep. There is only one rectangle clear for me to see out of... but the rest is completely muddy. However I do spend about $30 bucks there cleaning it. Don't know if that matters. Most of the mud is in the center grate. Besides I don't want to track through my own mud so I always wash it to the center grate under the car. The owner never complains. But he just watches me... like I'm stealing water or something lol.

    • @Jorgetubr
      @Jorgetubr 2 года назад

      later that night, he is out with a flat shovel, digging out all the mud that you put in there.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад

      Entitled rich people

  • @Nsm999
    @Nsm999 2 года назад +1

    Was a manager at an express carwash for over 4 years, running the place day to day was a colossal amount of work and required a team of people. From the plumbing, car wash equipment breaking, relays and electrical failures, moving and getting covered in chemical, dealing with freezing lines and ice in the winter, and worst of all negligent customers that damaged equipment and caused collisions (not to mention the ones that would become enraged over any and everything) . Owning and operating a car wash is no easy task, props to you sir!

  • @jbear7580
    @jbear7580 2 года назад

    Thanks for the insights, very interesting...new found respect for you and your business, I will be more careful next time I go...

  • @MauriceNL1
    @MauriceNL1 2 года назад +4

    5:19 if you need a subscription to get the CCTV on a app you should switch to a better CCTV system

    • @jakesgarage905
      @jakesgarage905  2 года назад +1

      Agreed. Working on that now!

    • @chrisreynolds2410
      @chrisreynolds2410 2 года назад +1

      Just pay me to sit there and snitch.

    • @chrisreynolds2410
      @chrisreynolds2410 2 года назад

      I’m just gonna blame everything on the coloreds anyway.

    • @TheBanjoShowOfficial
      @TheBanjoShowOfficial 2 года назад

      @@jakesgarage905 There is no "working on that now" Literally download the chrome remote desktop app on both your devices and watch the monitor screen from your phone wirelessly anywhere. This is not rocket science, although that plumbing might be.

  • @anooseholay
    @anooseholay 2 года назад +4

    As far as muddy wheelers go, you need to tack on a surcharge for the extra cleaning. They’ll either pay it or go somewhere else. Win win.

    • @Foxhole11
      @Foxhole11 2 года назад

      So…. You should charge more for someone that needs to use the service as opposed to someone that just want their vehicle to sparkle… makes a lot of sense

    • @serkandevel7828
      @serkandevel7828 2 года назад

      @@Foxhole11 Usually prices go up proportionally to how services are utilized

    • @anooseholay
      @anooseholay 2 года назад

      @@Foxhole11 absolutely charge more. It’s not an ATV/UTV wash and therefore customers using it for that should pay more. The only reason they go to the car wash is because they don’t want that mess in their own driveways.

    • @Foxhole11
      @Foxhole11 2 года назад

      Should a truck have to pay more than a car? Should a motorcycle pay less?
      Of course they don’t want the mess in their driveways. That is the point of a self serve car wash…

  • @mrcruzantrini
    @mrcruzantrini 2 года назад

    Great info! Thanks for sharing!

  • @franky3219
    @franky3219 Год назад

    That's how you make a video straight to the point. Thanks man so useful info.

  • @geofjones9
    @geofjones9 2 года назад +8

    My friend owned 2 of the 6 bay units. He put in cameras, caught a competitor stealing the nozzles off the hoses! He took the tape over to the guy and showed it. Guy had to return the nozzles AND pay for lost business. He also caught a guy ready to wash an extra muddy dump truck, backhoe, and trailer. It would have cost him $2000 to clean sewers after that. We are talking early 2000's money.

    • @jonyemm
      @jonyemm 2 года назад

      If you own a car wash and bitch about people washing muddy things off you shouldn't be in the car wash business.

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад

      Ok

    • @ewicky
      @ewicky 2 года назад

      Since when does soapy, diluted mud clog sewers?

    • @geofjones9
      @geofjones9 2 года назад

      @@ewicky The mud would come off in chunks, and guys forced the chunks thru the drain by stomping on them. My friend learned the hard way and was very tough about not allowing it to happen again. Also, the amount of water and soap used is not much compared to the volume of mud.

  • @chrisgallagher3703
    @chrisgallagher3703 2 года назад +10

    It sounds like basic overhead ... we all have overhead unfortunately in businesses but yours sounds pretty normal with the exception of some of the chemicals I guess. I would imagine it's still worthwhile and depending on the location should be a pretty sound businesses right ? I know the self car wash places around me are always packed! Best of luck with your business!!

    • @jacobpie3692
      @jacobpie3692 2 года назад

      Dude is making bank, just complaining that he has to spend a little money and put in a little effort to do so.

