Well I need everyones help.....

[JChristian1835]

Ok well here's alittle back story. I started working on cars for people (mainly protouring/restoring). I mostly came to this site for any questions I needed answered and now I need probably the most important question answered. I'm getting to the point of getting backed up with cars so I figure I can start making a legitimate business of it. Now I need help with a name for it. I'm clueless on this one and the main work will be pro-touring. Also any of you guys who have started up, do you have any advice? This is my first business endeavor. Any help and advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks once again guys.

[jy211]

Also any of you guys who have started up, do you have any advice? This is my first business endeavor. Any help and advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks once again guys.

make sure the people who you are doing work for can afford it, not the one's who say they can. :bsjerk:

[JChristian1835]

make sure the people who you are doing work for can afford it, not the one's who say they can. :bsjerk:

Ha very very good advice, I ran into my first one of those 4 cars ago. Did lowering, wheels and tires, 383 and a th350 in it and gave him an initial quote. needless to say i still have the car in my possession till he pays.

[200horse]

yes raise your rates now if you arent charging enough to live on and see how much business you get. Doing it full time as a business is alot harder than people think. I would be glad to help you and talk to you over the phone if you wanted my opinions and help.


tim

[JChristian1835]

I'll definitely take you up on that offer. Like I said I'm completely green when it comes to all this. How do you guys decide how much to charge for a job?

[200horse]

I'll definitely take you up on that offer. Like I said I'm completely green when it comes to all this. How do you guys decide how much to charge for a job?

you need to know what you overhead is going to be first before you set any rates. Charging by the hour will be the only way to charge for custom work. I would get with a good attorney to write up a contract for you. I would put in detail also what I am going to do to the car.

Again If you want to talk in detail send me your number and will talk with you.

I have experience in all of this

[parsonsj]

Sounds promising. Just remember that just because you are your own boss, it doesn't mean that the boss isn't an idiot.

Good luck with it.

jp

[JChristian1835]

Sounds promising. Just remember that just because you are your own boss, it doesn't mean that the boss isn't an idiot.

Good luck with it.

jp

HAHA! had to put that one in my signature... good rule to live by

[parsonsj]

How do you guys decide how much to charge for a job?

I'm no big businessman, but I charge straight labor.

I make an estimate, get a deposit on that estimate, and then invoice as I go.

Getting paid along the way reduces misunderstandings, and keeps you from getting upside down (and storing non-paying customer's cars).

jp

[jy211]

Getting paid along the way reduces misunderstandings, and keeps you from getting upside down (and storing non-paying customer's cars).

jp

And remember, you can charge them for storage LOL

[David Sloan]

I'm no big businessman, but I charge straight labor.

I make an estimate, get a deposit on that estimate, and then invoice as I go.

Getting paid along the way reduces misunderstandings, and keeps you from getting upside down (and storing non-paying customer's cars).

jp

This is how we do it as well, very good addvice.
I still wind up storing cars, sometimes things happen. I have a storage building for this, so it does not clog up the workings of the shop.
If you have any ?s give me a call.
678-873-6578

[JChristian1835]

so getting into overhead, I've got the tools, the shop and everything... what else would be overhead in a car shop?

[200horse]

so getting into overhead, I've got the tools, the shop and everything... what else would be overhead in a car shop?

insurance, taxes, employees,advertising,bank rolling parts, making a living at it. With out knowing alot of your details hard to say. Not sure where your at now and where you want to go with it.

[jy211]

PERMITS...County, city maybe state, derm, etc

[69LT1Nova]

Don't forget utilities such as electricity, water, etc in your overhead costs.

Having a labor rate helps your customers understand what they are going to owe you. Be sure to also have "standard book rates" on certain jobs, like lowering, disc brake conversion, engine swap, etc. That way, when you get those "customers" that can't afford your work to begin with, you can say, hey my labor rate is $xx.xx/hour, and lowering your car will take XX hours. Your estimate comes out to $x,xxx.xx

Keep in mind that not all cars are created equal. Some are easy to work on, and others can be a major PITA. Charge accordingly.

[200horse]

Do you have the right zoning where your at now to do this as a business also??

[JChristian1835]

Do you have the right zoning where your at now to do this as a business also??

yes, I have a smaller shop, it's about 2500. It was a motorcycle shop before i got it, so i figure it should be zoned right

[JChristian1835]

Wow thanks for all the feed back, I'll definitely be making some phone calls so maybe I can learn from you guys and try to minimize mistakes. But I'm still hung up on a name

[69LT1Nova]

Name help - well, we need some possible names you're considering. Perhaps something with a local feel, like "Knoxville Kustoms"?

[JChristian1835]

Right now I have no clue on it.... that's an option though. Better than what I have right now