Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on February 25, 2022
Fast Facts
Investment range
$23,050 - $39,200
Revenue potential
$93,000 - $470,000 p.a.
Time to build
1 – 3 months
Profit potential
$55,000 - $95,000 p.a.
Industry trend
Growing
Commitment
Flexible
Here are the most essential things to consider when you want to start a car repair shop:
Location — Find a location that’s near busy roads, highways, or areas with high traffic. Or consider running the car repair business from your home if zoning restrictions allow you to do so.
Licenses and certifications — In some regions, like California, you need a specific license to operate an automotive repair shop. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is highly respected in the industry. Technicians can be certified in various areas, such as engine repair, electrical systems, and brake systems. This certification demonstrates expertise and commitment to quality. Also, if your shop offers collision repair you can benefit from a certification from Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
Niche — Choose a niche or specialization that will help you stand out such as hybrid and electric cars, classic car restoration, high-performance tuning, fleet maintenance, or mobile repair services.
Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN.
Diagnostic tools and software — Invest in a high-quality OBD-II scanner, multimeter, and oscilloscope. You will also need repair shop management software and diagnostics software.
Parts suppliers — Find and partner with reputable suppliers for all the spare parts you might need in your car repair business.
Hire staff — Hire experienced and certified technicians.
Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your car repair shop today!
You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your car repair shop business, including:
Hydraulic lift
Diagnostic machine
Basic tools
Air compressor
Jack and jack stands
Oil drain and oil caddy
Battery charger and jumper
Engine hoist
Brake lathe
Strut compressor
Start-up Costs
Ballpark Range
Average
Setting up a business name and corporation
$150–$200
$175
Business licenses and permits
$100–$300
$200
Insurance
$100–$300
$200
Business cards and brochures
$200–$300
$250
Website setup
$1,000–$3,000
$2,000
Shop rental deposit
$2,500–$5,000
$3,750
Hydraulic lift
$4,000–$5,000
$4,500
Diagnostic machine
$5,000–$10,000
$7,500
Mechanics tool
$10,000–$15,000
$12,500
ASE certifications
$0–$100
$50
Total
$23,050–$39,200
$31,125
How Much Can You Earn From a Car Repair Shop Business?
The average car repair bill is $600. When working as a solopreneur, your profit margin after rent and overhead should be about 60%.
In your first year or two, you could work by yourself and do three repairs per week, bringing in about $93,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $55,000 in profit, assuming that 60% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you get repeat customers and referrals, sales could climb to 15 repairs per week. At this stage, you’d hire staff including other mechanics, reducing your profit margin to around 20%. With an annual revenue of almost $470,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $95,000.
There are a few barriers to entry for a car repair shop. Your biggest challenges will be:
The high startup cost
Strong competition from local dealerships and mechanics
Acquiring auto mechanic skills and certification, if you don’t already have them
Related Business Ideas
If you’re still not sure whether this business idea is the right choice for you, here are some related business opportunities to help you on your path to entrepreneurial success.
Now that you know what’s involved in starting a car repair shop, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.
Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.
Why? Identify an Opportunity
Research car repair shops online and in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a car repair shop that makes house calls.
You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as brakes or mufflers.
This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.
What? Determine Your Range of Services
Your services will depend on your skills and equipment. You could just offer oil changes and tune-ups or a full range of services all the way up to engine replacement. The more you can do, the better.
How Much Should You Charge for Car Repair Services?
Prices will vary based on the repairs to be done. Your prices should work out to $75 to $130 per hour for labor. Your costs will be for overhead, rent, and labor. Once you have other mechanics working for you, you should aim for a profit margin of about 20%.
Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your markup and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.
Who? Identify Your Target Market
Your target market will be anyone who owns a car, so you should spread out your marketing to sites like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You could also partner with tow truck companies to get and give referrals.
Where? Choose Your Business Premises
You’ll need to find a garage/shop space to rent. Find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.
When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:
Central location accessible via public transport
Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed
Step 3: Brainstorm a Mechanic Shop Name
Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:
Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
Including keywords, such as “auto mechanic” or “car repair,” boosts SEO
Name should allow for expansion, for example, “Expert Car Care Center” over “Engine Repair Shop”
A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion
Discover over 380 unique car repair shop name ideas here. If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our car repair shop name generator. Just type in a few keywords and, hit Generate, and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.
Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these.
Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.
