My $300,000 Car Wash Disaster
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- Опубліковано 31 бер 2023
- Today we're going to talk about my nightmare renovation at the car wash. This $300,000 project was supposed to be finished months ago, but we're still not up and running. Let me know how you think I should handle the situation.
I have carwashes down to a science. If you want to do carwashes as well click the link:
investmentjoytraining.com - Розваги
As a general contractor i would go after the manufacturer as if they sent you promise date and failed then they owe you something as far as discount. I would also make sure they dont try to get you with covid price increase
Managing money is different from accumulating wealth, and the lack of investment education in schools may explain why people struggle to maintain their financial gains. The examples you provided are relevant, and I personally benefited from the market crisis, as I embrace challenging times while others tend to avoid them. Well, at least my advisor does too, jokingly.
Scammmmm
If the problem is just the pay station and you can run the wash manually... you could just hire someone on a temporary basis to take payment and start the wash for the customer.
@MR JOLLY 😂😂
Stay tuned for how we fixed it
@@renegadetouchless9172 I need help with my hose it well not working
@MR JOLLY $100k if you are the salesman... you can get basic push button paystation for $50k and less including installation.
@@JyroOne "you can get basic push button Playstation for $50k and less including installation."
50K for a basic PlayStation that's insane.. i know times are hard with all the scalpers but that's crazy.
I appreciate you highlighting the troubles and not just success with these car washes.
I learned after my 2021 laundromat build. Have a drop dead day. Everyday after reduces the price of the job by $100. But you have to put that in the contract from the start. Any project that will close your business has to have a deadline. Makes the contractors and subs have some skin in the game.
On $100/day, what was the total project size?
@@InvestmentJoy Wouldn't have to be very large if there are multiple contractors... I'd say if your investment is only 100K in the revamp, then that drop dead date if it is firmly set at 1 year after work is first started would have saved you a lot of money at this point. 365 * 100 dollars * 3 contractors... they'd be paying you at this point.
Welcome to the industry. You have all the right ideas, and seem to be heading in the right direction. You just have to experience some things like any other industry and it all becomes a routine, been at it myself since '08.
I appreciate that!
Keep your head up Brandon!!! You’re a great person and your channel is still great. I always watch your brother’s channel as well. Keep up the great work!
You need to add led rgb light everywhere. Believe it or not a lot of people like to go through car washes just for the pretty lights lol!
I agree
Seriously dude he’s right! We have two automatic car washes in town, but the one with the pink LED lights washes three times as many vehicles. Both are well maintained, but pretty lights win!
True
I would make sure you had options of liquidated damage dates on any contract I signed. Just to hold all parties accountable for their commitments.
I would be going after those that committed to timeframes for it. As an AV project manager I feel your pain. On the soap dispenser the manufacturers tend to use the acceptable level of spec to make things work to curb expenses, they're just tripping themselves up an get clients that don't return. The best recourse is to demand from them to install higher spec hoses so that you can refer others to them and keep buying from them... Or take your business somewhere else. Good luck, and thanks for all the openness and information, I'm learning a lot and I believe others too.
It would help to know if that was a projected date or more of a firm guaranty. Obviously if the distributor or installer is unable to get the items they need its not their fault.
Youve been around the block a few times now, contracts should have penalties for lack of performance in them by now.
From what I've seen a lot of these installing companies use pre-printed forms that do not allow for liquidated damage clauses
No contractors gonna take the job then or theyll price way higher. No go
@@InvestmentJoybecause it's their form and they don't want to pay for liquidated damages so they don't even include it. Everything is negotiable. Next time make sure you have an agreement in writing before work begins.
If you sue them now attorney fees will more then likely be more than it's worth and work will likely stop before it's even finished
@@TT-ik3kdit happens every day. Most contractors don't read what they sign. Hell most people never read what they sign. Have you read every contract you signed BEFORE you signed it? I know I have and if there is something I don't like I renegotiate
@@InvestmentJoy Hola.aga.video.en.español.o.tradusca.porque.no.entiendo.ni.papas.oky
I'm really looking forward to seeing the new improvements made. I'm north in Cleveland and I eventually need to stop by. I like both ends of soap you use. The alkaline will clean grime and acidic will remove minerals and water spots.
