With about 5000 cars entering this economy on a monthly basis (or is it annually?) I am thinking car wash business would be on demand for a longer period. But again, Wazuan wisdom would proof me wrong(Or right) Is it a viable business? Approximately how much would I need to start off? What are the pros n cons? Lets talk...

your biggest running cost I think would be water. If you can figure out how much water is used to wash a car, then multiply by some factor, you could probably get a good idea of the volume of water needed for the business.

I agree with Digitek1.Rent will be low at first but as you grow the landlord/his buddies will want your biz thus rent could be hiked insanely.Kanjo is also another issue especially if your car wash is along the road reserve.

It's a good business, and cheap to start... I think you will need just a few hundred bob - definitely less than Sh1,000.

You need two buckets (25L each) and two cotton hand towels. Probably a half litre of car shampoo.

You can start outside your house - then you fetch the water from your laundry tap.

Now this might seem like going too low; but read about the founders of Parapet Cleaners Ltd [now located at Wilson Airport]. That's how they started.

Good idea... location and rent! These and only these two factors determine whether it will work.

Because there's one around every corner, and you need location with good traffic, and with 20 cars daily you would already cover your costs excluding rent.

Good Luck

Inspiring!

Apart from single business permit, what other licenses would I need to operate a car wash business?

@mayai! You don't appear serious but I hope you are not always this way.
Are there NEMA issues like impact assesment requirement?