Executive summary — A brief summary outlining the core elements of the car repair shop business plan, including its mission, goals, and key highlights
Business overview — A comprehensive description of the car repair shop, detailing its mission, vision, location, legal structure, and any unique aspects that set it apart
Product and services — Clear and concise details about the specific car repair services offered, such as maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs for various vehicle types
Market analysis — An examination of the local automotive market, identifying target customers, analyzing trends, and assessing potential demand for car repair services
Competitive analysis — Evaluation of competitors in the area, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and outlining strategies to position the car repair shop effectively
Sales and marketing — Strategies for promoting the car repair shop, attracting customers, and retaining them through effective marketing, advertising, and sales approaches
Management team — An introduction to the key individuals responsible for running the car repair shop, including their roles, expertise, and relevant experience
Operations plan — A detailed plan outlining day-to-day operations, facility requirements, equipment, suppliers, and any partnerships necessary for smooth business functioning
Financial plan — A comprehensive overview of the car repair shop’s financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, and break-even analysis
Appendix — Supplementary materials, such as additional financial data, charts, graphs, and any other relevant information supporting the business plan
If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.
Step 5: Register Your Business
Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.
Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!
Choose Where to Register Your Company
Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to car repair shops.
If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.
Choose Your Business Structure
Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your car repair shop will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.
Here are the main options:
Sole proprietorship — The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
General partnership — Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
Limited Liability Company(LLC)— Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
C Corporation — Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
S Corporation — This refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. A corporation or an LLC can elect to be an S Corp for tax status. Here, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.
The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. You can file for your EIN online, or by mail/fax. Visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.
Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.
The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist, and taxes can be filed online.
It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.
Step 7: Fund Your Business
Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:
Bank loans — This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and a strong credit history.
SBA-guaranteed loans — The Small Business Administration can act as a guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
Government grants — A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
Friends and family — Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
Personal — Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.
Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a car repair shop.
Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits.
You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more.
You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.
This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.
If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.
Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.
Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your car repair shop business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.
Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.
Step 10: Get Business Insurance
Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.
Here are some types of insurance to consider:
General liability — The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
Business property — Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
Equipment breakdown insurance — Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
Worker’s compensation — Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
Property — Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
Commercial auto — Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
Professional liability — Protects against claims from clients who say they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
Business owner’s policy (BOP) — This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.
As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.
Essential Software and Tools
Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.
You may want to use industry-specific software, such as shopmonkey, AutoLeap, or Shop Boss, to manage your appointments, workflows, invoicing, and payments.
Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, FreshBooks, and Xero.
If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences of filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.
Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.
You can create your own website using website builders. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.
However, people are unlikely to find your website unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.
Marketing
Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:
Local SEO — Optimize your website using best SEO practices for car repair-related search terms and encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews to boost local visibility. Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
Professional branding — Ensure your branding communicates expertise, trustworthiness, and approachability, from your logo to your workshop’s signage.
Direct outreach — Establish referral partnerships with local car dealerships, insurance companies, and fleet operators to broaden your client base.
Social media engagement — Utilize Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share your services, post car maintenance tips, and engage with the community.
Automotive care blog — Publish articles about vehicle maintenance, DIY tips, and the latest car technology to establish your authority in the field.
Customer success stories — Highlight testimonials and stories from customers who had positive experiences, emphasizing your problem-solving skills.
Educational videos and guides — Produce video content and downloadable guides that explain common car issues and maintenance tips.
Workshops — Offer educational sessions on basic car maintenance and seasonal vehicle preparation to engage and educate your customers.
Participation in local events — Showcase your services at local fairs, car shows, and community events to interact directly with potential customers.
Email campaigns — Maintain contact with your customer base through newsletters featuring car care tips, service reminders, and exclusive offers.
Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Today’s customers are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they can quickly grasp how your car repair shop meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.
Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your car repair shop business could be:
Certified mechanics for all your auto repair needs
Affordable car repairs, guaranteed to get you back on the road fast
Car broke down? We’ll come to you! Mobile car repair
Networking
You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain but your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a car repair shop, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in car repair for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections.
The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in car repair shops. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership.
Step 12: Build Your Team
If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a car repair shop business include:
Mechanics — perform car services and repairs
General manager — scheduling, ordering, staff management, accounting
Marketing lead — SEO strategies, social media, other marketing
At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.
Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.
Step 13: Run a Car Repair Shop — Start Making Money!
If you’re a mechanic, why work for someone else when you could be the boss of your own shop? It will take a significant investment to get started, but you’ll soon grab a slice of the $80 billion market and get a nice return.
Now that you’ve honed your entrepreneurial skills, it’s time to get your tools ready and start driving toward auto repair success!
FAQs
How profitable can a car repair shop be?
A car repair shop can be extremely profitable. The average repair bill is $600, so a handful of those a week adds up fast.
How do I organize my auto repair shop?
You should use software to track your appointments, invoices, and workflows. In terms of the physical space, you should have stations that are equipped with all the tools needed for common repairs.
What customers want in a car repair shop?
When customers choose a car shop, they look for three things: Speed,Reliability, and Good prices.
How to grow car repair shop business?
You can grow a car repair shop business by offering as many services as possible or expanding to new locations. You could even franchise your car repair shop at some point.
Can you start car repair shop on the side?
It is possible to do car repairs as a side hustle. However, having a full-fledged repair shop is a full-time business.
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