Does anyone here happen to own their own diesel shop?
 

Well, next year in the fall I will be a NADC Student. I am 19 years old, been studying diesel mechanics, an wrenching on them since I was 14 years old. I purchased my truck in a junk yard with 65k miles blown engine no rust or nothing. (1999 Dodge 2500 24v 4x4 5 Speed) rebuilt the engine from the oil pan up with my grandfather. It was a great project, I still own the truck. She only has 121k miles on her now, it's my baby. But that's beyond what I am wanting to ask everyone here. My grandfather is going to help me get my life going with opening up my own diesel shop, my dream since I first purchased the truck. I scooped cow crap, helped my 78 yr old grandfather run a 200 head Holstein dairy farm since I was a little guy saving every penny for that truck. Well, what I'd like to know is what is it like to own your own shop? Pro's, and con's. Life struggles, etc... I wanna know it all! :jump:

Well plan on working on anything you can fuel type discrimination won't pay your bills. Plan on purchasing a garage keepers policy, a subscription to all data or Mitchell. Plan on having a solvent company pickup waste oil. Most of all charge what your worth and use list on parts, or mark them up a good bit. Offer a good warranty. And plan to work in a stressfull environment with little free time, expect that you will likely be the bad guy in about 30% of dealings with customers. Remember their going to mad regardless of what you do! Plan on spending 75-80k on tools and shop equipment. Get a account with one parts company like advance or napa and take the majority of your purchases to them. Dont buy all over, concentrate your purchases and your price will reflect that. Don't think this will be a easy venture by any standard. Welcome to one of the hardest and most expensive lines of work on the planet. Currently mechanics and shops have a lower approval rating than all the politicians. Don't ever fool yourself into thinking it will be easy or fun!

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Forgot to mention. Work for another shop for a year or two before you ever open your shop. Learn how the run the front of house and how technicians are paid and treated. Watch closely the billing and work flow and watch how they handle problem customers.

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Its hard to get a got reputable comoany to stick around these days. Comoetetion,prices,running costs all issues. If you dont have good mechanics you wont last. If you dont want to work long hours dont do it. Ask a few older mechanics what tgey think.9 out of 10 will say dont become one after about 10 years of sitting under trucks etc your back will hurt,knees,shoulders etc. Alot of them probably dont even want to work on their on vehicles after working 8-10 hrs a day.

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Amen! Lol

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I second the suggestion of working in another shop for a year or two before you go out on your own. Not only will you learn the hands on part of mechanics (the "book smarts" are a good start, but you will find out there is a whole other side to wrenching) but you will get to see the customer service side too. Pay close attention and be sure to ask questions, your customers are essential to the survival of your business. The more you know the better off you will be. You will become much more efficient in just your first two years out in the field, and if you have first hand experience being an employee you will know better how to treat your employees. Be sure to treat your parts suppliers good. If you can't get parts you can't fix cars and you won't make money. Be honest, especially to your employees. They know when you're lying to them and it will piss them off. Prepare to work long stressful days (at least in the beggining). Don't single yourself out to just diesels until you have the clientele to support just that. Be humble and open to ideas, and don't get too caught up in work. Make sure to enjoy the little things in life.

Thanks for all the support boys! I will take everyone's point of views in consideration. :tu: