You have made the decision to be trained as an appliance repair technician, but what is your next step? Do you want to work for another company, or do you intend to start your own business? If you plan on going out on your own, we have a few tips that should help.
Business is Booming
The state of Texas is booming right now. It is one of the few states in the country that was not utterly destroyed by the pandemic. This has led to a significant number of transients moving to the state, which has created a housing boom. Everywhere you go, new construction is taking place. All those homes are going to need appliances set up and maintained. That is one of the reasons why the call for appliance repair technicians in Texas is and will remain high.
What to Know
Are There Requirements?
Technically, you do not need any certification to have a general repair business unless you are doing refrigerator repair. Having said that, if you are looking to focus on appliance repair rather than a general handyman business, certification gives you a huge edge against the competition. Remember, all consumers have to go on is what they see on your profile, so certification is what will set you apart.
Physically, you should know this is a very demanding job. While there are plenty of small appliances on which you will be working, you will also be required to move larger, heavier items, such as stoves, dishwashers, ovens, etc. It is a job that does require some level of physical fitness.
Do I Have to Register a Business?
We strongly recommend you register the business and apply for a tax ID. You can do this on your own via the Secretary of State website or you can hire an attorney to navigate these legal waters. While the attorney will charge fees to do this, it may be worth it to ensure all legal papers are filed properly and on time.
Do I Need Insurance?
Things can go wrong from time to time, so you will want to have insurance to cover yourself. Contact a local insurance agent to discuss your options. Some policies you may want to consider are:
- General liability
- Professional liability
- Business owners’ insurance
- Workers’ compensation (if you have employees)
How to Get Started
While every business is different, here is a basic checklist to establish your own appliance repair business:
- Establish business name, which will include doing a business search to ensure there are no copyright infringements
- Register business
- Logo design
- Purchase domain and website
- If financing will be needed, develop a business plan (you should do this regardless to establish a financial roadmap for your business)
- Procuring proper equipment
- Establish vendor contracts to refill your supply chain
- Advertising
- Develop pricing/quote structure (remember to include costs such as fees, taxes, transportation, etc., in your overall pricing). Research your direct competition to provide a good starting point for pricing.
As you start to build the business, customer testimonials are going to be your bread and butter. Encourage your customers to leave online reviews after successful service, as it will help to build your online presence and improve your search engine rankings. If they cannot find you online, they cannot hire you, which is just as important as it is to successfully repair the appliances.
Are you considering a career in appliance repair? Dyer Appliance Repair Academy offers a variety of certification programs to get you started. Give us a call today at 888-296-2383. If you would like to register online, click here. If you are still looking for more information, click here.
