If you are seriously interested in the business of retailing petroleum products, be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay a lot of attention to the safety of personnel, customers and the environment. Before you open a gas station, you need to draw up documents confirming that the newly created facility for the storage and sale of petroleum products meets all regulatory requirements federal and municipal authorities.

In this article, we will tell you how you can open a gas station in modern conditions, and how to avoid mistakes that can ruin an entire start-up business and prevent the opening of a gas station as a legitimate and promising facility.

Which gas station to open

What do you need to open a gas station

After state control over the gas station business was significantly weakened in 2012, it became a little easier for entrepreneurs to comply with all the requirements of federal and municipal legislation. However, before starting to make money at gas stations, a businessman must issue a number of permits.

Company registration

Work on the creation of gas stations cannot be started before the registration of the enterprise. The entrepreneur can choose the organizational and legal form, based on the conditions in which the business is launched. The law allows opening gas stations both on the basis of legal and on the basis of individual. , the businessman decides.

Acceptable taxation systems:

• general (OSNO);
• simplified (USN).

Regardless of taxation, an enterprise that operates gas stations must pay VAT.

However, before opening a franchise gas station, a businessman should study in detail the terms of the concession (franchising) agreement of the prospective partner. Fulfilling all the conditions of the franchise is a very expensive pleasure. According to experts, the implementation of one franchise major project can cost up to $1 million (including the lump-sum fee).

Whether the operation of filling stations under the auspices of a well-known brand guarantees the success of the entire project can be judged by the situation on the Russian market in the retail trade of petroleum products.

It is obvious that large networks are increasing their presence, but at the same time, regional gas stations are appearing more and more often, offering their customers high-quality service and excellent gasoline. Such developing franchises may well be available to a budding entrepreneur and help him achieve the planned economic results in a short time.

The retail sale of automotive fuel is a highly profitable business. For this reason, many aspiring entrepreneurs are wondering: how to open a gas station from scratch and how much does it cost?

In this article, we will look at how to open a gas station, and outline detailed example business plan with calculations. We will also find out what permits are needed for this, calculate the amount of necessary financial investments in order to understand how much it costs to open a gas station.

Business specifics

Opening your own gas station is not an easy task that requires a lot of entrepreneurial experience. This kind of business requires a lot of money to be invested, so it is worth making an adequate assessment of your financial capabilities. Not every newcomer will be able to compete with Rosneft gas stations.

Experts do not recommend this species entrepreneurship if you are starting your first own business. It will be easier for newcomers to the market to open gas stations under a franchise and work under the wing of a well-known brand. In this case, they will be provided with stable fuel supplies and a wide base of potential customers.

Doing business independently involves searching for loyal suppliers with flexible terms of cooperation and stable regular fuel supplies. As a rule, such suppliers are small refineries.

Drivers often prefer gas stations with famous name which must also be taken into account. To win over regular customers, you can recommend the introduction of your own system of accumulative bonuses for regular customers, so that it would be profitable for them to refuel with you. It is constantly necessary to generate new ideas for promoting your brand.

The number of motorists is growing every year, and hence the demand for automotive fuel. A very high threshold for entering this niche is compensated by a fairly quick payback, and for this you need to draw up required business plan.

First steps

First of all, you need to study the gas station market and assess the level of supply in your area. Determine your competitive advantage. At this stage, it is worth understanding whether you will run a completely independent business, or resort to franchising.

There are two more ways to become the owner of your gas station: buy ready business or become a tenant.

Services for the sale of fuels and lubricants are subject to licensing. You will have to take care of the issue of obtaining a license for the right to store and sell fuel in advance. This right is confirmed by the presence of documents with a seal of the established format.

Two different formats

As already noted, before opening your gas station, you need to decide on the fundamental principle of your future business. It can be completely independent activity or franchising. To embark on a free swim in this area and open a gas station from scratch, without the relevant experience, is too risky an undertaking due to the many complex nuances.

According to experts, the most the best option for a novice entrepreneur is a franchise work from leading market leaders. A recognizable logo of a large company, such as Gazprom or Lukoil, always attracts car enthusiasts.

