New Auto Upholstery Business - Idea

rossi · 03-01-2008, 12:37 AM

G'day all,

I've recently had a business proposition that has been put to me, due to the fact that I do Auto upholstery in my spare time. I've had quite a few people through "friends of a friend" now asking me to customise their vehicles, which has turned into, 'Why don't you start your own business?

So I've taken their advice and have got the business foundations laid, and after a few beers with the guys, was decided that, I should try to find a niche and run with it.

So I think with what we've decided is that we should go with an "Off the shelf" exchange based premise. So for example, if you wanted your standard EF front and rear seats, to look like the new GTP ones, you'd ring up and tell me what you want; I make the seats up; then swap them over on an exchange basis. This could also work for door trims, roof linings, boot carpet, centre glove box and gearknobs etc etc.

But first I'd at least like to get some constructive critisicm as to whether it would work or not, or maybe something else all together. Let me know what you think.

UU TS50 · 03-01-2008, 12:57 AM

cant garentee that it would work but it sounds like a good idea to me u would probably find people callin u for std seats too
ive always thought that my AU would look good with BA XR trim in green

rodderz · 03-01-2008, 01:01 AM

If there's a market, continual work, and you have confidence and business ethic, run with it mate. Obviously by the word of mouth spread you do good work and people are happy with it.

Make sure you have some $$ saved up to get your equipment, set up advertisements/websites/brochures etc, and in case of quiet times. Build up enough work before you quit your current job so that you will be busy for a month or 2 and you can build on that work in the meantime.

I reckon it would be a type of business you could use the web to get a heap of work, get yourself a good website together and get it out there, I'm sure there will be a lot of people on here, and from all over the country that would be willing to use your services to get a custom job.

rossi · 03-01-2008, 01:22 AM

Yeh I've got the ground work done. ABN, Business name, websites, etc (just waiting on the website creator, and business cards). I have the perfect job that pays very well , but is seasonal (winter is our quiet time). I've got all the equipment as I used to be a parachute rigger (by trade) in the Army.

What I would probably do (once I get a feeler for generic items) is to make a few items in bulk, then post pics on the website. If someone likes it, or has their own design that they'd wish to implement, then it's up to me to make it a reality.

I've been able to fit in jobs for the mates and their friends, so god-willing I may be able to fit in both. Well, for the time being.

Tech Trainer · 03-01-2008, 08:02 AM

Sounds like a great idea. Just don't over price yourself or seem too cheap. Finding the mid point can be hard.

I for one need a bit of work done in this area on my car. PM me when you want to or can do it.

OLDFORDNUT · 03-01-2008, 09:27 AM

find yourself a good carrier who will pick up from non account holders as delivery door to door can be hard to find and some charge so much its not worth sending out of area, i think you will find this is one of the biggest hurdles for customers out of your area,
cheers and good luck with your venture.

reds89 · 03-01-2008, 10:01 AM

if you are going to have exchange seats made to order make sure you get a deposit first,or you could end up with custom seats etc that nobody wants.Be careful of having to many mates,and mate rates.Dont forget this is/could be your only income

T3ts50 · 03-01-2008, 10:03 AM

Maybe start out just working on the weekends. If work really starts to pick up, try going full time.

Scott · 03-01-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3ts50

Maybe start out just working on the weekends. If work really starts to pick up, try going full time.

Being a web & word of mouth based business this is a pretty sane way of dipping a toe in. Take the time to understand what people will be looking for - good examples would be GTS/SS/GT/ESP/HDT/TS type seats and materials where the demand is already pretty high. If you got into making SL/E or Scheel replica's for example, you would be the favourite son on brockcommodores.com

If you have the cloth, they will come.

ltd · 03-01-2008, 10:51 AM

OMG GTP006 your picture could only come from that disturbing little film "Bad Boy Bubby". The film that aptly should have the adage of "a real mother f....."

