The idea of opening your own business is always accompanied by the question: “in which industry is it best to do this?” It won’t take car enthusiasts much time to solve this problem. Since car repair is not only an interesting activity, but also has a huge and constant demand. Now the question arises of how to surpass your competitors, of which there are many today.
Car service business plan
Types of car service as a business
- Authorized service. As a rule, such entrepreneurs work under a franchise scheme, concluding an agreement with one (or several) automakers;
- Standard workshop. A service station that provides repairs and other services for cars of all common brands;
- One master service. This type of business involves servicing cars by one person in his garage. The main advantage of this activity is the minimal start-up costs.
So, where to start implementing this project? The Vipwash.ru portal tried to understand the difficulties that future owners of Moscow car repair shops must go through.
The first step will be to write a business plan for your car service. It is necessary to reflect in as much detail as possible all planned expenses (capital, one-time, monthly), think over the client potential, planned types of services, their prices, etc. It is important to understand that the business plan should not “paint rosy pictures” of the future. The correctness of all further actions depends on how soberly the chances of organizing this business are assessed.
An important point when choosing a car service center is the legal requirement that such workshops be located at least 50 meters from residential buildings and educational institutions. The distance to bodies of water is also regulated - no closer than 150 meters. Please take these requirements into account to avoid future claims from local authorities.
In the process of drawing up technical specifications, the material for the construction of a car service is selected. An excellent alternative to traditional methods of building a car service center is a prefabricated metal frame with enclosing structures made of sandwich panels.
It would not be amiss to mention the total area of the car service site (at least 3-4 acres). There must be parking for cars and all communications (electricity, water, heating, sewerage).
The set of necessary equipment depends on the list of services provided by the car service center. Agree, simple scheduled maintenance requires incomparably less special tools than, for example, engine repair or body straightening. Be that as it may, the minimum kit, as well as diagnostic equipment, must be purchased in any case.
Any successful entrepreneur will confirm to you that a good half of the credit for the development of the company belongs to its employees. A lot depends on how correctly you select personnel for your car service. After all, if even in the most modern workshop, equipped with the latest tools, a person with “crooked” hands works, there can be no talk of any income generation. Therefore, no one questions the fact that personnel policies play a decisive role in the fate of any enterprise.
Before you start building a business to open a car service center, you should understand that the average payback for a typical car repair shop occurs no earlier than 2 years. This is an objective reality that should set the future entrepreneur up for hard work that will not generate income very soon. But if you can go through the initial period of formation, cover your investments without losing development prospects, the reward will be a business that will provide you with a stable income for a long time.
So, introductory: you are an investor. You have some funds, a willingness to invest them in the business, and you know a little about cars (to the extent that you have a clear idea of future work).
At the first stage, we decide on the main question - what will you repair? If we are talking about tire service (which, at a stretch, can be called a car service), then all you need is a trailer and a set of simple equipment. But we will assume that the future service station will be multifunctional, with a large list of services offered.
The first type includes minor work - inflating or replacing a wheel, changing the oil, repairing the chassis. Often such malfunctions happen on the road. In this case, it will be better for the driver to meet a service along the way that will help resolve his problem. Accordingly, it is better for the owner of a car service center if the previously described driver chooses his salon. Thus, if you are focused on repairing minor breakdowns, it would be more effective to open your own workshop near a highway or highway.
How does everything happen when opening a new car service?
To establish a service station from scratch, you will need legal registration of a business entity.
The next step is obtaining permits and documentation. Preparing a package for certification in a specialized law firm can cost 3,000-5,000 rubles, depending on the region. (term – 10-14 days). This does not include the costs of conducting an expert assessment of equipment, checking the status of technical documentation and subsequent certification of service stations.
Service station location
If you will be repairing heavy vehicles and special equipment (trucks, buses, tractors, etc.), then we are not looking for a place in a residential area. Remember - a non-working car still needs to be delivered to you; in the case of a 20-ton KamAZ, this is a very impressive coupling in size, which simply will not squeeze through narrow, crowded yards.
If you are repairing cars, the closer to the client, the better. Here, as a rule, repairs are required “here and now”, and your location around the nearest corner from the sufferer will be a huge plus for you.
Basic package of documents
To register a car service, first of all, you need a license, the main document. Its task is to confirm your right to engage in this activity. Whether you act as an individual or a legal entity does not matter. In any case, there must be a corresponding package of documents. Whether it’s a car wash or a tire service, a car repair or a tuning studio - any line of activity will require you to select the appropriate code for the car service center.
So, to obtain a license, you submit the following documents to the transport company:
- Application (written in a form on a special form)
- List (must have a diagram)
- Certificate (issued in advance)
- Bank details
- Land lease agreement
- Charter of the future workshop
- Certificates from SES, fire supervision
- Orders appointing persons responsible for safety precautions and safety points
- Order appointing a person responsible for repairs and maintenance
These documents form the basis of the car service registration process. But that's not all. They must be accompanied by a document on professional suitability with a photocopy of the diploma and work book of the entrepreneur. And also, if you don’t want problems with taxation of a car service center, take the trouble to get a certificate from the tax office.
