By If you’re a diesel mechanic or truck mechanic who loves working on heavy-duty vehicles, then starting your own repair shop is the perfect career move. It’s a major undertaking that requires time and energy, but it will transform your life for the better. Before you make any decisions, though, there are some things you need to think about.
Start by setting up a business structure. Most shop owners choose to form an LLC, which will protect them from personal liability in the event of a lawsuit. You’ll also need to register the company with your state and purchase garage insurance. Additionally, you’ll need to invest in the necessary equipment for your shop, such as a heavy-duty vehicle alignment lift and a wheel balancer.
The next step is to find a suitable location for your shop. Most diesel repair shops are located in commercial buildings, and you’ll need to make sure the building is fenced in and secured. You’ll need to have at least two bays for technicians to work in, and you should encourage them to have their own assigned spaces. This will allow them to focus on their jobs and increase efficiency.
Once your shop is open, the most important thing is to build a solid customer base. If you can do this, then you’ll be able to hire more people and grow your business. Obtaining referrals from satisfied customers is one of the best ways to build trust and credibility. Boosting your online presence is also an effective way to attract new customers. Ensure your website contains relevant information and industry-specific articles that will increase your domain authority and improve your search engine optimization.
Another way to increase your profitability is by increasing your techs’ billed hours. This will have a massive impact on your bottom line. For example, if your eight techs can raise their productivity by just five billed hours per week, your monthly profit will skyrocket.
Lastly, be sure to offer a competitive labor rate and parts markup. This will help you compete with other diesel repair shops and drive more traffic to your business. To increase your visibility, create an online review system that will send emails or text messages to happy customers a few days after they visit your shop. Having a high number of positive reviews on Google will significantly increase the chances of your shop appearing first when people search for Diesel repair shop near me.” If you’re not already using a review system, then it’s time to get started.
