Auto Repair: Tips for business starters

METRO MANILA, – Everyone wants to own a car, especially those who travel on a regular basis.

However, buying a brand-new vehicle nowadays isn’t cheap, even those in the entry-level segment. And it doesn’t end there! Maintaining a car is also a struggle for many.

Why? It is expensive to fix an automobile, especially cars with all that latest gadgets and features.

That’s why people who are mechanically inclined may be thinking of putting up an auto repair shop. Food will spoil, furniture will eventually break, but cars will always work as long as these get proper maintenance from experts. In other words, there will always be a market for good mechanics.

However, just like any other type of investment, those who wish to take advantage of this business opportunity will need to start from scratch.

Here are some useful tips for getting into the car repair business.

Find the best location

When choosing a location for your shop, it’s important to look for one that’s close to commercial areas or in a community with a lot of middle-to-high-income individuals.

As much as possible, put your shop near busy areas so your potential customers can easily see it, especially in situations when they need immediate help with their cars.

Furthermore, search for a large place that offers enough parking for several vehicles. By doing this, you will be able to serve many customers at the same time.

Seek advice from veterans

If you are not an expert in this field, seeking the assistance of seasoned buddies or those with extensive networks is a smart way to get started.

Learning where to buy vehicle components and how to get extra help for difficult jobs will certainly make the entire operation easier. In addition, they can also provide insights on certain things that may come in your way in the future.

This will surely come in handy when that time comes and no one is around to help you solve the problem.  

Determine the initial investment

Clients prefer a wide range of automotive services to be accessible, thus under-equipped shops will not be lucrative.

With that said, study the basic problems that most car owners experience and start from there. Then, go up to the more advanced repairs until you have laid down several services for your customers to choose from.

Conversely, add up the expenditures of hiring skilled mechanics and technicians to improve your shop’s services. This is very important especially if you wish to serve as many customers as possible.

Make sure your company is officially registered

Another essential business matter that you need to remember is to ensure that you have all the legal papers before opening your car repair shop.

As such, inquire about registering the shop name and other requirements necessary to make it legitimate. Ask for the documents that you need to submit and the fees that you need to pay. And do not forget to ask the duration that it will take to complete the official registration.

Without these permits, the company will face difficulties with taxes and various violations.

Hire certified mechanics and technicians

To begin with, this step is very important because it has the potential to make or break any auto repair firm!

Every shop relies on a quality team to keep things running smoothly. That is why it is very important to hire highly skilled mechanics before accepting your first client. This will ensure that any repairs done in your shop are of the greatest quality.

When it comes to their cars, satisfied customers will not debate about pricing, but they will surely pinpoint any poor repair. With that said, ensure that all mechanics and technicians are fully certified and have proof of their credentials.

As a result, clients will return to have their automobiles repaired again. Another option is to choose mechanics that come highly recommended by your peers and have references that can be checked.

Have a solid marketing strategy

To spread the word about your services, make sure to have a well-planned marketing strategy.  

This can be done through online advertising or by classified ads in periodicals. Alternatively, print flyers are also effective in marketing your auto repair shop. You can display them on your car or other places that you are allowed to do so.

Any of these strategies will surely work. The most important thing is to get the message out and share as much information as possible!

Hire an accountant

Get an accountant to deal with the paperwork for taxes, finances, payroll and anything else that will require on-time payment.

Once everything is official and registered with all government agencies involved, these accountants can assist in maximizing profits while resolving tax issues. Basically, they are responsible for ironing out anything that has to do with money in your company.

Provide excellent customer service

To keep your car repair shop afloat, it is important to cultivate a loyal following from anyone who has their vehicle repaired in your shop!

Be hands-on and ensure that all personnel follow the company laws and treat clients with respect.

One of the strategies to keep clients coming back is to stay prominent. Stopping to get to know your clients and checking in on them every now and then, as well as responding to their concerns, are also essential to build a long-lasting business relationship.

Automart.PH offers a wide selection of used cars at great prices, ranging from compact cars to pick-up trucks, that suit your needs.

And if you’re looking for the finest used cars, all of which already are pre-waxed, check out Automart.PH Certified Used Vehicles. These are restored until they feel like new again. They also come with a three-day money-back guarantee and, for Gold Certified units, a one-year warranty.

Automart.PH Senior Content Creator VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.