Mobile paintless dent repair
Remove small dents and hail dings from cars at the owner's home or workplace, with no repainting.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Paintless dent repair (PDR): using specialist rods, glue-pull tools and lighting to massage small dents out from behind or on the panel, leaving the original paint intact. You travel to the customer in a van or ute.
Your first three steps
- Book a paintless dent repair training course and practise on scrap panels
- Buy a starter tool kit and lighting, then get an ABN and public liability insurance
- Offer discounted repairs to local used car dealers and ask for referrals
Who pays
Car owners with door dings and parking dents, used car dealers, fleet managers, car rental firms and insurance-linked repairers.
How it makes money
Fixed price per dent or per panel depending on size and access, plus larger jobs for dealers who send you several cars at once.
Skills that help
- Patience and a steady hand
- Good eye for panel shape and reflections
- Customer service and clear quoting
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' vehicles while you work on them
- Not every dent can be fixed without paint, so check damage before quoting
- Skill takes time to build, so expect slow, imperfect early jobs
- Check whether your state requires any licence for vehicle repair work
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile paintless dent repair
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile paintless dent repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on tools, lighting and your van or ute setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000. Skill takes time to build, so expect slow, imperfect early jobs.
Do I need a licence or insurance for paintless dent repair in Australia?
Check public liability insurance and cover for customers' vehicles while you work on them. Also check whether your state requires any licence for vehicle repair work. Not every dent can be fixed without paint, so check damage before quoting.
What skills and time do I need for paintless dent repair?
You need patience, a steady hand, a good eye for panel shape and reflections, and clear quoting and customer service. The estimate is typically at least around 15 hours a week, so you may be able to start part-time.
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