14 replies to this topic

[valve bounce]

ive just finnished my level 3 qaulification in motor vehicle repair and getting nowere fast looking for a job so im thinking, if i got a small van (berlingo similiar) kit out the rear with tools (already have loads) and do mobile serving and repairs, at peoples works, houses etc, posibly break downs etc etc. im thinking it would be good as there would be no overheads (other that deisel) so i could keep rate lower that garages (£15ish per hour + small travel cost).

what do you think, would anybody use just a company, acheviable, relsistic, just stupid. posible discount if part of motoring clubs?

any help appreciated

[Git]

what do you think, would anybody use just a company, acheviable, relsistic, just stupid. posible discount if part of motoring clubs?

any help appreciated

I already do use someone like that... only, for the amount off kit you'll need to do all kinds of work, you'll need a bigger van than that... especially if you need to tow.
But good luck. these small companies do work.

[Paul Wiginton]

Nice idea, what area?

never know-it could turn into the next RAC or AA

Paul

[Dan]

Mobile mechanics are very popular but you need to do more research. No overheads? How much do you think it will cost you to insure a van that you keep full of all those tools and then cover in advertising saying what's inside it? Important when those tools are what makes your living. How much public liability cover do you think you need to do garage work on someone's drive that you don't own and don't have control over? A garage can simply shut the doors to stop people wandering in and getting injured, you can't do that on someone's drive. Employers liability cover (which you still need even if you only employ yourself) will also cost you more as a mobile mechanic than for a garage based business. Bear in mind that carrying out major repairs and maintenance on the roadside is illegal other than in an emergency so you can only legally work for clients with their own property. What about the cost of waste disposal such as people's drained oil? You will have to provide a proper disposal service because you are a business and if you just leave the waste behind or take it to the local tip you will get in hot water with both the environment agency and the council. A buddy of mine who is a gardener got in major trouble because he was taking garden waste home and composting it for re-use but he didn't have a licence to do it. You would need licenced storage for waste oil, coolant and other fluids in a bund at home and then to provide proof of proper disposal. You would probably also need a seperate bund to store any clean, new oils that you are keeping as stock. Also you won't be working all day, you'll spend a lot of your time travelling so £15.00 per hour may prove a little optomistic if you want to make a proper living. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, just that you need to research it properly.

Edited by Dan, 10 June 2009 - 09:21 PM.

[Jimmyarm]

You don't need EL cover if you have no Employee's Dan

You would need to get an appropriate road risks Policy to cover your van though which would be considerably more expensive than 'normal' car/van insurance, mobile mechanics are a higher hazard trade due to the nature of the work.

Public/Products Liability is not compulsory either but highly recommended...

You could easily be looking at £1500 a year on Insurance alone which at £15 an hour is a fair bit of work...

[curran]

what would you do for parts?

most repairs require some sort of replacement part.

would you try to keep a lot of items in stock or would you order parts in for each job?

obviously garages can keep cars in over night while the parts are ordered. what will you do?

Edited by curran, 10 June 2009 - 10:15 PM.

[daveeeeee]

Something you may require that you may not already have is a generator. Just a thought

[james105]

How about looking for a small lock up/ barn/ workshop you could rent and work from?

[Dan]

You don't need EL cover if you have no Employee's Dan

I don't think a business like this makes much sense as a soul trader, the amount of capital and stock being moved makes limited company status a good idea and all limited companies must have employers liability. A company director is also an employee. Pretty much the only business that can get away without cover is a soul trader, even a family company needs cover if it's limited. Even a soul trader needs cover if they own less than half of the business (as in when a share secured bank loan provides most of the capital).

[rustandoil]

There is a chap round here that has been doing mobile servicing & repairs for 20+ years, although I have not used him myself I have heard he is good, he is always busy.
I would imagine that your customer base would grow by word of mouth so doing a good job would be paramount

[wainesworld]

Go for it mate good luck. Think the insurance is the most important thing to sort out but why not start on here listing things you can / cannot do what areas you are willing to go to etc etc.

Waine

Edited by wainesworld, 11 June 2009 - 09:17 AM.

[Jimmyarm]

You don't need EL cover if you have no Employee's Dan

I don't think a business like this makes much sense as a soul trader, the amount of capital and stock being moved makes limited company status a good idea and all limited companies must have employers liability. A company director is also an employee. Pretty much the only business that can get away without cover is a soul trader, even a family company needs cover if it's limited. Even a soul trader needs cover if they own less than half of the business (as in when a share secured bank loan provides most of the capital).

You still don't need EL cover if its just you and you are a Ltd company, they changed the law several years ago relating to it..

The regulations around it are open to interpration somewhat with regards to the latter part of your post regarding ownership of the company but its unlikely that anyone would make you take EL cover if you are a sole trader in that situation, you can't sue yourself as you would always be the author of your own misfortune..

We digress though, personally I think its a good idea if you are doing an odd job here and there for friends & family but the costs of making it a bona fide business are fairly prohibitive for a new start up, you may as well work in a garage..

[valve bounce]

ok thanks everyone, will do more research, i think there have been several good points made. i currently i a jobs at a local supermarket so my plan is to work there and try to get a full time job as a mechanic but if im still not getting anywere by christmas then in the new year i WILL be trying this.

[91neon]

still the best business plans take some tweeking i say give it a go what have you to lose!

[Jammy]

Considering most indy's charge at least £50 an hour, and most dealers charge £100 an hour, you could get away with charging a fair bit more than £15 an hour.

I'd say advertising and marketing is almost as important as insurance. I'd say at least 90% of people will just think to take their car down to a garage if they have a fault, so you'll need to have some good advertising and marketing to make them think of you first.