Work out what your break even point on each job would be and charge that as the deposit. You most definately should not go into debt for each job before payment as sometimes people will just rip you off. Set up a credit card facility with your bank to assist with this and to enable phone orders.

Quicklier · 03-01-2008, 11:04 AM

The concept of changeover works well in many industries - most certainly the automotive.

I assume that along with new cloth/leather, there would also be options to replace/increase side support in the replacement seats?

Being an owner of an X-Series (XC) I would certainly find value is thumbing through a small online catalogue of seats that could be fitted with my changeover seat rails - allowing for an easy (rego safe) interior refresh - clearly as a value added option.

I certainly think there would be a great market for the Holden boys, far greater market than Ford owners - ensure you don't miss out on any of the markets by limiting your brand coverage (look at having a 'standard' seat that could be adapted to various seat rails to cover all the smaller makes and models).

I think it is an excellent idea that could work very well in the Australian marketplace.

Any idea of preliminary costs? Without knowing much about interior work, or the cost of cloth, or the amount of labour involved. I'd personally consider $1000 changeover for cloth and perhaps $1500 for low-end leather to be pretty reasonable.

I also think you should think about the way in which the seats arrive with the customer. A deposit system would work very well where the customer pays full price (non changeover price) and receives a 'refund' once the seats are returned (within 2-3 week window to allow fitment and to limit the cars downtime).

It would be great to be able to customise the seats with a range of piping options or even nifty features like heated elements, or cooling fans.

Fantastic concept, let us all know when you'd like to test the final setup.

theunfairadvant · 03-01-2008, 05:38 PM

If you were to have a money back guarantee you will get a lot of clients.

Pay now and try it for 30 days and if you are not happy within the 30 days
just pull me aside or call me and tell me I will refund your money straight away.

Plus i will give you a $300 dollar voucher for you to spend at any of the car
repair centre or auto spare part shop that is on the list for wasting your time.

blackers10 · 03-01-2008, 07:03 PM

sounds awesome mate!!
the concept is a good one!
you could probably surf the jap wreckers etc and buy old cruddyer looking seats then retrim them and sell for a profit also
as not everyone wants full blown sports seats.. but the jap style import car seats are quite comfortable and give you that hugging feeling

I agree with the other poster about doing commodore stuff...as they seem to be a MUCH more popular car for modding sadly..
try the coulson? style seats(they were in the VX clubsports i think? they seemed popular)

and skylines are a dime a dozen now so id look at those too

and a BIG plus would be a price guide on your website
as the 1 thing that absolutly annoys me when looking at companys websites is no listing of how much they cost and turnaround times.

a call me for a quote basis A) makes you have to run around after people that may not even want a retrim and just are dreaming ...
and B) they already know how much to save up

good luck mate!!

fordon · 03-01-2008, 07:14 PM

I think its a good idea,do something that you enjoy doing and make a living out of it :-)

How much you ganna charge to reline roof in a AU xr ute ? hehe:-)

b2tf · 03-01-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossi

G'day all,

I've recently had a business proposition that has been put to me, due to the fact that I do Auto upholstery in my spare time. I've had quite a few people through "friends of a friend" now asking me to customise their vehicles, which has turned into, 'Why don't you start your own business?

So I've taken their advice and have got the business foundations laid, and after a few beers with the guys, was decided that, I should try to find a niche and run with it.

So I think with what we've decided is that we should go with an "Off the shelf" exchange based premise. So for example, if you wanted your standard EF front and rear seats, to look like the new GTP ones, you'd ring up and tell me what you want; I make the seats up; then swap them over on an exchange basis. This could also work for door trims, roof linings, boot carpet, centre glove box and gearknobs etc etc.

But first I'd at least like to get some constructive critisicm as to whether it would work or not, or maybe something else all together. Let me know what you think.

Hi mate

I think your idea is brilliant, but I do think you should not limit yourself to just exchange type parts (although I for one would be very keen to do business with a setup like that. Market it well, do Ford and Holden seats (and Toyota etc, dont limit yourself), and you will be on to a winner.

