Radiator repair and cooling system workshop

Car and van owners, small delivery and trades fleets, and independent garages and body shops that send you cooling work.

Fixed price per repair or replacement, plus parts markup and flush or pressure-test fees. Work from garages and fleets can give steady repeat jobs.

• Mechanical aptitude with engines and cooling systems
• Soldering or brazing, or willingness to learn
• Honest quoting and customer service

• Some provinces regulate automotive service work or require trade certification, so check with your provincial regulator
• Used coolant and flushing waste must be disposed of properly, so check your municipal and provincial environmental rules
• Commercial general liability and garage insurance, which cover customers' vehicles in your care
• Municipal zoning and a business licence for the unit, and fire rules for soldering or welding
• Demand peaks with summer overheating and winter breakdowns, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the unit, equipment and parts stock. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own workshop before you commit to a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on how much repair and parts work you win. This is an estimate, and demand peaks with summer overheating and winter breakdowns, so plan your cash flow.

Check whether your province regulates automotive service work or requires trade certification. Also check rules for disposing of used coolant and flushing waste, municipal zoning and business licence rules for the unit, fire rules for soldering or welding, and garage insurance.