How To Start A Panel Beating Business In Nigeria

Panel Beating Business Overview

Panel beating is the process of beating out the bodywork of vehicles. It requires manual labor and also a reasonable level of physical strength and stamina.

It also involves the use of a hammer and other tools to smoothen out dents on the bodywork of a car. A person who does this kind of work is referred to as a panel beater.

Profitability Outlook For The Business

There is competition in the panel beating business. It is fierce and very difficult to compete in price and intending panel beater job should be excellent and neat in other for you to make meaningful profits from the business. Try to find out what your fellow panel beaters are doing and endeavor to upgrade in that aspect.

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The Market Demand for Panel Beating Business In Nigeria

This determines your market potentials in terms of customers. See every customer as a vehicle, then determine how many vehicles are there within the area that you can serve.

Your potential market, that is, people coming to your business premises is determined by the proximity of your panel beating shop to sources of traffic.

How To Start Panel Beating Business In Nigeria

Knowledge Needed/Training Required

Before starting up a panel beating business the panel beater should have both the training and experience to start a successful a panel beating business.

Obtaining a certified panel beating qualification is important is important for panel beaters to operate professionally within the industry, especially if he is going to do most of the work himself.

It is also important to note that he might end up managing other skilled people, though the best way to establish a successful business is to have a first-hand knowledge of what needs to be done and this will be a result of experience gained from years of experience working in a panel beating workshop.

A panel beater must know the motor vehicle industry well, be enthusiastic about cars and fixing them. It is important for him to keep up with new techniques, equipment, and paints, so he must be a keen and quick learner.

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Certification and licensing

It is important to obtain a certified panel beating license before venturing into this business. National certificate and a diploma in-vehicle technology can qualify a person who wants to start a panel beating business in Nigeria.

Regulations the business must comply with include, but are not limited to the following:

Getting Permits

The Local government authority in the state where you wish to operate in Nigeria will have to inspect your business premises and give you the permission to go ahead with this business if you satisfy all the necessary requirements.

Licensing and Registration

The business must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC) and the Nigerian Fire Service.

These bodies will check that the business meets the health and fire regulations as set out by the Government and that the proposed business premises for siting your panel beating business in Nigeria is good enough for business.

Panel Beating Occupational Health and Safety

This act dictates that the workplace for panel beating business is both safe and healthy for workers. This is extremely important in a panel beating business where employees are operating heavy machinery and dangerous tools and are exposed to harmful chemicals.

Staff must receive safety training on a regular basis (e.g. first aid, how to use the fire extinguisher, where to shut the electricity mains off) and be provided with all the necessary safety equipment and clothes.

There should be a policy on how chemicals are to be used, labeled and stored. The shop should also have a functioning eye-wash station in case of emergency.

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Finance Needed

If you don’t have the required startup capital, you can simply get a loan from the bank. A large chunk of this will be spent on acquiring of business premises and equipment.

The premises must be large enough for one or two vehicle bays with good roof height to enable the use of a car lift. The entrepreneur must consult with the landlord and the local authority if he is going to make changes to the building.

Standard body shop equipment will include anything from vehicle lifts and jacks to spray-painting equipment. Protective equipment and clothing will be needed to make the workshop as safe as possible.

This will include the following:

1. Ear protection

2. Facemasks

3. Hard-capped boots

4. Overalls

5. Protective gloves

6. Respiratory masks

7. Safety goggles

8. Etc.

Office equipment will include a computer and printer for estimating, invoicing, correspondence and generally keeping track of the accounts. You may also consider buying a few pieces of specialized software for estimating the costs of vehicle repairs.

Tools/Equipment

Tools needed for this business include the following:

1. Automotive tools

2. Bearing puller

3. Car Lift

4. Car polisher

5. Conversion kits

6. Hammer

7. Piston rods

8. Spray gum

9. Two post lift

10. Wheel Alignments

11. Wheel hub

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Choice Of Business Location

The location of any business is the key to the success of that business. The location must be easily reached and clearly visible to a high concentration of vehicles.

The location should be determined by the nearness to roads with increased traffic activities, accessibility to customers and nearness to cheap labor.

As part of your market research, try to establish what it will cost you to rent premises in the chosen area and whether he can afford it.

Your workshop should be within easy reach of people and clearly visible to a high concentration of vehicles, as much of your clients and customers will come from passers-by.

Technology needed

Intending panel beaters should have mechanical skills as well as auto electrical skills.

Management

Staffing

An intending panel beater could employ the services of two to three staffs who have pre-knowledge of panel beating.

It is somewhat difficult to get employees with the relevant skills in this industry. Much of the work is specialized and needs employees with both expertise and experience.

This skilled labor comes at a price and makes staff remuneration the biggest monthly challenge the business will have.

Advisors

Potential panel beaters should seek advice from mechanics and professionals in the business as well as technicians with dependable information.

Marketing

Advertising Strategy

The business should be registered in as many online databases as possible as this is how customers search for services they need it can also be advertised on TV, radio, flyers, local papers and also with business cards.

It is also pertinent to note that Panel beating businesses without an established track record will have to do aggressive marketing or promotions to attract customers.

The business owner needs to promote the business directly to consumers, including insurance companies, car companies, and vehicle retailers.

Necessary Panel Beating Sustainability Tips

Get committed to providing an excellent service to your customers, as well as free value-added services after panel beating to your loyal customers.

Occasionally, give decent discounts and also make use of modern tools and equipment in your quest to sustaining the business.

Panel beating is a business with a continuous demand potential insofar as there will always be cars plying the roads.

However, there is fierce competition in the panel beating industry in Nigeria and it is very difficult to compete, especially when it comes to pricing. So, you must put the following in place for sustainability and profitability in this business:

1. Ensure that your work is impeccable and that your customers are happy with your service.

2. Treat every customer as a king.

3. Be abreast of latest innovations, trends, updates, and machinery as well as new upgrades in the industry.

4. Have a sneak-peek into what your competitors are up to.

5. Develop a good working relationship with your suppliers for quick deliveries and at affordable prices.

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Summary

Insofar as cars continue to ply our roads and highway, there is always a possibility that there will be an accident because of carelessness on the part of drivers, bad roads as well as a mechanical fault in the vehicle, which can definitely call for the service of a panel beater. Panel beating is, therefore, one lucrative industry where there is a high demand as long as cars use the roads.

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