Franchising has a number of advantages, including:

1. Assistance of experienced specialists at the stage of opening an enterprise.
2. Consulting in the course of organizing the work of refueling.
3. Ensuring fuel supplies from reliable suppliers.
4. Working on behalf of a well-known brand is a stable flow of customers.

Buying a franchise has its downsides:

• strict adherence to corporate standards;
• lack of freedom in matters of pricing policy;
• mandatory and regular franchise payments.

Having decided on the format of the business, you should address the issue of its registration with the municipal and tax authorities. Large companies such as Gazprom work on a common taxation system, therefore, they are VAT payers.

For this reason, suppliers such as Rosneft cannot include IP transactions in their expenses and income. Hence the main recommendation: gas stations require registration, as entity– Limited Liability Company (LLC). After acquiring this status, your company will have its own corporate seal.

Having registered your business, you can proceed to the next, no less important steps - choosing the location of your future gas station and preparing design estimates.

Location selection

Location is extremely important question, both in terms of potential profitability and security requirements. You will need to study a lot of information about the state of the market. You should carefully analyze the traffic flow in your city and the availability of free land plots.

Gas stations are located, as a rule, on busy highways and interchanges. Refueling should be provided with a convenient entrance. The size of the required plot is determined by the following criteria:

1. A variety of types of fuel sold (gasoline, diesel fuel, methane, propane).
2. The number of fuel dispensers.
3. Presence/absence of operating cafes, mini-stores, etc.

The average plot area is usually 100 m2.

Here you can download to use as an example.

Project preparation

Each new enterprise, especially on a large scale, requires high-quality project preparation. Here at your service are specialized design organizations. They start their work with a well-written technical task.

The design documents of the planned facility must take into account many requirements for high-risk facilities. The current building regulations provide for the implementation the following rules:

• fire fighting;
• sanitary;
• environmental protection.

According to the established standards, gas stations cannot be located at a distance of less than 30 m from residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and other public institutions. The placement of gas stations should not violate the current city master plan.

You should be mentally prepared to work with many licensing authorities. Negotiation procedures take a lot of time and effort. It is necessary to take into account the considerable terms of approval of the project. Many entrepreneurs managed to resolve this issue within six months.

After the gas station project is approved, construction work can begin on the construction of the main infrastructure facilities. Parallel process there will be a search and purchase of technological equipment.

Equipment selection

Today's market is replete with offers from both foreign and domestic manufacturers. You should not chase cheapness in this matter, because the term of its operation largely depends on the quality of the equipment. Of course, you should carefully study the existing offers and find among them the best in terms of price and quality.

Its minimum composition may look like this:

1. Fuel storage tank, V=15 m3 - 4 pcs.
2. Emergency tank for fuel storage, V=15 m3 – 1 pc.
3. Capacity for the storm drain system, V=10 m3 - 1 pc.
4. Fuel dispenser (filling column) with two sleeves - 2 pcs.

If there is a technical possibility, then it is better to connect the stormwater system to city communications. In addition to buying basic equipment, you will need various valves, cables and remotes remote control. Setting up will be a separate step. software(Software) for maximum automation of refueling. The tasks of the software also include the output of information balances to print.

A mandatory item in the work will be the installation burglar alarm and surveillance cameras. The high cost of material and technical assets and the increased danger of the facility require proper organizational security measures.

Integral elements are the laying of high-quality asphalt pavement and the installation of canopies from precipitation. The road surface requires the application of the required markings using wear-resistant paints and varnishes.

For filling stations that sell gaseous automotive fuel, specialized equipment is required.

gas stations

Market experts highly appreciate the prospects for the development of filling stations that sell gaseous fuel. No wonder Gazprom is actively developing this area.

The organization of methane filling stations requires the provision of the technological possibility of tie-in in the communications of the city gas pipeline. If your gas station will sell propane, then start looking for the appropriate equipment and supplier of this type of fuel in advance. The operation of a gas filling station involves the purchase of additional compressor equipment.

The quality of construction work depends, first of all, on the qualifications of the performers. Let's consider the issue of required personnel in more detail below.

