I agree with you about new mechanics shouldn't be having to buy a bunch of tools when they first start out. In my career I've seen a lot of guys start out all eager and gung ho that start out financing a $10K box and another $10K in tools, then a few months in figure out that they hate the job and sell the tools for a loss. Working in a shop is not at all like working on you and your friends cars for fun.
Ernest you are an inspiration to me...I have 26 years experience working on cars and I am just going to take the leap one day and do it. I am tired of making someone else rich with my work ethic. I am stuck in the same work rut feeling like I'm wasting my time. Thank YOU! and keep wrenching!
Probably the thing I enjoy most about being a mobile mechanic is the trust and gratitude that people show me. I have keys and door codes to people's houses and businesses and have had people leave me blank checks in their car or house for me so I can get paid in their absence. Many customers have become friends, one family became my second family. I mostly enjoy dealing directly with the customer, the ones that become a hassle get fired. I hate being indoors and stuck in the same place every day so I'll probably never work in a shop again.
Good for you. Gratification is a big factor. And not having someone all over you about "Is it fixed yet", "Why not?, What's taking you so long?" is also a BIG plus!
Absolutely, I turn away engine swaps and transmission swaps as well. People would be surprised to hear this but, they just arent as profitable as the small jobs are. There is too much involved to be doing those swaps in a mobile setting.
I went from having a decent size shop. I had 4 lifts, 5 full time mechanics, 2 helpers. The property was on a corner with parking for 20 cars in front & parking for 50 cars behind the shop. I closed because the shop was burglarized three times aside from wheels & radios being stollen. The last burglary cleaned me out. They drive up with an 18 wheeler & took everything. It was a Porsche shop. I bought a Ford E350 with a 6.9 diesel van. I restored Porsche & Mercedes Benz from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I enjoyed that much more. I probably made about the same money because I had less overhead. I had way more freedom. My van was fully equipped with a nitrogen tank to run my air tools, tire filling. I had a mig welder, gas welding equipment, electric testing equipment, a full set of snap-on tools, an ice chest full of food., & my mountain bike that I’d ride every day. I was also Repoing Cars at night. I did this for about 6 years. I went to work for Carroll Shelby as a fabricator afterwards.
Im just starting out and doing my best to not overspend on tools, since I’ve quite a bit of repairs on the common brand cars with my basic tools. But just recently got an expensive scan tool since I plan to do this for the long run. Really wish I had unlimited funds for tools lol
Oh man I worked on that same kind of car. Had a misfire. The ignition coils were melted/corroded into the spark plug holes. Had to rip them out piece by piece. Took me hours. Luckily I swapped them out with the new plugs, TB cleaning and oil change. Ran very nice after.
Funny thing is I rarely use my nice tools(Snap On etc) on customers cars. Usually opt for the cheaper or mid tier tools I have that don’t make me cry when I drop them or bang them up on a job.
I’ve been carrying all the tools I’ll ever need on a mobile job for years just because I want to be prepared if my car ever broke down. Didn’t even think I could be a mobile mechanic. I’ve been an unofficial mobile mechanic for years. Just helping people. I just need to do it officially. I’m already set up. lol little did I know.
My man! Glad to see another video. Question: So at 2:30 you say "obviously you have to have the same amount of training and certifications" how do you do that being a mobile mechanic? Like, how long did it take you to do that: certifications?
I grew up working on stuff. I actually took one class in college & didn't bother taking more. Because I had already rebuilt several motors and everything inbetween. But if not go to a college or tech school. Id reccomend engeneering first mechanics second.
I completed a 2 year course through a community college. In my experience training/certifications is essentially supplemental. Definitely can not replace getting your hands on wrenches in the industry and not at all required to start.
Well, you are providing a professional service directly to the customer, so you only have to deal with one other attitude besides your own. Win win situation, compared to having to deal with the shop environment of other mechanics attitudes, your service advisors attitudes, and sometimes impatient customers. Also some customers do not trust having their cars taken into shops, where there may be dishonest advisors, and mechanics, who will sometimes try to tell the customer that they need services, when that is not the case. Customers usually trust mobile mechanics more in my opinion. Also the price to repair the vehicle is less. No shop overhead expense including the middleman-advisor. Also some advisors do not have any mechanical knowledge, so that is unacceptable in my view. I personally prefer mobile mechanics. Your customers are fortunate to have you, because you are honest, competent, and friendly. I enjoy your videos and your thoughts on car repairs, and the industry. I can't wait to see you in your completed mobile van, hopefully soon. All the best.
