How to start an auto repair business

[Alex]

What do you think about the article below:

 

How to start an auto repair business

 

Starting any business takes time and management. When it comes to auto repair there are a many items that you need to consider before venturing out.

 

Auto repair to most people might seem hard, but as long as you have the experience and know what you are doing you should be all set. If you don't plan on being hands on in the business itself, you are going to want to hire qualified mechanics. Doing this is probably going to be one of your most difficult feats when it comes to the business. Start interviewing possible candidates before you open your doors. Take the time to make those phone calls to verify a resume. Read More

[xrac]

What do you think about the article below:

 

How to start an auto repair business

 

Starting any business takes time and management. When it comes to auto repair there are a many items that you need to consider before venturing out.

 

Auto repair to most people might seem hard, but as long as you have the experience and know what you are doing you should be all set. If you don't plan on being hands on in the business itself, you are going to want to hire qualified mechanics. Doing this is probably going to be one of your most difficult feats when it comes to the business. Start interviewing possible candidates before you open your doors. Take the time to make those phone calls to verify a resume. Read More

 

In my opinion the two key factors in starting an auto repair business are (1)location and (2)people. A location can make or break you especially if you haven't already been in the business and developed a clientele and following. The guy who is a hands on technician and has a following may be able to go to some back alley low rent location but it will impede growth. If you have no following you had better be on a main drag. We are a Car-X franchise and Car-x says we need to be in a high traffic (think 30,000 cars per day) destination type location. Our shop is located about 1/4 mile from Walmart and we are surrounded by restaraunts and businesses. They are building a VA hospital behind us. The only problem we have now is our lot and building are too small but it was all we could afford ten years ago. If we had started in an out of the way location we would not have made it.

 

The second thing is people. The article is right, help needs to be screened as carefully as possible. The problem I had coming into this business is that it is pretty easy to be fooled without having worked around this business. I am much better now at judging potential employees having ran a shop for ten years. We hired a service manager and our sales have grown from $560,000 tp $900,000 in three years. That's how much difference the right employee can make. The service manager who we had before thought this business was in declined and that we had topped out when we reached $605,000 in sales.

 

Location and people are the most important factors in my mind and of the two good people are the hardest to find.

[Joe Marconi]

I agree and I want to add to that list.

 

To be successful in the auto service business, you must have a written plan. I have been in business for nearly 30 years but did not begin to grow until I realized this. Also, business owners must have goals. And I mean written goals with deadlines.

 

Another key is to understand, monitor and measure your business on a daily basis.

 

Running a business is a constant work-in-progress. The owner of the business must be committed and focused on what the goals of business are.

 

Get your people involved with the success of the company too, this makes a huge difference.