Staff

Given that the gas station operates around the clock, the work should be organized in several shifts. In each work shift, the activity of the following staff is required:

• cashier - 1 person;
• fuel dispenser operator - 2 people;
• security guard - 1 person

To ensure a stable supply of fuel, a car filling station requires a supply department. The staff should also include repairmen and electricians in case of equipment failure. Financial reporting should be entrusted to an experienced accountant with a personal seal.

The staff must be neat, polite and attentive to customers. Service at gas stations of the level of Gazprom is at a solid level. You should look up to him. For recognition, you need to order the production of original uniforms for employees of your gas station.

Opening cost

Calculate the estimated cost self discovery gas station and the possible amount of income from its work. The figures below may vary, depending on each specific region. Purchase and rental cost land plot can be different even within the same city.

So, the average items of expenses and income are as follows:

1		Purchase of land	15÷25 million rubles
		Preparation of design estimates and execution of permits	2 million rubles
3		Construction works	6÷10 million rubles
4		Purchase of basic equipment	3 million rubles
5		Payment utilities	0.120 million rubles/year
6		Wage personnel	5.5 million rubles/year
7		Buying fuel	10 million rubles/year
8		Payment of duties, taxes and fees	1.5 million rubles/year
9		Depreciation deductions	2 million rubles/year
10		Sale of fuel to the population	24 million rubles/year
11		Other income (mini-shop, cafe, etc.)	1 million rubles/year

Total minimum investment will amount to 26 million rubles. The indicated level of annual costs is indicative.

Payback periods largely depend on the success of the business. When selling 50 thousand liters of fuel per month, full payback is achieved in 4 years. This figure can be significantly reduced if you open a franchise gas station. Replacing the purchase of a land plot with its lease will also help to reduce the payback period.

Profitability may increase if, in addition to the filling complex, the related business on its territory brings profit. This can be achieved through the operation of a store or cafeteria.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Instruction

Decide on a location gas station. The most cost-effective option is the location within the city. This is due to the fact that most people prefer to refuel close to home. This object must be placed only along roads and streets, warehouses and industrial zones. It is also profitable to place on the tracks, especially if the complex includes a cafe, a motel, a service station, a car wash and other services.

Prior to the start of construction, you need to draw up a town-planning justification for placement gas station. Coordinate its location with the sanitary and epidemiological service, because. the project must have planning for equipping with domestic, drinking and hot water supply and sewerage systems. The use of artesian wells is allowed, work on imported water is prohibited. Prepare the necessary documents at the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

When all bureaucratic procedures are resolved, proceed directly to the construction of the facility on the previously selected territory. gas station it is possible to build from any materials except. Most are built using the technology of prefabricated buildings. If the size of the building gas station large, then this technology uses a frame, sandwich panels, a ventilated facade system or a stacked sandwich (corrugated board - insulation - corrugated board).

Take care of a few more coordination procedures when the "box" of the future service station is ready. First of all, you should get a fire and sanitation facility. A building for a car service will be put into operation only if local environmental services issue a conclusion from which it follows that your establishment will not cause too much harm to the environment.

Now think about the details of the car service station, such as the floor surfaces (it must be hard and durable - for reliable mounting of lifts), walls in inspection pits (tiling is required). Equip a bathroom and mount storage cabinets. All these points are specifically specified in the list of requirements for the device of a private car service, neglecting any of them can lead to serious problems during future inspections. final stage equipment of the service station will be the purchase and installation of equipment - after that your car service is almost ready.

Useful advice

When creating a project for a service station room, it must be taken into account that without a natural lighting system, the object will not be put into operation - the ratio of natural and artificial lighting in a building for a car service is strictly regulated.

An important element of equipping the service station premises is the ventilation system - the presence of powerful exhaust ventilation in the car service building is mandatory.

Sources:

• Documents required to open a car service
• how to build a car service

The financial success of a gas station can be highly dependent on circumstances that are not directly related to the quality of service and even the location of the “gas station”. About these important details can be found either at own experience, which often comes too late, or by learning from others and taking care of those moments that make a gas station business really profitable.

gas station. It is extremely important to understand the pricing of the supplier and then not get confused in your own accounting, losing profits due to incorrect calculations.

