ESCYSCOTT

iTrader: (1)

i've currently got my own fish & chip shop which although makes me a living I feel i'm out growing it and need a change.

I've been thinking about possibly buying a bodyshop. It's something that interests me a lot and although I can't do the actual physical work I could do the business side and estimates etc.

Just wondering if anyone owns one that could give me a little info on them?

Thanks.

The Youth.

iTrader: (1)

speak to jacko about quoting, pricing and timescales to do the work and profits etc.
then go in partnership with him, he really does do a top class job considering our unit at the mo is less than ideal!
www.blueovalgarages.com


steve

MadMac

I would say, if your looking to buy a bodyshop, might be best to bring in a workshop manager who knows how to do the quoting ect.

gym-rst

Scott i am at North East Audi now and based within there body shop, If you want to come speak to any of lads or the workshop foreman one saturday let me know. Sure they will be able to help.

GARETH T

i dont think it would be wise to go into it with just the abilty to run the business side!

you really couldnt give quotes aswell! well not at first

Kevin Sharp

iTrader: (3)

i totally agree with gareth, if you have no experience in the trade stick to what you know best

Madbradz

Also agree...

Best to have lots and lots of knowledge on the trade before you even think about it...

Rs Baz

stick to fish and chips its less hassle

cfoster

A friend of mine has his own bodyshop and makes a VERY good living out of it. He makes most of his money from Insurance Company contracts etc etc.... Since he has started about 5 years ago he now has a team of about 6 or 7 guys and clears about 30 - 40 cars a week. He does work for the public as well but not as much money in it as the insurance work.

carlo

iTrader: (4)

My dads mate used to own a body shop he wsant a panel beater or painter he had 2 guys work for him but if your neither i wouild advise you to stick with your fish & chip shop mate.As above you really need to get insurance companys on side to get steady contract work.If you were a panel beater or painter you could put alot of work & hours into it yours self & make the place work but without contract work it would be hard.From previous experiacne

dojj

iTrader: (3)

the garage around the corner did bodywork and he did ok out of it

then he decided to take on more mechanical stuff and didn't have the team to do it

now he's bankrupt in the space of a year

bodywork is fine because you spray the car and someone hits it it's not your fault, but if something breaks then it goes back and forth and back and forth

it's like you dishing out a portion of dodgey chips, it's not likely to happen because you know what you are doing, but if you start to sell donor meat and it's not cooked properly the rest of your business will suffer as a reslut

i think going into a partnership with someone who knows what they are doing but can't do so wel with numbers would be the better choice if you wanted to change

ESCYSCOTT

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the info guys. I know what you are all saying but I may have a GOOD painter interested in working for me. You never get anywhere without trying really and I wouldn't be selling my shop to do it at first, i'd get a manager in for that etc.

Steve (youth) may have to take you up on that offer matey but does Jacko know your trying to sell him off LOL

dojj

iTrader: (3)

being a good painter and being a good bodywork guy are 2 totaly different things

unless he's good at both, then it's fair enough

but don't be lured into the trap of hiring someone because they are good and then having to fuck them off because you can't afford to pay them

ESCYSCOTT

iTrader: (1)

He is very good at all aspects of body work mate. Used to work for the Aston Martin workshops and he works across the road from me in the garage. He's working on my escos as we speak and i wouldn't let any monkey work on my car

He's been prepping my car since thursday and it isn't getting painted till wednesday as he says a good job is 80% prep and 20% paint and polish.

GARETH T

one thing is, start up cost for a nice bodyshop is expensive! a friend of mine just done 150k starting a business

dojj

iTrader: (3)

if you think it is worth going for then do your homework and go for it if the numbers add up

obviously youain't going to just spunk £150k up the wall and not know what you are doing but it pays to have a joint venture at least at the start so that someone who has done the job before can give you pointers

MadMac

Well ultimately I dont think there is anything wrong with taking over a bodyshop and running it financially, afterall your going to have the fish and chip shop to look after still, and your probably going to hire a team to run the bodyshop and look after to books.

So long as you have a team that can look after the shop and do a good job and somewhere where there is a steady supply of work (it only bodyshop in an area, already does insurance work ect.) then I don't see why not, just make sure your secured for any losses.

Remember your the novice, you need a good team and a good market to pull from. But I say try it.

Gatecrasher

I would like to be a Painter



Ohh and good luck with the new business Scott if i was closer i would of been up for a business meeting

matts1

The peeps I know in the trade all want insurance work as they make more money.

One that i know tries to take the case on for you as his uncles brothers cousin is in the no win no fee trade and can pull some stunts to get you ££££

I declined, "just fix the car mate"

smudgerz

I work for Farecla as a tech rep. I get to see loads of bodyshops. Alot of the smaller ones are finding it hard due too the insurance companys giving all their work to the bigger ones.
There is alot of expence running one due to waste disposal of paints, thinners etc. Also it now costs loads to get rid of old bummpers. Wages are a factor as getting good staff, you need to pay a good wage or they wont stay!!

Sorry if that sounds a bit gloomy, if you do go a head, good luck!! Give us a shout and i will come and demo all my Farecla polish.

Smudge

Dangerous Malcolm..

You can't beat a good chippie. Why not diverse a bit and sell battered black pudding. None of the chippies round here do it and I love it.

pete mcrash

iTrader: (1)

plenty of customers with all the old ford round our way.......