Paintless Dent Repair

H

HomicidalSloth

New member
I'm toying with the idea of taking a Paintless Dent Repair course - there is a big PDR training place not too far away from me that seems like they'd give good classes, and it seems like a good market to get in to around here.



Are there any PDR guys here, or any people who have experience with PDR? If so, from a business stand point, what do you think of it?



I'm just kind of dreaming for now, but you never know. If I ever did go into it, I'd probably launch a small dent repair business, and offer detailing on the side - PDR would be the main attraction though.



Here are my immediate thoughts / notes:



- High initial investment cost compared to detailing: Extensive training required, expensive tools and lost productivity while undergoing training.



- Better dollar-per-hour ratio than detailing - a detail might take 5-6 hours and cost $160 (in these parts), while a dent removal might take 20-45 minutes and cost $75.



- Add-on sales could bring the income level up. Ie, someone wants a dent removed, be sure to say that for another $30 you could go ahead and give their car a wash/wax.



- Steady business might be harder to keep than detailing, since once the dent is gone, it's gone, and repeat customers might be harder to get unless you sale them on detailing or if they have another dent.



- Insurance companies might be a good source of business?



Anyone have any other thoughts / comments? :)
 
there is some very good money in PDR and usually lots and lots fo customers once u get going....only downfall to it is that there is a huge learning curve to it, even if u take a course and buy all the tools it will still take quite awhile before you will be ready to take on any vehicles....



if u can cover the losses you will take though when first starting out i say do it!...cuz once u get goin there is some very good money to be made
 
I.A.S. said:
there is some very good money in PDR and usually lots and lots fo customers once u get going....only downfall to it is that there is a huge learning curve to it, even if u take a course and buy all the tools it will still take quite awhile before you will be ready to take on any vehicles....



if u can cover the losses you will take though when first starting out i say do it!...cuz once u get goin there is some very good money to be made
Click to expand...





Good advice. I will also add that some that have taken the course, did not have what it took to do the work. They weren't good at it.



That said if have the money also look into minor paint repair. Rightlook is one company that offers both and other courses.



An old autobody repair guy started doing both and more, down the street from me, and he is always busy. Though he tries to push the PDR as that is were the good money is. Also if you are in a hail prone area, look into it. Alot of guys chase hail.
 
The PDR guy in the Metro Detroit area has the dealer market cornered and makes $250,000-$300,000 per year. He's totally awsome. He's an X-body man that is very good with people.
 
Paintless dent removal is an art. It takes many many years to actually get good at it. Take the class, and practice, practice, practice.



John

Metropolitan Detail
 
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