i am in the army right now but i will be getting out soon a returning to florida, i am planning on opening a auto maechanics do it yourself shop where i will have lifts, bays, air tools, tire machines, balancers, engine hoists, stands evverything you would ever need to work on our cars. this stuff would be for the customer to use in other words you would be renting the space for the day and the price would include all the shop tools and equipment. please give me some feedback and maybe some ideas. this is a serious idea for i will be using my g.i benefeits for a small business loan i will probably locate myself in the ft myers port charlotte area. again i need you feedback and ideas to get this thing going i am looking probably to open in the beginning of the new year. thank you

 

I'm pretty sure the insurance rates would be astronomical. I guess you could have everyone sign a waiver of some kind so you aren't liable though. It sounds like a cool idea however, just a little too far away for me.

 

i don't want to sound like i don't like the idea, i do, and i'd probably use it, however insurance would probably be incredibly expensive and you'd have to have high rates

 

yeah i know but that is just about any business today if i had a regular shop i would have to have insurance for the shop workers.....also i would have to get a lawyer and draw up some kind of legal paperwork to kinda curb some of those dumb lawsuits like if someone cuts there finger on thier muffler that kinda stuff i think they would have to sign a waiver of liability unless like the lift fell on them that would be my fault of course but there would also be a training program before it could be used and i would have to be active in the shop enforcing saftey

 

I am in Orlando and would need something in this area. Maybe you could have tools available to rent because not everyone will need them or at least a big assortment. I would really be interested in just a floor space for a few days to do certain jobs like engine swaps or painting. You could just have a lift in a few areas to rent those spaces as needed maybe a seperate paint shop or something. I ws thinking of this idea too but expenses are real high. I would rent out a space monthly if it was more cost effective for me and somewhere close to my house. Just some thoughts.

 

yeah i planned on having flat bays and lift bays and maybe like a membership program for people who would use it like 2 to three times a week or so i am not sure about a paint booth though because epa hits you hard on those things i plan on starting a chain of these me and my cousin who is a monster truck racer are coming up with this idea his truck name is sniper by the way the tools would come with the bay fees by the way orlando is only 2 hrs away bro and i am originally from deland but dont tell anyone

 

You've got a great idea and I would definitely make use of a business like that if there were one near me.

Just talk to a business consultant before you get started with this thing, because a bank probably won't give you a loan to start it, and if they do, it will come with about 25% interest.

Some else that would be VERY important to find out: How many car owners are there in FL, and how many out of that number work on their own car and what percentage of the work do they actually do themselve? This could be found through demographic records at the Chamber of Commerce in the city where you want to open up shop or a business consultant can help you.

 

oh no i am guaranteed a small busines loan from the VA and i am going to make use of all i got coming to me after 10 yrs in the army

 

Go to www.sba.gov and look into a small bus. loan from these people. They also have great tips on starting a small bus. I don't know how far you are from the University of Central Florida, but we have a business incubator here. A bus. incubator is a place to get consulting, low-interest loans, office space for a very minimal cost.

http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/frameset.html

Talk to these people before you take out a loan.