Car maintenance has become more important these days as more cars were left unused for a long time during the lockdown period. Experts explain cars parked for a long period can cause problems, including tires getting flat spots, the battery losing charge, and rubber components drying out. Knowing how to maintain and repair your car is a helpful skill, especially when many shops are closed.
If you enjoy car maintenance and have trained how to repair car problems, you can use your skill to start a car repair shop. This allows you to work on different cars regularly, and you’ll get to be your own boss.
Why Start A Car Repair Business
Car repair shops play an important role in the automotive industry. They help car owners keep their cars in top condition by providing maintenance and repair services. There are different types of car repair shops, depending on their specialty. Some focus on specific services, such as brake work, muffler repair, or tire service. Other shops, meanwhile, offer more generalized services that include AC/heating services, inspections, and engine repairs, among others.
Start by providing a particular service and expand as your business grows. You can also opt to work on a certain vehicle type: sports cars, luxury cars, small cars, or big trucks. It depends on your knowledge and expertise.
Auto mechanics is a promising industry. A report from IBIS World shows the industry experienced healthy growth over the past five years to 2020. The expansion of the number of vehicles on the road and the average health of the vehicle fleet are major contributors to this growth. Researchers also point out that the per capita disposal income levels also grew during this period. Car owners can afford to pay for car services instead of doing them on their own.
Starting Your Own Car Repair Shop
Making money out of the thing you love is a dream for many people. Turning your hobby into a business, however, is easier said than done. There are factors you need to consider to make sure you’re launching your venture properly. Starting a business, regardless if it’s a small one, also requires your commitment and extra time. You should be prepared for it.
Here are three important things to keep in mind when starting your own car repair shop.
1. Set Your Budget
Capital is one of the most important things to consider when starting a business. Before you start spending, make sure to define your start-up costs for your shop first. Research on how much you need to start a small car repair shop. Consider the licenses you have to obtain, the training, the tools you would need, and other important matters.
Plus, you would need to invest in certain machines and equipment needed to perform the services you plan to offer. For example, a two-post auto lift makes brake, tire, and suspension work easier.
2. Create a Business Plan
Like starting other businesses, a clear business plan can help you establish your own car repair shop properly. The plan should include your goals, both short-term and long-term, and your strategies to achieve them. These strategies should involve your marketing tactics, expenses, and start-up costs.
When creating your business plan, it will let you decide what kind of car repair shop you would want to start. It can only focus on a particular service or generalize, depending on your budget and manpower. The planning can take a while, but it’s important to research and be critical to make sure you’re making an informed decision.
3. Get Training
Unless you’re planning to hire experienced and trained mechanics, getting the right training is vital to get started with your business. Remember that car repair shops follow course regulations to keep the cars after they’re repaired in your shop.
Consider getting a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificate. This is not a requirement for you to fix a car, but it makes insurance affordable and easy to obtain. The certificate can also help gain clients’ trust because they’ll feel like you know what you’re doing. You can be certified by completing two years of education and working experience in total.
Apart from your automotive knowledge and vehicle repair experience, having interpersonal skills, marketing skills, and management experience can help you run your business smoothly. A car repair shop is also physically demanding. Make sure you’re body is fit for this industry.
Maintenance is an important task for car owners. But not all drivers know how to maintain their vehicles or repair certain problems. Providing car maintenance and repair to car owners helps remove the burden from their shoulders. Plus, they will feel confident that their car is in top shape if a professional handled the necessary repairs.
