Sunroof repair and installation shop
Run a small workshop that repairs sunroofs and fits aftermarket ones, on a booked or walk-in basis.
- $20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
35,029 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year
NAICS 811121 “Automotive body, paint, and interior repair and maintenance”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small bay or unit where you repair, replace and install sunroofs, panoramic roofs and related roof fittings, including glass, tracks, motors and seals.
Your first three steps
- Get hands-on experience with an established sunroof or auto glass shop and learn installation and leak testing
- Look at small units or shared bays in your county, checking zoning and the lease terms for auto work
- Set up supplier accounts for sunroof parts and tell local dealers, body shops and insurers' repair networks you're open for work
Who pays
Individual car owners, used car dealers, body shops and insurance-covered repairs, plus drivers wanting an aftermarket sunroof fitted.
How it makes money
Labor plus parts margin on each repair or installation. Installs are higher value, and repeat trade work from dealers helps keep the bay busy.
Skills that help
- Hands-on automotive roof, trim and electrical work
- Accurate cutting, fitting and water-tightness testing
- Quoting jobs and managing parts suppliers
Watch out for
- Check your state for any auto repair shop registration or licensing, and your city or county for a business license and zoning approval
- General liability, garage liability and garagekeepers insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Cutting into a roof is hard to undo, so train properly and consider a warranty policy for leaks
- Disposal of old parts and any chemicals may have local rules, so check with your county
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: sunroof repair and installation 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 open a sunroof repair and installation shop?
Estimates are typically around $20,000 to $80,000 to start, depending on the premises you lease, the tools and equipment you buy and how much parts stock you hold. Bigger or better-equipped bays push costs toward the top of that range.
How much can a sunroof shop earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your mix of repairs and installations, how many dealers and body shops send you work, and your opening hours. Rent, parts and wages come out of that revenue.
What licenses and insurance should I check for a sunroof shop?
Check your state for any auto repair shop registration, and your city or county for a business license and zoning approval. Also check liability, garage liability and garagekeepers insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire.
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