How Much Does It Cost To Start A Drive Thru Car Washing Business? (In 2024)
Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.
The cost of opening a a drive-thru car washing business can vary based on several factors. However for a a drive-thru car washing business you can expect to spend $12 to $37,876 with an average cost of $19,815.
- The minimum startup costs for a drive-thru car washing business: $12
- The maximum startup costs for a drive-thru car washing business: $37,876
- The average startup costs for a drive-thru car washing business: $19,815
Here's a detailed list of a drive-thru car washing business startup costs:
Learn more about starting a drive-thru car washing business:
Where to start?
-> Pros and cons of a drive-thru car washing business
Need inspiration?
-> Other drive-thru car washing business success stories
-> Examples of established drive-thru car washing business
Other resources
-> Profitability of a drive-thru car washing business
Equipment & Supply Expenses
Starting a drive-thru car washing business may require purchasing some equipment, whether that's for producing the product or packaging the goods, or equipment needed in the back office.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Cleaning Supplies ➜ |
Optional |
$63 |
$200 |
First-aid Equipment ➜ |
Optional |
$3 |
$500 |
Uniforms |
Optional |
$0 |
$500 |
Retail Business Expenses
If you plan to have a brick & mortar location for your drive-thru car washing business, you must weigh the costs of your rent, as it may be the most expensive part of running your business.
Rent costs for your drive-thru car washing business very much depends on your location. This cost will vary by both region and specific areas of town: a lease in the heart of Manhattan could cost over $80,000/month in rent. Meanwhile, a storefront lease in Florida or Tennessee could cost less than $1,000/month.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Shop Decor |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Utilities (storefront business) |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Building improvements and remodeling |
Optional |
$0 |
$950 |
Storefront Property Rent ➜ |
Optional |
$1,250 |
$3,500 |
POS System |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,200 |
Software Expenses
Your drive-thru car washing business needs software to run efficiently!
Why spend money on software? Because it can help you save time and automate certain parts of the business, so you can focus on the most important matters. Software and technology can help you grow your business, and save you from expensive personnel costs.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Email marketing tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$100 |
Accounting & Invoicing Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$50 |
Project Management Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$25 |
Social Media Management Tools |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Payroll Software |
Optional |
$0 |
$200 |
Inventory Expenses
If you sell a physical good, you'll likely have to start with some inventory.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Upfront Costs For Inventory |
Optional |
$300 |
$5,000 |
Inventory Storage |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Package Design ➜ |
Optional |
$50 |
$3,000 |
Shrinkage |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Distribution costs |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Advertising & Marketing Costs
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Business Cards ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Tradeshow costs |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Networking Membership Fees |
Optional |
$0 |
$250 |
Business Signage ➜ |
Optional |
$75 |
$2,486 |
Direct Campaigns, Printing and Mailing |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Influencer Marketing |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Press |
Optional |
$0 |
$500 |
Google Ads |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Website Costs
Every business should have a website, and it's worth spending a bit of money to set it up right.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Domain Name ➜ |
Required |
$12 |
$200 |
Business Email Hosting Service ➜ |
Recommended |
$1 |
$15 |
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings