Re: Small engine repair business

[wjjones]

Re: Small engine repair business

Hello, I am new to this site. I have been in the small engine repair business for almost a year. Times are slow, had a decent first summer. I am Briggs certified. I advertise locally, and hand out cards when i can. Im asking for pointers on how to build my business. Thanks.

I know a guy down the road that has been in business for 20+ years, and thats just how it goes. He said he is really busy, and then it drops off to nothing for awhile. His guess is people want to put off repairs till the last minute before they need the equipment, and then wonder why you cant do it right then. I think he said by word of mouth is the way he stays 3 weeks behind just encourage your customers if they are happy with your work tell them to tell their friends, and neighbors.

 

[Flintmotorsports]

Re: Small engine repair business

Hello, I am new to this site. I have been in the small engine repair business for almost a year. Times are slow, had a decent first summer. I am Briggs certified. I advertise locally, and hand out cards when i can. Im asking for pointers on how to build my business. Thanks.

The best thing to do is order the parts when you need it. what I did when I started I just ordered two of the parts I just ordered
and if you sell you of that you need more well I started out will 200.00 in parts and now 4 years later I have about 10.000 in parts
most of that is in air filters, fuel filter, carb kits, spark plugs start slow and work you way up don't build to fast you will go out of business
I starts 4 years ago and I had 0 work for months now in the summer I am 2-3 weeks behind for about 5-6 month and I am slow right now
but I use the winter time to get my certifications all updated and take on new warranty equipment to make us busy in the summer time
and just a month ago I became a ariens chore dealer so my main pint is don't grow to fast.

 

[pugaltitude]

Re: Small engine repair business

The only name you need to worry about is your business name
Brand names come after.
Sales reps come round and try and sell their brand as the best ever made etc.
9/10 times customers buy from what you advise and not the brand.
Once the business name is working start on pushing what best suits your market.
Look at competitors in your area.
If they have a certain brand then pick something else to stand out.
When it comes to advertising think what would you do.
If i require something i would google first so website important.
FB, google add campaign, twitter, phonebooks, business to business sites , sales and wants.
Then the hardest work is all ways agricultural shows.

 

[bwdbrn1]

Re: Small engine repair business

I have a question for you guys that are doing this full time. What do you do insurance wise? I ask because I've repaired and sold a few things out of my garage, just as a hobby, and I've often wondered about the liability of it all. So for you guys who actually hang a shingle out as a business, what do you do in that regard?

 

[ILENGINE]

Re: Small engine repair business

I have a question for you guys that are doing this full time. What do you do insurance wise? I ask because I've repaired and sold a few things out of my garage, just as a hobby, and I've often wondered about the liability of it all. So for you guys who actually hang a shingle out as a business, what do you do in that regard?

I carry a $1M liability policy with a $2M aggregate on the business. A small mistake on your part that results in an injury could wipe you and your family forever. Not hard to get sued for $1M.

As far as parts stocking, when you need a part just order two. Also you may want to check around your local box stores, and get an idea what they are selling and stock air filter, plugs, oil, oil filters, blades and belts for those items. the idea is to roll your inventory over about every 3 to 6 months. Most distributor warehouses can have needed parts to you in 1-2 working days, so stocking a very large inventory isn't really feasible from a financial standpoint. Most companies have went to a just in time type ordering system, and you shouldn't have to work any different.

Potential customers will call you looking for a part and if you have it fine, if not you can order it. they will either come pick up the part or have you order it if they want to do business with you. You will have a lot of customers that will call looking for a part, and even if you have it in your hand will go someplace else to get it. some customers will even penny shop, meaning they will call 3-10 service centers looking for price differences as low as a penny in price.

I used to carry poulan pro chainsaws, and customers would come in and look at what I have, then would drive 40 miles round trip to the local farm store, and purchase the same item I have in stock for the same price. then will come in and want warranty service on the saw they purchased from somebody else.

 

[bwdbrn1]

Re: Small engine repair business

I carry a $1M liability policy with a $2M aggregate on the business. A small mistake on your part that results in an injury could wipe you and your family forever. Not hard to get sued for $1M.

As far as parts stocking, when you need a part just order two. Also you may want to check around your local box stores, and get an idea what they are selling and stock air filter, plugs, oil, oil filters, blades and belts for those items. the idea is to roll your inventory over about every 3 to 6 months. Most distributor warehouses can have needed parts to you in 1-2 working days, so stocking a very large inventory isn't really feasible from a financial standpoint. Most companies have went to a just in time type ordering system, and you shouldn't have to work any different.

Potential customers will call you looking for a part and if you have it fine, if not you can order it. they will either come pick up the part or have you order it if they want to do business with you. You will have a lot of customers that will call looking for a part, and even if you have it in your hand will go someplace else to get it. some customers will even penny shop, meaning they will call 3-10 service centers looking for price differences as low as a penny in price.

I used to carry poulan pro chainsaws, and customers would come in and look at what I have, then would drive 40 miles round trip to the local farm store, and purchase the same item I have in stock for the same price. then will come in and want warranty service on the saw they purchased from somebody else.

Absolutely the reason I have chosen not to pursue the notion of doing this for others. I will concentrate on my own personal collection of outdoor equipment, and that's it.

 

[davbell22602]

Re: Small engine repair business

Absolutely the reason I have chosen not to pursue the notion of doing this for others. I will concentrate on my own personal collection of outdoor equipment, and that's it.

If you sell used equipment then you can still court papers to get sued. Highly unlikely that they will win. Least I never of anybody winning over sale on used equipment sale from a private seller.

 

[davbell22602]

Re: Small engine repair business

How do you guys stock blade spindles? Singles or in sets so you have enough for a whole 2-3 spindle deck?

 

[MRCo.]

Re: Small engine repair business

How do you guys stock blade spindles? Singles or in sets so you have enough for a whole 2-3 spindle deck?

I keep one or two of the common ones, I don't hold too many as I get 24 hr parts service for whatever I need.

As for liability...don't even get me started, I am a rental store! Crazy. I will say you should seek out a standard repair contract, then get a local ttorney to amend and chek it out to cover all bases to be protect you. Then Get It Signed! Unsigned contracts mean nothing. Also...sadly the best worded contract can still be blown apart by some slick difk lawyer.

 

[Carscw]

How do you guys stock blade spindles? Singles or in sets so you have enough for a whole 2-3 spindle deck?

There is a small shop here and when it comes to spindles it's the only place I buy from. They will sell just the housing or just the shaft as the big dealers will not.