How much does a car service cost? Market situation analysis

The idea of ​​opening your own auto repair shop can appeal to both an investor who wants to invest his capital profitably and an experienced mechanic who is a professional in the field of car repair. Both of them first of all have a reasonable question: how to open a car repair shop and not go broke?

Is this type of business profitable, how much time and money will it take to establish it, will it cover the effort expended with good profits, is it worth starting?

The demand for this type of service can be tracked by the steady increase in the number of cars not only for a particular city, but also for one family, where 2 cars are no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity. Machines, as a rule, tend to break down and require timely repairs or maintenance. And despite the fact that the number of car repair shops is increasing in proportion to the growth in the number of cars, the demand for this service is very high. And the competition created in this niche only improves the quality of service.

This type of business is most likely intended for businessmen with good initial capital. After all, you must agree that the full functioning of a car service center is possible only with sufficient capital investment. To open your own decent car service, you need to invest more than one million rubles.

Return to contents

"Garage Business"

But what about a professional auto mechanic who really wants to open his own auto repair shop, but is short on funds? How to start from scratch? Here it is worth thinking about opening a small workshop in an ordinary garage. How much investment will be required? In any case, a car repair shop in a garage will not require astronomical costs, as when operating a full-fledged service station. Unlike a well-promoted car service center that provides a full range of car repair and maintenance services, in a garage auto repair shop it is preferable to choose a narrow, low-cost profile of services provided.

For example, you can carry out pre-sale preparation of a car, which includes inspection and removal of minor defects such as scratches and chips. Painting cars or parts will also be appropriate, and you can also repair engines and gearboxes. Or you can purchase special equipment for computer diagnostics of cars and use it to troubleshoot problems. It is not that expensive, but there is great demand. Car tuning services are in great demand. The purpose of tuning is to make your car different from the others, to make it stand out from the crowd. For Russia, this is still a new direction and not very well developed, so a vast field of activity will open up for you here. Almost no car these days can do without modern gadgets, which not everyone knows how to install. Heating mirrors and seats, installing alarms, video recorders, electric locks, and so on are also in demand. Which direction to choose is up to you.

Return to contents

Business must grow and prosper

If you notice that you are lacking “hands”, do not look for professional mechanics. It’s better to find a couple of smart young guys who understand technology and teach them the craft. Hiring mechanics with experience will be expensive at first. There are few clients, but you need to pay. The main thing is that you are a pro, then your students will learn to master the job.

How much can you earn from a garage business? If you are a first-class specialist, then over time a queue of clients will line up for you. And here everything will depend on your hard work and skill. Many novice businessmen are scared off by the thought that there simply won’t be any clients.

At the first stage this is quite possible, but over time word of mouth will start working, and this is the most effective advertising. And most likely, in about two years you will already be working cramped in the garage. During this time, you will study all the pitfalls, learn how to manage your business and “promote” it. You will have regular customers who will bring their friends and relatives to you. A clear business plan for further development will be formed in your head, and you will no longer be afraid to take out a loan to expand your business. After all, all great things begin with small achievements. The main thing is to have professionalism, hard work and believe in yourself.

The number of cars on the streets of our cities not only does not decrease every year, but steadily increases. In this regard, your own car service as a business can be quite promising. Investments in it cannot be called small, although their amount depends on the chosen direction of repair and the brand of cars that the station will service.

• Which car service center is better to open?
• Step-by-step opening plan
• How much can you earn
• How much money do you need to start a business?
• What equipment to choose for a car service?
• What is OKVED for business?
• What documents are needed to open
• Which tax system to choose
• Do I need permission to open?
• Technology for selling auto services
• How to open a self-service station?

The domestic auto industry today produces budget cars. They are cheaper and easier to maintain. Service station equipment is also cheaper. However, most car enthusiasts still choose car brands from Western manufacturers. Although they are more reliable, they still have to be repaired, especially if the mileage on the speedometer is decent. In addition, you need to regularly Maintenance. This is best handled by specialists at a car service center.

Which car service center is better to open?