Auto service room
It is necessary to provide several types of premises
- Repair zone. Calculate its area so that there is plenty of space. The vehicle must be accessible from all sides; We do not forget that equipment and units are sometimes quite impressive in size. Considering that the repair station must be equipped with a lift, we can safely allocate 40-45 sq.m. to each workplace. (approximate dimensions of a passenger car are 2x4 m; the area for its repair must be 4x10 m, no less).
The number of repair places is at least four, otherwise the business is unlikely to feed itself.
In addition: the room must have high ceilings, excellent lighting and powerful forced ventilation. Don't skimp - it's worth it.
- Stock. The room should be large, comfortable, roomy. You won’t run to the store on the next street for every nut, will you? In addition, this allows you to receive additional profit from the client - you have to buy hardware somewhere, but here everything is in place.
- Aggregate. A large spacious room where dismantled engines, axles and other large components of the car will be sorted out.
- Post for adjusting wheel alignment. It is better to take it out separately - there will be no dirt and noise, but the employee needs to concentrate a little.
- Household premises for staff. A shower, a couple of sofas, a small kitchenette and dining room, etc. – people sometimes need to rest.
- Shop. Remember we talked about the spare parts warehouse? Why not continue - not everyone will be repaired by you, but you still need to buy the part. So you sell it.
- A place for clients. A sofa, a table, a cooler, a TV - let him rest while you put his iron horse in order. But the room is better away from the repair area - he shouldn’t see the treatment methods.
- Platform for transport. Before entering - be sure! You need to inspect the car before repairs, display the finished one, etc. If, by the will of fate, it is small, there is a complete ban on employees parking on it. This place is for clients only!
Once again about the payback of a service station project from scratch
A classic auto repair shop from scratch will pay for itself within a year and a half, plus or minus a quarter. Then, with well-established work without capital costs for the purchase of additional equipment, you can achieve a profitability rate of up to 20% of the total monthly turnover.
Don't forget about taxes. They should be paid regularly to avoid fines, etc. Any car service from scratch, which the owner closely monitors, can easily become a financial support even in the most difficult times. After all, the number of cars constantly requiring repairs is steadily growing.
Planning and construction of a car service center
Before building a car service center, it is worth conducting a pre-design study. It is necessary to determine the location of the service station and its size.
When choosing a plot of land for the construction of a service station, you need to take into account its distance from residential buildings and other institutions. The distance should be at least 50-70 meters. It is also worth realistically assessing the possibility of connecting all the necessary communications, especially water supply and sewerage systems.
Taking into account the opinions of experienced car service owners, the area should not be less than 40 m2. The optimal solution would be an area of 300 m2. For each worker it is necessary to allocate about 6 m2. It will be necessary to take into account the area on which the equipment will be placed.
First you need to determine the flow of clients and delineate jobs. The car service project is based on a technical specification, which is based on the above parameters and the list of planned services.
The layout of a car service usually includes: an entry/exit area to a service station, a reception area, workplaces, an area for working with diagnostic and repair equipment, a space reserved for washing, parking and other areas and premises. It is also necessary to design additional services provided: washing, dining room, store, etc.
All engineering communications are also calculated during the design period. It is worth choosing the type of structures being erected: prefabricated or capital.
Vipwash.ru recommends using the services of professional companies involved in facility design. After all, the project will have to be coordinated with various government bodies, including the local department of architecture and urban planning. You also need to coordinate your actions with the motor transport inspection, providing the entire package of project documentation.
In order to save time, many current service station owners recommend contacting construction companies that carry out work on the construction and equipment of turnkey service stations. Based on the results of the construction of a car service center, it is necessary to obtain a sanitary and fire certificate.
You will need to obtain an opinion from local environmental services that the car service does not cause significant harm to the environment.
After completing the construction of the car service center, you need to take care of the interior decoration. According to the basic requirements for setting up a car service center, it must have a hard and durable floor that can reliably hold the fastenings of lifts and other bulky equipment. The walls of inspection pits must be tiled. There must be a bathroom, a place for eating, and lockers so that workers can change clothes. Particular attention should be paid to lighting.
Compliance with these requirements will allow you to avoid problems during various inspections by regulatory authorities.
The final stage of equipping the premises is the purchase and installation of the necessary equipment.
Prices for repairs in car service centers in Moscow
Current as of March 2013
So, let's start with the prices for car repair services for domestic cars:
1. Oil and filter change – 500 rubles; 2. Replacement of optics (on average) – 300 rubles; 3. Replacement of brake pads – 450 rubles; 4. Replacing the timing belt – 980 rubles; 5. Replacement of spark plugs – 350 rubles; 6. Wheel alignment adjustment – 700 rubles; 7. Replacement of the generator – 600 rubles; 8. Computer diagnostics – 650 rubles; 9. Engine overhaul – 10.5 thousand rubles; 10. Complete car painting – 35,000 rubles.
