Car Repairs Business Start-Up - Who to Talk To?
Discussion
Friend and I are thinking of going into business doing car repairs/mechanics.
We're looking for something around the 3-ramp size, in order to make it manageable but leave a bit of flexibility. We already have 95 percent of the tools and equipment we feel we might need from current mechanic-employment.
Before we go headlong into this I want to make sure that we've really thought this through and triple-checked our sums/details - so who do we really need to talk to in order to ensure we've not missed anything before we start the ball rolling?
I've already got in contact with the gov't Business Link, which has given me some really broad things to think about but I'd really like to make sure I've got all the details in place, is there an organisation out there who can help? Y'know, things like ensuring I've been realistic about the insurances needed and their relative costs, making sure I've got the necessary licenses etc. from the local authority...
Any thoughts? Thanks!
We're looking for something around the 3-ramp size, in order to make it manageable but leave a bit of flexibility. We already have 95 percent of the tools and equipment we feel we might need from current mechanic-employment.
Before we go headlong into this I want to make sure that we've really thought this through and triple-checked our sums/details - so who do we really need to talk to in order to ensure we've not missed anything before we start the ball rolling?
I've already got in contact with the gov't Business Link, which has given me some really broad things to think about but I'd really like to make sure I've got all the details in place, is there an organisation out there who can help? Y'know, things like ensuring I've been realistic about the insurances needed and their relative costs, making sure I've got the necessary licenses etc. from the local authority...
Any thoughts? Thanks!
Have you got some premises in mind?
What is going to bring the customers to you in sufficient quantity to cover your costs and wages? How long can you afford to keep going until that happens?
There are a lot of details, of course, but the main thing in any business is that the money coming in needs to be more than the money going out, and for money to come in you need enough customers.
What is going to bring the customers to you in sufficient quantity to cover your costs and wages? How long can you afford to keep going until that happens?
There are a lot of details, of course, but the main thing in any business is that the money coming in needs to be more than the money going out, and for money to come in you need enough customers.
A slight side note, but may be of use.
Offer discounts (10%) to online car clubs, the rallye you own, has a great following on 106rallye.co.uk and of course the 306 forums, as well as many peugeot sport enthusiast websites (ie PGOC)
So long as you don't rip them off or take the piss, and become a trusted friend of the site, business will move your way based on referrals.
There's also a merging market where garages can rent out their space for x amount of hours for a flat rate. People can then come along and fit their own parts, due to not having the equipment at home. You could promote this again on car clubs/forums for times when you know 2 or less ramps (of your 3) will be getting used.
I'm unaware of all the legal implications of this, but there is potential there.
Offer discounts (10%) to online car clubs, the rallye you own, has a great following on 106rallye.co.uk and of course the 306 forums, as well as many peugeot sport enthusiast websites (ie PGOC)
So long as you don't rip them off or take the piss, and become a trusted friend of the site, business will move your way based on referrals.
There's also a merging market where garages can rent out their space for x amount of hours for a flat rate. People can then come along and fit their own parts, due to not having the equipment at home. You could promote this again on car clubs/forums for times when you know 2 or less ramps (of your 3) will be getting used.
I'm unaware of all the legal implications of this, but there is potential there.
Edited by JDMFanYo on Tuesday 2nd February 11:40
The money side is (hopefully) in hand, I'm not too concerned with that. I'm also reasonably confident about being able to run up a degree of trade through various means (the club/forum idea is a good one and certainly one I'll be looking into further!)
I'm more wanting to be sure I don't trip on any legal requirements and the like?
As for premises, so far I'm more doing a feasibility study...
I've looked at a few places/alternatives in order to get a feel for the lease and rates costs so I'm now wanting to add onto this costs of waste disposal, liability insurances etc etc.
Effectively I know there is a risk involved in any business, so I want to be confident that I'm as prepared as possible before making the decision as to whether to proceed or not.
I'm more wanting to be sure I don't trip on any legal requirements and the like?
As for premises, so far I'm more doing a feasibility study...
I've looked at a few places/alternatives in order to get a feel for the lease and rates costs so I'm now wanting to add onto this costs of waste disposal, liability insurances etc etc.Effectively I know there is a risk involved in any business, so I want to be confident that I'm as prepared as possible before making the decision as to whether to proceed or not.
might be worth looking at existing businesses for sale. retirement sales etc. might work out cheaper with a lot of equipment already in place, ramps etc. you also be able to negotiate an extended handover period where the existing owner can show you the ropes on the business / admin side.
a couple of friends tried this a few years back , whilst they were good mechanics a combiation of poor location and lack of business experience led them to shut up shop quick quickly. imho a good location is vital , you need a good flow of traffic going past your premises.you need the walk ins. whilst you will be able to attract custom from owners clubs. only my opinion ,
good luck
a couple of friends tried this a few years back , whilst they were good mechanics a combiation of poor location and lack of business experience led them to shut up shop quick quickly. imho a good location is vital , you need a good flow of traffic going past your premises.you need the walk ins. whilst you will be able to attract custom from owners clubs. only my opinion ,
good luck
I'm currenly based in High Wycombe/Marlow/Maidenhead kinda area.
I've looked into existing businesses and they're not cheap; I don't really feel that the added value of a exising business is worth the additional premium. In terms of equipment I think that we have a large proportion of what we would require, many businesses only seem come with ramps and air-lines with the rest of the equipment is mechanic-owned. The overheads remain the same as the premises are leased, so it's just a name that's being bought.
