Here is how to start a roadside assistance business without towing.
Roadside assistance businesses provide vital services to road users, especially motorists experiencing mechanical failure.
If this sounds like something you’d want to do, we’ll show you how to start a roadside assistance business without towing. This will be helpful, especially for persons without towing equipment.
Starting a Roadside Assistance Business Without Towing
In starting a roadside business, you’ll need to consider the range of services to include. Typical roadside assistance services are flat tire repair and fuel delivery.
Others have minor roadside repairs, lockout assistance, and battery jump-start. In this article, you’ll learn all there is to know about the processes of launching a successful roadside assistance business.
How Profitable is a Roadside Assistance Business?
Before exploring this opportunity, one of the first questions most people ask is the business’s profitability. This will determine if it’s worth investing in or not.
So, how profitable is a roadside assistance business without towing? Generally, a roadside assistance business can be said to be profitable. However, this depends on several factors.
This business is profitable due to the high demand for services. As long as motorists use their vehicles, there’s always a likelihood that your business will be patronized for a variety of services.
Automobiles can develop problems unexpectedly. As such, businesses like yours will prove helpful in providing all kinds of solutions.
Why Start a Roadside Assistance Business Without Towing?
At the start of our discussion, we focused on opening a roadside assistance business without towing. Now, you might wonder why towing services are excluded.
Does this make the business more accessible or more cost-effective? To answer the question, you must first understand that towing requires additional equipment, which can be costly.
These include heavy-duty winches, flatbed trucks, towing accessories, specialized equipment, and more. For some persons, such additional costs can be prohibitive.
A roadside assistance business without towing saves you a lot of expenses as you have a lower startup cost business. There’s also more flexibility as well as less competition.
With lower barriers to entry, a niche-focused business, and the opportunity to partner with towing services, the potentials are enormous.
You also enjoy lower liability as your services are limited to other roadside assistance services.
8 Steps to Starting a Roadside Assistance Business Without Towing
To start a roadside assistance business, you must determine if you’re the right fit. Knowing startup cost details is also necessary.
Next, develop a business plan, explore financing options, register the business, and obtain necessary licensing. Get all essential equipment and supplies and hire employees. Market the business to attract clients.
i. Is a Roadside Assistance Business Right for Me?
Determining if a roadside assistance business without towing is the right fit is essential. In other words, are you well-suited for this kind of business?
Here, we’re talking about your skills and interests. Do you enjoy helping or providing solutions to people stranded along the way? Are you financially prepared for this business undertaking?
Also, you need to assess the demand for roadside assistance services within your area. What’s the competition like? Does this type of business align with your goals and aspirations?
All of these questions need to be answered satisfactorily. The answers will determine whether you’re fit for the business.
ii. Estimate the Startup Costs
Starting a roadside assistance business without towing will require knowing the cost implications. A successful launch will require getting all tools and supplies needed.
Examples include a lockout kit, battery pack, pull-up lockout tool, gas can, jumper cables, battery analyzer, mallets, screwdrivers, socket set, breaker bar, and tire plug equipment.
You’ll need more tools: a power inverter, air pump, lug nut removers, etc.
These tools and supplies, coupled with the cost of business licenses & permits, business name & corporation, and building a website, etc., will cost about $8,000 to $17,000, with the average cost being around $12,000.
iii. Develop a Business Plan
Your roadside assistance business plan will require a plan to launch successfully. You can hire a professional to write you one or write one yourself.
If you’re drawn to the latter, you’ll have to add certain sections like the executive summary, company description, products & services, market analysis, and strategy & implementation sections.
Other critical sections to add to your roadside assistance business plan include the organization & management team and the financial plan & projections.
These must be carefully written and researched to have an implementable and effective plan.
iv. Explore Financing Options
Funding your roadside assistance business is next; you must source adequate financing. Multiple options exist personal savings, bank loans, and crowdfunding.
Financing for your roadside assistance business can also be gotten from friends & family, SBA-backed loans, and government grants.
v. Register the Business
Business registration is another step you’ll have to take to have your business functional. This gives your business legal backing and recognition.
Now, business registration requirements will vary by state. You’ll need to find out your state’s requirements for registration. During registration, you’ll need to choose a preferred business structure.
Common types include sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. You may seek legal advice to know which structure best fits your roadside assistance business.
vi. Obtain Necessary Licensing
Licensing is an essential part of business and varies from state to state. As such, you must determine what licensing types apply to your area.
Also, seek advice on which would suit your roadside assistance business. It’s possible to find states with no licensing requirements for your type of business.
vii. Get Essential Equipment & Supplies
You’ll need to get all essential equipment and supplies at this state. Because there’s a long list of these, it’s necessary to make your findings know precisely what’s needed or required.
Roadside assistance businesses without towing may have varying equipment requirements due to personal preferences. Decide on what you need and get this equipment.
viii. Hire Employees
Hiring employees is the next course of action to take. While true, not every new roadside assistance business will need extra hands.
This is especially true for those launched on a small scale. You’ll have first to assess your workforce needs. Some roadside assistance businesses start with a sole employee who is the business owner.
Here, we’ve shown you how to start a roadside assistance business without towing. You can follow the guide provided to establish your business.
Make as many inquiries as possible and research available information to know what’s required.