How to Start a Car Repair Shop

This business employs automobile mechanics who provide repairs and vehicle maintenance to consumers and businesses. The car repair shop might also offer services like custom installation of stereo and alarm systems, window tinting, and aftermarket upgrades.

Learn how to start your own Car Repair Shop and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services.

Start a car repair shop by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Car Repair Shop
  2. Form your Car Repair Shop into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Car Repair Shop for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Car Repair Shop
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Car Repair Shop
  7. Get Car Repair Shop Insurance
  8. Define your Car Repair Shop Brand
  9. Create your Car Repair Shop Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your car repair shop. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Car Repair Shop Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your car repair shop?

Business Name Generator

What are the costs involved in opening a car repair shop?

Costs for starting a shop vary, but generally include:

  • Business license: $50 to $100.
  • ASE certifications: $36 registration fee, one time, plus $39 per certification, except L1, L2, and L3 certs which are $78.
  • Insurance: $4,000/yr.
  • Mechanic’s hydraulic lift: $3,700.
  • Diagnostic machine: $5,000 to $10,000.
  • Shop rental fees: $1,500 to $15,000/mo.
  • Mechanic’s tool set with specialty tools: $15,000.
  • Total Cost: $50,000+

What are the ongoing expenses for a car repair shop?

Ongoing expenses for the business include shop rental (unless the business owner owns the shop building), insurance, and labor costs.

Mechanics can be paid anywhere from $25 flat rate per hour up to $100 per hour.

Insurance can cost shop owners $4,000 per year.

Overhead and supply costs vary, but may cost a shop between $10,000 and $20,000 per month, depending on the size of the shop.

Who is the target market?

Clients for auto repair businesses are unique in that they all have one thing in common: a broken or serviceable vehicle. The best types of customers are those with a service contract. Ongoing service contracts ensure steady income for the shop and reduce cash flow problems both in the short and long-term.

The worst type of customers may be the one-time customers who take advantage of special discounts. These types of customers are price shoppers and may actually cost the shop money.

How does a car repair shop make money?

An auto body shop or car repair shop makes money by charging a flat fee or hourly rate for service. In some shops, owners set routine maintenance fees, charging a set price for simple maintenance like an oil change. In other shops, all work is based on parts and labor cost.

How much can you charge customers?

Labor rates vary depending on how the shop is set up. At a dealership, mechanics are paid differently than at an independent shop. One of the main factors in labor rates is location. Mechanics usually earn more in cities and areas where vehicles are more expensive to maintain (usually this means a high concentration of high-end or luxury vehicles).

An independent shop usually charges customers between $70 and $100 per hour. Dealerships charge between $80 and $150 per hour.

Some shops charge customers a flat fee for services, like routine maintenance (e.g. oil changes, brake changes, and tune ups).

How much profit can a car repair shop make?

According to US News, mechanics make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year. So, a one-man shop could expect to make around this much. The owner of a larger shop can easily make $100,000+ per year by managing a small team of mechanics.

This article gives a percentage breakdown of costs vs. revenue. Of course, the exact percentage may vary depending on where your shop is located, whether or not you’ve specialized in some aspect of automotive repair, and the general market demand for your services.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Making the business more profitable isn’t easy. Owning a shop is hard work. Pulling in extra income is usually a matter of specialization. Converting a general auto repair shop into a transmission specialist, for example, would help increase profits due to the fact that the shop can charge customers more for specialized work. This is especially true if your shop is the only such specialty shop in the area.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your car repair shop is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

All car repair shops must comply with federal and state-level environmental regulations. A checklist for compliance with federal environmental regulations can be found here.

In most states, it is necessary to obtain a car repair shop license. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A car repair shop business is generally run out of a “garage,” a retail location uniquely equipped to store and repair cars. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a garage:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to an Car Repair business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your Car Repair business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Car Repair Shop needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Car Repair Shop.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a car repair shop

Finding new customers is usually done by word of mouth but mechanics also network with other businesses that might need their services. For example, a shop might partner with a local taxi company or limousine service to offer regular repairs and maintenance.

How to keep customers coming back

An auto repair shop can differentiate itself by offering services most shops don’t offer. For example, a shop might position itself as the only shop in the area offering custom installations of stereo and alarm equipment. A repair shop can also differentiate itself by narrowing its focus and specializing in specific makes and models.

For example, an auto repair shop that specializes in Hondas or Toyotas would set itself apart from a general mechanic’s shop. Auto body repair is another specialization.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is good for people who are mechanically-inclined. In most states, a license is required to work as a mechanic. Each vehicle manufacturer typically has proprietary processes and service protocols that a mechanic must follow. Because of this, specialized schooling is a practical necessity.

Business owners usually work long hours away from their families.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a car repair shop?

Business owners usually have to check maintenance logs first thing in the morning, check upcoming appointments, and meet with shop managers about various stock or supply needs. If the owner also works in the shop, then a typical day will involve working on a variety of different vehicles.

A shop owner must also negotiate contracts with local businesses that provide revenue. For example, if a shop partners with a taxi company to provide maintenance services, then the owner would need to negotiate the contract and terms.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful car repair shop?

Mechanics need special training, usually Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, in addition to general automotive education. Some high schools also provide Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES) programs for young people interested in a career in automotive repair.

Experience in an auto repair shop is helpful prior to starting your own shop.

What is the growth potential for a car repair shop?

A small auto repair shop can be run out of an individual’s garage in some states. While licensing is usually necessary, there are typically no restrictions on how the shop owner operates the business as long as all local codes and ordinances are obeyed.

A large operation it usually run out of a commercial shop, which is purpose-built for the business, including mechanical and hydraulic lifts, a commercial paint booth, professional tools, and diagnostic computers.

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Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

How and when to build a team

Most auto repair shops start as a one-man shop or a small team of mechanics. It makes sense to hire employees when current workload exceeds the mechanics’ ability to service customers. This may happen immediately or after a few years. One of the first roles to fill should be customer service. While mechanics are vital to the success of an auto repair shop, it’s customer service that keeps customers coming in the door.

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