So, you want to start a truck repair shop. Although a truck operates in much the same way as any other automobile, repairs for trucks frequently require specialized equipment and knowledge. If you have the knowledge to work on these massive machines, you’re in the perfect position to open your own shop, providing you have the means to secure the capital to do so. However, aside from a way to finance your next business venture, you’ll need several other things for a truck repair company. Today, we’ll explore four of the various things you’ll need to succeed with your truck repair business.
Commercial truck insurance is a must for any truck repair company.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting your truck repair business or you’ve been in the industry for years; you’ll need the right insurance coverage for your business, trucks, and technicians. Truck insurance coverage will vary from company to company. So you’ll need to find the right company for your needs, whether you need auto liability, driveaway coverage, in-tow coverage, or all these and more. Regardless of what coverage options you need for your truck repair shop, you’ll need commercial truck insurance to keep your business running in the event of unexpected perils.
You’ll need the right tools for the job.
If you’re planning on repairing semi-trucks, you’ll need the right tools for the job. In addition to standard hand tools, including sockets and wrenches, you’ll need tools like pipe benders, brake lathes, and, of course, miller welders for working on large or custom-fit truck parts. Not to mention, you’ll need diagnostic tools. Finally, your shop itself should have truck hoists to maneuver truck engines. These tools will ensure that your team can handle virtually any truck repair job that comes your way.
No truck repair company is complete without qualified technicians.
You can’t expect to handle the business and every job yourself. So, you should hire qualified employees for your truck repair technicians. These technicians should have vocational training and an associate degree in automotive and truck mechanics. If your potential technician has certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, it’s a bonus. This certification will ensure that your employee understands truck drive trains, suspensions, electrical systems, brakes, and motors. In addition, you should ensure that you and your employees attend additional training offered by manufacturers to stay current with the ever-changing technology and repair techniques.
You need to provide the best tools for your office staff as well.
Just like your technicians need repair tools, your office will need the right tools for the job as well. You’ll need to keep a record of the work your shop performs and provide accurate invoices for your services. There are numerous software programs available today. You’ll need to find a program that can account for the needs of a heavy-duty repair shop, such as maintaining fleets and handling customer purchase orders and authorization.
Remember, your office staff can’t do their jobs to keep up with your service technicians if they don’t have the right tools as well. Your truck repair business can have the best service technicians in the world, but that won’t make a difference if you don’t have a well-equipped office staff. In addition, your office staff will need the best equipment to manage appointments, service orders, accounting, and all of the other backend business for your company.
Get your truck repair company off the ground.
Remember, you’ll need commercial truck insurance, the right tools for your technicians, qualified employees, and the right equipment for your office staff. With these four critical components for your truck repair business, you should have a basic groundwork set for your company’s success.
