Entrepreneurs have been actively adapting to technological progress in recent years in a world full of emerging auto repair trends like using mechanic shop software to automate processes. Nonetheless, amidst these changes, it is crucial not to overlook foundational aspects like modifying your shop’s layout as you seek to innovate your business.
Revamping your shop’s arrangement can enhance operational efficiency, decrease the risk of accidents, and enhance the overall customer experience. Our articles have been carefully written with thorough and detailed research.
We also have a lot of experience in the automotive industry, so reading our articles would provide insight into what you’re looking for.
Here are four suggested auto shop layout concepts to consider for your auto repair enterprise:
1. Manage space effectively
The size of your workshop is just as important as how you use it. According to The Mechanic OC, a YouTuber and industry expert, dimensions of 23 x 60 feet work well for most small workshops.
With the right planning, you can efficiently work on multiple cars even in a relatively small space. If you’re starting your workshop design from the beginning, it’s crucial to think about how much space you’ll need. During this planning stage, make sure to set aside space for:
- Parking cars that you haven’t started working on and those waiting for customers to pick them up after a job.
- Organizing equipment and tools.
- Storing spare parts.
- Working on vehicles.
- Creating a waiting area for customers.
You can also visit How To Choose The Right Vehicle Lift for Your Auto Repair Shop.
While managing your space you should also know How to Choose an Air Compressor for an Auto Repair Shop
Keep equipment in the right place
The size of your shop dictates the kinds of vehicles and machinery that can be accommodated. A two-post lift is essential for a repair shop to perform inspections and repairs. However, it’s important to consider how much space a lift occupies and the optimal positioning for it.
You should also know How High Does Your Shop’s Ceiling Needs To Be For A Car Lift?
You should allocate approximately 15 feet of horizontal space for a lift. Place one of the arms directly against a wall, and position the other about 11 feet away.
According to The Mechanic OC, having this amount of space is optimal for almost any repair task. Additionally, it’s crucial to keep around 4 feet clear next to the lift arm. This facilitates the movement of your toolbox for working on the rear end of cars, as demonstrated in the video.
When arranging your bays, ensure there is space between them to prevent car collisions and facilitate easy evacuation in emergencies.
Improve your shop’s aesthetics while increasing storage.
Most buildings have spaces that look odd and can’t be used well. But you can turn these places into storage for repair tools by adding doors. Likewise, a do-it-yourself hidden tool storage workbench gives you easy access to equipment. This helps tidy up and arrange your shop, saving time during repairs because your technicians won’t have to spend time searching for the right tools.
2. Professionalize the waiting room
When you have a business, how it looks at first is important. If the waiting room is clean and looks good, it can make customers feel better and think of your shop as professional. It’s a good idea to keep the waiting area away from where the repairs happen. Here are some reasons why:
1. Customers can read a magazine without hearing a lot of noise from the repair area.
2. You don’t have to worry about customers accidentally walking into the busy repair area and getting hurt.
But in smaller shops, keeping the waiting room far from the service area might be impossible. If that’s the case, you can still make it safer by adding a thick glass panel between them.
When you’re planning your waiting room, make sure it’s easy to clean and has enough space for everyone. A study by JD Power found that 64% of people wait while their cars are being fixed at mechanic shops. You can also boost sales by putting up a shelf with your best products, like car wax, for people to buy on the spot.
Waiting areas provide opportunities for shop owners to suggest extra services like tire rotations, adding coolant, and changing wiper blades. Because you’re already handling their cars, customers are more likely to say yes to these tasks, potentially boosting the overall amount they spend at your shop. Here is how you can make your auto repair shop waiting room stand out.
3. Make your shop a safe space
A well-planned layout for your auto shop is crucial to ensure the safety of everyone inside. Repair shops come with various safety risks, including heavy equipment, elevated cars, and the potential for fires due to electrical and mechanical issues in vehicles. To enhance safety, consider the following organization tips:
1.Fire Safety Precautions: Place flammable substances away from sparks and heat sources, like electrical outlets and heavy machinery. Adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements by having well-maintained Class B fire extinguishers.
2. Accessible Safety Equipment: Designate convenient spots for protective gear near work areas to discourage oversight. Install hangers near service bays for technicians to store overalls, gloves, and safety goggles.
3. Evacuation Planning: Comply with OSHA regulations by ensuring at least two unobstructed fire exits and establish an evacuation plan that both customers and employees are familiar with.
4. Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting not only improves the appearance of your shop but also minimizes hazards. Well-lit spaces reduce the risk of tripping for customers and help employees avoid costly mistakes, contributing to a smoother overall process.
5. Hazard Reduction: Restrict customer access to areas with heavy machinery and ensure employees handling such equipment use appropriate protective gear. These measures can lower the liability in auto repair business insurance and reduce worker’s compensation payouts.
These are the Common Workplace Injuries Suffered by Auto Mechanics.
4. Positioning and equipping your bays for maximum productivity
Toyota’s Express Maintenance program is an excellent example for repair shops to consider implementing. This involves positioning vehicles near the service bay to minimize travel time.
The program follows a “pit crew” approach, where teams of technicians collaborate to inspect and service various parts of each car. Each technician has a specific task, with some working under the hood while others focus on inspecting wheels and brakes. The Express Maintenance includes:
1. Changing oil and filters, along with servicing other fluids.
2. Inspecting and rotating tires.
3. Conducting an overall vehicle inspection.
Problems found during the check-up can be fixed quickly because the tools needed are placed on three sides of the service area. These areas are kept close together to save time, as experts suggest that each technician should handle about 1.5 of them.
Also, putting toolboxes and spare parts nearby helps make sure cars don’t sit around for too long on a service spot while technicians search for the right tools.
Wrapping it!
You’ve made the effort to improve your auto repair shop layout—more efficient, safer, and nicer. Now, it’s time to see the positive changes. Once you’ve updated your shop’s design, consider getting advanced auto repair shop software.
This can help you sell more, save time, and support your technicians, all while giving you real-time information to keep tabs on how well your shop is doing.