That’s awesome mechanics are going out in the field. Make that $$. The American economy runs on people going to and from work. We need to demand car companies make most of their vehicles to be repaired on the road by these guys. Obviously serious jobs would need to go into a shop.
If ur working at a mechanic shop as an employee if always boggles my mind why mechanics have to buy their own tools. Tools should be a business expense by the shop. Really dont know why mechanics allow this. Its like ur going in debt buying tools just to work.
Federal law states that businesses must provide any tools needed to perform a job unless the employee is 1099 contracted. For some reason mechanics for decades have allowed themselves to be taken advantage of, no other trade requires you to spend tens of thousands on tools.
@@DonziGT230 if you have mechanics tools all you need is a vehicle and insurance and your business is set up as a mobile mechanic... Not that expensive
@@ermining1 To do it legally is expensive, and if you don't have a customer base you have to find them. Luckily, neither of those have been a problem for me.
Sounds fun. I bet you can learn to do more things if thats the reason, and earn more. because those jobs are specific and might be hard to find often. just a thought.
Fuel pumps are a hassle, especially when the tank has a lot of gas in it. Mufflers usually require welding so you'd need a mobile welding rig. Providing such a limited service would also make it very hard to build a customer base unless you advertise a fair bit.
I've been doing mobile repair for about 30 years and I don't think anyone's ever complained, but I have had a few run-ins with cops. The only times I've been approached by a customer's neighbor was to ask me to work on their vehicles.
I agree with you about new mechanics shouldn't be having to buy a bunch of tools when they first start out. In my career I've seen a lot of guys start out all eager and gung ho that start out financing a $10K box and another $10K in tools, then a few months in figure out that they hate the job and sell the tools for a loss. Working in a shop is not at all like working on you and your friends cars for fun.
Ernest you are an inspiration to me...I have 26 years experience working on cars and I am just going to take the leap one day and do it. I am tired of making someone else rich with my work ethic. I am stuck in the same work rut feeling like I'm wasting my time. Thank YOU! and keep wrenching!
You Can Do It!
Probably the thing I enjoy most about being a mobile mechanic is the trust and gratitude that people show me. I have keys and door codes to people's houses and businesses and have had people leave me blank checks in their car or house for me so I can get paid in their absence. Many customers have become friends, one family became my second family. I mostly enjoy dealing directly with the customer, the ones that become a hassle get fired. I hate being indoors and stuck in the same place every day so I'll probably never work in a shop again.
Good for you. Gratification is a big factor. And not having someone all over you about "Is it fixed yet", "Why not?, What's taking you so long?" is also a BIG plus!
Sounds like my wife.
Absolutely, I turn away engine swaps and transmission swaps as well. People would be surprised to hear this but, they just arent as profitable as the small jobs are. There is too much involved to be doing those swaps in a mobile setting.
I went from having a decent size shop. I had 4 lifts, 5 full time mechanics, 2 helpers. The property was on a corner with parking for 20 cars in front & parking for 50 cars behind the shop. I closed because the shop was burglarized three times aside from wheels & radios being stollen. The last burglary cleaned me out. They drive up with an 18 wheeler & took everything. It was a Porsche shop. I bought a Ford E350 with a 6.9 diesel van. I restored Porsche & Mercedes Benz from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I enjoyed that much more. I probably made about the same money because I had less overhead. I had way more freedom. My van was fully equipped with a nitrogen tank to run my air tools, tire filling. I had a mig welder, gas welding equipment, electric testing equipment, a full set of snap-on tools, an ice chest full of food., & my mountain bike that I’d ride every day. I was also Repoing Cars at night. I did this for about 6 years. I went to work for Carroll Shelby as a fabricator afterwards.
Nice video, Thanks for sharing! I agree that driving is nice; it's a little break between jobs.
Im just starting out and doing my best to not overspend on tools, since I’ve quite a bit of repairs on the common brand cars with my basic tools. But just recently got an expensive scan tool since I plan to do this for the long run. Really wish I had unlimited funds for tools lol
Oh man I worked on that same kind of car. Had a misfire. The ignition coils were melted/corroded into the spark plug holes. Had to rip them out piece by piece. Took me hours. Luckily I swapped them out with the new plugs, TB cleaning and oil change. Ran very nice after.
Hey man! Great video, ive also thought about learning the trade and working as a mobile mechanic. This give me hope, thanks!
