Discussion
Hello all
Now before you all read the job title and get up in arms, this is connected to bodywork so bare with me. . . It still might be the wrong section though but it's a tricky one to nail on.
Long story short i'd love to start my own business and am thinking something along the lines of mobile bodywork repair/alloy refurbishment.
No before you ask i don't have any experience i just have a passion for cars and lifes too short to not do something we don't enjoy. I am bored of the same old 9-5 admin jobs which i couldn't give 2 flying thingys about.
Back on track. . .
Basically, is there anyone in the business or has any knowledge that can offer me any pointers?
Can you recommend me any good courses and where to go for them? Any pitfalls etc? The usual.
Any help and advice welcome.
Once again, very sorry if in the wrong section it just seemed the best fit.
Now before you all read the job title and get up in arms, this is connected to bodywork so bare with me. . . It still might be the wrong section though but it's a tricky one to nail on.
Long story short i'd love to start my own business and am thinking something along the lines of mobile bodywork repair/alloy refurbishment.
No before you ask i don't have any experience i just have a passion for cars and lifes too short to not do something we don't enjoy. I am bored of the same old 9-5 admin jobs which i couldn't give 2 flying thingys about.
Back on track. . .
Basically, is there anyone in the business or has any knowledge that can offer me any pointers?
Can you recommend me any good courses and where to go for them? Any pitfalls etc? The usual.
Any help and advice welcome.
Once again, very sorry if in the wrong section it just seemed the best fit.
Can't help you out with the right people to speak to or do training with but I would suggest start by buying an old set of wheels and practice on them. YouTube is a place to start with tutorials and self taught training, just find a competent channel and pick up tips.
I've picked up all my detailing and repair know how doing just that and after a bit of practice with the right tools you can do a decent job.
I would think if you call up some of the mobile guys they would be able to tell you who to go to for training.
I've picked up all my detailing and repair know how doing just that and after a bit of practice with the right tools you can do a decent job.
I would think if you call up some of the mobile guys they would be able to tell you who to go to for training.
Be very careful of any franchise company. They're very good at selling franchises but the majority of people who buy into them don't last. This is true of pretty much ANY franchise not just car related & that's the advice of my accountant not just my opinion.
You may need to take out a bank loan to make the initial purchase of the franchise which you will need to secure on something such as your house. If you are one of the many that don't make it the loan will still need to be paid & there are no refunds from the franchisor if it doesn't work out so your house is at risk.
You will be expected to either find business premises or get a van - buy or lease. The van will be from their 'preferred supplier' and they may make life difficult if you try & source one elsewhere. It will have to be the same make and model, liveried & fitted out exactly as one from their preferred supplier. The costs of premises or van will be in addition to your franchise fee & you will be expected to replace the van at set intervals.
If you go the premises route you will be just another small bodyshop & some councils won't rent their units out to motor trade. In addition to the rent you will also need to factor in business rates, gas & electric, waste disposal etc.
They will require you to pay a monthly fee regardless of whether you've had a good month or - esp in the run-up to Christmas & early in the New Year - it's been dead.
This fee may be either a fixed amount or a % of your turnover subject to a minimum figure & in the latter case it doesn't matter whether you've had a crap month.
You may also be expected to buy a minimum amount of paint etc from them each & every month, again, regardless of whether you actually need it or not.
Many of the 'leads' they give you will be stuff that you will be unable to take on.
The weather will have a serious effect on when you can work.
It's a very very competitive market place. Lots of indies will already be in your area who don't have the overheads of a franchisee so can easily undercut you. Bodyshops have also realised they're missing a trick by turning down bumper scuffs & other small damage so they're now in the market place.
I started off as a franchisee & went indy when their financial demands got silly.
You may need to take out a bank loan to make the initial purchase of the franchise which you will need to secure on something such as your house. If you are one of the many that don't make it the loan will still need to be paid & there are no refunds from the franchisor if it doesn't work out so your house is at risk.
You will be expected to either find business premises or get a van - buy or lease. The van will be from their 'preferred supplier' and they may make life difficult if you try & source one elsewhere. It will have to be the same make and model, liveried & fitted out exactly as one from their preferred supplier. The costs of premises or van will be in addition to your franchise fee & you will be expected to replace the van at set intervals.
If you go the premises route you will be just another small bodyshop & some councils won't rent their units out to motor trade. In addition to the rent you will also need to factor in business rates, gas & electric, waste disposal etc.
They will require you to pay a monthly fee regardless of whether you've had a good month or - esp in the run-up to Christmas & early in the New Year - it's been dead.
This fee may be either a fixed amount or a % of your turnover subject to a minimum figure & in the latter case it doesn't matter whether you've had a crap month.
You may also be expected to buy a minimum amount of paint etc from them each & every month, again, regardless of whether you actually need it or not.
Many of the 'leads' they give you will be stuff that you will be unable to take on.
The weather will have a serious effect on when you can work.
It's a very very competitive market place. Lots of indies will already be in your area who don't have the overheads of a franchisee so can easily undercut you. Bodyshops have also realised they're missing a trick by turning down bumper scuffs & other small damage so they're now in the market place.
I started off as a franchisee & went indy when their financial demands got silly.
Edited by paintman on Friday 19th May 15:29
paintmans response is 100% accurate.
The best advice I could give would be to join the smart repair forum, many have been in your shoes and have gained sufficient knowledge from the forum to make an informed decision on their future, and to which avenue they would like to pursue.
All the best what ever you chose.
The best advice I could give would be to join the smart repair forum, many have been in your shoes and have gained sufficient knowledge from the forum to make an informed decision on their future, and to which avenue they would like to pursue.
All the best what ever you chose.
Thank you all for your replies they are of massive help to me.
I was more inclined to go self employed anyway but was willing to consider a franchise. Following the advice given i think it's definitely the SO road.
I will certainly check out the smart repair forum as well to get some further insight into the matter.
Obviously if you think of anything further that may help me please feel free to add/get in touch.
I was more inclined to go self employed anyway but was willing to consider a franchise. Following the advice given i think it's definitely the SO road.
I will certainly check out the smart repair forum as well to get some further insight into the matter.
Obviously if you think of anything further that may help me please feel free to add/get in touch.
The main issue you are going to have in your first year is working capital as each job will take you a long time to complete.
You need to put aside sufficient funds to 'live off' whilst you are developing confidence and accruing experience, which takes time.
Many of the franchisees go bust in their first year because they are seduced by the prospect of big earnings. Yes, big earnings are possible but only once you have 'served your time' and have an effective marketing plan in place.
The Smart Repair Forum is a good place to start and is a mine of information:
www.smartrepairforum.com
You need to put aside sufficient funds to 'live off' whilst you are developing confidence and accruing experience, which takes time.
Many of the franchisees go bust in their first year because they are seduced by the prospect of big earnings. Yes, big earnings are possible but only once you have 'served your time' and have an effective marketing plan in place.
The Smart Repair Forum is a good place to start and is a mine of information:
www.smartrepairforum.com
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff