I would really only use the shop for things i couldnt takle on the ground (which isnt alot). the main issue is that for the most part anyone who knows what they are doing will have access to a shop somewhere, and those who dont wont go there for obvious reasons. Good luck though seems like a cool idea.

 

Hey NFRs200NYC, I appreciate the comment but this has already been done....I'm years behind the first person who thought of this. You're on the right track about insurance though....it would be a big pain. As far as being homeless...i plan to take the route of max protection and go the route of making the company an LLC. This way, the company is to blame. I understand that repair shops never allow you in their work areas, this is mainly because it isn't covered in their insurance policy.

 

That was the first thing that came to my mind as well.

 

I LOVE the idea and if you were in my area I would definitely check it out.

 

There are 4 of these shops here in phoenix and they are always packed full of cars getting worked on. A couple things you also might have missed on making money.
1. you can set up parts accounts at all the dealers/parts shop and order parts for your customers at high discounts. Resale them to your customers at a discount for less then what they would pay at the dealer but still make some markup money.
2. Some of your best customers will be people that buy cars at auctions and flip them. A lot people do this a way to make income on the side but dont have a shop to fix them up. This goes along with techs who are wanting to go out on their own but dont have enough money or know how to start up their own shop. You can hook them up with some sort monthly bay rental or tech discount package.
3. You could also flip cars in your spare time when the shop is slow. Thats what one of the shops does here. They have a diy shop in back and a used car sales lot in front.
4. I would also recommend charging for tows, or getting to know a good tow truck driver who can get you discount pricing when you call him, then charge the customer what they originally would have been charged.

You want to help people, but never be afraid to make money and cover yourself from being sued.

I think its a good idea and could bring in a decent living.
Good luck, I am thinking about doing the same thing here.

 

Heres a couple websites of shops that do this-
u fix it
http://www.ufixitcenter.com/
the other u fix it (they are in a legal battle over trademark infringement)
http://www.ufixitautomotive.com/
diy performance auto
http://www.diyperformanceautomotive.com/

 

I have thought about the flipping cars idea, but I never thought about marketing to those type of people who are flipping cars as well. I just never tied the two together....very good point! I like the idea of offering discounts to techs too. Where are you planning to start your shop?

 

how many waivers and clauses do i have to sign to be covered by your insurance carrier??? What kind of policy to you have to carry to allow countless "employees" (for lack of a better term) into your shop area???

 

That's what you hire a good lawyer for and get a good insurance policy. This is no more dangerous then driving next to all the idiots on the freeway every day and yet I still get a decent insurance rate.
I drove by one yesterday and it was so full he was renting out parking lot spaces outside so peole could work on their cars.

 

The military has things similar to this. I remember in Korea it was $2 per hour for a lift, and they had "techs" that could help you (i wouldnt trust them with an oil change tho)

Personally I think this would be a great thing and wish they had em here. Its a PITA to work on your car on the ground of your driveway.