New Auto Repair Garage..need help

[krismoriah]

I am not a mechanic by trade but I am building a 4 or 5 bay auto repair garage within the next 6 months. I almost have the land, after that I will build and then begin my shop.

I have good friends who gave me a great quote on building a block building. I have been tossing the idea of a steel building to others..but they say for the long haul I should go with block.??

I will be doing tires, brakes, and alignments along with all major and minor repairs. The only aspect I think I will not be doing is exhaust, since the demand seems pretty low and the bending machine is $7000.

I think 1 two post lift and 1 four post lift is good for starters. I am looking at the Atlas Line right now for affordability.

For the tire changer and balancer I am looking at the Atlas Combo also for affordability.

I am up in the air about the brake lathe. I am leaning towards an on the car brake lathe (Ranger). I know I wont be able to do drums with this setup.

How many air compressors will I need? Are the atlas products good enough?


I also have to figure out which time estimation guide I will use. Chiltons seems to be the most advertised.

Do I need special software to do invoicing or can I use quickbooks?

Any input from guys who run auto repair shops?

For what its worth I am doing this because it has always been a dream of mine to operate a 'good garage' it will be located in a very high traffic area with very little competition.

Any info or help or input will help.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you think an exhaust pipe bender is expensive, have you priced an alignment rack? There's really only one good on car brake lathe and its name is Procut. You may want to look into visiting the iatn.net website. You may not be qualified to join but, they have a shop management section. You should also consider joining ASA or other automotive service organizations. To get a new shop up and running is a monumental task for people that have an automotive background. If you're not the mechanic, who's doing the work? You need at least 3 lifts. You also need Mithcell on demand or Alldata. Good luck in your quest, welcome to the board, and sometimes the initial affordability of shop equipment is meaningless when it fails to be durable.

 

[trloh]

For a true good investment you should make a long term purchase and get some better brands of equipment. You will not be able to depend on those products mentioned to have enough up time in a shop that sees any real volume. And when they are broken who will be around to fix them locally? I see those at that price as disposable items. I have been around equipment for more than 15 years and once you establish a client base you will be able to make payments on better equipment no problem. Try and get some financing for a little more than you are planning on.

 

[shocksystems]

Best wishes on your fulfilling your dream. Please keep us updated with pictures as your garage progresses.

Jim

 

[nate379]

Coates for tire stuff. Atlas for brake stuff.

If you are looking to do it as a pro running a shop, some states require you are ASE certified... something to look into.

 

[Merkava_4]

I am building a 4 or 5 bay auto repair garage within the next 6 months.

Why within the next 6 months? You'll be doing part of the construction in the dead of winter.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Maybe he's in florida!!

 

[krismoriah]

Sorry to have not given more info. I am in West Virginia. The shop should take less than 1 month to build. The property should take a week to be excavated and probably another month in getting up and fully functional. I am giving a month or more to get permits and the real estate finalized as well. Probably not 6 months. I would like to be up and running before winter for sure.

I am not ASE nor is my partner. We are just investors. We already have 4 'helpers' who are by trade mechanics but none are ASE. We will be hiring 1 or 2 ASE mechanics shortly after the build.

This is a full on up hill battle for us not being mechanics.. which is why I am learning as much as I can on the internet. The mechanics will help us make it 'their shop' as much as it is ours. We will buy what they need and make it work for us all.

 

[krismoriah]

I did not know that you had to have a specific lift for alignments. Wow that is expensive to get into.

Within a 5 mile radius of me there are 12 tire installations, but only 1 does alignments and they are a chain. I thought I could do well with offering that since most everyone around here either goes to the chain store or goes without alignment.

My biggest competitor on tires is a flea bit operation that only does tires out of a filthy old garage. They did $350K last year on just tires (no alignments).

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

a good hunter rack is around 35 k installed with the service contact and labor , in 1994 - the L111

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I like the accuturn on car lathe better than the pro cut - which breaks quite easily , a honda tech may know better
but these days , I would not waste my money on a brake lathe - replace - don't reface

put it towards the alignment rack

 

[toolnut]

It's a tough business to start out fresh in. Your competition has all the customers. What will be your gimmick or sell point to draw them in with this economy? I am curious....