Funny thing is I rarely use my nice tools(Snap On etc) on customers cars. Usually opt for the cheaper or mid tier tools I have that don’t make me cry when I drop them or bang them up on a job.
I’ve been carrying all the tools I’ll ever need on a mobile job for years just because I want to be prepared if my car ever broke down. Didn’t even think I could be a mobile mechanic. I’ve been an unofficial mobile mechanic for years. Just helping people. I just need to do it officially. I’m already set up. lol little did I know.
My man! Glad to see another video. Question: So at 2:30 you say "obviously you have to have the same amount of training and certifications" how do you do that being a mobile mechanic? Like, how long did it take you to do that: certifications?
I grew up working on stuff. I actually took one class in college & didn't bother taking more. Because I had already rebuilt several motors and everything inbetween. But if not go to a college or tech school. Id reccomend engeneering first mechanics second.
I completed a 2 year course through a community college. In my experience training/certifications is essentially supplemental. Definitely can not replace getting your hands on wrenches in the industry and not at all required to start.
Well, you are providing a professional service directly to the customer, so you only have to deal with one other attitude besides your own. Win win situation, compared to having to deal with the shop environment of other mechanics attitudes, your service advisors attitudes, and sometimes impatient customers. Also some customers do not trust having their cars taken into shops, where there may be dishonest advisors, and mechanics, who will sometimes try to tell the customer that they need services, when that is not the case. Customers usually trust mobile mechanics more in my opinion. Also the price to repair the vehicle is less. No shop overhead expense including the middleman-advisor. Also some advisors do not have any mechanical knowledge, so that is unacceptable in my view. I personally prefer mobile mechanics. Your customers are fortunate to have you, because you are honest, competent, and friendly. I enjoy your videos and your thoughts on car repairs, and the industry. I can't wait to see you in your completed mobile van, hopefully soon. All the best.
That’s awesome mechanics are going out in the field. Make that $$. The American economy runs on people going to and from work. We need to demand car companies make most of their vehicles to be repaired on the road by these guys. Obviously serious jobs would need to go into a shop.
LOL
@@Charlie-dv7ev your probably too stupid to understand what I am saying.
NIce to see someone who's happy doing what they like. Have you thought about doing the roadside assistance before going with mobile mechanic?
I always worked on cars growing up so I never thought about another type.
I hope you get your shop one day!
If ur working at a mechanic shop as an employee if always boggles my mind why mechanics have to buy their own tools. Tools should be a business expense by the shop. Really dont know why mechanics allow this. Its like ur going in debt buying tools just to work.
Is that what yous do in the US? That's crazy 😂,.If you have the tools... why not just set up your own business...?
Federal law states that businesses must provide any tools needed to perform a job unless the employee is 1099 contracted. For some reason mechanics for decades have allowed themselves to be taken advantage of, no other trade requires you to spend tens of thousands on tools.
@@ermining1 Because setting up your own business is expensive and risky.
@@DonziGT230 if you have mechanics tools all you need is a vehicle and insurance and your business is set up as a mobile mechanic... Not that expensive
@@ermining1 To do it legally is expensive, and if you don't have a customer base you have to find them. Luckily, neither of those have been a problem for me.
Lol i like driving when theres no traffic 👍 and yeah being a mobile mechanic is cool 😎
Not having a climate controlled location though has got to be tough sometimes. I see you work in difficult circumstances. 🙏
Yup. I've been doing mobile repair for about 30 years and two of the biggest challenges are weather and having everything needed to do jobs.
2017 hyundai or a 2007 that looks like a 2007
probably... it did look like my old 2010 hyundai
Where are you located?
i just want to do fuel pumps and mufflers, what do you think?
Sounds fun. I bet you can learn to do more things if thats the reason, and earn more. because those jobs are specific and might be hard to find often. just a thought.
Fuel pumps are a hassle, especially when the tank has a lot of gas in it. Mufflers usually require welding so you'd need a mobile welding rig. Providing such a limited service would also make it very hard to build a customer base unless you advertise a fair bit.
Hey man how you do it without neighbors complaining for working in the streets or in parking lot??
idk? Has never happened
Oh ok thanks man
I've been doing mobile repair for about 30 years and I don't think anyone's ever complained, but I have had a few run-ins with cops. The only times I've been approached by a customer's neighbor was to ask me to work on their vehicles.
Bro ur haircut looks like james taylor on the cover of sweet baby james. Fresh. My man started w the buzzcut and been thru all the stages
BOOM !!
Ok