possible new career.

[red2000chris]

Hi all. Do you think there would be a demand for a mobile mechanic just to cater for classic cars and motorbikes servicing, repairs, valeting etc to work at the owners home? had the idea to run a classic mk1 transit or similar. Dad would do the motorcycles and both do the cars. the idea really appeals to me.
what do you think?

[andyborris]

Is it something you could start slowly? Perhaps at weekends. I'm sure there's a demand, but how much......I wouldn't like to say.

[david_lall]

....it's a great idea; I had my clutch replaced in this manner a few years ago and more recently, indeed within the last few months, I have tried in vain to find a similar service. My concern would be Taunton is a long way from where I live and obviously I would expect a mobile service to have much lower labour rates than a garage!

[badger]

It sounds like a good idea, but I wouldn't cater for just classic cars though, newer stuff as well. Start off on a part time basis (in between your current job?), build the business up until you are making good money, then jack your other job in(that's what I did). Just my thoughts anyway, good luck.

[Trevan]

The biggest challenge to us non-mechanics who still want to run an interesting car is finding knowledgable support especially if you're on a budget. I've used mobile mechanics before and would do so again but only if I felt I could trust them to look after my baby. If you have the specialist skill set, go for it - I wish you luck...

PS Turning up in a Mk1 Tranny would probably be enough to put my mind at rest!

[leesellars]

I went self employed and never looked back. There are loads of pit falls. Customer base doesn't come over night it's taken me 14 years to get where I am now. Oh don't forget the cost of fuel. Public liability insurance etc.
I'm very lucky to have TR Enterprises only 13 mile away. And give excilent service when I need it.
If a few of you are in the same area. And need some help just call them up to help between you all you should be able to cover the whole car. Also sharing tools or engine hoists etc.
nothing wrong a bit of help when needed.

Lee

[red2000chris]

i trained as a mechanic 12 years ago mainly working on 70s and 80s VW cars and dad has just retired after 45 years as a car /hgv mechanic and has has lots of old bikes. i would start with a roughly 100 mile radius of taunton to see if demand is there. i also trained as a valeter at a body shop/car sales garage. prices would be based on type of job instead of time scale and would be about 15% cheaper than a garage. also i love all old cars so great care at all times. Also had the idea of letting the owner help or watch if they wanted to.

[badger]

Well, we are planning to move to the south west in a couple of years time, so would definitely be interested in using you when the time comes. Good idea of letting the customer help, as long as they don't hinder, if you know what I mean

[Lloydpiestate]

go for it !!!!

fab idea, slow and steady though at first, as members have said, build up your client list, provide a clean pro job, and use wing protectors when working on the engine bay area and im sure your name will spread and existing clients will always use you again and again.

a percentage of the triumph owners are not shall we say, not as young as they used to be and find it difficult to work on thier cars, so need someone they know that they can trust and will look after and do a good job on thier beloved triumph

im not sure about 15% cheaper than the garages, i would of thought more like 20% ?? as you would have very little overheads, but dont forget to price for fuel, clearly that would be diff for every job dependant on the milage.

have a look in the bl repair times book and that will let you know how long every job should take, allowing you to give the client a good indication of cost, when they first ring you regarding whatever job it is they require. i would add 20% to some of the times as the nuts and bolts wernt rusted together when they wrote the repair times book !!!

keep us informed chris and all the best.

lloyd

[Allen Walker]

Perhaps the biggest pitfall from a logistics point of view is having to come back for a second or third day? We all know that sometimes jobs take far longer than expected and what are you going to do if you've travelled 100 miles (that's a long way actually) if you don't complete in a day?
The biggest advantage I see static garages having is their ability to get a vehicle up in the air. So I'd invest in some portable version of a lift (I think they do exist).
However, the advantages to you are I guess no commercial premises to worry about which is a big cost.
Maybe you could have a combined Transit camper van/maintenance vehicle