Take care of the protection and security of your gas station - any incident can not only cross out all current income, but also drive you into debt. This applies not only to incidents of a criminal nature (which is not uncommon on country roads), but also to safety when working with fuel. Conclude an agreement with a security company, equip the operator's building with bulletproof glass, follow all anti- fire safety and instruct staff.

Save on staff salaries by organizing training for new employees - training employees without experience is more profitable than adjusting to the salary expectations of experienced gas station operators, who also know how to organize work “in their favor”. Such a policy in working with personnel will significantly increase their own profits and create jobs for residents of nearby communities, often suffering from unemployment. It is these simple measures in the management of a gas station that allow you to gain good momentum, reach the payback threshold and start receiving tangible income.

Sources:

• What do you want? Gasoline or compressor oils? or How to make money in the gas station business
• Dream job or one day of life at a gas station

Fleets with a large number of rolling stock, every day we have to solve the problem of what kind of fuel, where to refuel equipment and how to save money at the same time. Centralized refueling at ordinary gas stations, even if using fuel cards, is unprofitable: collusion, theft and underfilling are in the order of things in this case. Everyone understands this, however, most large fleets consider an agreement with fuel networks to be the best solution. “There are a lot of inconsistencies. For example, a train left Central Russia to a remote region, and even at branded gas stations using cards, we observe a stable underfilling, - says Kirill Vodin, Deputy General Director of Vesta Transport Company LLC. “As a result, we even had to change the fuel company because of this, plus organize our own gas station on the territory of the vehicle fleet.”

Is it possible to organize fuel distribution directly on the territory of the enterprise? Until recently, this path was very difficult. In order to build your own gas station on the territory of the fleet and legally own this facility, you had to go through many instances, get more than a dozen pages of permits. Only large car factories could afford this.

Everything changed in 2012, when gas stations were taken out of the control of Rostekhnadzor, which fundamentally changed the possibility of operating all types of gas stations. "AT this moment The principle of arrangement and operation of container gas stations is regulated only by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, but with one caveat: if the gas station is not located on the territory of a hazardous production facility (here Rostekhnadzor is additionally involved). Only the Ministry of Emergency Situations classifies various types of stations in its main documents NPB 111-98 and the set of rules “Car filling stations. Fire safety requirements” dated July 1, 2014,” says Yuri Kolesnikov, CEO Association "Penzaspetsavtomash" ( trademark Benza).

CONTAINER AND MODULAR filling stations

Today, there are many products on the Russian market that have different names, but in essence the functions performed are the same. These include container and mobile gas stations, fuel and refueling modules. Modular gas station is a station, the technological system of which is designed for refueling Vehicle only liquid motor fuel and is characterized by an above-ground location of the tank and the spacing of the fuel dispenser (TRK) and the fuel storage container. A container filling station (KAZS) differs from a modular one only in that the fuel dispenser is placed in a fuel storage container.

In fact, from the point of view of compliance with NPB 111-98, it is absolutely unimportant how the products are called, the main thing is that they be made as a single product. “Any design that meets these parameters and has all the necessary certificates for a single factory product should and will be classified by fire inspectors as a container gas station and nothing else,” says Yuri Kolesnikov. - It is only for the customer to choose, according to the factors of further operation, how the gas station should look - sewn into a container or left with an open tank, the norms do not regulate this.

With the removal of filling stations from the register of hazardous production facilities by Rostekhnadzor in 2012, the situation with the installation and operation of filling stations has seriously changed in better side. Now, if a car company installs a gas filling station for its own needs on its territory and the installation does not require capital construction, the owner does not have to obtain any licenses and permits to operate the station. It is only required to comply with fire safety standards for gas stations. First, you need to maintain a distance to various categories facilities and prepare a site with an entry and exit zone and install a fence to prevent vehicles from colliding with the gas filling station. Secondly, it is required to make a base for the gas station in the form of a road slab of certain dimensions and install it. Finally, thirdly, appoint those responsible for the implementation of fire prevention measures.

