Car wash business is a very lucrative business in Nigeria. Car owners always have to wash their cars as often as possible, to keep their cars as clean as possible. No car owner wants to drive around with a dirty car. Drivers do not also have the time to wash their cars every day, and would rather prefer to take their cars to a car wash.
Therefore, this business in Nigeria is a very profitable business as you can earn anything from ₦100, 000 to ₦500, 000 per month. You can even earn more if you have more customers patronizing your car wash business.
However, in order to be successful in this business, there are important steps you must take. Also, to start your car wash business in Nigeria, there are several things you will need to start your business. Here is a step by step, detailed guide on what you need to do and get to start a car washing business in Nigeria.
How to start a car wash business in Nigeria
Follow these steps to start a car wash business:
1. Get Sufficient Capital
The first thing that you need to consider when starting a car washing business in Nigeria is capital. You need sufficient capital to get the necessary tools and equipment to work with. You will need about N200, 000 to N500, 000 to start operations when you are just starting out. However, if you want to make huge profits as soon as possible, you will spend a lot more money for business strategy consultancy, modern equipment, personnel training or even buying an already established car wash business. You need money to purchase tools and equipment such as a car wash machine.
2. Carry Out Detailed Research
You need to do your research on this market properly before starting a car wash business. A lack of needed expertise is detrimental for a car wash business. You need sufficient knowledge before delving into the car wash business. To succeed in this business, please visit at least three to five other car wash businesses and see how it is set up generally.
Ask questions; get facts and figures on how to price your services and how to treat your customers so they would always come back, to patronize you.
3. Pick a Good Location
You should choose a good location for your car washing business. Choosing a spot for your car wash business in Nigeria is a step that requires careful consideration. Position your car wash business where there are lots of vehicle movements. You won’t last long in this business if you settle for a remote spot or an area out of town where cars do not pass. If you do this, you will not have customers patronizing you. And this will lead to little or no profit from your car wash business.
4. Approval From The Authorities
After choosing a location, the next step is to get needed approval from authorities where the business is. Although this is not much of a big deal in many states across the country, it is, however, important for one to seek approval from the assigned agency before taking the necessary steps to start the business. Don’t start your car wash business without getting this approval. There are necessary things that ought to be in place due to the nature of the car wash business. The authorities must confirm such area has good drainage and gutter so that dirty water won’t flood the road.
5. Borehole /Well
Water is necessary for the success of a car washing business. You need water to wash cars. To get water, you can sink a borehole or dig a well. Make sure the borehole or well is treated on a regular basis to give clean water.
6. Overhead Tanks
The overhead tanks should be strategically placed to store water for any period when there is none available. This is time and cost effective.
7. Power (Electricity)
You can generate electricity by buying a small generator. Depending on the capacity, you can buy a generator from 35,000 naira to 100, 000 naira. You need a generator to power the borehole to produce water when needed. You also need electricity to illuminate your surroundings when it’s getting dark at night. This is important when you have to wash cars for customers at night.
8. Detergents
When you want to start a car washing business, buy detergents that are vehicle friendly. You should have learnt the best type of detergents to use, in other car wash outlets. Some detergents might be too harsh on paints of vehicles. This is to ensure optimum customer service.
9. Buckets
You need a bucket if you want to employ the manual method of washing cars. You will be able to fetch water from the well or borehole to wash cars.
10. Car wash machine/Pressure Washer
There is a wide range of car wash machines for your reference, depending on your financial ability. They can be operated manually or automatically. The quality also differs due to the distinctive technology of each.
Pressure washers do not only make the work easy to do, they also help clean the car in such a way that would not have been possible without them.
And you can either start with one or two, depending on how small or big you chose to start.
The prices of car wash machine ranges from N60, 000 to N120, 000. A car wash machine is preferred if you don’t want to wash cars manually using a bucket and bowl.
11. Towels, Brushes & Bowls
Other materials needed include hand brushes (used in washing vehicles), towels to mop dry and bows.. All these are very easy to get in any neighborhood or market.
Tips for Car wash business
You will need to learn how to patient with customers. Some of your customers might have gone through some stressful moments in traffic. They are ready to flare up at the slightest provocation. Treat your customers well and you’ll have constant supply of cash. Also, make sure you are constantly updated with the latest trends in the car wash business such as the latest car wash equipment. If you adhere to all these tips and suggestions, you will have a successful car wash business in Nigeria.
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