Start a small independent car repair garage

Local car owners, courier and trades businesses with a few vehicles, and drivers who want an alternative to the dealership.

Labour charged per job or by the hour, plus a markup on parts, tires and fluids. Repeat customers and fleet accounts help smooth out the year.

• Certified mechanic or experienced licensed technician
• Diagnostics and repair across many makes
• Quoting, invoicing and managing parts suppliers
• Running a small shop and hiring

• Garage keepers' liability, commercial general liability and property insurance
• Zoning, fire code and environmental rules for waste oil, tires and fluids, check with your municipality and province
• Safety inspection work needs a licensed station in many provinces, check your regulator
• WCB or WSIB coverage and trade ratio rules once you hire, rules vary by province
• Long lease commitments before you have steady work
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on the unit you rent, the hoist, tools and diagnostic equipment you buy, and your lease terms. Avoid long lease commitments before you have steady work.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on how many bays you run, whether you hire, and how much steady work you win from local drivers and small fleets. Rent, parts and wages come out of that.

Check garage keepers' liability, commercial general liability and property insurance. Ask your municipality and province about zoning, fire code and rules for waste oil, tires and fluids, safety inspection licensing, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire. Quebec has its own rules.