Radiator repair and recore shop
Repair, recore and pressure-test radiators for drivers and garages from a small shop unit.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year
NAICS 811118 “Other automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small workshop that cleans, tests, repairs and recores car, truck and older or classic vehicle radiators, and fits replacements where repair makes no sense.
Your first three steps
- Work or train at an established radiator shop, and price the local market for repair versus replacement
- Find a small unit zoned for repair work and get quotes for a pressure tester, soldering gear and a cleaning tank
- Introduce yourself to independent garages and fleet owners within your county and offer a fast turnaround
Who pays
Local drivers, owners of older or classic vehicles, work truck and fleet owners, and independent garages that send radiator jobs out.
How it makes money
A price per job for testing, repair, recore or cleaning, plus markup on replacement radiators, hoses and coolant.
Skills that help
- Mechanical aptitude and careful hand work
- Soldering or brazing, or willingness to learn
- Honest quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- Check zoning and your city or county business license before signing a lease
- Used coolant and cleaning waste are regulated, so check local rules on storage and disposal
- Some states require auto repair registration, so check your state's rules for repair businesses
- General liability and garage liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Fumes and hot work, so plan for ventilation and safety gear
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: radiator repair and recore shop
Researched with live web search for United States: 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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a radiator repair shop?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your shop unit, equipment and safety gear. Check zoning and your business license before signing a lease.
How much can a radiator repair shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, the mix of car, truck and classic radiator jobs, and how many garages send you work. That is revenue, not profit.
What rules should I check before opening a radiator shop?
Check zoning and your city or county business license, local rules on storing and disposing of used coolant and cleaning waste, and whether your state requires auto repair registration. Also check insurance, plus ventilation and safety gear for fumes and hot work.
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