Starting a car workshop business

[Ithunk]

as above....anyone care to share about their experience in starting a car workshop business?

[Mike1234]

 

If you are talking about repairing cars, then most likely you will need experienced and qualified mechanics...

 

On top of that, decide on which type/brand of cars you wana do...

 

Its actually very hard to do every brand/model/type of cars unless you have a very huge capital.....

 

There are also many car repairing shops around.

 

If you are talking about accessories shop, you will definitely need good and reliable parts/accessories...

 

Its not easy to start one because there are really alot of good and cheap auto cars-related business (Auto bacs, Silent,etc) around in SG...

 

You will be shocked by the number and competitors around.

 

IMO, its not easy to start one unless you have a huge capital..

[SimonTan]

Start a car mod shop.

Something like what I see on Discovery.

Where they soup up old cars. Modify the exterior body. And do up the interior, etc.

 

Good luck.,

[Chiangauto]

Are you intend to start a workshop in SG for business and personal uses.not bad idea.

[Will_I_Am]

You watch too much Overhaulin and Pimp my Ride liao.

In the states is different, they can anyhow modify their ride.

Over here, modifications is very limited and controlled. Can get into trouble with LTA one. Not worth the trouble.

 

Start a car mod shop.

Something like what I see on Discovery.

Where they soup up old cars. Modify the exterior body. And do up the interior, etc.

 

Good luck.,

 

[Mockngbrd]

from what i see only... i thnk its better if ur niche

[Krado]

Start a car mod shop.

Something like what I see on Discovery.

Where they soup up old cars. Modify the exterior body. And do up the interior, etc.

 

Good luck.,

 

At the end of the day, kenna haul up by LTA.

[Yeobh]

I have never try setting up a car service repair workshop but have given some simple adv to some of my customer ( mechanics ) who are enterperising guys.

 

I always joking remind those mechs who seek my adv

a) you may be very good with yr hands that does not mean you will be a successful workshop operator.

b) Buy your self a belt hole puncher.

c) Be prepare to go without salary for more than 12 mths

d) Make sure that yr cash is more than 6 month above yr plan " no income period"

e)Learn to eat humble pie

f) Yr initial customers are rejects from other workshops - they only want cheap, good and fast service but will pay you peanuts.They will not cheer you on but will try to get you to the heart hospital.

g) Give yr self a new title " General Worker"

h)No more holidays and phone calls from your honey. Be prepare to work more than 12 hours.

i) If you have no basic booking knowledge and marketing skill try to attend short courses or read them up before starting your business.

Hope this if of help to you and will not discourage you from plunging into this "sea" that has more than 900 workshops servicing only close to 500,000 cars.

 

 

 

[Chiangauto]

I have never try setting up a car service repair workshop but have given some simple adv to some of my customer ( mechanics ) who are enterperising guys.

 

I always joking remind those mechs who seek my adv

a) you may be very good with yr hands that does not mean you will be a successful workshop operator.

b) Buy your self a belt hole puncher.

c) Be prepare to go without salary for more than 12 mths

d) Make sure that yr cash is more than 6 month above yr plan " no income period"

e)Learn to eat humble pie

f) Yr initial customers are rejects from other workshops - they only want cheap, good and fast service but will pay you peanuts.They will not cheer you on but will try to get you to the heart hospital.

g) Give yr self a new title " General Worker"

h)No more holidays and phone calls from your honey. Be prepare to work more than 12 hours.

i) If you have no basic booking knowledge and marketing skill try to attend short courses or read them up before starting your business.

Hope this if of help to you and will not discourage you from plunging into this "sea" that has more than 900 workshops servicing only close to 500,000 cars.

 

all you have said are true.......sob sob...i am the one.the only thing is you can gain new experience and chanllenging life at this moment.

 

[Pisces69]

You watch too much Overhaulin and Pimp my Ride liao.

In the states is different, they can anyhow modify their ride.

