thinking of opening a tuning shop/garage

[hodge]

ive been thinking about this for a while now. I dont want to look back on my life and think "i wish i did" or "what if".

 

Thought i could maybe start as a side line to my current job, working weekends and take it from there. Theres not many people up in the north east that offer this sort thing. I know ive got alot of research n stuff to do so its all pie in the sky yet. But why shouldnt i just go for it. I know im good at what i do and love doing it. Id probably specialise in supras but i dont think i could just work on those along and make it a viable business.

 

Id love some input from you guys on this, and any opinions or advice would be most welcome.

 

Thanks

John

[RobSheffield]

Join the ridiculously long queue.

 

I wanted to do it, but there is no market for it.

[JamieP]

If you think you can get the customers then go for it mate, try to keep overheads at a minimum to start with, nothing better than working for yourself:)

[j_jza80]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do You obviously have the skills as your build thread shows.

 

Your main hurdle at the moment may be funding if a bank loan is required, the banks are being VERY cautious with business loans these days.

[hodge]

there wont be any need for a loan etc as ill be doing it in my spare time to start with to test the water so to speak

A unit will cost around 200-300 a month to rent. Ive got everything i need really.

[Abz]

Go for it! Well only if you have finance to back it up. I think if you was working on your own with a large garage as a workshop then as mentioned above your overheads will be low.

 

If you don't have much garages around you local then you should do well, but the moment competition is hot so make sure you are known in the local meets to gain exposure.

 

Good Luck Hodge

[northeast_supra]

would be a place i could take my mk4 go for it!

[nick_karkie]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do You obviously have the skills as your build thread shows.

 

Your main hurdle at the moment may be funding if a bank loan is required, the banks are being VERY cautious with business loans these days.

 

they are actually doing the opposite in many cases, they are throwing money at people because the government are acting as their guarantor should the loanee not keep up with payments.

[RobSheffield]

My plan was to start small and maintain a situation where you have more capital than outgoings at all times. Keep it so that if it goes under you lose nothing.

 

Id have been doing it now, but iv just accepted a job i cant turn down

[nick_karkie]

like you said, live with no regrets, i wish i had made some more adventurous decisions in my early twenties.

[n boost]

I would go for it but the market has changed quite drastically............well in brum anyway.

My mate owns a well known cosworth tuning garage and even he say's the last few months he has mainlly just had general servicing work and hardly any tuning stuff.

He even had one customer wanting a remap so he could run the car on 95 oct fuel because it was cheaper than v power which he is currently mapped for.

If u have a market up your end then go for it and as u have low overheads and most the stuff u need, there's no harm in trying and not much to lose.

[SupraAyf]

If you think you can get the customers then go for it mate

 

My thoughts too. It seems the North East has a vast number of young people with Jap cars. Young kids will always find the money for a few mods here & there so there must be the potential to earn a few quid in the short term.

 

Best of luck;)

[monsween]

Personally i think you should start smaller, I.e using your garage to do a few members cars on here for a year or so to see if its what you want to do or not. Your outgoings are going to be next to none and you can introduce yourself to people here.

 

After that when /if () you get a good rep then try a small unit and get advertising.

 

Would it be worth offering the majority of your services doing things like boost gauges, decat pipes, BPU, FMIC, Coilovers, the nitty gritty stuff over big massive instals. For me that'd be more appealing.

 

just my 2p worth

[richarde7927]

I have been doing panel , mech and paint work for years with my brother out of a garage ( paint work in a rented oven ) and its works well for us , we went for a unit 2 years ago , but working full time and then always at the unit trying to make it work was super hard ,but we did not have enough work to give up the full time jobs , so in the end the unit went and we were back to the double garage . when the country gets back on its feet if it ever does ,we will try again . Rich.

[hodge]

Personally i think you should start smaller, I.e using your garage to do a few members cars on here for a year or so to see if its what you want to do or not. Your outgoings are going to be next to none and you can introduce yourself to people here.

 

After that when /if () you get a good rep then try a small unit and get advertising.

 

Would it be worth offering the majority of your services doing things like boost gauges, decat pipes, BPU, FMIC, Coilovers, the nitty gritty stuff over big massive instals. For me that'd be more appealing.

 

just my 2p worth

 

 

 

I've got a pretty good rep up here anyway. I work on a few members and past members cars already. I can fit anything you want really n love the idea of wanting something in a certain place in the car and modding it to fit. This is what I find most interesting and rewarding..

Edited March 11, 2010 by hodge (see edit history)

[P 17EED]

I would go for it. I opened my own garage 6 months ago and love it!

It wont be easy but as you say, at least you have tried it and wont be thinking what if.

 

I wouldnt narrow your market down to just tuning etc, general servicing and repairs pay the bills!!

[Jamesy]

Do it John

 

you have the skill and the eye to detail. you previous work speaks for itself.

 

as others have said keep your overheads down to start with - if its just £200-300 rent then its well worth the gamble.

 

all the very best of luck mate

[TopgunTT]

Nothing ventured nothing gained, Go for it and good luck

[johnny g]

Do it, John. There's not a lot of Supra specialists in the North East that have a good reputation, or are sensible with prices. There's some, but not a lot.

 

Given the work you've undertaken, the help you've given Jay and the general methodical approach you take, I think it's a goer.

[Rob_Mitchell]

john i been thinking about doing this too with my company, our bodywork reputation is very high and to be honest the buzz you get from a finished project is amazing, the tuning side is something i would like to add to the company but as jamie said its getting the customers in and having a good stock of things

[johnny g]

john i been thinking about doing this too with my company, our bodywork reputation is very high and to be honest the buzz you get from a finished project is amazing, the tuning side is something i would like to add to the company but as jamie said its getting the customers in and having a good stock of things

 

 

I think if you have a good supplier who has a good stock and is quick with the shipping, it takes the stress out of holding a lot of stock, with next day delivery, but I appreciate what you're saying. Just keep the basics on the shelves. Oil, coolant, fluids, jubilee clips, mikalors, filters, spark plugs, hoses, etc etc

[SupraHuman]

If you have a marked to do part time work I say go for it.There is no better feeling than beeing your own boss.If you keep your day job in the beginning at least you'll know if you can make a living of it. Good luck bud.

[Rob_Mitchell]

I think if you have a good supplier who has a good stock and is quick with the shipping, it takes the stress out of holding a lot of stock, with next day delivery, but I appreciate what you're saying. Just keep the basics on the shelves. Oil, coolant, fluids, jubilee clips, mikalors, filters, spark plugs, hoses, etc etc

 

yeah you need to stock the basics filters,fluids etc and if its only supras then it should not be too hard to keep a constant stock. im definately considering it, i always try and offer help on here and do quote club members cheaper for repaints and repairs but i also have the upmost respect for the traders on here and dont like treading on peoples toes.

[Terminator]

Now that Michel seems to be hanging up his spanners there may be a gap in the market up there that needs to be filled. Go for it, if finance is not the issue, it is only your time to consider, as you love doing this what is stopping you? If you are just doing weekends you'll book a few days in advance, so you need not hold that much stock, as supplies can be got quickly before each job. Good luck.

[rick001]

Go for it mate - best of British