taking over the buisness!
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My dad passed away 2 weeks ago today, and im in the process of taking over the body shop. Ive been a painter for about 13yrs now so Im experienced in the shop portion. I can write an estimate, but as far as an owner/manager im inexperienced and feeling quit overwhelmed. Any managers or shop owners have any good advice or pointers im quit open to them.
Sorry to hear about your father.
tell us a little about your shop. the size, # of employees, DRP, etc and we can help with some specific advise. In general be honest, fair and upfront
with everyone. Get paid for what you do, dont sell yourself short.[quote=”ding” post=20372]Sorry to hear about your father.
tell us a little about your shop. the size, # of employees, DRP, etc and we can help with some specific advise. In general be honest, fair and upfront
with everyone. Get paid for what you do, dont sell yourself short.[/quote]We are a state-farm select first shop. 2 body-men one painter (me)! We do about 5 cars a week so not a lot of volume, which hopefully I can change that. I’m looking to hire a painter soon so I can focus on the business end of things. I plan on trying to take on 1 or 2 more DRP’s, and doing some P.R work. We are apart of the chamber of commerce so that’s a bonus as well as I am apart of a networking group of businesses in our local area so that should help increase volume as well. My wife is going to keep the books, and my cousin who is an accountant will help with everything involved as far as that’s concerned. I really pray that I can make things work, not only as good as my Dad did but hopefully better. Were not a huge shop, but we have an excellent reputation for doing quality work. I know I can handle it, but I still have to go through all the legal mumbo jumbo…..
It sounds like you have a pretty good setup.
In my few years in business, I have learned that making a profit is more about keep expenses down than trying to increase your gross numbers.
I have expanded in recent years from a stereo shop, to half of a custom shop, and added things like detailing, window tinting, general wiring and troubleshooting of anything 12v, HID and offroad lighting, etc. Versatility is the name of the game in this economy.
If you’re the only painter, and you’re trying to run the place, be prepared to work a LOT of hours…. I have worked alone for about 1/2 the time I’ve been open, and it sure sucks. 80 hours of work to bill 20 hours…. If you can hire a painter after a while and focus on the other things that need the time – advertising, budgeting, answering the phones and emails – you can get the shop running smooth, require less hours, and help increase business. the downside to that plan is you will make less money getting it going, since you’re paying someone to do the work you used to do. A compromise would be good – If your wife can do more of the management, and/or you step a body man up to part-time painter, you can take some stress off.
the stress has been a killer for me. I’m just now getting a little more comfortable, but it’s taken 4 years.
Bob has some good points. But you are only doing 5 cars a week. Why add more payroll at this point. get comfortable in the office and shoot one car a night. somtimes 2
once you get a good business plan in place and actually start increasing your business then think about hiring another person.[quote=”rodney79″ post=20376][quote=”ding” post=20372]Sorry to hear about your father.
tell us a little about your shop. the size, # of employees, DRP, etc and we can help with some specific advise. In general be honest, fair and upfront
with everyone. Get paid for what you do, dont sell yourself short.[/quote]We are a state-farm select first shop. 2 body-men one painter (me)! We do about 5 cars a week so not a lot of volume, which hopefully I can change that. I’m looking to hire a painter soon so I can focus on the business end of things. I plan on trying to take on 1 or 2 more DRP’s, and doing some P.R work. We are apart of the chamber of commerce so that’s a bonus as well as I am apart of a networking group of businesses in our local area so that should help increase volume as well. My wife is going to keep the books, and my cousin who is an accountant will help with everything involved as far as that’s concerned. I really pray that I can make things work, not only as good as my Dad did but hopefully better. Were not a huge shop, but we have an excellent reputation for doing quality work. I know I can handle it, but I still have to go through all the legal mumbo jumbo…..[/quote]
Sorry about your Dad Rodney.
With the good foundation you have to build on you will do fine.
Take Ding’s advice. Sounds like its time to really put the nose to the grindstone for now.
Hang tough and best wishes.So sorry for the loss of your father
Yours shop size and work volume sounds like mine. I have 2 bodymen and myself, I handle the office and do all the painting. How I have it set up to handle it so you dont have to many late nights is, I have one of my employees trained to write estimates while I am either gone or painting and one is trained to paint so I can still manage to take a vacation. Both are trained to prime, final sand and buff the vehicle so all I do is mask and paint. There are times it is busy and I have late nights but for the most part it works out pretty good. My Grandpa’s saying was always stay small stay healthy, Good Luck to you
i hope the best for u and your family.
if you really want the business to succeed your gonna have to quit being a tech and start being a boss, however, that doesnt mean u cant throw in advice or know how when needed. if you find ur techs unable to work alone most of the time then its time for new ones.
id start mainly by improving efficiency before attempting to draw in more business.
remember you can be busy as hell but still be broke.
Great advice and I appreciate it. We are very efficient and ive always been the one dictating the pace of the shop even when all I did was paint. The guys here really do respect me and do what I ask with the occasional hick-up. I’m an expert at multi-tasking and to be a painter or body-man you have to be. I know I can make it work just fine. We are really the only shop in our small area, but we still do a lot of work, and I think pulling in one more insurance company would benefit the shop tremendously! Not just for me but for my employees. Not bragging but I do have my head screwed on strait, have a great work ethic and I despise failure! This is what my Dad always dreamed about. Thanx alot guys, I will take your advice and move full steam ahead! :cheers
good luck mate
im on my own i have a small shop i do light accident repairs smart repairs all genral body work i have a new apprentice he is a total novice infact he is slowing me down at the mo but im hoping he will pick it up
last week i done 2 cars a day moday to saturday so 12 in total it can be done and im on my own if i had to body guys id need a bigger shop and more hours in the day lol
sounds like you will need to train one up as a sprayer and possible hire another but if the works there go for it!!!good luck he would be proud of ya!!!
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