Evaluate the site as a system
A suitable floor area doesn't guarantee a convenient wash. A car needs to drive in, park, get washed, and drive out without getting in the way of the next one. If the entrance is narrow or the turning radius is awkward, throughput will be limited by logistics, not by the number of bays.
Evaluate the site as a whole: access from the road, space for a queue, equipment placement, access to utilities, and the ability to service one bay without shutting down the others.
Basic parameters per bay
These figures are given per bay and scale proportionally. For two or three bays, the technical area doesn't simply double — some equipment is shared, so it's better to run the exact calculation for your specific project.
Electricity is the most common problem
Three-phase power and a dedicated capacity are needed from the start. Connecting or increasing capacity takes both time and money, and both of those depend on the grid operator in your city, not on you.
A landlord's promise of "we'll get you 380V" isn't the same as having the technical specifications in hand.
Water supply and drainage
A stable volume and pressure are required. A well, a centralized water supply, or delivery — each option has its own economics, and you need to calculate them in advance.
Drainage is governed by wastewater treatment requirements. A septic system or a water recycling system is a mandatory part of the project, not something you can add later.
Climate: what matters in Siberia and the Urals
The GEIZER network operates in Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo, Surgut, Kogalym, and Novy Urengoy. In these regions, a heated bay isn't an option — it's a condition for year-round operation.
When choosing premises, check: the possibility of insulation, heating for the technical area, pipe freeze protection, and heating for the pad in front of the doors. In winter, it's exactly these small details that decide whether the site is running or standing idle.
What to check before signing
- Technical specifications for electricity — in writing, not just verbally
- Water source, its hardness, and the stability of the supply
- Drainage approval and space for the septic tank
- Entry width and turning radius for a passenger car
- Visibility from the road and the possibility of placing signage
- Permitted land use and the designated purpose of the premises