Do you want to start an auto repair shop business?

Are you thinking of starting an auto repair shop? Well, auto repair is one of those businesses that allow you to earn considerable profits even by managing a small team. The business provides repair and maintenance services for automobiles. Moreover, in many cases, auto repair shops also offer aftermarket modifications and upgradation services.

So, if you have made up your mind to enter this venture, you should first prepare a auto repair shop business plan. If you don’t know how to open an auto repair shop or how to make an accurate auto repair shop action plan, you can take help from here.

The essence of an Auto Repair Shop Business Plan

Over the years, we have been monitoring the operations and success of some auto repair shops in a bid to determine the strategies that they use to grow their enterprises. Here are some of the findings that we feel will have a great impact on your new auto repair shop.

  • Understand the market needs and tailoring the services right
  • Managing their resources well
  • Embracing new technology

It is important that you learn how to cope with these problems to business continuity plan checklist reigning supreme and achieve your short and long-term goals such as achieving financial stability. Here are some of the challenges that you will face if you venture into this business without a proper auto repair shop business plan.

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Scalability Issues

As the auto business grows and attracts more clients, you will encounter many challenges that need to be responded to well. Simple mistakes can bring down your business no matter the success that you have achieved so far. For instance, an increase in customers can lead to the lack of enough space to store business the various materials. The most plausible solution to such a problem is by expanding your workspace or renting a large facility.

A auto repair shop business plan is not complete if it does not give instructions on how scalability challenges or issues will be resolved. As mentioned earlier, we have been monitoring some facilities over the last three years. The research has given us an in-depth understanding of the industry, and we will use the same knowledge to come up with credible recommendations that you can use to jump the hurdles.

In this blog, we’re providing a sample auto repair shop business plan of a startup, Auto Fix & Services.

Executive Summary

2.1 The Business

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Auto Fix & Services will be a registered and licensed auto repair shop in Austin. The business will provide usual repair and maintenance services ranging from oil change to parts replacement. The business will also offer car modification and upgradation services such as window tinting, installing air filters, etc.

2.2 Management of auto repair shop

Running an auto repair shop requires a relatively smaller team. Still, you need to have a proper management plan. Because, without strict supervision, your workers may do some negligence during repair work – resulting in losing your customer’s trust.

The best way to ensure efficient management is to create a comprehensive auto repair shop business plan. In which you’ll list all the details of how to start a auto repair shop and how to manage it successfully.

2.3 Customers of auto repair shop

Before exploring how to open up a auto repair shop you should think of who’ll be your customers. As that will enable you to do the relevant preparations.

Auto Fix & Services identified its customers as the following groups:

  1. Professional Automobile Drivers
  2. New Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)
  3. Used Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)

2.4 Business Target

  • To achieve an NPS score above 80 within two years of our launch
  • To achieve a CSAT score of 95 to 98% within a year of our launch
  • To earn a net profit margin of $24.5k per month by the end of the third year of our launch
Auto Repair Business Plan - 3 Years Profit Forecast

Company Summary

3.1 Company Owner

Auto Fix & Services will be owned by Robin Redford. Robin is a talented person with exceptional managing skills. He started his career by working in an auto repair shop as an auto mechanic. After working for four years, he got promoted to a managing post. However, he served as a manager for just three years and eventually decided to start his own business.

3.2 Why the auto repair shop is being started

Due to a great demand for trustworthy auto repair works, Robin decided to start his own shop. By starting a auto repair shop Robin wanted to make considerable profits and introduce 100 percent reliable services.

3.3 How the auto repair shop will be started

Step1: Write Auto Repair Shop Description

To start an auto repair shop, the first step is to make a detailed business plan. For that purpose, you can read any example auto repair shop business plan available on the web like this sample. Or you can hire a professional to make your action plan.

Step2: Make The Arrangements

The second step is to get the licenses and permits to start an auto repair shop. After getting his business registered, Robin will rent a facility to turn it into a repair shop. At the same time, he’ll procure the machinery and tools required to provide his services.

Step3: Recruit Your Staff

Robin will hire the expert and certified auto mechanics for his shop. The complete list of his employees will be given in the upcoming sections.

Step4: Promote & Market

After that Robin will devise his sales strategy to reach out to his customers. He has decided to offer several discounts in the startup phase to get more and more customers.

Step5: Ensure Strong Web Presence

Lastly, you have to ensure a strong online presence so that people can find you whenever they search for the relevant services on Google.

