$58 Billion Opportunity
Opening an auto repair shop in the $58 Billion auto shop industry is clearly an intriguing opportunity. In fact, the influx of entrepreneurs starting a mechanic shop has resulted in 1.4% growth every year over the past 5 years. The question is: should you be looking at buying an existing auto shop for sale, or starting an auto repair shop in a new steel building?
Purchase Existing Pros
- Existing loyal customer base
- Start business immediately
- Possibility of low price on foreclosed shop
Purchase Existing Cons
- Poor service record associated with current location
- Auto shop is confined to the existing design
- Many are sold “as is” could mean problems
Build New Pros
- You can tailor the design of the building
- Steel buildings are easy to expand
- Steel is non-combustible = Lower insurance
Build New Cons
- Need to purchase land or lease a property
- Permitting process could delay opening
- Possibly higher upfront costs
Rent Space Pros
- Lower initial investment
- Monthly payment may be less
- Could be by existing traffic generators
Rent Space Cons
- Landlord
- No equity accumulation
- Space may not be right for your business
About Cross “X” Bracing in Auto Shops
Most steel building designs utilize x bracing in the sidewalls. In the plan above there are 4 openings (one in each bay) along the sidewall of the building. In the auto shop example below, while there are 4 bays available, the x bracing would eliminate one of the access doors. So when it comes to designing your auto shop, we recommend going with portal frames rather than x bracing to gain an access door into each bay. Contrary to x bracing, portal frames allow full-usage of every bay in the shop.
If you do choose to opt for x bracing instead of portal frames, you can use that space for additional storage, such as tools or small parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are the Doors Always Located on the Sidewall?
You may have also wondered why our auto shop plans contain doors in the sidewalls instead of the end walls? It’s simple – sidewall doors allow for easier expansion in the long-run. Should you need to add space to expand your business in the future, it’s easier and more cost-effective to expand longer rather than wider. Not to mention, sidewall doors help maximize the space of the shop by allowing for more vehicles.
What Are My Options When It Comes to Doors?
Finally, there are two types of doors you can order for your steel auto building. We recommend either roll up doors (which roll into a huge canister) or sectional doors, which are similar to residential garages that follow a track. While both are about equal in cost, the roll up doors require more room. This choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, but our representatives are happy to help you weigh the pros and cons of each.
How tall must the building be if I need 14' doors?
Doors that are 14′ tall in order to accommodate semi trucks will require a minimum 16’ tall building.
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