 

[nate379]

$10-20 ea to turn them vs $200+ for some rotors...

I like the accuturn on car lathe better than the pro cut - which breaks quite easily , a honda tech may know better
but these days , I would not waste my money on a brake lathe - replace - don't reface

put it towards the alignment rack

 

[krismoriah]

We have the money for all aspects, so I dont need to finance. However I tend to be a little 'tight' and am trying to weigh investment vs. profit. If Atlas will only last half as long as Coates then that is something I need to know.

Real life reviews on all of the choices are few and far between. I have noticed on the web that a guy can ask which 2 post lift is best for his garage and get 20 different answers.. I am reading all that I can. I am thankful I found this place and hope to learn as much as I can.

I will post pics as the progress evolves. Right now we are in the land buying phase. We have found some hidden property in an excellent location. It has been buried by the state for 20 years and forgotten.. so I need to have the utilities surveyed and I have to go to zoning this week to be sure that I can operate a garage at the location. If all goes well I will post the specifics.

As far as ASE. I know I have to have an ASE mechanic to do my state inspections, but other than that I dont think we have to be ASE to own the garage.

I have never seen any Atlas Brake 'stuff' can you point me to thier products?

 

[nate379]

Not sure, I just know every shop I have worked in had Coates tire machines . I would guess they are the "standard" so to speak.

Brake stuff is Ammco, not Atlas, got mixed up.

http://www.ammcoats.com/products_lathes.aspx

Hunter for alignment racks. I never priced them but I wouldn't be surprised if they are in the 30-40k price range.

 

[krismoriah]

So you think I should point my customers to new rotors instead of turning? Why wouldnt the customer go to another garage next time if I dont offer turning? just curious.

My competition within 5 miles is as follows.
2 'tire only' places.
2 very small garages.

What is my gimmick in this economy? On tires.. all locals double their money on tires. Buy at $32 and charge $65 plus balance and disposal. Oil.. almost triple. Brakes..double. Our plan is to not rely on drive ins.. but to focus on fleets. We already have several on board and can get many more fleets after opening. I plan on building a reputation as being honest and fair, with affordable pricing. The $44.95 oil change guys wont last long in this area once we are up.

 

[sberry]

I would be tempted to hold off on a brake lathe, new stuff is so competitive in most cases I toss the old.

 

[toolnut]

Sounds respectable - hard to find nowadays. If that's your route than your off to a great start.

 

[krismoriah]

This is just a curious question.. but I have noticed that the tire distributors all push Coates. Honestly a man that doesnt go to boards or forums or surf the internet doesnt even know about any other brand except for the one that the tire distributor tells him about. How does a man know that an Atlas or Ranger isnt just as good as a Coates?

 

[Merkava_4]

Spaciousness.

 

[Merkava_4]

Check out the slide show:

http://autobuilders.net/portfolio.html

 

[toolnut]

Spaciousness.

That looks to darn clean! Where's the grease spots????

 

[oiler]

ditto on this one
don't turn anything anymore

 

[Wesley B]

Check out this lexus dealership. http://www.challengerlifts.com/pressroom/12.shtml

 

[Wesley B]

Check out the slide show:

http://autobuilders.net/portfolio.html

I thought that the Lexus of Pembroke Pines, Service Department was a hotel lobby at first.

 

[Merkava_4]

 

[Wesley B]

Where do you find these beautiful shops.

 

[Merkava_4]

 

[toolnut]

Check out the slide show:

http://autobuilders.net/portfolio.html

That's some crazy $hit!!

 

[hoarder1212]

I have to agree with the brake lathe not being used as much anymore. Most shops (mine included) can make more profit from the mark up of new rotors than turning the old ones, if there is even enough material left to turn. I have checked a lot of rotors right out of the box and the machinable allowed thickness is usually pretty close to what they are new. As far as a brake lathe goes, if you have your heart set on one, try to get a deal on a quality used one. I have an Atlas 2 post lift and I am very happy with it. I use Mitchell on demand in my shop for the time estimation guide. It has a very nice set up for making quotes, and is also very helpful when you need some auto info.

