Bespoke Valet Bays and Wash Bays for Car Dealerships
Car dealerships need vehicles prepared, cleaned, and ready — whether for the forecourt, a handover, or a service return. Doing that work outside is weather-dependent and unprofessional. Doing it in a proper steel structure, purpose-built for the job, is not.
It’s a sheltered building, a lightweight building that provides cover when the valeting or washing process is taking place. |
Advantage Engineering Solutions designs and builds bespoke valet bays and wash bays from our workshop in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. We fabricate the steel structure, install it ourselves, and work in partnership with a trusted construction company to handle drainage, water supply, and electrics — so the customer does not need to coordinate separate trades. Every bay is custom-built to the exact dimensions of the site and the operational requirements of the business. No standard sizes. No kit-build solutions.
Enquire Here
Valet Bay or Wash Bay — What Is the Difference?
The distinction matters because it affects cost, planning, and what you can actually do in the space.
A valet bay is for dry cleaning only. No water involved — polishing, vacuuming, dressing, detailing. The structure provides cover and a controlled environment. No drainage required.
A wash bay is designed for jet washing. Water is involved, which means a proper drainage system is essential to manage runoff. Wash water must discharge to a foul or wastewater sewer — it cannot go to a surface water drain. This is a local authority requirement, and Advantage’s construction partner manages this process.
A drive-through configuration — open at both ends — allows for a combined operation: jet wash at one end, move the vehicle through to the dry valet area inside. That is exactly how the Mercedes-Benz Watford build was configured.
What We Build
Primary customers are car dealerships — washing and prepping vehicles before they go on the forecourt or are handed over to buyers. The structures are also used by transport companies and fleet operators for washing their own vehicles.
Configurations available:
- Single bay
- Double bay
- Open-fronted — closed at the rear, open at the front
- Drive-through — open at both ends, for combined jet wash and dry valet operations
- Fully enclosed units with pedestrian and roller shutter doors
All structures are built from:
- Box section steel columns
- Universal beam support framework
- RSA angle for partitions
- Purlins for roof support
- Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate panels
The choice of polycarbonate panels is deliberate. They let natural light into the working space, which improves conditions for the team and reduces the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. They also give the finished structure a cleaner, more professional appearance than solid steel cladding.
Once it’s all gone together and all the wrapping is taken off, it looks very aesthetically pleasing. |
Built to Last — Galvanized and Powder Coated
Most steel structures are finished one way — either galvanized or powder coated. Our valet and wash bay structures are both.
They’re built to last — galvanized and powder coated so they have double protection. |
Galvanizing provides corrosion protection at the metal level — zinc coating bonded to the steel that prevents rust from taking hold. Powder coating goes over the top, providing a second layer of protection against the environment and a clean, professional finish. For a structure that is going to be exposed to water, cleaning chemicals, and the elements for years, double protection is the right approach.
We don’t scrimp and save on materials. |
How It Works
-
1
Initial enquiry. Contact us with the site, the type of operation, and your requirements. We arrange a visit to assess the space and understand size and access constraints.
-
2
Site visit. Ian visits site to assess available space, access for installation, surface type, and any factors that will affect the design or build.
-
3
Quotation. A price is returned within two to three days of the site visit, based on actual survey findings.
-
4
Structural calculations. All valet bay structures are fully engineered and structurally calculated to meet building regulations before fabrication begins.
-
5
Workshop fabrication. Steel columns, framework, and all structural components are fabricated in our Mansfield workshop. Galvanizing and powder coat finish applied.
-
6
Delivery and erection. Structure is delivered to site and erected by Advantage’s team. Installation is managed by our team throughout.
-
7
Services installation. Construction partner installs drainage, water supply, and electrics where required. Drainage compliant with local authority foul/wastewater requirements.
-
8
Final inspection. Fasteners checked, coatings inspected, panels checked. Structure signed off before handover.
What Makes Advantage Engineering Different
Galvanized and powder coated as standardDouble protection — zinc galvanizing at the metal level, powder coat over the top. Not a choice between one or the other. Built to last in a wet, chemical environment.
Fully engineered to building regulations
Every structure is structurally calculated before fabrication. Not a kit, not an approximation — a proper engineered steel building.
One point of contact for the complete buildSteel structure, drainage, water supply, and electrics all coordinated through one relationship. No need to manage separate contractors or chase multiple trades.
Polycarbonate panels — light and finish
Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate lets natural light into the working space, reducing energy costs and improving working conditions. Cleaner finish than solid cladding.