The costs required to carry out all of the above steps are provided in the following table:

Auto Repair Business Plan - Startup Cost
Start-up Expenses 
Legal$250,000
Consultants$0
Insurance$34,000
Rent$30,000
Research and Development$26,000
Expensed Equipment$59,000
Signs$3,800
TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES$402,800
Start-up Assets$320,000
Cash Required$341,000
Start-up Inventory$60,000
Other Current Assets$219,000
Long-term Assets$230,000
TOTAL ASSETS$1,170,000
Total Requirements$1,572,800
START-UP FUNDING 
Start-up Expenses to Fund$402,800
Start-up Assets to Fund$1,170,000
TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED$1,572,800
Assets 
Non-cash Assets from Start-up$1,550,000
Cash Requirements from Start-up$373,000
Additional Cash Raised$54,000
Cash Balance on Starting Date$34,000
TOTAL ASSETS$2,011,000
Liabilities and Capital 
Liabilities$30,000
Current Borrowing$0
Long-term Liabilities$0
Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills)$50,000
Other Current Liabilities (interest-free)$0
TOTAL LIABILITIES$80,000
Capital 
Planned Investment$1,572,800
Investor 1$0
Investor 2$0
Other$0
Additional Investment Requirement$0
TOTAL PLANNED INVESTMENT$1,572,800
Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses)$358,200
TOTAL CAPITAL$1,931,000
TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES$2,011,000
Total Funding$1,572,800
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    Services

    Owning your own auto repair shop allows you to offer a wide range of services. From this business plan for auto repair shop, you can see the services provided by Auto Fix & Services.

    • General Automotive Repairs: Our primary service will be to do automobile repairs. We’ll repair or replace:
      • Automobile engines
      • Automobile exhaust systems
      • Automobile brakes
      • Automobile radiators
      • Ignition System
      • Electric repairs
      • Spark plug, fuel cap, and others
    • Regular Maintenance/ Service: Cars need a regular inspection of their parts and systems to ensure safety and longevity. In this domain, we’ll offer the following maintenance services:
      • Oil change
      • Tire pressure monitoring
      • Wheel alignment
      • Regulating radiator fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.
      • Maintaining car’s air conditioning system
    • Automobile Upgradations: Many people prefer to modify and upgrade the functioning of their cars. For them we’ll be offering the following aftermarket upgrades:
      • Installing Efficient air filters
      • New Tires
      • Installing the latest stereo system
      • Brake discs
      • Backup camera
      • Turbochargers and more
    • Car Accessories: Besides providing repair and upgradation services, we’ll also sell basic car accessories including:
      • Seat covers
      • Floor mats
      • Consoles
      • Car lights
      • Dash covers
      • Mirrors
      • Fuel consumption meters
      • Steering wheel covers

    Marketing Analysis of Auto Repair Shop

    Before opening an auto repair shop you should carry out detailed marketing analysis to explore the market trends and the competitors’ strategies. This critical examination will help you in introducing competitive aspects for your own shop. Moreover, in your auto repair workshop business plan you should also identify the groups of your target customers so that you can devise your policies and pricing plan accordingly.

    Note

    If you are starting an auto repair shop but don’t know how to write a business plan for auto repair shop, you can take help from here. However, if you think that you don’t possess the skillset to make an accurate marketing plan, you should prefer hiring a professional marketing analyst.

    5.1 Market Trends

    According to SBDCNet, nearly 160k auto repair and maintenance shops are running in the United States – generating a collective annual revenue of $115 billion. The demand for such services is increasing because of an overall increase in automobile purchases. Along with the fact that cars need regular maintenance after a certain mileage. And that maintenance and upgradation cannot be done without proper space and machinery.

    5.2 Marketing Segmentation

    Auto Fix & Services divided its target market into separate groups to study their needs and expectations thoroughly. The detailed marketing segmentation done by them is provided below:

    Auto Repair Business Plan - Marketing Segmentation

    Business plan for investors

    5.2.1 Professional Automobile Drivers

    This will be the group of our major target customers. Professional automobile drivers such as Uber drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers, and others, need car maintenance and repair services much frequently than all other groups. It is because of their long hour driving and large mileage. Moreover, this group is also expected to be a significant buyer of our car parts and accessories.

    5.2.2 Used Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)

    Our second target customers will be the owners of used cars. People who buy used cars often get the old parts such as seat covers, engine, brakes, replaced by newer ones. Thus, they are expected to avail of all of our services especially car upgradation and repairs.

