Training class

[bella3]

I have been looking at starting a windshield repair business to help pay for school. I have been looking at the post on the forum and the information from delta kits for the last week.

1. has anyone taken the 1-day "hands-on" course that is offered by delta?

I am just a little skeptical that a one-day course can prepare you to do quality work. I am assuming that they teach you the basics. If this is true then how much practice (# windshields) is usually needed in preparation to do quality repair

2. what is the hardest part of running this business, the actual repairs or the business/finance side.

I am asking this because I am comparing this possible business opportunities. I have heard all the positive comments but if anyone has any "i didn't know this before i got into this business" stories, please feel free to share.

3. What liability do you have to the customer for your work?

Is it necessary to get some kind of insurance?

4. Can this business be run part time, from home.

I have classes during the day, but have many breaks. I also am free on the weekends. I was thinking of doing mainly special appointments during the week and doing most of my repairs on the weekends. Does this sound feasible.


I appreciate any comments, good or bad, that you can give me. I really want to own my own business and I think I can make this particular business work for me.

[paintlessplus]

Welcome bella3- to answer your questions...
1.) I took the 1 day training from Delta and strongly recommend it. This is a very visual hands on skill and if you're not doing it properly, you could be doing things wrong and developing bad habits. At training you are given numerous breaks and coached and judged on each with as much personal attention as you need. You're working one after another and by the time you leave, you WILL be confident in your abilities. As far as practice windshields after you leave training, the more the better. You will probably make some mistakes along the way by just a lack of experience but you'll learn from these, its part of being a newbie. I would suggest 30 - 50 practice repairs on your own before working for cash, but everyones different. 2.) I think that the hardest part of this business is making a comittment to run it as a business. The work is out there, you just need to decide how to get it. If this field was saturated, you wouldn't see so many helpful people on this board. Some people cold call which involves alot of courage and initiative. If you are not willing to make a commitment, you will probably not succeed at any business venture. On the other hand this is one of the few opportunities that you will know right away that the profit margin is there. After the first month, I knew I could pay off the price of my kit and make some money. 3.) I carry liability insurance as required by the networks. 4.) Most people on this forum work out of their homes on a mobile basis. With a fax and a cell phone/answering machine, you should have no problem running this part time. Good Luck- Bob

[StarQuest]

Bella3,

I think the first thing you need to ask yourself is how much money are you expecting to make starting out. Second most important item is how much money are you planning to invest into this business? You mentioned working this business around your school schedule, so most likely you'll be planning doing repairs on weekends. You could try doing some repairs during breaks but quite honestly I don't think that would work out to well. Being new to this business, one insurance repair could take up to 1-2 hours to accomplish. That would include drive time, insurance authorization process and repair time.

Like any new business you really need to sit down and set up a solid, good working plan. If your looking to make $250- $300 per week doing repairs part time starting out while going to school full time it's not going to happen. Expect to make at best $100- $175 per week. You might make more than that but this is a realistic bottom line figure.

Wish you good luck with your decisions!

[paintlessplus]

I have to agree with StarQuest, after reading that your intent is to help pay for school. You need to figure out how much money you will need to make. Things take time to get rolling -sometimes you'll have to wait a few weeks to get paid by insurance companies. The more time (and money) you spend nurturing this business, the faster and easier it will grow. I wouldn't buy a kit just to provide myself with a job- What I was reffering to is that most other businesses out there have a 3-4 year "take off period". That is the time you normally have to wait to see if your business is going to succeed ( take off) or fail, in terms of providing you financial support. I remember back in my teen years when I bought a lawn mower and started cutting grass...Cost of mower- a few flyers- look for yards to mow- and keep ringing door bells. My take off period was 1 week Bob

[bella3]

All,

Thanks for the quick replies. Your experience and advice is golden to me as I decide to start out in this business. From what I have read, there is a market out there for a well prepared business.

Starquest, your $100-$175 expected bottom line would be fine for me. I am not trying to pay all my tuition with this business, just trying to make some extra money to supplement my current scholarships/financial aid and get my feet wet at being an entreprenuer.

1. I plan on investing about $2000 total (aren't parents great ) to get into the business. Does this sound right or can it be done cheaper?

I plan on taking the training course in florida in january (family there) so thats $450, the delta kit is around $800, and then other misc costs (business cards, liscense, fax machine, marketing software, practice materials, etc, etc, etc.)

2. Paintlessplus, how much (per month) do you pay for that insurance (if you don't mind divulging this information) and is it difficult to secure this insurance.

I am trying to put together a projected startup costs list for my business plan's financial section.



Thanks again for all the help. You are truly contributing to the success of a young businessman.

[StarQuest]

bella3,

I must say I'm very impressed You have really thought this through and do have a great business plan already in action. Well then, I'll need to adjust your possible weekly sales figures. With the $2000 you have available, it will support some good quality equipment, training and marketing materials to get things rolling. Not sure if you thought about this yet but you'll also have an excellent marketing opportunity to provide some on campus parking lot repairs! Either before or after your scheduled classes. For others you can't accomadate during class hours, you might consider weekend repairs. Every class day, just simply start out 30 minutes early, walk the entire campus lot (by the way, it's also great exercise) and leave some very creative flyers on there side glass....stating that your a fully trained certified glass repair technican trying to work your way through school. For the guys they'll eat this up because they simply want to meet you. As for the gals....they'll be so envious and will respond simply out of curiousity as to how you can make money doing this. Definately beats working tables at a resturant or bar in the evenings.

Once you get trained and get somewhat seasoned to repair......I'd say you have the ability to pull in $250-$300 per week working this part time, while also getting your education.

I haven't mention this to anybody before....but I've already been training my beautiful 4 year old daughter in repair. She may not have the ability to
drill, pop or probe but she has learned how to push the right power buttons with vaccuum and pressure cycles.

Good Luck Bella3, if you need additional support with this venture, I'm sure everybody on this forum will help guide you!!!

[StarQuest]

Bella3,

Sorry for confusing your gender buddy! My fault! Should have read the bottom line of your last post before responding. No harm intended! Hope you'll understand the reason for my error.

Think you'll do great in repair Bella3,

Wishing you nothing short of success,

Starquest

[paintlessplus]

I have a general business liability policy with RLI ( check past posts) cost me $176 a year for my area. $2000. start up sounds fine- just keep your intial costs down and you will see profit right away. You are lucky to be attending Florida training- if you can swing it, get down to the MTE in Orlando you'll see the Delta guys there and it will help charge you up for this type of business. Good Luck sounds like you're on the right track 8) 8) Bob

[bella3]

Thanks for the help from all who responded. I will definitely be using this forum in the future as I progress in this business.