Bespoke to your siteNo standard sizes. Every bay is designed around the available space, the operation, and the access constraints of the specific site.
BS EN 1090 EXC2 certified
Structural steel fabrication to the execution class required for commercial buildings. All work is fully traceable.
Project Examples
Configuration: Double bay — open front, closed rear
Dimensions: 15m x 9m x 3m high
Finish: Galvanized and powder coated throughout
Panels: Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate
Build and install time: 6–8 weeks
Client: Mercedes-Benz (via subcontractor)
Configuration: Drive-through — open at both ends
Dimensions: 3.5m wide x 9m long x 3m high
Finish: Galvanized and powder coated throughout
Panels: Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate
Build time: 6–8 weeks
Porsche Leicester — Double Valet Bay
This was Advantage’s first valet bay project — a large double bay for the Porsche dealership in Leicester, supplied via subcontract. At 15m x 9m, it was a substantial structure. Box section columns, universal beam framework, RSA partitions, purlins, galvanized and powder coated throughout, with twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate panels throughout. Structurally calculated to meet building regulations. The longer build and install time reflected site access delays typical of a working dealership environment — the underlying build time was well within the standard 4–5 week range.
Mercedes-Benz Watford — Drive-Through Valet Bay
The Mercedes-Benz Watford build was a smaller drive-through configuration — designed so that vehicles could be jet washed at the open entry end, then driven through to be dried and valeted in the sheltered interior. Open at both ends, with the same materials and finish as the Porsche build, scaled to the site requirements. Supplied via subcontract.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a valet bay and a wash bay?
A valet bay is for dry cleaning only — no water. A wash bay is designed for jet washing and requires a proper drainage system to manage water runoff. Wash water must discharge to a foul or wastewater sewer, not a surface water drain.
Do you build to standard sizes?
No. Every bay is bespoke and designed around the available space and operational requirements of the specific site.
Can you handle drainage and water supply as well as the structure?
Yes. Advantage works in partnership with a construction company who installs all drainage, water supply, and electrical requirements alongside the steel structure. One point of contact for the complete build.
What regulations apply to wash bays?
Wash bays require local authority approval for drainage. Water must discharge to a foul or wastewater sewer — not a surface water drain. Advantage’s construction partner manages this process and ensures compliance.
How long does it take?
6–8 weeks from order to completion for a typical commercial job.
Can I have doors on mine?
Yes. Pedestrian access doors (approx. £1,875–£2,500 additional) and roller shutter doors (approx. £6,250–£8,750 additional) are both available. Provision for door fitting is designed into the structure from the outset, not retrofitted.
Why polycarbonate panels rather than steel cladding?
Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate lets natural light into the working space. That means better working conditions for the team and less need for artificial lighting during the day. The finish is also cleaner and more professional-looking than solid steel cladding.
How much does a valet bay cost?
The price range is £15,000–£50,000 depending on size and specification. A single bay drive-through at smaller dimensions sits at the lower end. A large double bay, fully enclosed with roller shutter doors, sits higher. A site visit and survey is required for an accurate price.
Who are your typical customers?
Primarily car dealerships — using the structures to wash and prep vehicles before they go on the forecourt or are handed over to buyers. Transport companies and fleet operators are also potential customers for washing their own vehicles.
Capabilities
Structure |
Box section steel columns, universal beam framework, RSA angle partitions, purlins |
Panels |
Twin-wall ribbed polycarbonate throughout — natural light, aesthetically clean finish |
Finish |
Galvanized framework with powder coat over the top as standard; galvanized-only available |
Configurations |
Single bay; double bay; open-fronted; drive-through (open both ends); fully enclosed |
Door options |
Pedestrian access doors (approx. £1,875–£2,500 additional); roller shutter doors (approx. £6,250–£8,750 additional); provision designed into structure from the outset |
Services |
Drainage, water supply, and electrics installed by construction partner alongside steel structure |
Drainage compliance |
Wash water must discharge to foul or wastewater sewer — not surface water drain. Construction partner manages local authority requirements. |
Engineering |
All structures fully engineered and structurally calculated to building regulations |
Price range |
£15,000–£50,000 depending on size and specification |
Lead time |
6–8 weeks from order to completion |
Certification |
BS EN 1090 EXC2 (Cert No: 20203, Exc Class 2); SafeContractor accredited |
Location |
Workshop: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Installation across UK. |