A car service center from scratch can be opened in several directions. Launching a full-fledged station is a huge investment not only in equipment. You will need a large premises and staff. Without an established client base, it will be difficult to recoup even current expenses. Therefore, they usually first choose one of these directions:

These are the main types of repair work that are in demand among the population. In general, there are about a hundred directions. Which business is better to open, you need to choose based on your knowledge and financial capabilities.

The convenience of location for customers largely determines the popularity of the service. And here you need to take into account the specifics repair work. So, it is most convenient to open a tire shop near the highway. The painting workshop is closer to the industrial zone. It’s also more convenient to do metalworking and production there. welding work. A place near gas stations and car washes. In addition, the sanitary and epidemiological inspection will never give permission to open a service near residential buildings and near bodies of water.

Auto service on the highway.

Even the simplest workshop cannot be less than 30 sq.m. This is the minimum area on which equipment, tools and repair items can be located. Workers should be able to move comfortably inside. You also need to take care of the waiting room for clients. Small room with a comfortable sofa and coffee machine will add significance to the service. Customers will definitely appreciate the comfort. The premises must be supplied engineering Communication: water supply, sewerage, electricity.

Step-by-step opening plan

You need to start a business with a search suitable place for a car service. Near garage complexes, busy highways, where advertising billboards can be placed, near gas stations, etc. Then the following steps are carried out:

1. Building: either ready-made or self-constructed modular.
2. Service list.
3. Purchase of equipment according to the list of services.
4. Preliminarily establish contacts with spare parts suppliers.
5. Selection of qualified personnel.
6. Advertising.

How much can you earn

Authorized licensed auto repair shops can generate benefits starting from $10,000 per month. Provided that they are located in large populated areas, Where big number new foreign cars. One auto repair shop, from a network of auto services, on average can bring in from 4 to 7 thousand dollars per month. Single unauthorized auto repair shops, providing the same list of services, but at a price up to 30% lower, consistently bring in up to 2 thousand dollars, and in a year up to 12,000 dollars. Providing customized auto repair services in personal garage or on call to a client can bring a monthly benefit of $900-1200.

How much money do you need to start a business?

On average, opening a car service center will require an investment of about 130–150 thousand dollars. Although a less expensive solution is acceptable: a small auto repair shop will cost 35-50 thousand dollars, and a tire service will cost 8-12 thousand dollars. If you provide some repair services in your garage, this will significantly reduce the cost of starting out.

What equipment to choose for a car service?

When thinking about how to open your own, even a small car service, you need to know about the difficulties that you will have to face. Special equipment will need to be installed in the room. It requires a certain ceiling height, width and area. Finding the right building in the right area is not easy. In the table we have described the main equipment that must be present at the service station:

Slipways

They always take up a lot of space in the workshop. Slipways are needed to move a car without an engine or with a broken chassis. They are laid on the floor and filled with concrete flush with the floor. They are often not installed in rented premises because they think that dismantling the stocks is impossible. However, it is not. Using a jackhammer and grinder, the frame can be easily removed from the floor.

Lifts

Any lifting equipment is simply necessary for the service. To install them, a ceiling height of at least 4 meters is required. Otherwise, mechanics will be disturbed by the synchronizer located below when working. 2 post lifts take up too much space. "Eat Up" effective area premises. For low buildings it is better to use scissor and plunger structures. They save about 15% of workshop space.

Before you go shopping for equipment, you need to figure out how it will be installed. In this case, not only the dimensions of the machines and devices are taken into account, but also the repair technology, the turning radius of the machine, the features of operation and maintenance of the machine itself. diagnostic equipment. There can be no trifles in this. Every detail can be significant and fundamental.

Often companies that sell equipment offer services for selecting equipment, installing it, and designing the arrangement, taking into account the characteristics of the workshop space. Specialists take into account the supply of communications, the location of the foundation and other features.

What is OKVED for business?

