Mobile Mechanic - Expressions of Interest :)

[Ben-e-boy]

Dont skimp on the hourly rate. Diesel fittes arnt cheap

[Winnie]

I need a few minor things done at the moment but because I live in the sticks you'd have to charge me an absolute shitload to be able to make a profit.


If you're happy and you know it tap a post!

[lhurley]

I would say there is a market there. There isn't really anything else similar. You have the big players, arb/tjm, but nothing for the average Joe who can't afford a big brand name product. I would be starting some what local, eg only a couple hours either side, then get your name out, once there is a demand then go interstate. Just my 2c

[threedogs]

Apollofish said it in his post , trust, plus how many out there have history from new and
only get their Patrol serviced by one guy, not the apprentice, no offence to apprentices.
Very hard to find a trust worthy mechanic as well, You may need to limit what you do to services,
brakes and front ends. As gearbox rebuilds may have to be tackled differently, as long as you manage your time
you should be fine, word of mouth is a great gift. Good luck time is now yours

[Bloodyaussie]

Rates depending I'd be keen mate. But not being my daily driver, won't be in need of a service very regular.
You may be slow to start but you just need to get a client base and word of mouth happening

It may also be viable to travel to Sydney at first with a few days work lined up or other states until you can build up a decent client base...

It took me a couple of years to move most of my work from Toorak to over my way.. I kept the good jobs over there and only go over mostly on Monday and Tuesdays and then the rest of the time I am nearer to home.

Even down here where we really appreciate a good mechanic you could work for a week make some decent money then head back??

You know you are always welcome to sleep at Rossco's and eat Fruit loops... ha ha!!! Think about it sweat cakes!!!

[Sir Roofy]

What a great idea mat id use your service for sure,but remember once it takes off
you wont be home much like tony
what if you set up work shop days like healys,see what they want done,you might be in one place for a couple of days to a week
wont be long and you,ll be the flying machanic

[Cuppa]

If I were in the position of needing to pay a local workshop to do some work, with the alternative being able to have you do it, you would be my choice on the proviso that it was work that could wait until you could do it. If I had a local workshop with whom I had a good trusting relationship that might be different.

I would love for you to be able to make a living from something you love doing, it's everyone's dream, but to an extent I'm going to play devils advocate......

I'm not saying it would be a problem, but it is not uncommon for friendships to be placed under pressure when money is involved - you should bear this in mind when deciding what to do.

It's hard to know whether you should be adventurous or cautious Mat. There is no doubting that you have already established a very positive reputation on the forum, but whether that would translate into providing you with a living wage or better remains up in the air. If you can do it without needing to invest too much upfront, I'd reckon you could certainly get a fair bit of work, but a job here & a job there is not the same as a job every day. I guess it depends what sort of expectations you might hold. That all said, there is also the possibility that as word of mouth spreads you would get more & more work, but there are no guarantees.

Fwiw, someone with your skills, & prepared to travel would get plenty of work in outback towns & stations. Many towns just can't get skilled workers & I don't doubt for a moment that if you were there face to face, that one job would quickly lead to another & your problem would soon become being able to leave town! I don't know your family commitments, but if you are free to travel maybe a combination of outback & forum work could be worthwhile, at least to start with???

If you can see yourself as a teacher, something similar to what Roofy has suggested could possibly prove popular. Pre-arranged workshops, with limited numbers to teach folks how to do stuff to their vehicles. Suss out what is wanted by forum members, & then do a 'tour'. Smaller numbers make it more worthwhile for those attending, but attendance fees would have to be higher. Research needed to get the balance right.

I suspect a mix of different approaches could be a good way to go.

Cuppa

[nissannewby]

know much about 12 volt mate? will be looking for a set up for the gq / camper soonish

ozz

Yes mate. Know 12 and 24v well, maybe not quite like yendor but I do all the wiring on all my cars myself.

[nissannewby]

I would say there is a market there. There isn't really anything else similar. You have the big players, arb/tjm, but nothing for the average Joe who can't afford a big brand name product. I would be starting some what local, eg only a couple hours either side, then get your name out, once there is a demand then go interstate. Just my 2c

It may also be viable to travel to Sydney at first with a few days work lined up or other states until you can build up a decent client base...

It took me a couple of years to move most of my work from Toorak to over my way.. I kept the good jobs over there and only go over mostly on Monday and Tuesdays and then the rest of the time I am nearer to home.

Even down here where we really appreciate a good mechanic you could work for a week make some decent money then head back??

You know you are always welcome to sleep at Rossco's and eat Fruit loops... ha ha!!! Think about it sweat cakes!!!

This is the way I'm thinking. If I can spend a few days, a week etc at a given location and try and plan the work like that. Kinda have like month cycles as such for eg 1 week in bris, 1 in syd, 1 in melb etc.

[Lonicus]

Would that be your long term plan mate, or do you see yourself wanting to be based closer to home on a permanent basis?

Just thinking that if you spread yourself too thin and can only get back to each location every three or four weeks people may not be able to wait, or time their services/repairs to coincide with your visits. In the long run you might find a lack of repeat business, not due to workmanship but availability.


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