Small self-service car wash (buy an existing site)

Local drivers, pickup and truck owners, people with muddy or oversized vehicles, and anyone who can't or won't use a drive-through wash.

Customers pay by time using coins, bills or cards, with extra income from vacuums, vending machines and sometimes a pet wash or detailing bay. Costs are mainly water, power, chemicals, repairs and the site itself.

• Basic mechanical and plumbing know-how
• Organizing routine site checks and repairs
• Reading simple financial statements when buying a business
• Dealing with customer issues like stuck machines

• Zoning, water and sewer rules, and wastewater or oil-water separator requirements, which vary by city, county and state, so check before buying
• General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire help
• Whether the land is owned or leased, and the lease terms if it is leased
• Aging equipment, such as pumps, boilers and payment machines, can be expensive to replace
• Higher water and utility rates, freezing weather and drought restrictions in some areas
• Check past utility bills and income records carefully before buying

Startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $400,000, depending on the site, whether the land is owned or leased, and the condition of the equipment. Check past utility bills and income records carefully before buying.

Check zoning, water and sewer rules, and wastewater or oil-water separator requirements, which vary by city, county and state. Also check insurance, including workers' compensation if you hire help, and the lease terms if the land is leased.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, equipment condition and local conditions. Aging equipment can be expensive to replace, and water and utility rates, freezing weather or drought restrictions can affect results.