Basic requirements for placing container refueling: 25 meters away from buildings and structures and that no water supply passes under the equipment

In addition, it is necessary to perform special technical requirements. For example, a gas filling station must have its own pump for receiving fuel from a fuel tanker with automatic shutdown when the tank is full (it is forbidden to pump fuel into the gas station using a fuel truck pump). A system for monitoring the interwall space of the tank with a warning about depressurization is required. Technological compartments must be fenced off from the tank with a non-combustible (metal) partition of the first type. If the tank, together with pipelines, is sewn into a container, automatic ventilation with gas sensors is required. All of the above design features are primarily controlled by inspectors of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Only State Unitary Enterprise MO "Mostransavto" can afford its own traditional filling station

Of the other specific requirements for the technological equipment of modular and container filling stations, we note the need for double-walled fuel storage tanks. At the same time, the total capacity of the containers of a container gas station should not exceed 40 m 3 when it is located on the territory of settlements and 60 m 3 - outside settlements.

A very important point is the documentation for the gas station. There should be not only a certificate of conformity or a declaration of the Customs Union at the gas station, but also a passport with operating instructions. In addition, environmental and sanitary certificates are required. If the gas filling station is installed at a hazardous production facility, other permits may be required.

According to documents and certificates, this should be a station for distribution, refueling - a single product, and not a tank and other components separately, experts say. Otherwise, this kind of project will be classified as a fuel depot or as a traditional gas station. Then the enterprise is obliged to register these facilities with Rostekhnadzor and obtain a license for hazardous production. The so-called mini-gas stations with a single-wall tank and one fuel dispenser do not solve the issue of the legal operation of the gas station. They can only be used as a mobile mobile tank, where it is necessary to refuel equipment, often changing the location of the gas station. For example, during agricultural or road works.

Automatic distribution of fuel to drivers using smart cards is possible as an option

WITHOUT OPERATOR

At the moment, it is possible to set up a fully automated non-operator remote control for the amount of fuel, its unauthorized discharge and automatic distribution to drivers using smart cards or chip keys. “This is very convenient, since there is no need to receive an operator, and information will be sent online to the office via a wireless channel,” comments Svetlana Bykova, head of the motorcade of Vesta Transport Company LLC. - It is possible to set fuel limits for drivers or for a car for a day, a week or a month. It is also possible to control the exact data: who refueled and when, analyze the remaining fuel in the tanks, see the temperature, density of the fuel, the amount of commercial water, the amount of fuel delivered from the fuel tanker to the gas station.”

Filling stations with such systems will make it possible to reduce to zero the theft of fuel by the organization's personnel and the shortage of fuel by unscrupulous suppliers of petroleum products. Automation systems are all approximately the same in terms of functionality, they differ only in various small nuances, equipment manufacturer and cost.

An electric pump with a meter in a closed case is convenient for refueling equipment in the field

If we talk about the complete automation of the supply of transport enterprises with fuel, then we should mention the project developed by the Volgaresurs company. The scheme includes the installation of an automatic mobile fuel filling station (AMTZS) at the enterprise, delivery of fuel by the supplier’s transport, checking the quality of fuel at all stages in an accredited laboratory, maintenance single center management, transparent pricing. Drivers who refuel their own trucks are issued fuel cards. They can be both general - impersonal, and nominal. It is noteworthy that fuel cards can be limited in terms of the amount of fuel supplied. The limit is set either by the company providing services for refueling cars, or directly by the customer of the service - the trucking company. There is no access to fuel, except through a limited fuel card. At the same time, the AMTSS can be additionally equipped with a terminal that issues a check attached to waybill. Since the entire system is fully automated, the head of the transport organization or the responsible person from financial group every day receives a detailed report on the movement of fuel in a strictly certain form. The summary contains information about which car was refueled, how much fuel was dispensed, at what time refueling was made, and so on, up to a photo of the driver who used the fuel card. The accounting department of the auto enterprise compares the data from the report with internal documentation.

The main requirements for the location of the AMTZS are: 25 meters away from buildings and structures, and that there is no water supply running under the equipment. The base must be laid out with slabs, and fenders must be present to ensure safety. To connect electric power, it is necessary to organize a cable supply, designed for a power of at least 10 kW. The time spent by the refueling module on the territory of the customer is regulated solely by the contract for the lease of automatic fuel filling stations and the purchase of fuel. Standard production and installation time of the station is about 2.5 months. Having previously compiled technical task, the customer has the opportunity to specify all the options he needs. For example, if there is a mixed fleet of vehicles, the supplier may offer containers with different amount sections. By agreement with the customer, the container can be divided into compartments of the required volume. For example, one will store diesel fuel, the other - gasoline.

