I'm looking into starting a small engine repair shop. How many of you out there own one and what is your marketing strategy? I know it is not the most profitable business but it is an enjoyable business. What our your thoughts?
I somewhat disagree with Calvin. You should have a flat rate on things like chain sharpening ,carb cleaning, oil change ext, In chain sharpening its a flat rate. Carb cleaning is $8.00 + labor. Oil change is $5.00-8.00 + labor and that always cover's oil and most of them little engines don't use much and i buy in bulk. That covers my chemicals and tools. I'm pretty fair on my parts, i usually round up to to a clean whole # or if the parts like 8.35 i go $10 since I put time into ordering and I don't keep the clock goign when i'm ordering parts cause I do a bunch at one time.
Carb rebuild is my part price + labor.
Lawnmowers and trimmers and abused yard equipment gets old... If been more into bike atvs lately. They are longer jobs and pay more.
If i get a bike in my shop that "wont start" it can be so many things i cant put a flat rate on it. It could be the valves or a bad CDI coil stator or a faulty kill switch. If i tell someone this is what it will cost and then I find more problems i look like an idiot/ a-hole.
To look at something and tell them it is not worth fixing i don't charge. If i diagnose the problem and they just don't feel like paying ill charge.
Marketing can be word of mouth, craigslist, paper ext...
When i go to a shop i don't base my opinion on what someone looks like.... Its probably better to not bring those thing's up man.