The main code for the provision of auto services is 50.2, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of vehicles. Its subparagraphs: 50.20.1 regulates the maintenance and repair of passenger cars, 50.20.2 - maintenance and repair of other vehicles and 50.20.3 - is responsible for other types of vehicle maintenance services. To open a service, for example, a car wash, you will need code 74.70.2, corresponding to the provision of cleaning and cleaning services for vehicles.

What documents are needed to open

For registration individual activities You need a passport, an application for state registration, a receipt for payment of the state duty, a copy of the TIN certificate. If you plan to register an LLC, you will need: an application, the Charter in 2 copies, a decision on establishment (if there is one participant). Protocol of founders' meetings and agreement on the foundation of the company, if founded by several members of the company. Then a receipt for payment of the state duty.

Which tax system to choose

The following taxation systems are possible here: UTII, simplified tax system and patent.

Do I need permission to open?

Licensing of activities is mandatory for a car service center and a number of permits are required. To obtain a license, you must provide a package of documents to the Transport Inspectorate:

• Application and list (where there is a diagram of posts);
• Legal information form of doing business (indicating a bank account);
• Charter of the enterprise;
• Lease agreement for land (building) or joint activity;
• Conclusion from sanitary and epidemiological inspection;
• Permission to carry out welding and painting work from the fire inspectorate;
• Orders on the appointment of those responsible: for maintenance and repair work (MRO), and for equipment and safety points (H&S);
• Justification of professionalism (scanned copy of diploma or work book);
• Certificates for the list of works in accordance with state standards;
• Confirmation from the tax office.

It is necessary to obtain certificates in accordance with GOST standards. All types of work (about 60) that require licensing are subject to certification. Here are some of them: lubricating and filling, repair - separately for each system, unit, vehicle equipment, for control and diagnostics, tire fitting and balancing, electrical, installation/dismantling, Painting works and so on.

Certification of the list of services and works for individual entrepreneurs is optional and voluntary.

Technology for selling auto services

One of the first and important aspects For successful activities car service – well-established and reliable supply of auto parts. If possible, it is better to purchase components in reserve, taking into account the seasonal demand for certain types of services. An advertising company is effective at the beginning of work in order to make itself known. In the future, word of mouth and recommendations from client to client work better. Therefore, spending money on large advertising campaigns every month is unprofitable. Banners or large signs indicating the location of the car service and contact information are enough.

How to open a self-service station?

As an alternative to the usual service stations, you can open your own car service center from scratch with a small investment. Its meaning is that the car enthusiast repairs the car himself, using the tools and equipment available at the service station. This type of business has long been common in Europe.

The service station is a building consisting of several boxes. Usually there are no more than ten. Each has an area of ​​about 20 sq.m. There is a separate ordering table. The service must have specialists ready to help the car enthusiast with repairs.

To open your own car repair service with your own hands, you need to equip three areas:

Do-it-yourself car repair service has a profitability of 30-50%. You can achieve full payback no earlier than in two years. All these figures will be achieved with stable demand for services. To do this, you need to think about ways to attract customers in advance.

In conclusion, I would like to give you one more piece of advice. There is no need to be afraid of your competitors, you just need to be one step higher. Make your business better than theirs, stand out from the rest. If you listen to our advice, your business will flourish and bring you a stable income.

A person who knows the prices even for small body repair or was forced to travel by public transport for several weeks due to long queues to see “his” master, he realizes that a car repair shop can be a very profitable business.

As one acquaintance who worked at a service station for three years says: “It’s easy to open a workshop: you rent a garage, if you don’t intend to repair it yourself, you find a master. That's all."
Although this scheme seems simple and straightforward, and, from the point of view of many people, can and does work, the situation is a little more complicated.

Therefore, in this article we will look at what remains behind the scenes in that beautiful and clear description, and also the descriptions are a little more complicated. We’ll help you draw up a business plan for opening a car service center, and we’ll try to estimate how much it costs to open one from scratch.

Business plan: how to open your own car service center from scratch

The most important thing in any business that you undertake is passion. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a sincere love for auto repair or for money (the most effective option is a combination of the first and second). Without passion, it will not be easy to endure everything that life offers to a beginner.
And only then, having assessed your desire and readiness, proceed to the business plan. More information on how to compose it can be found in.