And the same types of work on foreign cars:
1. Oil and filter change – 550 rubles; 2. Replacement of optics (on average) – 400 rubles; 3. Replacement of brake pads – 550 rubles; 4. Replacing the timing belt – 1800 rubles; 5. Replacement of spark plugs – 400 rubles; 6. Wheel alignment adjustment – 1400 rubles; 7. Replacement of the generator – 900 rubles; 8. Computer diagnostics – 650 rubles; 9. Engine overhaul – 16.5 thousand rubles; 10. Complete car painting – 43,000 rubles.
As you can see, the cost of servicing foreign cars and domestic cars differs by about 30%. The main factors influencing the formation of these prices are the list and quality of work, the flow of clients, distance from the city center, the degree of sophistication of the equipment used in repairs, etc.
Advantages of a prefabricated car service
Modern service stations are built using prefabricated technology from LMK and LSTK. Such buildings are popular due to a number of advantages: construction, from design to commissioning, takes an average of 1-3 months;
- the ability to adapt the dimensions of the structure to the needs of the client;
- the cost is 30-45% lower than the price of constructing a capital service station;
- construction of a car service box can be carried out at any time of the year;
- modern, individual design;
- the ability to move the service station to another location;
- simple extension;
- good sound and heat insulation.
Service stations made from light steel frames are strong, durable, reliable, and are not afraid of exposure to moisture and high and low temperatures. They can be built in seismically active zones.
Service station personnel
When selecting personnel, we need to proceed from the calculation of “one person for one place,” so we take four young guys. Maybe without experience, but with a desire to work and an understanding of mechanics. We give them a small salary, promise a good percentage of orders and the prospect of growth for both.
It is important to remember: there will be three key workers at your service station: an auto electrician, an assembly worker, and a repairman. For these employees, do not skimp on a high permanent salary and a small percentage (or permanent bonuses) - in this case, they will not go to competitors and will not look for side earnings. They will make a name for your service station - and you yourself will feel an increase in the flow of customers.
The repairman has a special function - he, being a professional, controls the work at all four posts; if necessary, he connects, helps, does something himself. And he will do a lot - but it will cost you much less than hiring such a “Kulibin” for each of the posts. (We just don’t tell him about this - to avoid accidents).
Stages of opening this business
In order for the opening of a car service to be successful, it is necessary to strictly follow some rules, which can be outlined in step-by-step instructions consisting of the following steps:
- first of all, you need to start drawing up a business plan, which will include not only the costs of various equipment with which the car will be repaired, but also the number of employees hired, the costs of obtaining various permits and certificates, and forecasting the payback;
- decide on the form of business organization, that is, either the person will register an individual entrepreneur, or will settle on an LLC;
- what auto repair services will be provided, and accordingly what specialists will be required, plus the necessary equipment for such work;
- find a place where the car service will be located, its area;
- obtaining various permits;
- come up with advertising signs, a name, and decide on future advertising.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can count on having, over time, regular customers and making a good profit. Now you can move on to a detailed consideration of each stage of the step-by-step instructions.
It is important to understand that this instruction is general, and adjustments can always be made to it due to the peculiarities of a given business. The only thing you need to adhere to is a business plan, which will lead to success.
Technical service advertising
Everyone should know that a new car service center has appeared in this microdistrict - right down to the “iron guard” at the entrances. Therefore, at the first stage - aggressively filling mailboxes, entrances, nearby shops, parking lots with leaflets and business cards. It will work very quickly - as soon as something breaks. Well, what happens next depends only on how well you perform your work: good service stations always have their own established reputation.
That's all, actually. Happy business!
Attached is a short video with instructions for opening your own service station.
Certificate of compliance of the work carried out
In addition to all the documents and requirements listed above, licensing a car service center requires a certificate of conformity for all types of work performed. You can become certified after submitting your application. After passing, contracts for certification of services are concluded. More than 60 types of work require mandatory certification. These include:
- All types of lubrication and filling works.
- Electrical.
- Control and diagnostics.
- Repair of brake and steering systems.
- Installation, dismantling and painting works.
- Tire fitting and balancing.
- Tin welding works.
- Repairing and charging batteries.
Certification is valid only if there is an additional application that lists the required types of work. Voluntary certification is possible only for individual entrepreneurs.
How much money will be required at the initial stage and how much can be obtained in the future?
Naturally, if there is no initial amount, there is no need to collect the relevant documents. In general, it is difficult to name a specific amount, since it will depend on many things. However, if you are thinking about how to arrange a car service on a large scale, you will need approximately from 100 to 160 thousand USD. If you want to open a small workshop, you will cost 60 thousand USD. Regular tire fitting will require the least initial cost - 12 thousand.
It is necessary to work in such a way that the initial costs can be recouped and make a profit. Statistics show that a full-fledged car service providing a full range of services can generate income from 4000 USD. e. per month. And how to increase income will depend on the owner and his team.