 

[bmwpower]

Let's keep this thread to one forum please....merged.

 

[Fedwrench]

Do not pass on the brake lathe. If for nothing else, you'll need to address all of those pedal pulsation issues from installing new Chinese made rotors.

 

[Merkava_4]

 

[rwhite692]

If you are just starting out, you should be watching your local auctions and buying used equipment for cash. Avoid unnecessary debt. I see nearly new shop equipment at the auctions all the time, typically going for 30-40 cents on the dollar vs. new.

Be patient, and you will find the deals on the equipment you want/need.

Good Luck!

 

[trloh]

Keep this in mind. A tire distributor will push for his product but they also wouldn't want to offer them if they were a poor choice. In other words they know what brands to stay away from too as it all comes back to them even if they don't make the product. They stand behind it to some extent. They want to sell you volumes of tires for years to come so why try to sell you a 1500.00 dollar tire changer or balancer etc. that will put a bad spot on their name. Most times your tire distributor will be local to you and will want to represent themselves well.

Sometimes the parts used to make a 1500 dollar changer vs. a 4500 dollar changer are similar but the way they are properly designed and assembled makes the difference. Also this promotes the fact that someone will be around to service that machine when it needs it. Trust me they all need service just some a lot more often than others.

 

[tdkkart]

We have the money for all aspects, so I dont need to finance. However I tend to be a little 'tight' and am trying to weigh investment vs. profit.

Not to tell you how to spend your money, but.......
Don't forget to figure in the value your time and aggravation when calculating your investment.

If it was me and I had the pile of cash that it's gonna take to get this deal up and running, I'd find a guaranteed 5% pot to put it in and sit back and watch it grow. You'll make more money and have alot less heartache.

Hell, if I could get 5% on what you're gonna invest I wouldn't have to go to work on Monday, or ever for that matter.........

 

[krismoriah]

There are several dealerships locally that are out of business and all had service departments..I will swing by and see if they are selling off equipment before I start buying new.

If they have nothing for sale..what would be the risk in this plan? For tire changers and balancers, buy something like the Atlas or Ranger combo for under $2500 new. Keep an eye out for slightly used Coates equipment from auctions or ebay. then move the cheap combo as a backup unit or overflow.

On brake lathes.. I just priced a Honda Accord which has rotors that need turned on an on the car lathe. The rotors cost $25-$29 if you buy cheapest.
What would I charge to turn a rotor? $20 at least. So I can see the point in not investing in a lathe.

This isnt going to be a pile of cash to get up and running at least not compared to a similar business of retail. Unless there are alot of hidden costs that I am not factoring in. I have calculated land, building and concrete work. Most of my questions lie in equipment needed.

 

[Wesley B]

On brake lathes.. I just priced a Honda Accord which has rotors that need turned on an on the car lathe. The rotors cost $25-$29 if you buy cheapest.
What would I charge to turn a rotor? $20 at least. So I can see the point in not investing in a lathe.

But not all car rotors are going to be that cheap. I would venture to guess those "cheap" rotors will cause a lot of comebacks and headaches. A lot people are'nt going to spend several hundred dollars on new when they can get them resurfaced for around $80.

 

[MarkIowa]

I would be tempted to hold off on a brake lathe, new stuff is so competitive in most cases I toss the old.

sberry has a good point. You can also send rotors/drums out to a machine shop to be turned.

 

[krismoriah]

I know alot of honda cars have rotors with the bearings pressed in..which makes turning a chore since you have to have a hub puller. Are there many other cars like this? What about 4wd locking hubs?

In the instances above where the hubs need to be pulled to service, I guess you have to tell the customer that you have to charge an hour to pull the hubs and also factor in the turning, then give them the option to buy new or pay to turn?