help with getting started

[new2thebiz]

hello, im new to the site. im looking for a little help, im interested in starting a mobile autoglass buisness. ive worked for someone for a year i have my own tools and transportation.
i need the steps to start. thanks

[WSDSteve]

Respect where your competitor works, and create your own clientel. We never do each others dealerships if we have been established there for years. We have a line across the river. Any calls over the river I pass on to him and he does to me. Establish a name in the community. Where are you thinking of starting a business.
Go to the FireDepts, Ambulances and volunteer services in your town and pass out your cards and offer to do all volunteer service vechicles for free! Your name gets out. Participate in all car wash fund raisers. They bring in the business if you give a donation and your name spreads quickly when a fundraiser is being done. They love to pass out your cards if they will get a donation.

[new2thebiz]

good info,thanks. is there any more good info anyon else would like too share?

[AH-A/G]

Work for two more yrs for some one else save money learn more and than after the 3rd yr. hit the ground running . The reason for this is becasue the insurance and network companies require a minimium of 3 yrs exp. in the replacement field or you must hold a NGA certification which you usely cant get until you hit the tree yr mark. You should make some phone calls and ask a lot of questions of the insurance companies call Lynx and talk to them.

I learned replacement from my dad than i started my own repair only biz on the side on weekends than moved in to replacements after i had money to buy my own van and glass racks . I ran mobile only replaceent and repair for about a yr and a half then I bought my dads company which had 4 locations and then i opened the 5th in texas 2 yrs ago and then closed down 1 in wisconsin and 2 in oklahoma. still have 1 in oklahoma and the 1 in texas . If I could find honest employees i would reopen the others but right now I think its best this way . See I had a help though I had been around the repalement industry since i was 3 yrs old so I was able to get all my training and most of my tools for free . I had my firts biz when i was 12, bicycle repair and sales (worked out of dads shop) .I started my own glass repair biz when i was 19 now I'm 27 and I 'm still learning new things about this industry every day.
GOOD LUCK !

[new2thebiz]

do i have to get certified to do autoglass?

[AH-A/G]

No, but it is best and it is a good advertising tool.Not only that but it may not be long before it is a requirement by state and federal government. So I would do it before the fees go up,because once it becomes a law the fees will go up probably about $100.

[WSDSteve]

Certification is required in some states, like Connecticut. We get fined if we do a repair or replacement without a license and so will the person who hired you, because they will be providing an unlicensed service to the consumer. Your profile does not state where your from, so check it out.

[new2thebiz]

Im in az, and thanks for the advice keep it comming.

[newb1000]

new2thebiz
did you get started, I'm trying to do the same. let me know if you started or not

[StarQuest]

Just my sugestion.....if any of you newbies are interested in breaking into the glass replacement market.... try posting your questions on glassbytes.com forum.


These guys specialize in replacement and probably will telll you everything you do or don't want to hear about getting into the replacement biz. I've think most of them would be honest though. Give it a try!