I am considering starting a self serve dog wash business. Does anyone have feedback on their dog wash store?

Is a self serve dog wash business profitable? If so how long did it take to get established, get a good client base and get in the black? Is there a good place to purchase equipment used or wholesale? Any tips for setup, supplies, services?I am considering starting a self serve dog wash business. Does anyone have feedback on their dog wash store?
YES, I have advice! It can be profitable. Make sure someone on the staff is experienced with grooming, and better yet, have a professional grooming service on site. How long it takes to get ';in the black'; depends on your overhead. The person I know who tried it failed because of too high an overhead, and the fact she ran off her good groomer and couldn't get another one before she lost it all.





Her rent was around $1200 a month, and it wasn't easily visible from the main road, though the shopping plaza she was in was on a main highway. In fact pretty much every business in that plaza is defunct. Only 1 anchor store is there now, and it came AFTER everything else closed.





Get as good equipment as you can afford. Double K dryers are the best in my opinion, but you can get by with a good Metro Air Force for each grooming/bathing station. I know there are some internet sites that sell refurbished equipment, but don't remember where to find them now.





I suggest visiting a few established, successful businesses and learn from what you observe. Take a dog there and wash it. What do you like and not like about the experience? Use that to make your own business better.I am considering starting a self serve dog wash business. Does anyone have feedback on their dog wash store?
I have a self service dog wash that I started in 1995. I don't know of any that have survived without full service grooming as well. I'm in the south and there seem to be more up north, probably because winters are longer and colder and you can't do the dog outside except in the summer. I made all my own tubs and tables but I didn't have to deal with govt regs about what I could use. A friend in NJ had to use regular bathtubs to meet regs and had to jump through all kinds of hoops to pass inspections along the way. It just depends on how business friendly your state is.





You really should visit as many dog washes as you can to see how different ones are set up and how they operate, set prices, etc. You should also do a search on self service dog washes.





Your biggest problem today will be the recession. People always cut back on the dog first and business is getting pretty bad in most places. I'm able to stay afloat but I've lost suppliers, get lots of calls from groomers looking for work and suppliers trying to push products with special offers. My blade sharpener has told me that the groomers at the big box stores are now working part time. The vets in my area are also being affected, so much so that you can practically get walk-in service as opposed to waiting a week to get in.





My best advice would be do your homework, lots of it. Just finding a place to rent for a dog business is difficult. It took me months and my friend took even longer. There is an awful lot to consider, especially now.
I think that is a wonderful idea!! I live i a small town and the closest petsmart is like 15 to 20 mins away and they charge 15 dollars just to wash and cut nail of my short hair dorkie (dachshund/ yorkie) When the self service dog wash opened I was so excited and the charge 10 dollars for a 5 min wash! It has all the different types of shampoos from oatmeal, flea and even a de-skunk solution lol poor puppy!lol I enjoy it and so does my puppy it gives us a chance to bond and its cheaper, closer, and less time! So good luck!!!
In this economy a self serve dog wash sounds like a wash. People can wash their own dogs for less.