The current economic situation shows us the importance of having a business. Not only does it allow you to fulfil your dreams, but it also allows you to have financial freedom. However, not everything comes easy. You have to have a passion for what you do to make sure you commit to your business. If you are a mechanic or you simply love everything about cars and want to own a business, then opening a car repair shop is something that you should aim for. Here are some tips to help you out:
Certification is Important
While an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is not required to do car repairs, most car repair shop owners find it challenging to secure financing and get liability insurance without one. The certification can also help you gain the confidence of your customers because they will know that you have the necessary knowledge and skill set that they can rely on. It will also be easier for you to get car insurance accreditation from insurance providers. Note that before you can pass the certification, you need to have at least two years of related experience.
Understanding the costs
Part of your responsibility as a car repair shop owner is to know the costs of setting up the shop and operating it. You have to understand that the first few months will be the hardest as you are yet to get a steady flow of customers. Ideally, you should have a list of how much you should spend on equipment, insurance, a lease, taxes, and salaries. Should you decide to take over an existing shop, think about the location and feasibility, as it can also impact your costs and bottom line.
Think About Specializing
As part of your planning, you should also think about specializing, particularly if your skillset can help you get the most customers. If you are adept in trucks, then you might want to offer specialized services for repairing trucks. Similarly, if you are more comfortable working on sports cars, then you might want to provide that as part of your services. Some car repair shops also choose to specialize in undertaking repairs for specific car manufacturers or types of damage. You have to understand that you should have a clear scope of the services that you want to offer. Research what specialities are in high demand (i.e., car brake replacement).
Consult Lawyers
Make sure that you get invaluable legal help. Setting up an auto repair shop is not easy. It can get pretty complicated since you have to get a business license, liability insurance, open bank accounts, handle payroll, and come up with articles of incorporation. Lawyers can help ease the process. While retaining one is not mandatory, it can help you mitigate risks as you go along.
Hire Help
Running a car repair shop will be a lot easier if you have someone to help you manage the front office. You don’t want to be running back and forth from under the vehicle to the office just to answer a phone call. Make sure that you conduct your interviews at least a month before. This gives you enough time to do background checks and other necessary preparations.
Market Your Shop
The competition in the car repair industry is tough. You have to make sure that your target audience knows that you exist. Take the time to advertise special promotions and packages leading up to your grand opening. Explore social media channels and research about what marketing strategies can work for you. Some do in-app advertising or mobile gaming monetization, while others invest in-display ads. You have to make sure that your marketing efforts stand out from the rest.
Start planning now. Use our provided tips to help you live the dream and enjoy the financial freedom that you have been longing for all these years.