How to choose services for your auto repair shop
People opening their first service center often want to offer everything, for fear of losing customers. But every service requires equipment, inventory and trained people, and offering too much at the start can compromise quality. Choosing the right services for your auto repair shop is one of the most important planning decisions. Here is how to do it.
How to choose your shop's services
Know your customers
What cars do your future customers drive? What kind of service do they look for? Market research before opening answers these questions and keeps you from investing in services nobody will ask for.
Start with the essentials
At first, choose a set of services the team has mastered and for which the shop has the facilities and materials. Too many services overload employees and raise the risk of mistakes. As the business gets organized, the offering can grow safely.
Consider your target profit
Decide how much you need to earn on each service. That decision is the basis for pricing and helps you prioritize the jobs that actually deliver the results you expect.
Pick a niche
Specializing in one area creates a competitive edge. The shop becomes known as a reference for that type of service, which attracts customers willing to pay for quality. Early on, a well-chosen niche usually pays off more than a generic offering.
Most requested services
To get started, consider the types of auto repair services with steady demand:
1. filter replacement; 2. oil changes; 3. bulb replacement; 4. clutch maintenance; 5. wheel alignment and balancing.
For a broader view, also see the essential auto repair services.
More tips for getting started
- define a clear area of focus
- build a trained team
- invest in automotive technology
- use a management system from the start.
Count on the Onmotor system
The Onmotor system is repair shop software with custom reports and invoice and work order issuing, among other features. Start a free trial or talk to our team. Learn more about our company.