I know you mentioned a ceramic previously and as an upcharge you'd have cars even easier to clean and protect plus chemical resistance.
I think you're doing amazing! I hope to visit some day!
In the meantime be safe and well!
Thanks!
Depends on your contract and relationship with the suppliers, direct and respectful conversations go a long way.
HOSE SOLUTION
Hey there first off love your content and everything you do thank you so much for that. A little background for me I have repaired car washes for over 7 years now and I've had to deal with many busted hose problems. My immediate solution for any kind of high pressure no matter what PSI you are running is to use hydraulic hose with JIC fittings. I've never had a single one bust on high pressure water at any of the locations I have serviced. Depending on how you get it if you do it yourself it's about $3 a foot or if you go to your local auto parts store it may be more but most places like Napa can actually make the hose for you. Just be aware that you will pay a premium up front but it will last you years. The other benefit of getting a nylon core over steel core hose is if say your hose gets worn down because it's going over a corner and you do get a leak you can easily cut it and put a union in to repair it instead of replacing the entire hose.
I hope that works out for you if you have any Car Wash questions please hit me up!
This is what we ended up doing after the video. We had a couple more rounds w/ installers telling us the 200psi line was in-spec and just fine to use in this application. We ended up going with 3000psi hydraluic, steel braided hose. No failures so far.
@@InvestmentJoy Awesome sauce!
You will make it happen, you always do! You'll probably make a bigger profit on it than you expected once the renovation is done.
Hope so
I’d start the process of going after them and them seeing that you are changes a lot and really lights a 🔥 under peoples butts especially when it’s viewed by the public on social media.
There will be an update in 2-3 weeks here on YT with the resolution(s). What a.........fun......money pit this has been
It is still awesome to see your adventures.
Great video, love to see people making money, wishing you the best my man !!!!
Thanks!
your problem with the quarters spilling on the ground is that you need to place the bucket under it before you open it so ones that fall out of the box fall into the bucket instead of the floor. Also your an amazing influencer and entrepreneur I like you bro
You have valid points for negotiation with the implied possibility of litigation. Lawsuits basically help no one other than the lawyers, but the threat of a lawsuit often results in concessions and adjustments.
if you think lawsuits just help lawyers then manage your own case then! Basically, dont go see a dentist, accountant etc just do it yourself.
@@TheRm65 bah thats it
in canada unless its for small claims forget trying to self represent without any legal background
lawyers need to get paid and without litigation then they wouldnt have a job
its worth getting representation or else suffer consequences such as being disrespected etc in court.
jfc, go to your local parts store and get a hydraulic hose made. no hose with a hose clamp is good over 100 psi.
and why have electronics in the same room with water hoses? buy a server rack to put electronics in to protect it
Nothing you can do, construction is just a disaster right now
the opening line this vid is the best opener i've ever heard LOL i have been dying for the past 5 mins at that line hahaha
Which one? My editor didn't like any of the intro :D
@Investment Joy This dumpster is a great example of the dumpster fire that we kinda got going on at the car wash today 😂 - it's very catchy!
let see what happen 😮 to your business bro
We will see, hope all is well in your part of the world!
That's terrible! I'm sorry to hear about your car wash. I would also switch the chemicals to Kleen Rite or Simoniz if you ever get your car wash fixed
We're buying chemicals from one of kleen rite's suppliers ;)
@@InvestmentJoy
Cool
That low pressure needs to be a higher pressure hose. When the pump changes different soaps you sometimes get back pressure that will blow that hose
You can get from a local hydraulic shop either hose made with crimp ends or just buy the reusable ends and lengths of hose..
wow. this is an old school car wash. i love the new car washes because you don't have to pay extra to vacuum.
