Steps of how to Survive as a Small Engine Repair Business

Steps of how to Survive as a Small Engine Repair Business

[@henkelsmallenginerepair]

Running a mobile equipment repair business as a one man operation I appreciate and enjoy your videos thank you!

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Thanks for watching Henkle and thanks for the kind words.

[@texhian]

I am 23 i have been a auto tech for 4 years and am currently a diesel tech. researching and trying to get the ball rolling on a equipment repair business. Thank you for the insight.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Any time Tex, glad you enjoyed the video

[@johnlang8]

Ive been a underpaid Dealer technician for 11+ years working on Deere lawn and garden equipment, I started when I was 21 yrs old. I've worked on almost every Rider that Deere has made from the 1960's to current. Our dealership decided that they no longer wanted to work on mowers that were over 10 years old about a month ago. I have not advertised my services but just through word of mouth, I went from a couple of customers to 11 customers in a month, I charge 2/3 of the dealer rate and I love being able to provide support and help people that don't want to spend 10k to replace their older John Deere mowers

[@northernnewyorkparts]

you evolved John and saw a niche that wasn't being taken care of by the dealer

[@virgilbierschwale5001]

As another IT person (database programmer), I find it interesting that we're all ending up doing something like this.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

yes Virgilbier, after working in the IT field for years....I call it noise. I shut off all my devices at 3pm and enjoy working with my hands and not sitting in front of coding all day. I enjoy the small engine repair business, the people you can visit with and folks like that we take it to a personal level of once your customer, you are now a friend.

[@scottrenouf4260]

Same here Data Center engineer! 😂 I’m looking to start a small engine repair business out of my garage any advice.

[@virgilbierschwale5001]

@@scottrenouf4260 Watch all the small engine repair videos you can find. I got too old, so I'm moving into real estate, but it is a good way to make a living as everybody I hear from says they can't find anybody.

[@carbo2950]

10 years old. Went around the neighborhood picking up discarded lawn mowers. I made so much money selling them back to the neighborhood I had a motorcycle and a car before 15. Now I fix my stuff and give help to anyone that asks. Yes I am retired and loving it.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

way to go Carbo. DO what brings you Joy!

[@JackMorningstar-nm8gc]

Great advice! I think it would apply to most small businesses.

[@robertperdue2869]

Just to let you know, I'm retired looking to get back to doing something. So I decided to do the small engines, Starting from (0) . I'm 78 yrs young. So you young guys, "Never Give Up" and go slow at the beginning.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

I do try to hang around older folks than me to make me feel young lol. Its never too late to do something you enjoy

[@kelvinboyd7459]

In the Spring time people's mowers won't start because they won't drain their carburetors they push them to the curb and go buy new ones you can rack up just driving around picking up Moore's and throwing them in the back of your truck. Back in 2008 when everyone lost their job I did also I did the same thing I actually made enough money to pay my bills and bought a box truck so I could pick up more Mowers

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Hi Kelvin, yes about 80% of the machines we see that won't run is a gas issue. What we have found is that its quicker to just dump out the old fuel and start with something we know is fresh to eliminate that issue. Are you still doing this on the side?

[@kelvinboyd7459]

@@northernnewyorkparts no I've retired and no longer living in the city where people throw away good stuff. However I am back home around friends and family that will expect me to fix theirs. However if I find one next to the road it's mine. ARE YOU OFFERING PARTS DISCOUNTS?

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

Great tips, you obviously know your business very well! I am older than you, (I worked in Software for 45 years). I had to quit sitting at a desk all day (10-12 hours per day) because of all the years of physical inactivity are affecting my health. Going forward I will be working on old cars/trucks/engines. Anyway it seems like they are destroying the software industry by commoditizing it. Thumbs up and shared!

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Good luck on your new adventure Hallaran. I blame my less than perfect eyesight on looking at a screen most of the day for years.

[@FullThrottle-0-100]

no younger guys wanna do it! yes i make a good living doing small engine repair! think next year i wanna get away from chainsaws, weed eaters, & press washers. Chainsaws & weed eaters carbs all time and are beat to death! press washers carb or bad pump!

[@legitimate_opposition2002]

I’m 22 just starting my small engine repair shop. Do you have any general tips?

[@mikespain8655]

There are no $1200-$1400 new riding mowers now. $2000 is bottom of the barrel. John Deere riding mowers and zero turns are overpriced, over rated, and more difficult to work on. My shop is not surviving, it is thriving. I do no advertising, all referrals, and a free Google business site. Take care of the customer, and the business comes to you in spades.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

thats super Mike!

[@genevasimmonds8208]

G,day the older way was to build things to last and be serviced easy, since the 90s its all about lasting 4 years then its cactus or unserviceable as its also out of style. the same is with the electrical industry be especially non-commercial. im having that trouble with building management systems, they once lasted 20 years, now its 5 years.

[@battlemage4885]

Hate to break it to you Eric, you have MAYBE 5 yrs left for small engine carb gas/diesel repair. WEF wants everybody renting EVERYTHING.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

I think its further down the road, but the writing is on the wall

[@jayoman4453]

I'm seeing more commercial lawn service these days. I would go after the parts and repair of their equipment. Carry all the fast moving parts and see what machines are holding up better. Then carry a good replacement line of equipment. It seems like the commercial equipment is built to last and repairable. Teach your customers to buy long lasting trouble free equipment that won't let you down.The consumer side of equipment is just throw away.

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

Anything will be in a niche market. What pushed me into most things I do for myself is ever rising costs. Being that I'm retired I don't need to start another business or go back to work so I have time to either do everything for myself,buy new,or buy used and repair myself. Job shops of all types: plumbers,A/C,small engine,automotive repair are all becoming cost prohibitive. People have to make a living but if they price themselves out of the market what's the point?

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Why are folks charging so much? Because they can and many are willing to pay it. I agree and that is why I have held it to 40 hr instead of 120.00 which is the going rate. I want our shop to be busy all the time verses one or two jobs a week

[@mowerproerhardt1353]

HEY UNCLE I AM FROM SOUTH AFRICA BOUT TO START A SMALL ENGINE SHOP, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVISE TO GET MY FIRST CUSTOMERS WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF CASH, IM GONNA HAVE EXPENSES BUT NEED CUSTOMERS IN THE START TO HELP ME PAY RENT FOR SHOP ANY ADVISE I WOULD APPRECIATE THANKS FROM SA

[@northernnewyorkparts]

Are you located in the city or country side? The further away the customers, the more time its going to take to build up your customer base. I try to get folks to start small and gain a good following before taking the leap into renting a shop. I would use Facebook Marketplace if you have it to target groups that are close to your local. Don't spam the groups or you will get tossed out. Ask the admins if it would be ok to let people know who you are, what you have to offer and your business location. Hope that helps

[@mowerproerhardt1353]

NO ITS MORE LIKE 10 TOWNS CLOSE TO EACH OTHER BUT THEY WORK MORE OF WORD TO MOUTH BUT I JUST WANT THAT FIRST FIVE CUSTOMERS AND NO ONE HERE TRUSTS MARKET PLACE TOOOO MANY SCAMMERS WE DONT REGULATE SCAMS AS GOOD AS USA @@northernnewyorkparts

[@texhian]

how is it going brother?

[@mikerichards6311]

👍🙏

[@michaelabramo5852]

my 11 year old son is interested. went out and picked up 10 mowers he will take apart and rebuild this winter.

[@northernnewyorkparts]

that's great Michael that he has the interest in doing so