    5.2.3 New Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)

    Lastly, new car owners who would want to upgrade their automobiles will also be our target customers. This group is usually very careful about their cars. Thus, they are expected to avail of our regular maintenance services more frequently. Moreover, they’ll also acquire our upgradation services.

    To turn these people into potential/ repeat purchasers, we’ll offer several benefits to them. The biggest benefit our repeat customers will get is free video consultation. Whenever they encounter any problem while being far away from us, we’ll help them to resolve the issue themselves. Moreover, we’ll also send our auto mechanics to their location if the fault is of complicated nature.

    Market Analysis       
    Potential CustomersGrowthYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5CAGR
    Professional Automobile Drivers41%45,00048,00049,00051,00053,00010.00%
    Used Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)37%39,00040,00043,00044,00047,00010.00%
    New Car Owners (Households/ Individuals)22%18,00020,00023,00026,00029,00011.00%
    Total100%102,000108,000115,000121,000129,00010%

    5.3 Business Target

    Our business targets are:

    • To earn a net profit of $24.5k per month by the end of the third year
    • To obtain a repeat purchase rate of 80% throughout our service years
    • To achieve and maintain a CSAT score of 95 to 98% within a year of our launch
    • To achieve a Net Promoter Score of above 80 within two years of our launch

    5.4 Product Pricing

    Our prices are almost in a similar range as that of our competitors. However, we still expect to get more customers due to our competitive advantages.

    Marketing Strategy

    After you have fulfilled all the requirements to open an auto repair shop business plan, you should start thinking about its promotion. To get introduced to a larger audience, you need to develop an accurate auto repair shop marketing plan.

    For your help, we’re providing the marketing strategy planned by Auto Fix & Services.

    6.1 Competitive Analysis

    1. Our auto mechanics hold ASE certification. All of our workers are highly experienced and skillful.
    2. We also provide remote auto repair services throughout Austin. However, this service will be provided in special cases where bringing the vehicle to our facility wouldn’t be feasible.
    3. Only we in the entire city provide video call assistance so that customers can repair minor faults themselves. However, this service will only be valid for return customers and repeat customers.

    6.2 Sales Strategy

    • We’ll advertise our startup through posters, Google Local ads service, and social media.
    • We’ll ensure a strong web presence to reach out to a wider audience and to keep track of our return/ repeat customers.
    • We’ll offer a 50% discount on our services for the first month of the launch.
    • We’ll offer a 15% discount on automobile accessories for the first two months of our launch.

    6.3 Sales Monthly

    Auto Repair Business Plan - Sales Monthly

    6.4 Sales Yearly

    Auto Repair Business Plan - Sales Yearly

    6.5 Sales Forecast

    Auto Repair Business Plan - Unit Sales
    Sales Forecast   
    Unit SalesYear 1Year 2Year 3
    General Automotive Repairs46,00048,76051,686
    Regular Maintenance/ Service42,00044,52047,191
    Automobile Upgradations31,00032,86034,832
    Car Accessories13,00013,78014,607
    TOTAL UNIT SALES132,000139,920148,315
    Unit PricesYear 1Year 2Year 3
    General Automotive Repairs$53.00$61.48$71.32
    Regular Maintenance/ Service$48.00$55.68$64.59
    Automobile Upgradations$49.00$56.84$65.93
    Car Accessories$49.00$56.84$65.93
    Sales   
    General Automotive Repairs$2,438,000.00 $2,997,764.80 $3,686,051.60
    Regular Maintenance/ Service$2,016,000.00 $2,478,873.60 $3,048,022.98
    Automobile Upgradations$1,519,000.00 $1,867,762.40 $2,296,600.65
    Car Accessories$637,000.00 $783,255.20 $963,090.59
    TOTAL SALES$6,610,000.00 $8,127,656.00 $9,993,765.82
    Direct Unit CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3
    General Automotive Repairs$51.00$58.00$68.00
    Regular Maintenance/ Service$45.00$51.00$60.00
    Automobile Upgradations$45.00$51.00$58.00
    Car Accessories$44.00$52.00$57.00
    Direct Cost of Sales   
    General Automotive Repairs$2,346,000.00 $2,828,080.00 $3,514,620.80
    Regular Maintenance/ Service$1,890,000.00 $2,270,520.00 $2,831,472.00
    Automobile Upgradations$1,395,000.00 $1,675,860.00 $2,020,232.80
    Car Accessories$572,000.00 $716,560.00 $832,587.60
    Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales$6,203,000.00 $7,491,020.00 $9,198,913.20
    Any questions? Get in Touch!