It's a business decision on the owners end. At some point once we get it straightened out will do free vacuums for customers who use the new wash. Whether you realize it or not you're paying for the vacuum in the long term because the owner offers free vacuum as an incentive to join their membership program. And in the membership program you're paying even though you don't wash your car on rainy days
@@InvestmentJoy we have a wash that its free any time to vacuum wash or not but he wins client's with the free vacuum
After my last renovation from you know where. I had given them a start date at the beginning of January, but they didn't start until the end and we moved back into our house 3 days before I gave birth to my son. They were supposed to be 3 weeks for what they were doing. It was fixing flooring and laying new flooring, trim work, and carpet and redoing the bathroom. Which was a tub with molded surround, new tub hardware a prefab vanity and just rehooking up the toilet. It was not a huge project as it was only 900Sq ft of appt. I checked in often and it is like they worked for the first week sat for 2 weeks did nothing a bit the third and when I said we need to be back in it was a crappy rush job. This time around for a basement it will have many more clauses to protect me the homeowner against shotty work and nonwork/delays.
Dang
yeah a lot of contractors are shady, gotta protect yourself
I work for a gas station that has a car wash and were still getting delays in the supply and labor area's. Not sure much can be done in either case but wait. We've tried to sidestep and use other companies and find our own parts needed with little to no positive results. Good luck
have a look at steel braded hoses, they should withstand more then enough pressure.
I had the same problem when I got my emergency whole home electricity back home generator. I paid the contractor half and was ready to pay them the other half. They had problems with labor. I had previously tried to hire a different contractor first but he told me he didn't have a plumber for the gas work. They were supposed to install this in a month and it took them 6 months due to holidays and 2nd wave of coronavirus hitting.
You have to get like 3 or 4 washing boxes, so where the customer can wash their car by them self with a pressure washer ect.
Then you can make it 24/7 open.
Here in The Netherlands we have the same, were making 40.000 euro a year, without the carwash !
As a diesel mechanic I'd say use hydraulic lines instead and have them made at a Parker store. Since your in Ashville the closest Parker store is in canal Winchester. Or maybe even napa could help you right down the street. Take both the hose and all the fittings related to the hose
I'm surprised you don't have commitment dates/penalty clauses for non-performance. I would consider trying to encourage a faster delivery, potentially alternatively source, while having your attorney prepare a Nasty-Gram to ding them for breach of contract. But, I don't know all the details.
Hi, love the videos. I'd redo the system room to have a drain in centre of the room with metal grate. Also you can get leak smart water sensor and also get smart fire sensor. Create metal casing around pipes and everything, with drain holes at bottom. If leak it will go downward into drain. OK but if f about but it will stop this happening again and causing you big dollars. Do this when you do panels. With the collection of coins, get a metal worker to make you sqaure bin that slots into wall. Like hanging. All the best From Bill in the UK.
We've considered going this route. Granted we DO have a central drain in each location, just hard to notice in the video since it matches the floor colors.
Hey Brandon thank you for the content I always enjoy watching your video's, I have one question do you own the Real Estate for this car wash or do lease it?
I am in the exact same situation you are now. My Wash World Razor showed up on December 20th. I have done everything my self so far and just have electrical left. Hope you get this thing finished soon. What brand/model is your new pay station?
Also why would that Goldline not work temporarily until the new pay station shows up?
Another Hamilton commander. We ended up using the acw4 (it's before a gold line) in the mean time
The reason that 250psi hose keeps blowing is because it has too much back pressure. Looks like the side blaster hp line. We fixed ours doing that by adding more gph nozzles to the side blasters. assuming thats a washworld or a laserwash
I would be like I can't wait that long. I can't have this be down for too long, and we're almost back into normalcy if it was me I would pressure them a little bit to deliver at the deadline that I set after numerous delays if they can't deliver I'll have to find someone else.
I'm surprised your car washes do good at all. I guess is different market than most I see. Most of these car washes like this our totally gone in our area and have several of the new ones that are manned, you drive thru and includes free vacuum at the end. No timer on vacuum cleaner or having to put change in. Can even sign up for monthly deal and get you car washed as much as you want.
Id look into having a steel braided hose made for that hose problem, it might be worth the extra cost and peace of mind
steel braided hoses are expensive, and thats alot of hose length, but yeah maybe replace the ones that keep breaking first.
