How to Start a Car Body Shop
Do you enjoy restoring cars, trucks and SUVs to their former glory? Start your own car body shop and make vehicles look like new again. There are always new body shop customers looking to change their vehicle’s look or repair exterior damage.
- Create a name for your business. A catchy name can help customers easily return for repeat transactions. Make sure your name reflects your core values.
- Write up a business plan. A business plan should detail all tools, equipment and employees you will need. Devote one page of your plan to finances. Figure out what expenses you will have and how you will pay them.
- Purchase all needed tools and supplies to start your body shop. Your tool and supply choices will depend heavily on which vehicles you will specialize in. Also important are which aspects of bodywork you will complete on a regular basis.
- Equip your work area with all your tools and other equipment. Having your supplies organized and ready will make your projects go much faster. Make sure you include materials needed to clean up spills and hazards.
- Create a flier, business cards and other advertising materials. Distribute materials to get the word out about your business. Tell family and friends about your new auto body shop business to encourage them to bring their cars in for work.
- Greet customers cordially and by sure to remember their names. Customers like to be treated like family when they take their cars in for service. Complete all services in a quick, yet professional manner to ensure customers leave happy. Encourage your customers to hand out your business card to people who inquire about their bodywork or new paint job. New customers are highly influenced by a good word from friends or family.