“How to Start Auto Body Shop?”
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i've been doing body work for about 7 years and i am trying to start my own shop as well as most of you on here. All you really need to get insurance work is a tax id number and a shop. EPA is a little different they need to inspect your shop there are many things they check on such as your paint booth, your logs on the paint you have used, and many other the regulations are simple and don't be scared of them they are basically telling you not to throw your paint out the back door in the grass. they do not want to fine you or shut you down you get all the info you need and go from there and when they come they will tell you what you need to know there are also universities that have programs to inspect your shop before the EPA comes and they will let you know. as for insurance work you can't get in their pockets you can be a preferred shop and they will pay you less and tell people to go to you but they legally cant steer their customers where to go if you have any questions about cost there is a lot of equipment to buy and remember you don't always need new look on ebay craigs list etc. for used equipment if you are just getting started no sense in spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on new if you don't know if your going to make it

I would like to share what worked with my husbands small engine repair shop. First, the most important thing is that you be an HONEST mechanic. Don't padd the bills with services you didn't perform and don't tell customers they need repairs they don't need. Honesty will earn you more work than you can handle. Expect it to take time to get the word out, 2-3 years is average and that is with low tech advertising as we did. For advertising I made a flyer and the top was not the name of the business but the name of the service SMALL ENGINE REPAIR in his case, in bold print large enough to see from the front row parking. I listed his 27 years of experience, if you don't have a lot but have a partner say X years of combined experience. List what you do, especially what you specialize in, in my husbands case it was rebuilding engines and carburators a skill most of his competitors didn't provide. Here is the real kicker, dont just have tear off scraps with your number, use professional business cards! Apply tape so the paper isn't torn and the flyer can be reused. The 'layer' cards in descending order with little bits of tape to fasten them to the flyer, start with the bottom one and work your way up. Do Not obscure your message! Place these carded flyers on bulletin boards, store fronts or anywhere that gets lots of business. Be sure and ask the business owners permission! Check on your cards often, in my husbands case we have to refill all the cards evry other day during the grass cutting season. Check with competitors on cost, or your supplier may be able to provide an industry charge chart. How much to charge for each job. Be cheaper than anyone else, this will be one of the biggest draws, your just starting out and can get away with it. If any customers question why tell them that and that all you ask is there word-of-mouth advertisement. Shop for suppliers, for the best price on same parts. We never paid for advertisement, if you want to get big fast buy a website and pay the price for search engine optimization (SEO Services). Be careful though, you may wind up with a foreigner who speaks no english handling your account and doing nothing but taking your money. websitedesignbyneo.com is a good company, its small, the prices are a real bargain because it is small, it is an honest up and coming web developer that provide SEO and actually achieve results. This guy actually GETS you to page one on search engines. Our company utilized only free advertising. My husbands reputation for honesty and low prices caused his business to become more than he can handle. The flyers with business cards brought new customers in, by the third year word of mouth referrals brought the majority in. People know when you lie. They look for the hints. Change the oil? Then why is the same filthy oil filter still on there and the oil black? Replace a part? Then why are the bolts just as dusty as they were. Some people check these things! Good luck!