Dent repair for dealers and fleets

Used and new car dealerships, rental car and car-sharing companies, and businesses that run vehicle fleets.

Per-dent or per-car pricing agreed with each client, often on a weekly or twice-weekly visit. Repeat clients make income more predictable than one-off retail jobs.

• Reliable, fast and consistent repair quality
• Building relationships with sales and service managers
• Basic invoicing and bookkeeping
• Time management across many cars

• Dealers often negotiate hard on price and may pay on 30 day terms, so plan your cash flow
• Depending on one or two big clients is risky, so aim to spread your work
• Insurance such as general liability and garage keepers, check what dealers ask for before they let you on site
• Check your city or county for business license rules and whether you need sales tax registration in your state
• Quality complaints can cost you a client quickly, so turn down jobs that need paint or body work

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your tools, vehicle and insurance. Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many dealers and fleets you serve. These are estimates.

Dealers often negotiate hard on price and may pay on 30 day terms, so plan your cash flow. Depending on one or two big clients is risky, so aim to spread your work across several.

Check what insurance dealers ask for, such as general liability and garage keepers, before they let you on site. Also check your city or county for business license rules and whether you need sales tax registration in your state.