My background is business and finance/data so it's those skills that I bring, though not exclusively. Both myself and the other partner already have more private work than we can deal with and are having to turn away work as a result. The hope is that this will continue allow enough income to cover the lease/bills for my partner, the primary mechanic, while I continue to work at my day job not taking an income from the garage. We're working to keep overheads as low as possible.
This will, of course, mean some crazy long hours for both of us - but then that's par for the course with your own business and something already agreed with wives!
I've looked into existing businesses and they're not cheap; I don't really feel that the added value of a exising business is worth the additional premium. In terms of equipment I think that we have a large proportion of what we would require, many businesses only seem come with ramps and air-lines with the rest of the equipment is mechanic-owned. The overheads remain the same as the premises are leased, so it's just a name that's being bought.
My background is business and finance/data so it's those skills that I bring, though not exclusively. Both myself and the other partner already have more private work than we can deal with and are having to turn away work as a result. The hope is that this will continue allow enough income to cover the lease/bills for my partner, the primary mechanic, while I continue to work at my day job not taking an income from the garage. We're working to keep overheads as low as possible.
This will, of course, mean some crazy long hours for both of us - but then that's par for the course with your own business and something already agreed with wives!
Mr Scruff said:
I'm currenly based in High Wycombe/Marlow/Maidenhead kinda area.
I've looked into existing businesses and they're not cheap; I don't really feel that the added value of a exising business is worth the additional premium. In terms of equipment I think that we have a large proportion of what we would require, many businesses only seem come with ramps and air-lines with the rest of the equipment is mechanic-owned. The overheads remain the same as the premises are leased, so it's just a name that's being bought.
My background is business and finance/data so it's those skills that I bring, though not exclusively. Both myself and the other partner already have more private work than we can deal with and are having to turn away work as a result. The hope is that this will continue allow enough income to cover the lease/bills for my partner, the primary mechanic, while I continue to work at my day job not taking an income from the garage. We're working to keep overheads as low as possible.
This will, of course, mean some crazy long hours for both of us - but then that's par for the course with your own business and something already agreed with wives!
its good that you can both bring different skills into a business. things may have changed in the few years since i was looking at a garage and also i was looking up north , but a lot of garages were being offered for a nominal sum , £5k and £10k as the owner was retiring and could not offload the lease.I've looked into existing businesses and they're not cheap; I don't really feel that the added value of a exising business is worth the additional premium. In terms of equipment I think that we have a large proportion of what we would require, many businesses only seem come with ramps and air-lines with the rest of the equipment is mechanic-owned. The overheads remain the same as the premises are leased, so it's just a name that's being bought.
My background is business and finance/data so it's those skills that I bring, though not exclusively. Both myself and the other partner already have more private work than we can deal with and are having to turn away work as a result. The hope is that this will continue allow enough income to cover the lease/bills for my partner, the primary mechanic, while I continue to work at my day job not taking an income from the garage. We're working to keep overheads as low as possible.
This will, of course, mean some crazy long hours for both of us - but then that's par for the course with your own business and something already agreed with wives!
a new garage opened near where i work and they do offer a better service than i am used to. there was not a garage there before and they are extremely busy . the business is out there for an honest efficient garage who talk to you like an intelligent human being.
if you can generate work without being in a prime location thats great.you should then be getting work from recommendations. please bear in mind once you have the added cost of overheads these need to be factored into the price you charge.how will those prices compare with what you are charging?
would those customers still deal with you when paying the higher prices?
please do not take these ideas as criticism i am just thinking out aloud , playing devils advocate.
Another thing that may bring in money (whilst you may be potentially quiet on starting up)
There seems to be a massive gap in the market for beginners mechanics or general home servicing courses out there on evenings and weekends.
I would love to learn more about serious engine repair, and I am not alone in this, but do not have the space or skills to simply just do it, and I cannot afford time off work during the day to do it either.
As I said, I am not alone in this and Google shows loads of people asking the same question, the only issue is that you are potentially training a customer out of a job for you, but then again if someone was inclined to do all their own servicing and basic repairs, they may not have used a garage in the first place either...
There seems to be a massive gap in the market for beginners mechanics or general home servicing courses out there on evenings and weekends.
I would love to learn more about serious engine repair, and I am not alone in this, but do not have the space or skills to simply just do it, and I cannot afford time off work during the day to do it either.
As I said, I am not alone in this and Google shows loads of people asking the same question, the only issue is that you are potentially training a customer out of a job for you, but then again if someone was inclined to do all their own servicing and basic repairs, they may not have used a garage in the first place either...
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Another thing that may bring in money (whilst you may be potentially quiet on starting up)
There seems to be a massive gap in the market for beginners mechanics or general home servicing courses out there on evenings and weekends.
I would love to learn more about serious engine repair, and I am not alone in this, but do not have the space or skills to simply just do it, and I cannot afford time off work during the day to do it either.
As I said, I am not alone in this and Google shows loads of people asking the same question, the only issue is that you are potentially training a customer out of a job for you, but then again if someone was inclined to do all their own servicing and basic repairs, they may not have used a garage in the first place either...
good ideaThere seems to be a massive gap in the market for beginners mechanics or general home servicing courses out there on evenings and weekends.
I would love to learn more about serious engine repair, and I am not alone in this, but do not have the space or skills to simply just do it, and I cannot afford time off work during the day to do it either.
As I said, I am not alone in this and Google shows loads of people asking the same question, the only issue is that you are potentially training a customer out of a job for you, but then again if someone was inclined to do all their own servicing and basic repairs, they may not have used a garage in the first place either...
whilst i may be interested in a course showing how to repair an engine and get a better understanding of everything involved , i doubt i would eve attempt to epair an engine.
there may be insurance issues but nothing unsurmountable
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