Jay's Mechanics... needing some advice..

[sam16v]

Me and my best mate started our own business a year or so ago, My mate had experience working in Scrap yards, and motor factors, and i had previously done a mechanics course, followed by a HND In motorsport Engineering.
We had previously been doing odd jobs on friends and families, whilst both having part time Jobs. Got to the point where there was more money coming from the car work, than the jobs.
So we took the plunge, and rented a small workshop. we already had all the hand tools (collected over years). Bought a spares or repairs 2 post ramp of ebay, and fixed it up. And have been building our business ever since.
The beauty of what we've got is that every Bill or outlay is halved, we are now in the position after only 12 months where we have moved into a larger workshop, and built a nice little set up with, Welders, Sheet metal folders, plasma cutters, Shrinker-Stretchers ,Full Diagnostics (£1200's worth), Machine shop with Milling machine, lathe, drill presses etc. Also we have Trade insurance in place, insuring our own vehicles and any car in our possession. Also this insurance covers Public Liability and covers our work on vehicles. All this with absolutely no loans or financial help just reinvesting money at the end of every job.
We Both love going to work, and our work includes, Full restorations, Engine Builds, Engine conversions, along with all the normal servicing, and MOT work. (we rarely turn any job away)
My advice to you is to go for it! Start small and build, build, build every-time you need a special tool or bit of equipment budget it into a job, if nothing else you will be left with a lot of valuable equipment in the case that your business fails.
hope this helps? and inspires a little? A year ago we had next to nothing and now, 6months worth of Jobs booked in and both doing Jobs we love.

[Jay18]

i think thats what ill do, work on friends and fimilies cars and see if it picks up and see if its worth if, ill try and save money instead of getting a loan, it will certainly make it easier.

what insurane do you have?
i know i need traders insurance and some sort of liability insurance
are there any licences needed like waste oil licence or vehicle waste if stripping cars, i hea that the scrap yard does it when you hand over the v5..