Business At A Glance
Startup Costs: Under $2,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Online Operation? No
Business Overview
Everyone’s experienced that grim sensation of rushing out to the car inthe morning only to discover that it won’t start, or being stuck in thesupermarket parking lot or on the side of the highway. Not only haveyou lost your means of transportation, but you’ve got to deal with allthe logistics of having the vehicle towed to a repair shop, thenfinding your way back home or to work.
But if you’re one of the luckyfew who can deal with these problems and you like solving automotivemysteries, then you can save the day as a mobile mechanic. You’ll takeyour expertise and your tools directly to people’s homes, workplaces orwherever the car has decided to stall. In today’s hectic, hurriedworld, you can help your customers not only by fixing automotive ills,but also by allowing them to remain at home or the office while youwork. The advantages to the mobile mechanic business are that–unlikemost auto repair businesses–you don’t need employees, and if you likebeing an automotive physician, this can be a satisfying, stimulatingcareer. It’s also gratifying–people are appreciative when you gettheir baby back on the road, and doing it on their turf makes you evenmore of a miracle-worker. You’ll need expertise and experience in theautomotive repair industry–your customers will need as quick a fix aspossible, so you won’t be able to spend hours tinkering under the hood,hoping to hit on the solution. A strong analytical sense is alsoimportant; you’ll need to be able to decide who needs you first, secondand then on down the line.
The Market
Your customers can be anybody with wheels. Target the average driver onthe street as well as corporations and institutions that will bedelighted to have you arrive on-site so their employees don’t need tobe away from their desks. RV parks and private campgrounds are alsofertile grounds for customers–people with boats or recreationalvehicles always need some sort of assistance, and people who are livingin them have a hard time leaving them at the auto repair shopovernight.
Hotels and motels can also be good customer sources becauseout-of-town guests with car woes have no idea where to turn for experthelp and are usually pressed for time. Deliver your business cards toowners or managers of all these businesses and explain the advantagesof your services. A promotional item like a refrigerator magnet or penemblazoned with your company name can also help keep you in mind whenvehicle troubles arise. Place an ad in your local Yellow Pages. Getyour business written up in local publications. If you live in atourist-oriented area, introduce yourself to local visitor assistancecenters and leave cards. Put your logo with a large, legible phonenumber and a description like ‘mobile mechanic’ on your vehicle sopotential customers can spot you on your rounds.
Needed Equipment
In most states, you’ll have to be a certified mechanic–be sure tocheck with the proper business licensing authorities before you roll onthe road. You’ll need a set of mechanic’s tools, a multimeter(ohm/voltmeter), a diagnostic scanner and of course a vehicle to carrythem and you to jobs. You’ll also need a cellular phone so customerscan call wherever you are and a flat-rate manual and on-boardcalculator for determining job charges.