The first thing to think about is what services you will provide and where to get clients from. These are the little things that people get confused about when they say: “rent a garage and work.”

No, experienced specialists who know the level of their qualifications, with their own clients, may not think about this issue at first. For some time. Until you need to increase your turnover to purchase additional tools or equipment, and their regular visitors will not start scattering in search of other convenient places and quality services.

Even a professional who has an idea of ​​what and how much is needed for work will have to think about the convenience of the location of his auto repair shop, services, equipment and advertising.

Types of service stations

Exist different criteria for classification.
For example, divide by type of services provided. Car washes, which are described in, also belong to the field of car servicing.

By purpose, car services are:

• Road. In addition to their location (next to large highways), their peculiarity is that they are designed for both freight and passenger vehicles.

• Urban. They are usually more highly specialized, and are planned taking into account the ease of servicing private vehicles.

Or they are divided by size.

• Small ones. They are usually very limited in the number of posts and the choice of services offered. Most often, basic procedures are performed here: general diagnostics, Maintenance, lubrication, battery charging, simple body work, etc.

• Average. These include services with a number of parking spaces of up to 34. They add in-depth diagnostics, car painting, body repair and restoration, and others to the previous list of works.

• Large ones. They already carry out full maintenance, including major renovation individual components and mechanisms.

Another equally relevant division of service stations:

• Authorized, belonging to official dealers. These are medium or large car services. They are contacted for warranty repairs. In the case of imported cars, the warranty for all types of work is 1–2 years. At the end of the term, car owners usually go to other organizations, since prices in such service stations are 2–5 times higher.

• Unauthorized. They vary in size and purpose, provide a full range of services or specialize in some separate form works

• "Garage" Workshop for one or two people. Opening requires minimum costs. The disadvantage of such an enterprise is that it does not involve the use of sophisticated equipment or a significant increase in staff. Yes, it allows you to offer low prices, but reduces the list of operations and – with increasing complexity of automotive systems – the final quality of the repair. In addition, without accompanying trade, the income of such an enterprise is low.

What do you need to open a car service?

With a car service, you have to solve the same issues as with any other business:

• "What?" – this will determine what services you provide and what clients you count on.

• "Where?" – a question of choosing and preparing the premises.

• "How?" – this probably includes the level of documentation, the choice of equipment and the organization of space in your premises.

• "Who?" – staff.

What documents are needed to open a car service?

The only good news on this issue is that licensing in this area is voluntary.

To promise a client a guarantee and a license, you can go and collect the necessary papers, or you can do without it.

In order to work officially, without fear of fines and without hiding from anyone, you will need:

• Register as an LLC or individual entrepreneur.
• Register with tax and extra-budgetary funds.
• And get permission from GosFire Supervision and SES.

However, if you are starting on a grand scale and plan to build a building, the design of your car service center will have to be coordinated with the licensing authorities and the architectural department.

Opening a car service: choosing a premises

The premises can be rented or built from scratch.

In any case, the SES requirements will be the following:

• Your station cannot be located closer than 50 m from kindergartens and schools or 15 m from residential buildings.

• You cannot open service stations in residential buildings.

• The service station must be connected to water supply and sewerage and have adequate ventilation.

• The area of ​​the room is more than 5 square meters. m per employee.

• A shower and toilet must be installed on the premises.

But meeting the requirements of the SES of the territory is not enough, since its profitability will directly depend on the location of the car service center.

No one will even go to the best masters And quality repairs into the wilderness, from where it takes three days to get out on dogs. Simply because in the event of a serious breakdown, the client will periodically have to leave you on his own.

The search task is simple; you will need to guess where it is more convenient to serve your target group. Or - if you are coming from a place - what exactly to offer so that people come to you.

But in any case, whatever place you choose, you need:

• So that the building can be seen from the roadway. Choosing a room in the back of a garage cooperative will reduce the flow of people by at least 30%. Simply because of the inconvenience of searching.