    • @TechMaster2133
      @TechMaster2133 2 года назад +1

      @@jacobpie3692 i wouldnt call 2k a month profit or less making bank...i make that with my $16/hr job..and i have a lot less to manage then this car wash does

    • @TN_AU
      @TN_AU 2 года назад +1

      @@TechMaster2133 True, why would you want all the stress? Oh, so you can brag that you own a business, pfff, I rather go work for someone, get paid, go home and not worry about anything. Leas stress, you live longer.

  • @egyphon
    @egyphon 2 года назад

    Thank you, extremely interesting and comprehensive video.

  • @peiwu979
    @peiwu979 2 года назад

    Thanks for being truthful in your video!

  • @danlc95
    @danlc95 2 года назад +3

    My old boss said it (car washing) isn't for everybody.

  • @harmatodlamstel6435
    @harmatodlamstel6435 2 года назад +3

    What i took away from this is if you buy a car wash make sure its only automatic

    • @DavidKnutsonPhotography
      @DavidKnutsonPhotography 2 года назад +2

      no - auto car washes have even more equipment you need to maintain. if you are not mechanical - this is not the business for you

  • @oliverparker7427
    @oliverparker7427 2 года назад

    Ay I see you 👀 are the real deal on owning a car wash great true 👍 👌 facts 👏 great job. Have a great life and enjoy 😉 your family 👪 God bless you all.

  • @Cettywise
    @Cettywise 2 года назад

    Thanks for this reality check - appreciate the honesty.

  • @romyvasir9249
    @romyvasir9249 2 года назад +6

    Thanks for telling us truth. I was excited to buy one but now am not.

    • @jakesgarage905
      @jakesgarage905  2 года назад +2

      Don’t lose heart! It’s a lot of work but worth it! Unfortunately the gentleman I bought the car wash from did not keep up on regular maintenance so there were a lot of headaches for me in the beginning. Overall it’s worth it but make sure you know your town and do a traffic analysis!

  • @igorkevorkian16
    @igorkevorkian16 2 года назад +6

    5 years managing a wash near Boston. This was no franchise operation and had been in business for 35+ years. (The owner retired and sold the business).
    Yes, plumbing and electrical... and hydrolics and welding and fabrication and framing.
    #1 requirement is PATIENCE. Every service industry has to deal with customers. Car wash customers are... special.

    • @transphotography
      @transphotography 2 года назад +2

      You’ve got “special” customers in every industry. They come in lots of variations and you don’t see it until you’ve either worked in a service job or have become a business owner. People, they/we are the best and the worst!

    • @igorkevorkian16
      @igorkevorkian16 2 года назад

      @@transphotography
      I agree.

  • @nicksoutdooractivities7596
    @nicksoutdooractivities7596 2 года назад

    I’m very sorry for your problems man.
    I truly can’t believe that you put up with that bullshit.!!! Your the best business man that takes care of yourself with stressful times.💯💪🏻💪🏻🙏🏻

  • @robertanderson4884
    @robertanderson4884 2 года назад

    Idk how your video came up but as a previous business owner in the restaurant business I can certainly appreciate your video because most people have no idea of cost they only see the money coming in but not whats going out and dont get me started about those who know how to run your business but tell them there welcome to buy you out and then see what they have to say and the countless hours you work that no one but you actually knows about like when you have to go fix a problem even though you should be sleeping. I wish you success and happiness and above all an early retirement. Thats where I am heading to now well semi early retirement I still plan to work a few more years maybe lol

  • @daltonschannel8405
    @daltonschannel8405 2 года назад +11

    If the muddy four wheelers are truly that much of a hassle, I would have to ban four wheelers at my CAR WASH

    • @bobabooey285
      @bobabooey285 2 года назад +5

      And lose all that business?

    • @fuckgoogleandyou8779
      @fuckgoogleandyou8779 2 года назад +3

      Sue there azz for clogging up the drains then trespass them hahaha lose what trash hell ya

    • @hopnglo680
      @hopnglo680 2 года назад +2

      This is funny…so you are going to ban 4 wheelers? How are you going to do that? Are you going to put up a sign? Get in a fight every time it happens? Call the police? (They won’t handle a call like this) Stay there 24hrs a day to make sure? …you don’t truly have a handle on what you are suggesting.

  • @erichuber395
    @erichuber395 2 года назад +14

    I didn't want the mud in my driveway. :-)

  • @crlaw75
    @crlaw75 2 года назад

    Thanks for the video, really interesting.

  • @slalomking
    @slalomking 2 года назад

    Thanks for this, I never new you had to do all this