If you’re thinking about setting up a car garage as a small business then you have come to the right place. Setting up a business can be tough in many ways, so making sure you have a checklist of the essentials will help things run a little smoother. Check out our top picks below so you can focus on making your business a success!
1. Fuel
Most vehicles, unless electric, need traditional fuel to run, so make sure you have a supply of diesel or petrol handy to get cars off of the forecourt and back on the road. Speedy Fuels offer delivery 24/7 hours a day, 365 days of the year so are a safe bet for your go-to fuel supplier. Just ensure that any fuel or other flammable liquids are stored safely as they are a huge hazard.
2. A Code Reader
A reader will assist you with diagnostics and help you find out what is wrong with a vehicle without having to get your hands too dirty in the beginning. Simply hook it up to the car in question and the machine will give you an indication of what has gone wrong.
3. Insurance
This is absolutely vital for any new business, but even more so for a garage as it can involve risky, dangerous work. It will keep you and your employees covered for any on-the-job injuries and also protect you if any of the vehicles are damaged or stolen. If you do one thing on this list, make sure it is purchasing an insurance policy!
4. Hoists
While a single-use car garage may be able to survive on jacks alone, larger-scale operations should have at least one hoist to work with. A huge amount of your work will rely on working underneath the cars and being confined to a small space continually will be no good. If your space is large enough and you can afford it. Consider getting multiple hoists to work on several cars at once, meaning you can get through jobs quicker, have happier customers, and ultimately earn more.
5. Organisers
Keeping your nuts separated from your bolts is vital if you want a smooth-running workshop. Purchase racking and shelving to keep items and tools safely off the ground, and buy small organiser trays to keep your tiny items together. Speed is of the essence in a professional working environment, so keeping everything nice and tidy will make it quicker and easier to find what you need when you need it.
6. Tyre Changer
Whilst changing a tyre is mechanics 101, changing multiple tyres all day long can be time-consuming, tiring, and boring. Invest in an automatic tyre changing so that you can spend your days working on more profitable and interesting jobs, whilst still having the basics covered. Your arms will thank you!
Do you own a car garage? What essentials would you add to the list for people just starting out?