Can a carrier make money at a gas station installed on its territory? Yes, there is such a possibility. For example, two convoys are based not far from each other. If on the territory of one of them there is an automatic fuel filling station, then the neighbor can refuel his cars there at an attractive price, but at the same time the owner of the automatic filling station will have his own profit from the sale of petroleum products. At the same time, not only company cars, but also personal cars of employees can be refueled at a low price, which will make the employer even more attractive.

Under such a scheme, the cost of the carrier for the installation of equipment is close to zero, since he acquires the service of refueling vehicles. At the same time, all operations for maintenance, repair of equipment, cleaning of the tank, and so on, are performed by the service provider. All responsibility for fuel quality also lies with the supplier. Everything that pays transport company, is the cost of supplied fuel. At the same time, equipment costs are included in the cost of a liter, and it is cheaper than at network gas stations. The only drawback of this solution is the long-term binding to one fuel company, and this does not suit all carriers.

Having your own gas station (gas station) is a very popular business, despite the fact that it requires serious investments. More and more people are becoming owners of cars, so the costs can pay off in a short time. How to open a gas station, and what is required for this, will be discussed further.

Step-by-step plan for opening a gas station

Opening a gas station is quite a serious business. To begin with, you will need to carefully calculate everything, try to take into account all possible shortcomings as much as possible, and only after that proceed with decisive action. The procedure from the start of work on the project to the opening of the gas station can be described in the following sequence:

1. Business plan development . This is where you have to put your idea on paper. The most important part of a business plan is calculating how much it costs to open a gas station. This will determine the required start-up capital.
2. Decor required documents . In this business, you will need documents for registering you as an entrepreneur, registering a business as such, as well as a number of permits. Most of of which require additional investment. If you want to open a mini market at your gas station or any other organization that provides additional services on the territory, you will also need to collect all permits. This is usually the step that takes the most time.
3. Site selection and construction . To open a gas station, you need to choose the most suitable place. It is important to consider whether you want to purchase an existing gas station or open your own. In the second case, it is also important to note additional expenses for construction.
4. Procurement of equipment and fuel . Before you open a gas station, decide what kind of fuel and its varieties you intend to sell. In addition to fuel, you will need to purchase tanks, as well as a two-arm fuel dispenser.
5. Recruitment . The number of people involved in your gas station will depend on what activities you will offer customers. For example, at some gas stations, the staff is limited to only one cashier, while at others, a cleaner, several gas stations, and a manager additionally work.

Only after implementing all the above steps, proper preparation and competent consideration of all risks, it is possible to successfully open a gas station.

Business plan for opening a gas station

Before you open a gas station, it is important to calculate the amount of initial investment. The following short business plan will help you calculate how much it costs to open a gas station:

• Earth . The acquisition of land or its lease is the individual choice of the entrepreneur. In our case, consider the option of buying. A good plot will cost you about 5-8 million rubles.
• Construction . As a rule, today businessmen prefer gas stations with underground fuel storage. Almost all gas stations operate in this way. The maximum construction period for this type of filling station will take about 6 months, and the average cost will be approximately 15 million rubles.
• The documents . You will need documents for registering a business and permits (in particular, for fuel storage). Costs at this stage can range from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles.
• Equipment . The equipment includes fuel tanks, emergency and spare tanks, a storm system tank and a two-way fuel dispenser. The number of devices depends on the scale of the filling. On average, it will cost from 3 to 5 million rubles.
• Staff . Presumably, a cashier (operator), a cleaner and 3 tankers will work at the station. If a average salary each monthly is 25,000 rubles, then in general it will turn out 125,000 monthly.
• Petrol . For the first month, you will need to buy gasoline for 30,000 - 50,000 rubles. The volume depends on your tanks and the number of columns in the territory.