      Personnel plan

      It is essential to make a list of the employees you’ll need to run your business. When you write business plan auto repair shop you must make your personnel plan enlisting required staff and their expected salaries.

      7.1 Company Staff

      Robin will hire the following people for his assistance:

      • 1 Supervisor to help in the management
      • 8 Auto Mechanics to perform the major work
      • 2 Technicians to provide overall support
      • 1 Database Manager to manage company’s sites and arrange video calls
      • 1 Accountant to maintain financial records
      • 1 Front Desk Manager/ Call Operator
      • 2 General Assistants
      • 1 Sales Executive
      • 2 Cleaners
      • 1 Driver

      7.2 Average Salary of Employees

       Personnel Plan   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Supervisor$14,000$15,400$16,940
      Auto Mechanics$97,000$106,700$117,370
      Technicians$28,000$30,800$33,880
      Database Manager$11,000$12,100$13,310
      Accountant$9,000$9,900$10,890
      Front Desk Manager/ Call Operator$7,000$7,700$8,470
      General Assistants$16,000$17,600$19,360
      Sales Executives$9,000$9,900$10,890
      Cleaners$15,000$16,500$18,150
      Driver$7,000$7,700$8,470
      Total Salaries$213,000 $234,300 $257,730

      Financial Plan

      Marc Jacobs
      TrustPilot

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      ∙ Marc Jacobs

      The last thing to do before launching your auto repair shop business plan is to create a detailed financial plan. Your financial plan should describe the expenses, net worth of your startup, projected loss and profits, and balance sheets for at least three years.

      Since startup and running costs for auto repair shops are usually high, it is essential to devise a trajectory to achieve your financial goals – provided the limited resources, sales, and investment. Understanding the importance of an accurate financial plan, Robin hired a professional financial analyst to create an auto repair shop business plan. The financial plan developed by him is given here to provide you an idea of auto repair shop finances.

      8.1 Important Assumptions

       General Assumptions   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Plan Month123
      Current Interest Rate8.08%8.13%8.20%
      Long-term Interest Rate8.30%8.33%8.37%
      Tax Rate23.30%24.70%25.20%
      Other000

      8.2 Brake-even Analysis

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Brake-even Analysis
       Brake-Even Analysis 
      Monthly Units Break-even5353
      Monthly Revenue Break-even$135,600
      Assumptions: 
      Average Per-Unit Revenue$237.00
      Average Per-Unit Variable Cost$0.68
      Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost$163,020

      8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

       Pro Forma Profit And Loss   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Sales$6,610,000 $8,127,656 $9,993,766
      Direct Cost of Sales$6,203,000 $7,491,020 $9,198,913
      Other$0$0$0
      TOTAL COST OF SALES$6,203,000 $7,491,020 $9,198,913
      Gross Margin$407,000 $636,636 $794,853
      Gross Margin %6.16%7.83%7.95%
      Expenses   
      Payroll$213,000$234,300$257,730
      Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses$120,000$122,000$124,000
      Depreciation$2,490$2,550$2,600
      Leased Equipment$0$0$0
      Utilities$3,000$3,080$3,120
      Insurance$2,200$2,270$2,400
      Rent$4,000$4,300$4,600
      Payroll Taxes$30,000$31,000$32,000
      Other$0$0$0
      Total Operating Expenses$374,690 $399,500 $426,450
      Profit Before Interest and Taxes$32,310$237,136$368,403
      EBITDA$32,310$237,136$368,403
      Interest Expense$0$0$0
      Taxes Incurred$6,462$47,427$73,681
      Net Profit$25,848$189,709$294,722
      Net Profit/Sales0.39%2.33%2.95%

