SelfServeDogWash.com Message Board

exhaust necessary for laundry room?

Michael — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:22:17 GMT

Has anyone installed an exhaust fan in their laundry room to eliminate excessive moisture? My HVAC guy is telling me this will be necessary due to the operation of the washer/dryer. I am planning on 2 - 3 loads a day and don't see this as causing excessive moisture.

What have you experienced?

Starting from scratch

Billy — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:12:38 GMT

Hello Everyone! I live in Tennessee and am approximately 3 hours from the nearest SSDW. I have been researching online and am so happy that I came across this website. I would love to hear any suggestions / ideas you could give me from your experiences in the start up. I am in the beginning stages of this process, but am very interested in opening one. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

buildout costs?

Naomi — Thur, 08 May 2008 18:32:43 GMT

Hi Everyone!

First of all, I want to say thanks to Dave for putting together this website and writing such and informative book. We've been sooooo lucky to have found you. Thank God for the internet!

We're well into the planning stages and I've been reading everything that I can find (including each and every post on the message board!)

We've narrowed our search for lease space down to two potential sites. Either could be really great. One is a second generation space in an older, well-established retail center that's within walking distance of a very popular dog park. It needs quite a bit of remodeling. It is a 30 minute drive from our home and running about $24 psf plus NNN. The other is within 10 minutes of our home in a brand new (shell space) strip plaza next door to a very well established veterinarian (ours). The area around this space is growing like mad with new businesses opening all the time. This space would run about $18 plus NNN. They are comparable in size (1600sf and 1700 respectively).

Here's my quandary...

We just got our first bid for finishing out the shell space to our specifications. It amounted to $145,000 or $85psf!!!! The landlord has offered initially to pay about $35K towards that. That cost does not include our tubs, display cases, or anything else specific to our business with the exception of the plumbing in the walls. I could build a house for not much more psf than that. Yes... I am getting other bids, but I'm scared that they're all going to come back that high.

We're not doing anything that special. That bid did not include any mill-work. We're leaving the HVAC exposed. We're plumbing for 6 tubs and a bathroom and wiring for 4 dryers. We're putting up drywall throughout the space and adding an office and a groomer's room. How does that add up?

Has anyone here built out a raw space? If so, would you care to share your experience? I sure would appreciate hearing anything anyone has got to say! :confused:

Thanks a ton!
Naomi

SSDW for Sale in SE Louisiana

Vicky — Thur, 08 May 2008 15:26:43 GMT

Business located just north of new olreans on the northshore.

2 1/2 year old dogwash/retail business for sale. Just added a groomer a few months ago and that has defintely added to bottom line. 5 bathing stations, 4 drying stations. Selling due to family commitments.

Please, only serious inquiries. 985-674-2252 (Vicky)

Summer slowdown?

Monte — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:40:15 GMT

I've read and heard from others that summer is generally slower than winter. With that in mind I'm curious about the extent of the slowdown.

I understand each location is different. Just curious about others experiences.

Please offer your thoughts and experiences.

Regards

Monte

Grates vs Mats

Theresa — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:47:09 GMT

What do you think workes better in the stainless tubs? Grates or Mats? Also I am getting ready to order my 4 tubs and wondered if someone can tell me where they have found the best deals? Also do you think that I need to have a tub with a ramp or stairs? Thanks for all and any advise

FLEAS

Theresa — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:43:42 GMT

Has anyone had a problem with fleas at their shop and if so how did you remedy the situation.

Tip on Towels

Kevin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:53:10 GMT

If you are using terry cloth towels, try going to local hotels/motels and see if they will give you their used towels. I have a girl that brings me a half a dozen a week (free). Some are in great shape and the rest I use for rags. I give her a free wash for her troubles.

SSDW open now a baby on the way

C. K. — Thur, 01 May 2008 23:38:39 GMT

Just wanted to see if anyone has opened a ssdw or small business and has a small family also. I recently opened a SSDW and just found out I'm pregnant. We're in our 2nd month in the business and things are going great. We have even made enough in the 1st month to cover expenses which I've heard is pretty rare in business. I'm just nervous about working 6 days a week with a new born and/or having enough funds to hire someone ft. Any advice?

Thanks

Keep an eye on your bills! (advice and a bit of a rant)

Fred Fontaine — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:05:16 GMT

Mondays is my "day off" from my dog wash I was just going over the bills to get a look at my expenses.
I noticed that some things just didn't look right on my phone bill and my merchant services (credit card acceptance people) bills.
They make it impossible to figure what you are actually paying for.
So I called both companies and asked for a detailed explanation of the invoices, and lo and behold I was being WAY overcharged for a variety of things. The "adjustments" to the invoices amounted to hundreds of dollars! If I had not asked it could have amounted to thousands over the course of the year.
I am not really a conspiracy guy, but I do think they do it on purpose. They know that small businesses are probably too busy to keep a close eye on things, and larger businesses would probably just have some low level accounts payable person send the check without taking a close look as it's not their money.
And by the way Verizon has THE WORST customer service. They put you on hold forever and flat out refuse to call you back. I will be switching my phone and internet service to my cable provider asap. (Although I don't really anticipate it will be much better.)
I really don't understand why a company like Verizon will spend millions on advertising to attract customers, yet treats existing customers so poorly.
Well I'm off to enjoy the rest of my one day off.

Fred
www.medwaydogwash.com

Looking for Daves book

Andrea — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:25:20 GMT

Does anyone have daves 2nd eddition book (CD) they would like to sell second hand?
I'm just looking to save some $$.

Thanks,

Andrea

Finding a groomer?

Theresa — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:21:57 GMT

I have put an ad in the newspaper for a groomer and have had no response. Anyone got any ideas how I can find a groomer for my shop?:confused:

Best selling retail products

Michael — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:52:54 GMT

For those of you that carry retail, which of your items are your best sellers?

Wholesale Products

Evopit — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:07:14 GMT

Hi,

We have started our business plan to open our own SSDW, and are stuck in one area...We are trying to figure out the prices we would be able to buy our retail products for (ie: collars, toys). Does anyone have an idea who on the wholesale side of things we could contact?

Thanks!

Evopit

lease & lease property

Julie — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:45:11 GMT

I am having trouble finding decent space in my town. I had a nice place picked out in a small strip mall last fall, but the landlord changed his mind. He was unsure about the dogs and water.
The 2nd place had a lease that was unintelligable and I declined after a lawyer gave his negative opinion.
Now I'm holding another lease, about to talk specifics, and finding things aren't ideal.
Should I be having this much trouble finding a good location? Is it time to look in another town?
Anybody's opinion is welcome. thanks! Julie