A diesel mechanic shop business plan should, above all, make it clear what sort of vehicles you can service and what rates you'll charge for the task. If your shop is equipped to service big rigs and heavy-haul trucks, with large service bays and technicians on staff familiar with long-haul trucking, than that might be a competitive advantage and your should describe this in close detail. If you work only with smaller trucks and cars running on diesel, there's no harm in that but make sure you can explain how your service suite meets a market need and what the average prices are for servicing, as these will influence your plan's financials. In any case, make sure you show:
• The service suite a la carte, and any packages you offer
• The staff you have now and the timeline for any hires
• The ongoing operating expenses, by category
• The way you will allocate your start-up or expansion capital
• The location you service and the lot you possess or have in mind
For an existing diesel mechanic shop, the business plan should pinpoint your exact location and give important market metrics about the population living nearby (or driving on major freeways or roads near your shop). What is the average consumer spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs? You can obtain this data and use it in your financial modeling by contacting the Census bureau or subscribing to a data aggregation website. The financial model should show your expenses and sales for at least three years (five is preferable) resulting in a net profit figure that a banker or investor can review and ponder. Need more help than this? You can call MasterPlans to learn about our business planning service. We have been helping start-ups and existing businesses alike since 2002. Call 877-453-2011.