• Location close to transport interchanges. We have already mentioned “three days on dogs”. The location should be convenient for car owners. In the case of non-critical damage, all other things being equal, a person will prefer a service station near the house or where it is easy to leave.

• Consider the convenience of exiting the main road, possible redevelopment of the area and much more.

It is best to determine the degree of importance of each location feature on site based on the convenience and needs of clients.

Try to find a room without columns. Because of them, up to 25% of the usable area is lost.

Much depends on the layout of the premises, the proper organization of space, the organization of the work area and the area for visitors.

Necessary equipment for car service

The equipment directly depends on what exactly you have defined as your main area. The main activity of the service station is aimed at diagnostics, mechanics and body repairs and tire fitting.

Good income comes from related services and the sale of spare parts and car accessories.

You will need:

• Auto tools and straightening tools. A complete set of keys, screwdrivers and sockets will cost from 35 thousand rubles.

• Diagnostic devices. If you intend to service foreign cars, you will need a diagnostic scanner.

• Jacks, lifts, tilters, etc. These devices are used, among other things, when dismantling the gearbox, adjusting the wheel alignment and in other procedures. When choosing them, you should not save, as you will lose more money in case of their breakdowns and subsequent repairs.

• Tire fitting equipment. A profitable industry, especially considering the mandatory change of winter/summer tires.

• Lubrication and filling equipment, painting installations, cleaning installations.

• Auto chemicals and car accessories.

It is not enough just to purchase these instruments, apparatus and materials. You also need to arrange them correctly. Since the speed of operation, the throughput of the service, and therefore your future income directly depend on the ease of their use.

Staff

It all depends on the size of your business and working conditions.

• A station of 5 posts, working only on weekdays for 8 hours, requires 5 people.

• And if the service station works seven days a week and 12 hours a day, you already need 10. This option is more profitable since many people come for repairs before/after work or on weekends.

Typically the locksmith receives 40-45% of the cost of the work. But it is best to combine percentage and salary so as not to lose qualified employees during periods of decline in demand.

In addition, you will need someone to communicate with clients and an accountant to maintain financial records.

Advertising

Here are several techniques:

• Corporate identity and signboard.
• Handing out business cards in parking lots.
• Radio advertising.
• Advertisements in specialized magazines and newspapers.
• Internet promotion.

Car service as a business: profitability

Opening a car service center from scratch will require significant financial investments. A small service station that provides only a few of the most popular services will cost you no less than 2 million rubles.

Although, of course, the option of renting a garage will cost much less. But we talked about this and the income from it will be less.

But despite the high barrier to entry, a car service is a profitable enterprise, with a profitability of at least 20–50%. And its full payback period is 1-3 years

If you are well versed in technology and are an experienced auto mechanic, then it would be quite reasonable to open own business in this domain. Private car service or a car repair shop is a great option, since car repair and maintenance services are always in demand. But even taking into account the huge competition, you will very soon be able to acquire a decent base of regular customers who will guarantee you a stable good income. The main thing you will have to focus on is the high quality and variety of services that you can provide.

Auto repair shop: basic principles and features of business

The number of cars in big and small cities is constantly growing, which means that the demand for their repair or maintenance is also increasing. Despite the fact that car services, as it may seem, are found at every step, this market niche lacks high-quality services at a reasonable price, because authorized services charge simply exorbitant numbers for the majority of the population.

In this case, a small auto repair shop in the garage comes to the rescue. As a rule, people learn about it from friends, neighbors or relatives who had their cars repaired there and were satisfied. Therefore, if you are familiar with cars, and also feel the potential and desire to create your own business, feel free to proceed to the first stage: sit down to write a business plan.