      8.3.1 Profit Monthly

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Profit Monthly

      8.3.2 Profit Yearly

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Profit Yearly

      8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Gross Margin Monthly

      8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Gross Margin Yearly

      8.4 Projected Cash Flow

      Auto Repair Business Plan - Projected Cash Flow
       Pro Forma Cash Flow   
      Cash ReceivedYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Cash from Operations   
      Cash Sales$56,000$60,480$65,318
      Cash from Receivables$18,000$19,440$20,995
      SUBTOTAL CASH FROM OPERATIONS$74,000 $80,660 $87,113
      Additional Cash Received   
      Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received$0$0$0
      New Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      New Other Liabilities (interest-free)$0$0$0
      New Long-term Liabilities$0$0$0
      Sales of Other Current Assets$0$0$0
      Sales of Long-term Assets$0$0$0
      New Investment Received$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CASH RECEIVED$75,000 $81,000 $88,000
      ExpendituresYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Expenditures from Operations   
      Cash Spending$37,000$38,000$39,000
      Bill Payments$26,000$28,000$30,000
      SUBTOTAL SPENT ON OPERATIONS$63,000 $66,000 $69,000
      Additional Cash Spent   
      Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out$0$0$0
      Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      Other Liabilities Principal Repayment$0$0$0
      Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment$0$0$0
      Purchase Other Current Assets$0$0$0
      Purchase Long-term Assets$0$0$0
      Dividends$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CASH SPENT$64,500 $69,660 $75,233
      Net Cash Flow$13,000$14,900$16,700
      Cash Balance$26,500$28,100$29,400

      8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

       Pro Forma Balance Sheet   
      AssetsYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Current Assets   
      Cash$281,000$314,720$346,192
      Accounts Receivable$25,600$28,672$32,227
      Inventory$4,300$4,816$4,988
      Other Current Assets$1,000$1,000$1,000
      TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS$293,000 $328,160 $368,852
      Long-term Assets   
      Long-term Assets$10,000$10,000$10,000
      Accumulated Depreciation$18,000$20,160$22,680
      TOTAL LONG-TERM ASSETS$24,400 $27,328 $30,744
      TOTAL ASSETS$296,800 $332,416 $373,968
      Liabilities and CapitalYear 4Year 5Year 6
      Current Liabilities   
      Accounts Payable$20,200$22,624$25,429
      Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      Other Current Liabilities$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES$14,900 $16,688 $18,757
      Long-term Liabilities$0$0$0
      TOTAL LIABILITIES$15,000 $16,800 $18,883
      Paid-in Capital$31,100$32,000$33,000
      Retained Earnings$56,770$61,879$68,067
      Earnings$219,000$238,710$262,581
      TOTAL CAPITAL$280,000 $305,200 $335,720
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL$295,000 $332,416 $373,968
      Net Worth$279,000$304,110$334,521

      8.6 Business Ratios

       Ratio Analysis    
       Year 1Year 2Year 3INDUSTRY PROFILE
      Sales Growth7.05%7.81%8.66%3.00%
      Percent of Total Assets    
      Accounts Receivable9.17%10.16%11.26%9.80%
      Inventory5.33%5.91%6.54%9.90%
      Other Current Assets2.10%2.33%2.58%2.40%
      Total Current Assets150.05%151.20%151.80%158.00%
      Long-term Assets11.72%11.78%11.84%12.00%
      TOTAL ASSETS100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Current Liabilities4.62%4.66%4.70%4.34%
      Long-term Liabilities0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Total Liabilities7.37%7.43%7.50%7.38%
      NET WORTH100.19%100.99%101.92%110.00%
      Percent of Sales    
      Sales100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Gross Margin94.72%97.28%100.00%99.00%
      Selling, General & Administrative Expenses94.01%96.55%99.25%97.80%
      Advertising Expenses1.62%1.66%1.71%1.40%
      Profit Before Interest and Taxes40.97%42.08%43.25%33.90%
      Main Ratios    
      Current37373832
      Quick313232.833
      Total Debt to Total Assets0.19%0.17%0.16%0.40%
      Pre-tax Return on Net Worth74.70%75.10%75.70%75.00%
      Pre-tax Return on Assets94.09%98.79%103.73%111.30%
      Additional RatiosYear 1Year 2Year 3 
      Net Profit Margin32.87%33.89%34.94%N.A.
      Return on Equity56.18%57.92%59.72%N.A.
      Activity Ratios    
      Accounts Receivable Turnover7.77.77.8N.A.
      Collection Days100100100N.A.
      Inventory Turnover32.233.8135.098N.A.
      Accounts Payable Turnover16.216.416.45N.A.
      Payment Days272727N.A.
      Total Asset Turnover2.42.42.6N.A.
      Debt Ratios    
      Debt to Net Worth-0.03-0.03-0.03N.A.
      Current Liab. to Liab.111N.A.
      Liquidity Ratios    
      Net Working Capital$240,000$253,440$267,633N.A.
      Interest Coverage000N.A.
      Additional Ratios    
      Assets to Sales0.820.830.86N.A.
      Current Debt/Total Assets1%0%0%N.A.
      Acid Test27.328.128.9N.A.
      Sales/Net Worth2.12.12.1N.A.
      Dividend Payout000N.A.

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