Pricing & Business
When is it time to hire a second bench tech?
As a shop owner, I've been running my one-man operation for about four years now. Business has been steadily growing, and I find myself overwhelmed with the volume of repairs coming in. I’m starting to wonder if it’s time to hire a second bench tech. My current tech can handle most repairs but I’m noticing we're turning away jobs during peak hours. I want to ensure I'm making a sound decision regarding hiring without it leading to financial strain. What are the signs that indicate it’s time to expand and how do I manage the transition effectively?
2 Answers
I totally get where you're coming from. I faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago. One big indicator for me was when I started seeing a consistent backlog of work. If you're turning away jobs or your current tech is working overtime, it's a clear sign. I also recommend looking at your workflow. If you have a good system (I use RepairShopr for tracking), it can help you estimate how much work you can realistically handle. Once I hired another tech, my efficiency improved dramatically, and we could take on more jobs without compromising quality. Just make sure to have clear training and processes in place for the new hire.
I've been in a similar position and what worked for me is to analyze the financial side first. Take a look at your profit margins and calculate how many additional jobs you need to cover the cost of a new hire. Also, consider if you have the space and tools for another tech. If you’re still leaning toward hiring, maybe start with a part-time tech to see how it goes. This way, you can test the waters without making a huge commitment right away.