Where to start

Before opening a car repair shop, it is worth conducting an analysis of the existing service market, that is, finding out which car services exist in your city and what services they provide; pay attention to their advantages or disadvantages, etc. In large cities, this business is presented in several forms:

• large comprehensive car services (they are authorized and often specialize only in a specific brand of car). To become a partner of such a business, you will have to try a lot, because for official car manufacturers or dealers the issue of partnership is a matter that requires temporary and financial costs, not to mention your good name in this area;
• however, authorized car services are increasingly having their own representative offices in different cities or regions, so it’s worth paying attention to this Possible Solution question;
• Individual private car services, as a rule, do not have accreditation, but there is a high demand among the population for their services, because price policy at such points of service the service is much more adequate and acceptable;
• You can also simply provide individual car repair services, that is, set up a workshop in your garage or any other place. Such a business also has certain prospects and opportunities for expansion and growth.

So, evaluate the current situation in your city and your capabilities. If you have enough free funds at your disposal, then you can open your own car service, which will provide a whole range of different services. However, being financially strapped, it’s better to think about how to open a small auto repair shop from scratch. Then you don’t need to immediately spend money on purchasing expensive equipment or invest large amounts for rent/purchase of premises for a full-fledged service station. And after working for some time and acquiring a decent base of regular customers, you can think about expanding.

Proper planning of activities

1. Determine your niche in the auto business and take care of the legal and financial aspects of the issue.
2. Find an appropriate location to open, depending on what services you plan to provide to clients. Coordinate the choice of premises with all legislative bodies that authorize your work.
3. Based on the previous point, purchase the necessary equipment (materials, inventory) and equip the workshop.
4. Find like-minded people or hire additional staff if you see that you cannot cope with the work yourself.
5. Give yourself minimal advertising and open up.

By working with a business plan step by step, you will be able to assess all risks in advance or difficult moments, requiring special attention. This will allow you to approach the matter as competently and thoughtfully as possible.

How to register a business

In order for everything to be correct and fair from the point of view of the law, and for you to be able to work peacefully, you need to properly register your business. Having decided on the scale of activity and the range of future services, register a workshop: for a small car service point, the IP form () is also suitable, and if you intend to open a full-fledged car service with wide choice various services, then it is better (limited liability company). You can choose either the form of taxation or (simplified). When planning a non-cash form of payment, you should take care of opening a company bank account.

1. Having decided on the types of proposed work that you will carry out at your enterprise, submit applications to certification bodies to conclude contracts for your services in accordance with GOST standards. Among the main types of work required by licensing, the most common are: repair work ( brake system, steering, engines, etc.), control or diagnostics, tire fitting or balancing, welding and others. Be prepared for regular inspections to ensure the quality of the work you do. However, for individual entrepreneurs, certification is voluntary.
2. After registration with tax office and registering the form of the enterprise, you will need to complete a full package of documents to obtain a special license from the Transport Inspectorate (they will need to provide permission to operate and approval of the selected premises from other organizations).
3. One of these documents should be an agreement confirming your right to a specific plot of land or structure (lease agreement or purchase and sale agreement). In addition, the sanitary-epidemiological service and the State Fire Inspectorate will have many questions regarding the premises. More about this:
   • Many people are interested in whether it is possible to open a car repair shop in a private house? Unfortunately, you most likely won’t be able to do this option, since, based on the standards and requirements of the fire service and SES, a car service center cannot be located not only in residential premises, but also near residential buildings or bodies of water (at least 15 m), and if there are any children’s institutions nearby, then the distance should be even greater (from 50 m);
   • water supply and sewerage connections must be made to the premises and installed there supply and exhaust ventilation(calculations of its system must be performed in accordance with SNiL standards);
   • if you plan to open a large service and hire employees, you should calculate the area so that each person has about 5 square meters. m. (not including equipment);
   • additional agreements are concluded with various companies for the collection, removal and disposal of waste (garbage and solid waste), in addition, the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision authorities must give you permission to place and operate all equipment, plus - to carry out the planned technical processes (according to your project documentation);
   • your workshop must be explosion-proof artificial lighting, and for finishing walls and floors you can use only moisture- and oil- and petrol-resistant materials. For walls in this case it is taken Oil paint or tiling (2/3 of the height). Floors can be covered metlakh tiles, and for finishing inspection pits you will have to choose ceramic;
   • do not forget that, in accordance with the requirements of the SES, a car service center must also have a bathroom and shower. It would be a good idea to install special lockers to store clean workwear and personal protective equipment for the respiratory system, eyes and skin of the hands (gloves, goggles, respirators).

