All You Need To Know About Becoming A Mobile Mechanic
So, you are thinking of becoming a mobile mechanic? You know there are a lot of things to take into consideration before becoming mobile.
We’re here to help you through your decision and point you in the right direction.
There are more pros than cons to becoming a mobile mechanic. The first that comes to mind for me would be your client base, which could potentially double, if not triple, in size. Due to you having a bigger radius that you can cover, and of course, it is convenient for more people, Most people will use a mechanic that is relatively local to them simply because it is easier for the drop-off and pick-up. But being mobile, you will be the one traveling. So, depending on your radius, Your client base could become pretty large! Think of those who’ve broken down and have either got to dip into their pockets for recovery prices, wait hours for their insurance to send someone out, or find someone who can take their car to their local mechanic.
Equipment
Firstly, your equipment. If you are already a mechanic and are considering going mobile, this will be pretty easy for you. But for those who are starting from scratch, you need to think of everything – from what tools you need to your transport, and you will have to require a van if you don’t already have one.
Transport
Your transport is really important. It is the face of your company. It is what people see first before they see you. You can’t be a good mobile mechanic if you are traveling around in an unreliable vehicle. Cars are unsuitable for this job as you’ll need plenty of space in the back for your tools and necessary equipment. A van is definitely at the top of the list for a mechanic. One thing that may go overlooked is what you could do with business van insurance; it wouldn’t be enough to get a simple van insurance policy. You can find some policies that may not cover the tools and equipment you’ll have to store and transport in your van, so it’s always best to research what you’ll be covered for.
Now, you would instantly see dollar signs when buying a new vehicle. But requiring a new van doesn’t have to cost you the earth!
Why not hire a van instead? This way, it saves you the hassle of buying and sourcing the lump sum for you to buy a van.
Once you find a van to suit your needs, you must look at your insurance as a mobile mechanic. This is a very important part! You need to be covered for your own peace of mind and the safety of your new business. You never know what could happen. There are plenty of insurers who don’t cost an arm. Just take a look on the internet.
Tools
Onto your tools. Now, I’m sure if you are considering becoming a mobile mechanic, you will already know your way around a vehicle and what’s needed to repair it. Make sure your tools are of top quality. You would not want anything to break on you partway through a job. You need your tools to be reliable and safe for multi-uses.
Prices
Set your prices. Now, this is where it could become tricky. Being a mobile mechanic would mean your prices would possibly need to be set higher than a non-mobile mechanic. Because you need to consider your travel and time spent there, add on a little extra for your fuel prices. You then need to think about how long it’ll take you to get to and from said client. This will interfere with how many clients you can have daily because you travel in between. Set yourself a radius of so many miles from your base. An area you are happy to travel to.
I personally think a mobile mechanic is more ‘sought after’ — If something goes wrong with your vehicle, that stops you from being able to use it. How are you going to get it repaired? This is where things can become quite pricey if you don’t know the right people. You’d have to find someone to come and fetch your car and take it to the garage to be repaired. If the garage you are using has its own recovery, you will still be charged on top of the repair for the recovery service. Then, once you finally get your car to the garage for a repair, You have to figure out how to get it back.
Not only that, but some people genuinely don’t have the time to get their car to a garage. Finding time to get out of the garage can be tricky if they work full-time. With mobile repairs, all they need to do is call in the repair!
Marketing
Now, one of the best ways to start your business is by taking it to social media platforms. Although not everyone uses social media, it is a fantastic way to get the word out and make yourself heard quickly. You could set up a business page or post on your own profile. Just let all family and friends know of your new business venture, and you would appreciate their support.
Once you’ve got a few clients under your belt, the best thing is recommendations. Once your original clients recommend you, that is when your new clients will start to flood in. I don’t know about you, but I am always inclined to use a certain business if I know others who have used them before and if they only talk well about them. It really gives you the confidence you need to use their services.