Use hydraulic hose.
Expensive? Oh, yea.
Will it break? Sure, 10 years from now.
I would put some sort of moisture sensor or water level sensor to alert you of leaks or blown hoses.
Where did the hoses fail at the connection I notice they are hose clamped. Not all clamps are created equal. If it's coming apart at the fitting try putting a oetiker style clamp on it.
What you do now depends on how committed you are to your investment. I'm sure you already know what the projected cash flow from this investment will generate. It would be nice to hold those contractors to their commitments and getting a discount or rebate from them for being late, but that's wishful thinking. You really have to press ahead and finish it out so the car wash can start paying of your loan.
This is a good example of cow business is harder than people think. Lots of people believe that business is doing nothing but make money and rip people off. There's another side to that coin.
While the 200 PSI hose may be able to handle 250 PSI on occasion, it's not designed to do it on either 1000's of cycles or for long durations, else they'd rate it higher. I'd go at least 300 PSI rated to give it some margining, but 500 PSI just that much better.
Don't use FRP outside unless it's UV rated. (Under the vacs)
Kind of
We have one In our self serve bays and it saves the back and the time to collect from the bays directly
Need to get away from that quarter crap and get to a card system
If you’re not hurting, just keep getting updates. If it were me, I’m broke, so I’d probably hand wash cars in the bay so I can make some money to pay on the loan.
damn, thats rough :( (especially the payment station, what's up with that? component shortage?) but this is looking to be a pretty spiffy car wash! i don't think it's a disaster, just a delayed excellent investment. i would definitely hold everyone you're making agreements with to committing to them though. you've done amazing things before though obviously, im sure you'll make this work too!!
I'm not sure, the station during covid was quick, now it's 4x longer to get. The next carwash video will be more positive
Can I get the old vacuums ?😂
We're selling em, they're 120v systems if you're interested.
I think this is why you see a lot of car washes with 2 automatic bays.
Kind of : In the end they tend to do quite well $$$wise with touchless and soft-touch
Hose burst issue-Is that going to your chem injectors? If so check your pressure regulator. turn on an output with a small flow (tire cleaner for example) and make sure the pressure isn't excessively high. I use continental insta grip which KR has and have never had a problem like that it has a 300psi working pressure. A friend of mine is using yolink for many applications at his var wash including water detection and vibration (vandalism) and he highly recommends them.
Braided PVC vinyl hose for anything high pressure. While you might have something rated for 200 PSI. You will in time experience bulging and eventually a line busting. Not all of those lines would call for higher tho. Its very dependent on the situation without seeing things in person hard to make a call tho. PVC > Rubber at the end of the day.
Money is money get what you can get however you need to get. Fair and professional is the attitude you should always maintain.
Get a guy to check the wash daily. That 200psi hose is a bypass for the high pressure unloader it looks like. If you are blowing that hose, you've got nozzles plugged on the high pressure. Or if you are using hot water, could be cooking the hose. Been repairing carwashes 25 years, I've see that blow lots. Clean nozzle and it's fine
Simplify the process. Hire an attendant to process cc transactions. Install a temp switch to start machine giving everyone a high end wash for same price.
Definitely change out the underspecced hose. No question. Most towns with an industrial base will have hose specialists. Failing that go to the next bigger town.
Similarly, there should be some repair company, local or up the chain, that can come up with an idea how to put the carwashes into service- used parts, manual runnings, liek the guy says a human addendant or two. Remember car washes are season- the busiest is early spring- like right now. Don't miss it!
If the vacuums work, but the carwash doesn't- put a mobile temporary street sign sign and run the vacuums for free for a couple weeks, just to get people to pull in. People are crazy "place-specific"- it's hard wired in us, long story- but if someone comes in for a freebie...they will be back.
Being in the c-store wholesale fuel business my father always said every time we invested capital in land and buildings no matter how new and shiny it was always the people that made the difference .
How many employees did you have?
@@InvestmentJoy Quite a few back in 70's - 90's , unfortunately the EPA politicized environmental regulations and cleanups of properties and there was a cash grab from the State and environmental cleanup companies . Watching your video was great but my first thought was the hell the water regulations you must be up against but I don't know , it was just a feeling .
