MainStreetKeys

What is my car wash worth?

Car washes have the highest average earnings multiple in BizBuySell's industry table. Part of that is because many sales include the land and building. Membership plans and equipment age move the value most.

Avg SDE multiple

4.87×

Typical range

3.51–5.89×

Avg revenue multiple

1.96×

Median sale price

$800K

BizBuySell industry row: Car Washes. Sales often include real estate, which raises the multiple. Range applies the typical quartile spread (0.72×–1.21× of the average, from BizBuySell's HVAC quartiles) because no trade quartiles are published. Source: BizBuySell — Business Valuation Multiples by Industry (businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026).

Value your car wash

Let's estimate what your business is worth. Seven quick questions, no email needed.

Trade: Car wash ·

Which state is it in?

Worked example

Hypothetical. An express tunnel wash with a site manager. About 40% of revenue is monthly memberships.

  • Revenue $700,000, owner earnings (SDE) $260,000, 12 years, about 40% recurring, “I manage, my team does the work”.
  • Start at the published 4.87× average.
  • Owner involvement: I manage, my team does the work: +0.15×. Buyers pay more when the business runs without the owner.
  • Recurring revenue 30–59%: +0.10×. Some contracted or repeat revenue.
  • 12 years in business: +0.10×. Long, proven history.
  • Adjusted multiple 5.22× × $260,000 = $1,357,000, range $978,000 – $1,643,000.
  • Revenue cross-check: $700,000 × 1.96× = $1,372,000.

What raises the price

  • Monthly unlimited-wash memberships
  • Owned real estate on a busy road
  • Newer tunnel or in-bay equipment
  • Low labor needs and good reporting

What lowers it

  • Old equipment that needs replacing
  • A short ground lease
  • No membership program
  • A new competitor nearby

Calculating SDE for a car wash

Start from net profit on your tax return or P&L, then add back:

  • Owner salary
  • Depreciation
  • Interest
  • One-time equipment repairs

Only add back what a buyer can verify. See SDE explained: how to calculate owner earnings and add-backs for a full walkthrough.

If there are two working owners, the second owner's salary usually stays as a cost, because a buyer will need to replace that person.

Questions

Does the multiple include the real estate?

BizBuySell's figure is sale price over owner earnings, and many car-wash sales include property. If you lease, expect a lower number than the average.

How this estimate works

We start from the published average multiple for businesses in this category that actually sold, adjust it for owner involvement, recurring revenue, track record and size, and apply it to your owner earnings. Read the full valuation methodology, including what we don't do.

Related trades

Compare other trades

TradeAvg SDE multipleAvg revenue multipleMedian sale priceBasis
Plumbing2.61×0.69×$699,000Trade row
HVAC2.83×quartiles 1.99–3.33×0.60×$750,000Trade row
Electrical2.77×0.63×$1,009,000Trade row
Landscaping2.49×0.72×$449,950Trade row
Pool service / routes2.61×0.83×—Sector average (no trade row)
Pest control2.46×quartiles 1.69–3×1.01×$250,000Trade row
Cleaning2.25×0.72×$281,500Trade row
Roofing2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Auto repair2.85×0.65×$430,000Trade row
Salon / barbershop2.10×0.52×$117,375Trade row
Restaurant2.18×quartiles 1.34–2.53×0.39×$220,000Trade row
Daycare / child care3.28×quartiles 1.94–4.03×0.88×$380,000Trade row
Dental practice2.75×quartiles 1.6–3.37×0.76×$350,000Trade row
Gym / fitness center2.54×quartiles 1.72–3×0.70×$204,000Trade row
Insurance agency2.87×quartiles 1.88–3.44×1.52×$500,000Trade row
Accounting / tax / bookkeeping2.27×quartiles 1.61–2.66×1.08×$450,000Trade row
Moving company2.52×quartiles 1.8–3.11×0.63×$350,000Trade row
IT services / MSP3.22×quartiles 2.2–3.87×1.08×$726,800Trade row
Locksmith2.35×0.75×$300,000Trade row
Pet grooming2.30×quartiles 1.38–2.51×0.63×$152,500Trade row
Laundromat3.70×1.33×$250,000Trade row
Car wash4.87×1.96×$800,000Trade row
Towing3.28×0.95×$1,250,000Trade row
Dry cleaning2.11×quartiles 1.42–2.55×0.77×$253,500Trade row
Coffee shop / cafe2.27×0.47×$150,000Trade row
Dog daycare / boarding3.27×1.08×$412,500Trade row
Concrete2.54×0.61×$780,000Trade row
Painting2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Garage door2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Handyman2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Tree service2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Appliance repair2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Junk removal2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Other main-street business2.61×0.83×$350,000General main-street range

Source: BizBuySell, Business Valuation Multiples by Industry, businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026; quartiles from BizBuySell's valuation benchmark pages (sold 2021–2025). Pool, tree service, appliance repair, and junk removal use the Service Businesses sector average. Roofing, painting, garage door, and handyman use the Building and Construction sector average. “Other” uses the Service Businesses sector. Junk removal is not the Junk and Salvage Yards row. Retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.

Estimates for information only; not an appraisal or an offer. MainStreetKeys is not a business broker. Data retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.