The final amount received is on average 25,200,000 rubles. With a monthly income of 1,000,000 rubles, it will take about 2 years for a full payback. Please note that the price is calculated without the sales area, which can also be placed on the territory of the gas station.

Selection of a place for a gas station

The most important step before opening your gas station is the selection of a location. In fact, this item is the most expensive in the business plan and requires the most careful approach. The easiest and cheapest way is to purchase a ready-made functioning gas station. If this is not possible, then with all seriousness approach the selection of the area. Consider the following recommendations:

1. Safe Location . The site must meet all fire safety requirements, otherwise it will not be possible to obtain permission to open. For example, one of the requirements says that the nearest residential building from the gas station should be no closer than 30 m. The Ministry of Fuel and Energy and Rospotrebnadzor will provide you with the necessary information about the current requirements for gas stations.
2. Required area . Calculate the number of columns that you want to place on the territory, as well as the possibility of providing customers additional services. It could be a cafe, a small shop, etc. The approximate area must be calculated with a margin, so it will be possible to calculate a sufficient convenient place for car access.
3. Competitiveness . If you are opening a gas station that is not franchised, then study the layout of other stations nearby. This is very important for maintaining the initial competitiveness and its preservation.

Collection of documents for opening a gas station

Let's take a closer look at what documents you need to prepare before opening your gas station:

1. The first step after choosing a site, be sure to draw up papers confirming your ownership of it (or a lease agreement if you are not buying land).
2. Then, with documents for the right of ownership, you need to contact the city council. This must be done before opening the gas station in order to obtain permission to place the planned facility - in our case, a gas station. If this authority gives approval for the construction, then proceed to the next stage.
3. The opening of gas stations is impossible without permission from the sanitary and epidemiological station, the fire service, the land administration, and the environmental commission. Passing all the checks with success is quite difficult, it will take a lot of time. It is very important to select a site that complies with fire safety standards in order to obtain all permits, since this is the body that will play key role in deciding on the permission to conduct business in this territory.
4. The design documentation approval stage will require a re-verification by the same authorities as listed above.
5. Permits in terms of technical conditions are issued by such organizations as Gorgaz, Gorenergo, Gorvodokanal, Gorsvet, State traffic inspectorate and telecom. Professionals of specialized companies can help to negotiate with these organizations, which within no more than 2 months will help to collect all the necessary documentation for a relatively small fee.
6. Further, urban planning justification is required. Such a document is obtained from the Department for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. Its production time takes up to a month.
7. Only after all the documents are completed, you can proceed to the design. The project is ordered from architects and implemented in two stages: a sketch and a project. Finished project, before opening a gas station, it undergoes a series of checks. It is tested in accordance with the conditions of TU and APL, as well as in accordance with the state comprehensive examination.
8. Final stage before construction - permission to dig. It can be obtained from the General Directorate of Control for Landscaping and External Design.

The collection of all documents and the duration of the procedure has a significant impact on how much it costs to open a gas station. After all, by wasting time, you are also losing your investment, taking into account the fact that some documents have an expiration date.

Open a gas station with a franchise

A profitable and popular option that allows you to reduce the procedure for preparing for the opening of a gas station many times over is franchising. Today, there are many companies selling fuel that provide an opportunity for businessmen to open their own gas stations on a franchise basis.

This option has many advantages, including:

• Cooperation with experienced professionals. The staff of the franchise company will help answer your questions, as well as competently implement the preparatory procedures and open a gas station in as soon as possible.
• Payback. Franchise companies have already made a name for themselves and are popular with car owners. Therefore, be sure that you will certainly have customers. In addition, for the brand of gasoline there is also an additional markup, and for the entrepreneur this is additional profit.

The most popular companies for franchising are Lukoil and Rosneft. Cooperation with them is beneficial in all respects, except for one thing - you will have to share part of your earnings with a partner. But in any case, the profit received in a fairly short period will exceed the income, and you will be in the black.

Video instruction on opening a gas station

If you have already decided to open your gas station, be sure to watch the following video. It contains the most relevant and simple recommendations for opening a gas station:

To open your gas station, you need to have a large start-up capital, as well as prepare a detailed business plan. Most milestones are the choice of location and the selection of all documents. Franchising will greatly simplify the process of opening a gas station.