Members, I have been following your very informative topics and wish to thank you all. I am over zealous to start a auto workshop with a tyre centre, service bay, carwash and minor parts store from my savings.. My target customers are the middle level car owners in the new estates along Thika super highway. Capital is 3m exclusive to leased plot. I seek advice and tips

I intend to use outdoor advertising for a start. Have bn in that career for 30+ as an employee and would rely on standards, good tools, equipment, skill and experience.

Don't forget to open a bar nearby;The middle class prefer to drink while their car is being serviced and washed

Gentleman, I appreciate every bit of your advice.I was in mombasa road yesterday trying to do quotation on required equipment. Tyre changer, Wheel balancer, 4 Ton four stand lift, air compressor, heavy jack etc and approx. cost was 1.3m.I have all the required diagnostic equipt and working tools.My desire is to ave a 3 D wheel alignment equipt but the cost is high at 1.1m . This money wud equip my shop with suspension and minor parts for a start.Still awaiting further opinion. Will either partner for the ka- bar and choma zone. Thanx Nakujua & Swenani

Why not find a location next to a popular bar to eliminate costs of running a bar. Think if you start with a car wash and provide good customer care and thorough car wash service since its start up costs are lower you will end up hitting a thao birds with a single stone

1. male drivers tend to stick to one car wash guy who serves them right and with that you will be having traffic flow into your establishment

2. With the car wash running and clients flowing, they will from time to time inquire about the services you provide in your other shop and that will provide you with answers of what machines are needed urgently and what can wait to be sourced later. I am just saying

Importing will cut the cost of the equipment by upto 30% but the challenge will be the warranty - unless one has previous knowledge then if that equipment, especially the alignment one breaks down you will be on your own, though most are pretty decent.

If you can get the alignment machine then your target market can be roped in easily since alignment can be sold as a frequent service than say, tyres or suspensions that need changing once in several years. Plus very few juakali or even workshops have that, what do you marketers call that unique something.

the bar option/location is decent, but at the starting level my 2cents would be to focus on one area, you might not make profits from the word go but jenga that brand and in time it will pay off. The bar option might give you quick clients, but its the bar that will be selling you, not you selling you, plus not many people will go to a bar then drive to the next shop for service - most have a specific reason for visiting a pub.

Be careful with the amounts, even if minus the alignment machine the other come to about 1.3, you have to factor in set up cost for the service areas, you will need 2 or 3 bay areas for starters and just building and setting it up to good standards will eat up some good amount of cash.
Don't also forget a good website, and negotiate hard with the tyre suppliers to give you good margins.

Swenani..looking at all options. Not much difference with prices in UAE due to import duty+ VAT

I must admit your serious thoughts and advice will go along way as I do more viability study of my project.The need is there and its how best to do it.I thank the responders and viewers for your encouragement and please don`t hesitate to chip in your valuable advice.Inclusive of all the posted info, I will factor all this on my project proposal,inclusive of more research on buying locally viz-a-viz ex-UK or Chinese etc.I also buy the idea that proximity to a pub may not be the mirage to successful service/repair works though a good idea.Will look at other options based on best customer care.