With so many vehicles on the road, there are hundreds of thousands of wrecks each year. Body shops are where wrecked, dented and damaged vehicles are repaired, making the auto body business a busy one. Start your own auto body shop and build a profitable business.
Instructions
1. Learn repair damaged vehicles. Either go to a vocational school or work at an auto body shop as an apprentice to get on-the-job training. You should become ASE Certified in auto body repair, which requires a certain number of hours of working in the field. Many customers will look to see if you or your employees are ASE Certified in the areas you specialize in.
2. Write a business plan. It should include as many details as possible and outline your plans and goals for the first year and up to the third and fifth years. Potential lenders will look at this plan.
3. Determine a shop location. A central location is best but check all zoning laws since some automotive business cannot be located in some areas. You'll be dealing with hazardous materials (motor oil, transmission fluid, anti-freeze, paint, primer and auto body filler) that must be stored and disposed of properly. Some commercial areas don't allow these materials in their zones.
4. Visit city hall to apply for a business license. You will need a business name, type, location and your personal contact information. You will also receive tax information and how often you are required to pay taxes.
5. Purchase tools and materials. You will need general tools like screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, sockets, ratchets, tire tools, jacks, jack stands and general light mechanical tools. You also need body repair tools like sandpaper, dual action sanders, air compressor system, air hose, air guns, spray guns, auto body filler, hardener, putty, block sanders, a paint booth, paint mixing system, metal saw horses and more.
6. Hire employees. You need a person in the office for phone calls, appointments, paperwork and to answer customer questions. You also need experienced auto body repair and auto paint technicians. A few helpers/apprentices can quicken the pace and move more vehicles in and out of the shop.
7. Advertise your business by partnering with insurance companies, dealerships and other car-related businesses. You may also do conventional advertising like the phone book, radio commercials, billboards and signs. Most auto body shops get most of their business by word of mouth.
Tags: auto body, body repair, also need, auto body filler, auto body repair, auto body shop