Starting my own windshield chip repair business

[nobb]

Hey.

Im a university student and the summer is almost over for me. However, I have recently seen people camping outside of supermarkets doing windshield repair. This seems like maybe it could be a profitable idea for me to do next summer. I really enjoy the prospect of being able to work for myself and not have to push shopping carts all summer. Ive read up on those windshield repair kits and it seems like it might be pretty easy to do as well.

So I would like some advice. Do you guys think it would be profitable to do windshield repair for the summer? I was thinking of maybe buying those DIY windshield repair kits in bulk, setup a stand (ask the manager of the supermarket/pay rent), get a business license (those are cheap right?), and do that for the summer. Remember, profit is number 1. I am hoping to make more than what I would make flipping burgers or whatever. I see tons of people who could use their chipped windshields repaired, so maybe there is a big market for that. And also, how much should I charge per chip? Is there anything else I need to consider?

I have no intention to do this the rest of my life, as its just something to do over the summer. Maybe I will learn a thing or two about managing my own business. Also, this business seems like it would have fairly low startup costs. All I would need is the windshield repair kits, a business license, and improvise something to make a stand (an old tent). What do you guys think? Is this realistic or not? Or should I just stick to pushing shopping carts like most other teens?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Give it a shot. I wouldn't even bother with the business license until the business is profitable.

 

[Atheus]

You'd better find some chipped windscreens to practice on - if you ah heck up your first customer's car you won't be getting many more costomers.

Good idea though, and definately better than supermarket work.

BTW what are you studying? Why not try to get some part time work in that field?

 

[imported_Devine]

I thought the deal with those windshield repair dealios was a scam where you didnt pay anything to them but they charged your insurance or something like that, I thought I read about that somewhere.

 

[slsmnaz]

No offense but I hate those guys! They would hang around certain gas stations and bug you 3-4 times while filling up.

 

[nobb]

Im studying chemical engineering, however, no one wants to hire a first year...so yea. Obviously my first priority is to try to get some sort of summer position for an engineering firm, but I doubt I will get lucky with that. The great thing about windshield repair is that those guys basically sit around all day! Heck, I wouldnt even have to wait until my final exams are over to get a job because I could just sit there studying for most of the day. I was thinking maybe charge $20 per small chip? The goal is to make $100+/day. I was also thinking maybe pay the supermarket manager 10% (is that too little?) of what I make in exchange to let me take a few parking stalls.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: nobb
Im studying chemical engineering, however, no one wants to hire a first year...so yea. Obviously my first priority is to try to get some sort of summer position for an engineering firm, but I doubt I will get lucky with that. The great thing about windshield repair is that those guys basically sit around all day! Heck, I wouldnt even have to wait until my final exams are over to get a job because I could just sit there studying for most of the day. I was thinking maybe charge $20 per small chip? The goal is to make $100+/day. I was also thinking maybe pay the supermarket manager 10% (is that too little?) of what I make in exchange to let me take a few parking stalls.

Good luck. That's all I have to say.

 

[jtvang125]

You're going to be working on other people's property and to cover your butt you'll need some type of insurance to ensure if anything goes wrong you won't get burned with a lawsuit. Even something as simple as window tinting cars I've heard plenty of horror stories of things going wrong and they had to resort to their company insurance to bail them out.

 

[Jeffwo]

Yeah, I do windshield chip repair in my body shop. That is good work for a young guy to get into.

 

[nobb]

Oh yea...it sucks that people sue for everything these days. How about I just make people sign a waiver so they cant sue me?

 

[nwfsnake]

Headlight lens restoration is where the money is!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
No offense but I hate those guys! They would hang around certain gas stations and bug you 3-4 times while filling up.

If you have a chipped windshield, you really ought to get it fixed...

OP -
Get liability insurance
I wouldn't use a product that you can buy in a store or off the TV if there are "professional" products available (I'm sure there are)

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: nobb
Oh yea...it sucks that people sue for everything these days. How about I just make people sign a waiver so they cant sue me?

Ask yourself this: Would I let someone who requires a "will-not-sue" waiver work on my car?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

If you don't have anything you don't need insurance

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
If you don't have anything you don't need insurance

:thumbsdown: What a screwed up point of view. How would you feel if someone damaged your car, didn't have insurance, and couldn't afford to pay for the damage because they don't have any money?

:| scum

 

[wnangle]

Anyone can purchase the chip repair kit at an auto parts store and do it themself. This would not be a profitable business. This topic should also be in the Garage section, not here in OT.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
If you don't have anything you don't need insurance

:thumbsdown: What a screwed up point of view. How would you feel if someone damaged your car, didn't have insurance, and couldn't afford to pay for the damage because they don't have any money?

:| scum

Thats the risk you take doing business with a college kid who propositioned you in a parking lot.

 

[nobb]

If a moderator wants to move this topic...feel free. People can do alot of things themselves, but the great thing is that they are usually willing to pay others to do it for them =). I was hoping for something with minimal startup costs. This whole liability insurance thing is scaring me . Is liability insurance expensive? I didnt think that much could go wrong from a simple windshield repair since all you are doing is filling a little crack. I just thought the worse that would happen is the crack not being fully repaired, then in that case I'll just refund their money.

At $20/chip (maybe discount for multiple chips), I would only need a few clients a day to make more than I would at a supermarket. And it would only take minimal work to fix each chip.

 

[ViviTheMage]

too risky imo...

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: nobb
If a moderator wants to move this topic...feel free. People can do alot of things themselves, but the great thing is that they are usually willing to pay others to do it for them =). I was hoping for something with minimal startup costs. This whole liability insurance thing is scaring me . Is liability insurance expensive? I didnt think that much could go wrong from a simple windshield repair since all you are doing is filling a little crack. I just thought the worse that would happen is the crack not being fully repaired, then in that case I'll just refund their money.

At $20/chip (maybe discount for multiple chips), I would only need a few clients a day to make more than I would at a supermarket. And it would only take minimal work to fix each chip.

Do cash only transactions and if someone gives you a hard time get up and walk away. Deny everything.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
No offense but I hate those guys! They would hang around certain gas stations and bug you 3-4 times while filling up.

If you have a chipped windshield, you really ought to get it fixed...

OP -
Get liability insurance
I wouldn't use a product that you can buy in a store or off the TV if there are "professional" products available (I'm sure there are)

Well it was a company car so no way I'm paying out of pocket for it. It's also very hard to drive in AZ and not get a few dings on your windshield with all the sand/rocks.