Starting your own garage can be a very profitable business idea. Whether you’re a trained mechanic or simply enjoy fixing cars and are willing to get some professional training, there’s a lot of money to be made from a successful car repair company. But there are several things to consider when you start your own garage.
This means dealing with annoyed customers who, understandably aren’t too happy to see their vehicle in disrepair, to helping them with a referral for an accident caused by a pothole and other issues. From there, you can build a loyal customer base.
Type of Garage
First, determine the type of garage that you want to start. Think about how many customers you plan to help each day, and the type of services that you will offer to them. You can provide basic services, like tyre and oil changes or MOTs, or a comprehensive list of services like engine maintenance, electrical services or collision repair. You should also decide whether you want to start from scratch or buy an established garage with everything that you need to get started with running your business. And finally, consider whether you would prefer to run an independent business or a franchise.
Licences and Insurance
You will need to look into the licensing requirements for your garage, and you will need to make sure that you have the right kind of insurance to cover your customers’ cars when you are working on them. Since you will need to drive customers’ cars to carry out road checks or move them around the garage, you’ll need a motor trade policy. Check motor trade insurance quotes using the comparison site quotezone.co.uk, which will help you find the right insurer for your needs.
Location
Where your garage is located will have a big impact on how successful it can be. Ideally, you should be situated close to main roads and in a centralised location to your customer base, as if you’re not close to them, your customers might decide to go somewhere cheaper to avoid paying high towing charges. You need to find a garage that has wide access to allow customers to drive their cars in, and a high ceiling to accommodate car lifts. A location with natural lighting is best for mechanics who are checking and repairing cars. You’ll also need an office space for administrative tasks and a waiting area for customers.
Equipment
The equipment is one of the most important components of your car repair business. Shop around when buying tools. You can get second-hand tools to save money, but make sure that you check them thoroughly first to ensure that they are in good condition and safe to use. Depending on the services that you provide, you will need a wide range of equipment and tools. You’ll need a set of mechanic’s tools including wrenches, nuts, bits and hex keys, car lifts and a diagnostic machine.
Starting a car repair business can be a very profitable venture, but there are a lot of things to think about before you can start trading.