Always over spec, Especially if it blew twice. I think the "water hammer" effect could be playing large part in the lines blowing. causing it to go above the pressure rated for the hoses. may need to change out the pluming a bit.
I would find out if there is high pressure hose but from the place the fire service use
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but perhaps adding a water hammer arrestor to the solenoid manifold might solve the hose problem!
Never go by the minimum manufacturer pressure spec. Always... ALWAYS doubt that spec at least if you want to keep blowouts of hoses from happening.
Keep after them let know if they do not get done you can not make money to pay the payments
I would look at penalties when negotiating your contracts etc even with buying the machines etc see what room you have and put in the penalties give them that kick up the arse to get the job don within a timely manner a few days a week or 2 at most within reasons acceptable 3 months is ripping the piss tbh
Something we're gonna have to mandate in the future I think
@Investment Joy deffo don't know how it varies from the uk to the us
But normally theres a contingency allowance for overun and for means outwith any parties control but ultimately when you go to tender they should be scoping how long parts etc will be for arrival and provide it in there qoute and allows a fair contract to be wrote up that favours both parties
Hoping you get it sorted love to see more car wash videos keep it up
There's probably a lot of water hammer happening with solenoid opening and closing... That style hose clamp isn't the most secure. I'd look into an industrial hose supply to make crimped hoses with the proper fittings.
Yep!
I'm in the process of having an express wash built. It was supposed to be up and running this month and my new finish date is in June...
Ouch, hopefully it gets better
water hammer can cause pressure spikes that will burst hoses that are rated slightly above operating pressure. water hammer occurs when water is running through a pipe and is suddenly stopped, usually by an automatic valve (solenoid). the water slams against the closed valve, and a pressure wave reflects back. in building plumbing, you can get a device called a "hammer arrestor" that is placed near the valve.
After research we have one, the issue is the regulator still jumps up once in a while due to vibrations, we put on a blow off valve and went with a 3kpsi hose
HEART-BREAKING no quarters water falls!🤑😁😎
They shoulda zoomed in when i got quarters from the middle bay, it was pretty decent
Just a thought, but maybe adding some drainage to your pump room to prevent future accidents from waterlogging the room would benefit you long term.
We have it, just easy to overload
I manage a heavy commercial and industrial HVAC company. We are experiencing longer equipment delays than during Covid, and it will not get better. Manufacturers no longer have to pay to keep inventory stocked on hand, they manufacture the equipment when it’s ordered. We don’t send any contracts out anymore that don’t protect us from equipment delays beyond our control, installation dates are an estimate anymore. Grainger sells all kind of high pressure/high temperature hose rated far more than 200 psi, all different diameters as well.
What kind of increases are you guys seeing?
@@InvestmentJoy we ordered a rather large replacement rooftop HVAC system for a hospital last month. Normal lead time for that system used to be around 4-6 weeks. This time it’s 66 weeks, yes a year.
@@InvestmentJoy We have a school project ongoing, school work is usually scheduled around summer break for major work, obviously.
That Job has some Trane equipment that when the job was spec’d out by the engineer was a 20 week lead time. After the equipment was ordered, that changed to 50 weeks. Small issue if the brand new wing of an Elementary School doesn’t have heat or A/C for 30 additional weeks…
I'd build a payment box myself. Raspberry PI hooked up to a Square? payment gateway, screen, camera with qr code scanner, notifications for you.
Then you have more control of the whole system. You've got GPIO to trigger the doors or lights and other features, You've got the ability then to run your own website, memberships, promos etc and get the box access to it. Maybe a local makerspace could help you get there if that's kinda out of reach.
Very much considering that for laundromats
It's difficult to say what I'd do. I hate that Corona still has ripple effects throughout every industry, even to this day. Sadly I to am at the mercy of supply chain for some parts, with no relief in sight. It's a poop sandwich for sure, especially on our end where we just have to sit and wait.
What was on the contract that everybody signed? That’s the first place to start.