As you can see, there is a lot of work ahead. Experts do not advise starting such a business if you do not understand it yourself, since even your own employees They will be able to deceive you or work “carelessly.” But even without taking this factor into account, you will still have to prove your professional suitability (provide a copy of your diploma or work record book) to obtain a license from the Transport Inspectorate. You will also need to either take responsibility yourself or appoint one of the employees officially responsible for industrial safety and health (safety point and safety).

Where to open a workshop

For your business to be profitable and pay for itself quickly, you need to choose right place for the location of the future enterprise. It’s one thing if you decide to open a car repair shop in a garage: in this case, you won’t need too many investments, because a small private service station will not need a full range of services (you simply won’t be able to place them there). That is, for a garage auto repair shop, you can first choose some narrow profile. For example, they become very popular in Lately services such as computer car diagnostics or tuning.

If you are planning a full-scale car service, then plan the project right away so that you have a painting, body and mechanic shop, as well as a pit, a platform for tire mounting and balancing, and at least another place for electrical work. To accommodate at least 4 work stations, a small office and a spare parts warehouse, you will need at least 300 sq. m. m area. Ideally, there should be 2-3 times more space.

It is very important for you to have a constant flow of people so as to attract maximum attention from potential clients. The best option would be to open a workshop:

• near a major highway;
• close to a gas station;
• close to major transport hubs (with good access to you);
• in densely populated residential areas (but away from the residential sector).

Even for the smallest amount of work you will need a fairly spacious room. Think for yourself: in a garage you can only service one car, but what should you do with the queue or what to do with repaired cars? You must decide all these questions in advance.

Equipment and types of services

If you rent a premises, then all changes must be made only after agreement with its owner. Of course, building your own enterprise is a very long-term and difficult project, which will require you to spend a lot of money. But you can immediately realize all your desires in it.

You can select and purchase equipment only after you have decided on the appropriate areas of work. You should not chase cheap or used devices, because this way you risk being a double loser. Quality should be your main criterion.

Since the equipment is very expensive, you should not immediately buy everything that may not even be useful to you, since there is no demand for this service. Take your time and act wisely. But only by betting on a full range of different profitable or popular services can you beat your competitors or find an unoccupied niche in this business.

Here is an approximate list of what is needed to open an auto repair shop:

• a large number of various small tools (repair kits, wrenches, hammers, hacksaws, vices, pliers, etc.);
• diagnostic system (depends on the direction of your activity, that is, what kind of machines you deal with);
• lift (at least one two-post), but ideally there should be several of them. Equipping a post with a four-post lift (high load capacity, which reaches up to 4 tons) is not affordable for everyone;
• wheel alignment stand;
• compressor with compressed air;
• installation for various types works (flushing the fuel system, changing the oil, straightening or welding, painting equipment);
• machines for balancing and tire fitting;
• transmission (rack) and jacks.

It's minimum necessary equipment for a good auto repair shop that is capable of providing a wide range of various services for machine repair and maintenance. In addition, you can organize a store on the basis of a service station and sell spare parts to customers (purchasing them from trusted suppliers) or other automotive products, prepare cars for sale, even open a cafe or car wash nearby - this business has a lot of prospects.

Recruitment

Like quality equipment, good staff plays important role for the success of your car service. To find real professionals and experienced workers, you will have to try a lot. Some owners lure specialists from other workshops, because clients usually come for the master. But this, of course, cannot be considered correct.

Skilled workers are not cheap. But if your service fixes the most complex and “unsolvable” problems, your customer base will begin to grow very soon.

You can train professional mechanics yourself by training newcomers and keeping them as apprentices. But this option is acceptable if you are ready to take the brunt of the work yourself.

