Small auto body repair shop

Vehicle owners, insurance companies (often through approved repair programs), dealers and fleet operators.

Each repair is quoted on labour hours plus paint and parts. Insurer work brings steady volume but at negotiated rates.

• Trade qualification or experience in collision repair and refinishing
• Estimating repair costs
• Managing jobs, parts and deadlines
• Dealing with insurers and customers

• Check provincial trade certification rules and whether your staff need to be certified
• Spray booths, fire code, air emissions and hazardous waste disposal are regulated, so check with your municipality and provincial environment ministry
• Commercial general liability, garage keepers' and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Insurer approved-shop programs may require training, such as I-CAR, and specific equipment
• Start-up costs are high and rent is a fixed monthly cost, so test demand before committing
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signs and customer paperwork

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your unit, spray booth and equipment. Rent is a fixed monthly cost, so test demand before you commit. Treat this as an estimate.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on job volume, insurer work and staffing. Expect at least about 35 hours a week. These are estimates, and fixed costs like rent still need covering.

Check provincial trade certification rules and whether staff need to be certified. Also check spray booth, fire code, emissions and hazardous waste rules, garage keepers' and liability insurance, WCB/WSIB, insurer approved-shop requirements such as I-CAR, and Quebec French-language rules.