Moving the car wash can be a difficult but exciting time. Your business can grow in a new location and reach new customers. That said, moving can bring headaches to the daily tasks of the car wash, but having a checklist can make the process easier.
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Follow these nine tips on how to move your car wash efficiently.
Think about why you move
The first tip is to think about why you’re moving. Some businessmen move their stores without considering the short and long term effects. They rush the process and cause more harm than good to your company. Common reasons for car wash relocation include:
Best Markets: Markets ebb and flow with highs and lows. The area where you opened your business may have experienced a population decline or demographic change that no longer works in your favor.Taxes: A tax change is another main reason a professional retailer may relocate their business. You may find different types of taxes in another city or across county lines that directly affect your operation. The long-term gains could be worth it.Small spaces: Sometimes a business has grown significantly since its grand opening. Maybe you’ve gotten lucky with a growing market around your car wash. Growth has resulted in a shortage of space and you need more space to accommodate this increase.
Know your budget
One of the critical parts of moving your small business is the financial aspect. If you’re moving to a new area, you should research tax laws, how the real estate market looks, and growth prospects over the next decade.1 You’ll also need to think about insurance and maintenance costs for the new building. In addition, moving expenses will also need to be factored into your budget.
Determine if you should buy or rent
The next thing to determine is whether you will buy or rent the new building. This query will help you a lot in your search for a location. There are pros and cons to each, but it depends on the car wash, the area, and how much capital you have.
One of the important benefits of buying property is that you can build equity. Buying means you own 100% of the building and the value of your business increases. You will also benefit from capital appreciation over time, depending on supply and demand. However, buying means a high upfront cost that you will have to pay out of pocket. Loss of liquidity may be something you cannot afford right now.
Renting a car wash property might be a better option. You will have a lower initial cost, which means more liquidity. Another positive is the flexibility because you can move out when the lease is up, reducing the worry of selling if necessary. One downside to renting is that rental prices have skyrocketed in recent years, leading to an increase in delinquencies among small business owners.2
Find a suitable place
Once you have decided on your budget, you can start looking for properties to move into. There are many factors to consider to make the best decision for you, your employees and your customers. You’ll want to consider traffic patterns when looking for a new location.3 Roads with slow moving traffic might be optimal because drivers are more likely to see your signs and ads.
You’ll also want to consider your customers and suppliers for the new site. How easy is it for them to access your business? Are there other laundromats and retailers in the area? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you’ll want to get input from your employees. Their insight can be valuable in your new location. You can send them to sites to inspect properties so they can see them first hand.
Make plans for the move
After finding a location, you’ll want to start planning your move. This process will take some time, so you’ll want to cover all the bases. Moving starts with the truck or trailer you use to transport your equipment. Be sure to do your trailer research before committing to a purchase.4
Set a timeline for how long you think the move will take. It is better to overestimate than to underestimate. Supply chain issues, weather, and other factors could delay the transition, so be careful with the timeline you set for the move. If you are downsizing your car wash, you may need to rent a storage facility to store your extra equipment and supplies.
Stagger the movement
Moving jobs can be a challenge for any car wash or small business. You may want to stay open as long as possible during the transition to keep making money. One strategy to maintain an income stream during the transition is to stagger the move.
Staggering allows you to operate two car washes simultaneously for a short time. Two locations may be hectic for a while, but it could be the most practical decision for your business. This allows you to continue your workflow and revenue as usual when you transition. During this time, you could gradually move machines and other equipment around, so you don’t have to shut down completely.
Notify customers of the move
Before you start or complete your move, you’ll want to make sure everyone knows about it, especially your customers. After all, customers are the backbone of your car wash. Let them know as soon as possible so they are prepared and can spread the word to others.
Use your social media pages early and often to give yourself updates on the go. The number of social media users has increased steadily over the past decade and will continue to increase.5Use your Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok accounts to make sure everyone knows you’re moving and where you’ll find your new car wash location.
Update all cards and websites
Updating customers on your new location is essential, and now you need to do the same with business cards, brochures, billboards and points of sale in the area. You should emphasize changing your address on Google because you don’t want customers to be directed to the wrong location on their GPS.6 Updating your address will help you optimize your search engine by giving the most current information to Internet users.
Contact the IRS
Another entity you should notify of your changes is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Let the IRS know that your address has changed so that your tax information stays current.7 After the IRS, you should also make sure the city or local government knows you’ve moved.
Your local tax collector and zoning office will need your new address to confirm that your tax information is ready so you can start doing business right away.
Ensure a smooth transition for your car wash
Relocating a business can be laborious, especially for a car wash. You could be moving down the street or across town, but the transition will be stressful either way.
To ensure a smooth transition, plan your move diligently and don’t rush it. Your customers, suppliers, and employees will appreciate a well-thought-out plan that serves everyone well.
Oscar Collins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Modded, where he writes about cars, trends and automotive news. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
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