Over here, modifications is very limited and controlled. Can get into trouble with LTA one. Not worth the trouble.

===============

 

I think its also over there, they really know what they r doing & the car wil run well & is safe to drive.

 

Over here, most ws want to mod also dont know how to do properly & the car wil b damm unsafe to drive.

 

Look at germany. Those professional pple wil mod the cars themselves & they know what they r doing. After mods wil go for proper inspection & get the car certified.

 

Over here they wil do dangerous mods & try to bribe the inspectors to pass an unsafe car. :angry:

 

[Picanto]

as above....anyone care to share about their experience in starting a car workshop business?

 

 

how much capital do you have in the first place?

[Ithunk]

I have never try setting up a car service repair workshop but have given some simple adv to some of my customer ( mechanics ) who are enterperising guys.

 

I always joking remind those mechs who seek my adv

a) you may be very good with yr hands that does not mean you will be a successful workshop operator.

b) Buy your self a belt hole puncher.

c) Be prepare to go without salary for more than 12 mths

d) Make sure that yr cash is more than 6 month above yr plan " no income period"

e)Learn to eat humble pie

f) Yr initial customers are rejects from other workshops - they only want cheap, good and fast service but will pay you peanuts.They will not cheer you on but will try to get you to the heart hospital.

g) Give yr self a new title " General Worker"

h)No more holidays and phone calls from your honey. Be prepare to work more than 12 hours.

i) If you have no basic booking knowledge and marketing skill try to attend short courses or read them up before starting your business.

Hope this if of help to you and will not discourage you from plunging into this "sea" that has more than 900 workshops servicing only close to 500,000 cars.

 

thanks yeobh great insight....btw its only 900 workshops only?

 

btw here are the rental rate at autobay....so was jus curious...since i came across this website...

 

http://www.hbiz.gov.sg/web/aa17/corporate/...ativeRents.html

 

 

[Yeobh]

The figure fluctuate from 850 to 900 + depending on market conditions. My estimate is about 10% of the shop will close or change hand due to poor business, retirement etc.

[Itsec]

==============

 

Look at germany. Those professional pple wil mod the cars themselves & they know what they r doing. After mods wil go for proper inspection & get the car certified.

 

Over here they wil do dangerous mods & try to bribe the inspectors to pass an unsafe car. :angry:

 

its $$$...

 

(LTA compliance)

example: extractor -> $1k+

mid-pipe -> 750

muffler -> 800

 

This exclude inspection fee and have to be done individual -> inspection fee x3

 

where non-compliance cost u less than 1k...

 

so which route u choose?

 

 

[Nmnhnlm]

IT depends.

 

If you really want to start a car workshop. 2 routes to go. Repair conti cars like Merc/BMW etc and/or do performance cars like WRX, Evo etc...... Never do Jap/Korean Sedans, cannot earn one.

 

Conti brands are much more profitable. Can chop carrot head. I myself kana before. Used to have E39 520i. Repair aircon (just clearing choke from aircon coil, not replace) cost me $900. The person say conti cars very expensive one.

 

Then do performance cars like WRX/Evo etc. Also can chop carrot head one. Do performance mods like stroking up engine, ECU tuning etc..... That one also very profitable.

[Yeobh]

Apparently you are preaching very bad business practice. Keep that to your self.

To service and repair European vehicles, the need to purchase specialist tools is on the very high side, without such tools you just not able to perform productively and chance the end result is bad. Up dating knoweldege is also very expensive as BMW and MB repair infos and special tools do not come cheap not to mention Volvo and Saab.

[Yeobh]

Many do not even have the right training let alone trying to do modification works. Most of them are engaged in piecemeal modifications which is very un professional - without total approach it's dangerous and for the car owner is like throwing both money and life down the drain.

[Yeobh]

Very short sighted, if $$$ not enough don't take up such expensive hobby. You need deep pocket and time to enjoy such hobby.