Did the hose physically break apart or did it come disconnected? We use very similar appearance 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 red hose at my place of work where they are energized to 95 psi and I can't recall any hoses busting, but what we have had is connections fail. We now have dix lock connections with a locking collar and they work great.
they said multiple times the hose burst
Take that problem hose and the fittings on the end and replace it with a high pressure hydraulic hose. Until that time double clamps on either end, using high quality clamps. 100% stainless
This is what we did post video!
No vacuum machine should cost $30K. Not even an industrial one.
So my thoughts. Frp covered walls are a thing of the past. They age, dont look good, and arent smooth. I like the bare concrete look, bright LED lights, the fancy new looking led light vacuums that are just the wands, etc. Well lit and trendy. Frp says old school.
Is that just regular unlined rubber hose,if so I’d look into inner lined high pressures or steel braded, it cost more but it’s worth it in the long run
Plz fix the air in the lines at ashville carwash
I like the doors on your automatic car wash, I have never seen doors like that before.
Thx
i would keep on them but you should not make all the changes at once i would do one thing at a time then more updates until they are all done
What does your contractor agreement say? It should spell out penalties for delays. If it doesn't then make sure you get that next time
I would send out a few demand letters and either get money back or the product quicker
1,200 cars in February. @$15 each wash is 18k +vacuum and self serve. Sounds like a fun business to consider.
:)
I am a GC here on west coast and build these car washes. If you got 15 years out of that FRP that is amazing as most FRP installations don't last 5 years. If our client wants FRP in their tunnel we will not warrantee it as it simply does not last. We use a spray on fiberglass over a Dens Guard / Dens Armor substrate (fiberglass based board). We have a subcontractor that comes out and sprays the whole tunnel and it lasts 30+ years or longer (never had a call back on one yet). Chances are that when you tear off the FRP in your tunnel you will find mold which will require the replacement of the substrate.. Also, I would not use FRP outdoors around you vacuum units...It won't last. Good Luck.
That's really interesting. For our automatic we used extra Tech which is more or less coroplastic.
FRP has been the recommendation to us for quite some time because people tend to be on the walls with the brush during the winter and the expanded plastic wall gets very brittle in the cold but FRP does not. I'm very curious does your solution hold up well to people beating it?
@@InvestmentJoy YES...Once the fiberglass is sprayed on it stands up to hammers or anything heavy that bumps into it. Obviously not a car that rams it...But that will only do local damage and can be repaired a lot easier than FRP.
@@GR-eu1hm very cool Is there a brand name?
It would be easy to change the hose to a 500 psi go walk into any hydraulic hose company and ask them to make you one with 3/4 fittings at least that’s what they look like
To me it seems like the workers are purposely dragging it out as long as they can...
You could get everything finished within a week with the right team
No enthusiasm and meh people...
Or try a few new people who know their stuff
All the best 👍 ❤
soapy quarters? sounds like money laundering LOL
Hold those to their timelines and contracts. Work with them.on new terms for dates and price.
Just curious and a possible thought on the high pressure hose. Can you use a hydraulic hose ? It would cost more than a garden hose but well worth it
Down here in Destin, FL. They build hi tech car wash and vacuum sites
This is my high tech carwash in Ohio
Well with the delay on the paystation it might make it before the wash. Hold all parties for loss, leave it to the lawyers! Use the Peter Blunt system!
When you do get it installed make sure your lines are not pinched like last time!
Get WIFI water shutoff to monitor. You might even have the control! Have the plumber put it in. Cameras in mechanical room!
Almost sounds like a bad check valve farther down the line causing the hose to over pressurize
Keep pushing forward, Control what you can control and let go of the rest. And as always, Go Blue!
Thanks!
Hydraulic hose and fitting cost more but last almost forever
Determine who's at fault.... Can they get the materials or are the over booked....
I'd ask the installers to give you a discount or some freebies for being egregiously behind on schedule.
availability of finished goods will never recover.
Go to your local hydraulic shop and get custom hoses made. Replace all high pressure hoses with custom ones
Yep, this is what we ended up doing (You'll see it in the forthcoming video).