Dent repair for dealers and fleets

Be the go-to dent repairer for used car lots, rental fleets and body shops, working from a rented bay.

Startup costC$6k to C$20k
Monthly revenueC$3k to C$12k
Time needed30+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$6k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A steady B2B version of dent removal. You fix dents on vehicles being prepped for sale or return, either on the dealer's lot or in a small rented bay, with a focus on volume and quick turnaround.

Your first three steps

  1. Complete PDR training and build a portfolio of before and after photos on real vehicles
  2. Make a short list of dealers and fleets within driving distance and offer a free trial repair
  3. Price a small bay or shared workshop space and set up invoicing and a simple price sheet
Who pays

Used car dealers, rental companies, small fleet operators, and collision shops that subcontract small dent work.

How it makes money

Per-vehicle or per-dent rates agreed with each business, usually invoiced weekly or monthly. Regular volume from a few accounts can be steadier than one-off retail jobs.

Skills that help
  • Trained paintless dent repair technique
  • Speed and consistent quality
  • Reliable invoicing and account handling
Watch out for
  • Commercial general liability and garage-style cover for vehicles in your care (check with a broker)
  • Check municipal zoning and business licence rules before renting premises
  • Relying on one or two big customers is risky, so spread your accounts
  • WCB or WSIB coverage rules by province if you hire a helper

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: dent repair for dealers and fleets

Researched with live web search for Canada: 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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a dealer dent repair business?

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $6,000 to $20,000, depending on your tools, whether you rent a small bay and any training. Working on dealers' lots can reduce the premises you need.

How much can a dent repair contractor earn from dealers and fleets?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on volume, turnaround speed and how many accounts you hold. Relying on one or two big customers is risky. These are estimates only.

What should I check before renting a bay or taking on dealer work?

Check commercial general liability and garage-style cover for vehicles in your care with a broker, municipal zoning and business licence rules before renting premises, and WCB/WSIB coverage rules in your province if you hire a helper.

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