How to Become a Windscreen Repair Specialist

If you’re looking for a varied and lucrative career, you should consider investing in the car repair sector and becoming a franchisee. Franchising is a dynamic, lower-risk way of becoming your own boss, and the car repair industry is booming right now. Here’s how you can successfully become a windscreen repair specialist.

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At first glance, the sheer number of opportunities to look into and questions to answer when it comes to automotive-based franchising can feel overwhelming. In this article, you’ll be walked through all the need-to-know information about starting a windshield repair franchise, enabling you to come to the end of it feeling much more informed and prepared.

What does a windscreen repair specialist do?

A windscreen repair specialist is responsible for fixing or replacing a customer’s windscreen when it gets chipped, cracked or broken. Generally speaking, cracks with a diameter below 10mm can be repaired, but above 10mm will need to be replaced. A repair generally costs between £40-50, while a replacement can run somewhere between £200-1500. Beyond the clear and continuous demand for these essential repair services, there are plenty of advantages to running a windscreen repair franchise, including:

• Repair services are cheaper and better for the environment than full replacements, so offering both (or just repairs) helps customers and the planets
• As a franchisee, you’ll be fully trained and supported in all things windshield
• Your days will be varied and diverse
• You’ll be your own boss
• You’ll get to help people and make new connections on a regular basis

Some windscreen franchise businesses focus solely on repairs, while others choose to offer repairs and replacements. There’s pros and cons to each and you should look into which model of working seems to better suit you ahead of making an investment.

Our trained and experienced windscreen repair technicians will fix a stone chip while you wait or while you shop at your local supermarket or DIY shop. If your motor insurance covers windscreen damage it probably won’t cost you a penny. Also, because Optic-Kleer don’t replace windscreens we won’t push you into a replacement that you don’t need. If your windscreen can be repaired we’ll repair it. – Optic-Kleer

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>> Read more:

• Top Five Franchises for Car Lovers
• Car Repair - Start with a Franchise
• Car Industry Franchises: Start Your Own Business

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How to run a windshield repair business

So, how do you start up and begin to run your windshield repair business? How do you build a profitable and stable franchise that can become a source of steady income a few years down the line? With these three steps, of course...

1. Assess your skills

In many cases, you won’t need any previous experience in car repairs in order to succeed as a franchisee with a windscreen fixing business. You’ll be fully trained and supported by your franchisor and provided with all the knowledge that you need to thrive. That said, there are certain transferable soft skills and broader abilities which will serve you well in the sector, such as:

• Customer service
• Communication
• Detail orientation
• Manual dexterity
• Hand-eye coordination
• Mechanical understanding
• Up-to-date health and safety knowledge
• A driving licence

2. Research suitable franchise opportunities

Having confirmed that you’re the right fit for the sector, you’ll then need to narrow down the franchise opportunity that you’d like to invest in. While researching, you should be considering the following crucial factors…

• Cost - Don’t just think about the initial investment. Take time to understand what the ongoing cost of the opportunity will be (and to understand whether you can afford that).
• Location - Which franchise territories are available for you to operate in, and are any of them suitable to you/somewhere you’d like to work?
• Franchise reputation - Before you make any commitments, check in with current franchisees in the network to get their feedback on the business, and on whether investing is a good idea or not.

3. Do your due diligence

The final key part of setting yourself up for success and allowing yourself to build a strong franchise business is doing your due diligence. Once a franchise has passed those initial three tests of cost, location and reputation, it’s time to dive more deeply. Follow a definitive due diligence checklist before signing on the dotted line of a franchise agreement, and do all of these things:

• Access the franchise’s code of ethics
• Analyse expected turnover
• Find out the timescale for recouping your investment
• Speak with the franchisor
• Meet with other franchisees (as mentioned above)
• Seek legal advice on the franchise agreement to ensure everything is above board

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>> Read more:

• 5 Advantages of Franchising for Young People
• 9 Things to Know Before Becoming a Franchisee
• Mythbusters: Common Misconceptions About What Makes a Successful Franchisee
• 5 Great Reasons to Become a Franchisee
• Franchising 101: Are You Ready to Become a Franchisee?
• Franchising 101: 6 Things to Know Before Becoming a Franchisee

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Franchise opportunities in the windshield repair sector

1. Screen Rescue

Screen Rescue is the UK’s only windscreen and glass repair franchise that operates solely in the automotive industry (within all commercial vehicle sectors). Established in 2012, the franchise is committed to delivering outstanding customer service.

• Becoming a Screen Rescue franchisee: The ideal Screen Rescue franchisee doesn’t need any experience in the industry, but does need to be ambitious and driven, with a strong desire to succeed. They should also be friendly, personable and a good communicator.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £19,750, with a total investment cost of £35,000 and a management fee charged at 10%.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll receive 10 working days of induction training in Suffolk, an assisted business launch, territory visits, business development, ongoing coaching, NVQ assessment and accreditations, and full access to central support services.

2. Optic-Kleer

Optic-Kleer is the largest windscreen repair company in the UK, and has been providing clients with top quality services since 1991. Over the years, it's gained a brilliant reputation for preventing any further damage to clients’ windscreens.

• Becoming a Optic-Kleer franchisee: The ideal Optic-Kleer franchisee doesn’t need any experience in the industry, but does need to be someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong financial management skills. They should also be committed, friendly, energetic and ambitious.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £19,950, with a management fee charged at 17.5%.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll receive an initial training programme, mentoring and support with marketing, sales and advertising. You’ll also be provided with ongoing professional and managerial support.

Become a windscreen repair specialist with the help of an experienced franchisor

If you’ve come this far and you’re ready to enter the world of franchising, you should now be equipped to successfully begin your windscreen repair business journey. If this article has shown you that your talents might lie elsewhere, why not consider other mobile franchise investment opportunities, or even franchise investment opportunities in the broader automotive sector?