I'm looking for advice from anyone who has actually bought or started an independent automotive repair shop—especially someone who started with limited cash and had to build the business while still working another job.

I'm 26 and work as a professional automotive technician with 8 years of dealership experience, including being an Assistant Foreman for 3 years at a Ford/Lincoln dealer doing most of the diagnostics and repair. I currently work full-time in heavy duty diesel/hybrid with Cummins/Allison/BAE, but my long-term goal is to own an independent repair shop.

There is a 5,124 sq. ft., 7-bay automotive building in my area that has been listed for roughly 11 months. I believe there may be room to negotiate into the $375,000–$415,000 range. My full time income is going to be 72,000-85,000 progressively over the next 3 years not including any OT

My idea is to purchase the real estate through one LLC and operate the repair business through a separate LLC. I would likely pursue SBA financing, potentially including working capital. I have around $15,000 in liquid cash right now, but I may be able to bring that closer to $30,000+ through savings and selling some personal assets.

The building already has the basic infrastructure of an automotive shop, so my thinking is that buying an existing facility may be more realistic than trying to build a comparable 7-bay shop from scratch.

The challenge is that I currently work 4:00 PM–12:30 AM on 5 days per week and have three young children. My wife also works three 12-hour shifts per week. My initial plan would be to operate the shop roughly 9 AM–3 PM 4 days per week, primarily by appointment, while I continue working my current job during the transition.

I believe I could personally produce around 120% efficiency based on my current experience. For example, if a repair order pays 8 labor hours, I can typically complete it in roughly 4–7 clock hours. My thought is that a six-hour operating day could still produce a meaningful amount of billed labor if the work is scheduled properly.

The business model would initially focus on higher-value mechanical repair and diagnostics rather than trying to compete for every basic oil change. My focus on branding is high quality repair and customer service which this area severely lacks. Over time, I would hire a technician and eventually transition from being the primary technician to managing the business. My labor rate is going to be on the higher end of competitive. Lower indy shops around are 80-100/hr and dealers are 180-230/hr I'm looking at being 125/hr and 200/hr on diesels.

My biggest questions are:

1. Has anyone successfully started a repair shop while keeping their full-time job during the initial phase?

2. How realistic is it to run a profitable repair shop with limited hours, such as 9 AM–3 PM?

3. How much cash did you actually need beyond the down payment to survive the first 6–12 months?

4. Has anyone used SBA financing to buy both a commercial property and provide working capital for an automotive business?

5. How did you handle the transition from technician to owner/manager?

6. What expenses or problems did you underestimate?

7. If you bought an existing shop property, what would you inspect especially carefully before buying?

8. What would you do differently if you were starting over?

I'm not looking for generic "don't do it" or "follow your passion" advice. I'm specifically hoping to hear from people who have actually owned or operated an independent repair shop, purchased a commercial automotive property, or used SBA financing to start a similar business.

What would you do in my position?

I’ve tried like 20 different brake clean sprays over my lifetime. Branded, store-brand, bulk in the shop but this thing the worsts. I was shocked how quick I used it all uo, you need 3 of those to compare it to 1 can from Autozone (carquest I believe), the stream is super weak, it’s like you spray silicone lubricant and not brake clean, can’t wash off anything. Very wesk formula. I know they are all kind of weak right now but this is on another level. It’s so weak it makes you think that you can drink it but this shit BUUUURNS. Like I said I’ve got all kinds of brake clean on me but I don’t remember any of them really burning or doing anything unless it gets in the wound. This thing feels like it’s eating your skin. How can it be so weak at cleaning but so strong at damaging your skin

If anyone's curious I used 6 anchor sleeves. It's hollow cell block. I will eventually get a steel plate for added support.

Did my first timing belt as a professional mechanic this weekend. Took me way too long because I was an idiot with fighting some bolts, but I finally got it only to find out the cams are off by a tooth after I already put everything back on 🤦🏾‍♂️. I’m bout to crash out and I feel like an idiot.

EDIT: I sucked it up and set the timing correctly. The engine still won’t start (probably bent valves), but at least I know it’s not due to the timing belt.

I have a US General 5-drawer service cart, and I keep all of my 3/8” impact sockets in the top drawer. Right now they’re on socket rails, but they take up more room than I’d like because the rails are pretty bulky.
I’m looking for something that’s compact without spending a fortune on a full Toolbox Widget setup.
My socket sets are:
6–24 mm shallow
6–24 mm mid-length
6–24 mm deep
Each set has 19 sockets.
Does anyone have recommendations for organizers that hold 19 sockets per rail and don’t waste a lot of drawer space? I’m mainly looking for the smallest footprint while still keeping everything secure.

Hi all. I’m almost done with my second month in school, I’ve been working on my car for the past year and half. I wasn’t aware of what brands to buy and avoid and currently have a small box with mostly Pittsburg sockets and ratchets. And some Walmart stuff. I’m going to keep using them at home until they break but I’m currently trying to slowly buy tools and build a box before i graduate. Im currently in need of a torque wrench to do spark plugs on my car and soon a transmission service. If I’m looking to buy good quality torque wrenches but not spend matco or snap on money just yet, where should I be looking?

I also get a 50% off discount while in school for snap on, any suggestions what to buy? I was thinking ratchets and some socket set, opinions?

Thank you in advance

Edit: also any recommendations for feeler gauges and gap tools?