starting mu own shop

Just a thought for you. Instead of your standard 1 ton or van type service truck, look at a smaller ex-school bus type vehicle. Customize it a bit and you've got more like a rolling shop with lots more room for stuff like tires, workspace, etc,etc plus you can build in space for work clothes (coveralls, etc) so you don't have to be wearing dirty stuff to and from. Even saw one with a used "knuckle boom" onit so the guy could actually do stuff like swapping rads and other heavy stuff right on the roadside.

You can still have your "home base" for more extensive work.

 

Have you researched the Ca. environmental laws and the local statutes for having your own shop? Not to be a bummer, but this stuff can SHUT YOU DOWN. Take few minutes to look at this crap. Nothing could be worse than to get your deal going good and then some rep from the state comes in and says, "You need a containment pond for the runoff from your property", "I'm closing you down until such repairs are executed". Again, I don't want to come off as a wet blanket on your dream,, but this shizz can happen. You're not in a bad area, but your traffic will come from I-10 and the trucks going from/to Yuma and El Centro, 50 miles from I-215 is no good, there's probably 100 shops in that corridor.
Also, consider the start up costs just in a small parts inventory and some hi-end equipment, A/C machine is probably $3k. Not trying to p*** on your dream, just trying to open your eyes a bit. Live your dream,,,, armed with information. BOL!

 

not a big deal. Follow the guidelines for being a hazmat waste generator and you should be good.

And honestly, O/O working at home should already be on that radar as well for oil and other fun things we create as waste.

 

Truckermech not sure about where you live, but I play he'll getting my truck into a shop locally. The nearest Volvo dealer is an automatic 14 day wait, I dont even bother calling them anymore.

The local Cummins shop (generally does good work) but they are so high dollar I don't bother with them. I can't afford $500 oil changes.

Itry to stick to the small shops where I can deal with the same mechanic every time. My biggest pet peeve is shops that won't let you talk to the mechanic or even let you look at what they are doing. Small shops generally don't have those rules.

Go for it I say.

 

I know what you mean about the shop you're working for not letting you do things your way. I was an auto tech for a dealership for one of the 'big three' then I went out and did my own thing for awhile before hitting the road as a trucker. It's very easy to bite off more than you can chew and take on too many jobs at once, that's kind of where I see a lot of guys mess up. I've messed up there myself, too.

I haven't been an o/o for too long but when choosing a shop some things I look for other than labor rates is the wait to get my truck into the shop, do they offer road service as well as in shop service, do they have a wrecker, and how fast can they get the truck out of the shop. It is nice to be able to walk into the shop and see the work that's being done as it's being done. One big turn off for me is when a shop or mechanic has their own personal project vehicle in the shop or a bunch of dead vehicles in the shop or in the yard. To me it just gives the impression that my truck isn't all that important or that it will take a back seat to something else and not get the attention it needs to have the repair done right.

Just keep your place clean, stay honest, have fun and you'll be fine. Owning your own business can be a real challenge but when done correctly can be very rewarding.

 

Dont forget insurance requirements. Also good to have a sign off sheet with "Retorque tires after 100 miles"

Not responsible for theft or any injuries (customers not allowed on shop floor)

 

As with most any business nowdays a big consideration is liability. I would check into what you need for coverage and how much it will cost. Some guys tire comes off and hits someone they will come after you.

 

Good luck. Tools ain't cheap. Gotta charge 'em what you're worth or you'll go broke.