How much and whom to hire - depend on the situation. For a full-fledged service station you will need: several repair mechanics and auto mechanics, good auto electricians, painters (if there is painting), a welder, a body mechanic, and a tire specialist. For large-scale operations, you will have to hire security guards, an administrator or dispatcher, a warehouse worker or salesperson, etc.

Promotion or advertising

To ensure that your discovery does not go unnoticed, it is worth investing in good advertising. Carry out at least minimal activities that will tell potential clients about you:

• advertising on radio or in local media;
• large outdoor advertising (luminous sign, navigation, big board, etc.);
• cooperation with parking lots, shops or offices (you can distribute business cards or leaflets to organizations);
• posting advertisements.

conclusions

To calculate the payback period and profitability of this business, try to write down your list of planned expenses and income. Statistics say that your own auto repair shop can maximally pay for itself in 3 years (minimum - in a year and a half). Despite the fact that this business has a fairly high barrier to entry (due to the costs of equipment and equipment), its profitability can even reach 50%.

Approximate costs (prices are in rubles):

Now you know how much it costs to open an auto repair shop. If you immediately focus your attention on the most cost-effective services or offer something new and popular, then very soon you will not only be able to turn a profit, but also receive a stable high income. As the number of clients increases, your costs will decrease. Having correctly set prices and organized quality work, you will gradually earn yourself good name and you will be able to expand your business in all possible directions.

Like any equipment, cars periodically break down, and the owner begins to look for a car service where he can quickly and efficiently repair the vehicle. Based on this, despite the great competition in this segment, opening your own car service can be a very profitable investment.

Types of car services

Before talking about opening a car service center, you need to decide on the type of service to be opened.

The structure of the car servicing market currently includes:

1. Authorized car services. Enterprises of this type are engaged in the repair of one, specific brand of car. Often, opening a service of this type requires concluding an agreement with official dealers.
2. Network car services. This is a branded car service that has a developed network of branches in one or several regions.
3. Singles. Car services that do not have any accreditation, but are in very wide demand among car owners.
4. Customized services. It is allowed to provide services of this type without opening a car service center. In this case, repairs can be carried out both at the master’s home and at the client’s home, depending on the complexity of the work.

It is necessary to start opening a car service center by choosing its type. In general, the most profitable option is to open a single car service center. In the future, it can be transferred to the network.

Choosing a location for a car service

The second stage in opening your own car service center is choosing a suitable location and premises. The choice of location does not play a special role. This could be either a busy highway or a place in a residential area or residential area.

But at the same time, it is important to note that the SES imposes the following requirements for the premises for a car service center, which you need to pay attention to:

• the premises cannot be classified as residential;
• It is prohibited to open a car service center in public building;
• the premises must be located at a distance of at least 15 meters from residential buildings and at least 50 meters from playgrounds, kindergartens and schools, as well as medical institutions;
• availability of water supply and sewerage is required;
• heating is required during the cold season;
• the presence of flow-exhaust ventilation;
• daylight;
• inspection hole.

It is best to use a garage or hangar, a former industrial premises, to open your own business. The approximate area for 4 workplaces is about 250 – 300 sq. m. Having parking near the premises will be a definite plus.

You can purchase the premises you find or rent it. It is important to conclude a long-term contract.

Room equipment

Before you start registering a business, you need to equip the premises and bring it in accordance with sanitary standards. For sanitary service it is necessary to carry out following works:

• Install safe artificial lighting.
• Cover by inspection hole and walls ceramic tiles.
• Cover the floor with metlakh tiles.
• Equip a bathroom and shower for employees.
• Install in work area lockers for clothes.

Additionally, it is necessary to zoning the premises. Designate a staff room where car mechanics can change clothes and relax during breaks between work. Be sure to allocate a room for clients where they will be received. It is advisable to install several sofas and a table for relaxation, a TV, and a coffee machine.

The work space can also be zoned. For example, allocate one room for large repairs, and another for small ones. Or focus on the type of service provided: welding and straightening in one room, painting in another, repairs in a third.

Please note that one specialist must have at least 5 square meters.

Return