You'll need some vehicles you have done work on to show off, let me put my hand up to be an AU you can work on :hihi:.

Cheers

b2tf

EF347 · 03-01-2008, 08:49 PM

Great idea mate considering this is the restoration era!!! And not all of us are after originality - personal taste is prominent also.
Look at whats going on with Aussie Muscle these days and I am sure you could benefit from your concept.
Cheers Glenn

Rev28K · 03-01-2008, 09:33 PM

As well as getting seats that look like GTP ones, how about modifying GTP seats so that they hold a little tighter?

When I've sat in a GTP there is always to much wiggle room around my bum for throwing a car through the twisties. Not everyone needs all of that width.

MNM96 · 03-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev28K

As well as getting seats that look like GTP ones, how about modifying GTP seats so that they hold a little tighter?

When I've sat in a GTP there is always to much wiggle room around my bum for throwing a car through the twisties. Not everyone needs all of that width.

Quit wingeing, drink more and grow a Butt! Its un Australian not to be the correct size to fit the seat of a Falcon!

FTe342 · 03-01-2008, 10:45 PM

I think the concept has merit but I wouldn't limit my business plan to exchange type work only.

I recently had a seat repadded at my local upholsterer and being a small businessman myself I was having a chat to him. This guy has plenty of work just retrimming seats/interiors and doing car restorations and said he could be working 12hr days 7 days a week and still wouldn't be on top it.

It seems a trade where not a lot of apprentices have been taken on and demand is outstripping available businesses who do quality work.

There is also free help available for startup businesses from the state govt (in NSW anyway) and they will advise you on many aspects of starting and running a small business. If you can't find them asl your local state member of parliament.

Good luck. Wish I had your skills.

fiery · 03-01-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNM96

Quit wingeing, drink more and grow a Butt! Its un Australian not to be the correct size to fit the seat of a Falcon!

Phew now that I know it is OK to have a good size backside I will stop stressing

:
Sorry but this HAS to be my new quote

:

Now on topic:
I personally think this is a fantastic idea, well done and good luck with it all

rossi · 03-01-2008, 11:22 PM

Wow, I'm completely stunned by everyones reponse in regards to my little venture. It's good to see that my initial ideas weren't so far fetched. Thanks Guys!!

Many moons ago I used to design equipment for defence and government agencies that were moreso one-off's. I once had a guy walk in 5mins before we were to shut, wanting 3 Packs specifically designed for his "hunting gear" which consisted of ;$3000 sniper scope, $2000 bino's, 3 rifles and other assorted contraptions which I can't really discuss here, to be made with 20mm thick camouflaged ripstop. So 4hrs later after sketching a few ideas, he wrote a blank cheque, got up and said 'see ya in a week!'.

I'm sort of trying to capture the niche that not everyone wishes to have their pride and joy, left at someone's shop indefinately until the job is done. But also wanting to stamp their originality into the design.

Let's say for example you had an EF Futura (This is what my son wishes to have done to his car), absolutely stock standard, but on the inside, wished to have the entire interior decked out in a two tone black/grey leather/vinyl with red stitching and the "FPV" logo embelished into the headrest and centre console, and the entire dash done in matching leather. And for shits-and-giggles, 2pac the inserts of the dash in a burgendy red.

You'd then ring me up, tell me what you'd like to have done, (either over the phone, or photoshopped), I could then send some samples to you to make sure that's what you want. Then using the standard futura stuff I'd picked up cheap from a wrecked car, whip up a dream interior that could then be sent to you. Or if you were local, come over, pull your stuff out, then throw the new stuff in. This way you wouldn't have to leave your pride and joy somewhere, and there would be minimal downtime to install the package.

As for redesigning your current seats to more comfortable, or to turn them into bucket seats etc, I have found that a lot of upholsterers tend to turn that stuff away as it comes down to the "Too hard" basket. Anything is usually possible, just a little more expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordon

I think its a good idea,do something that you enjoy doing and make a living out of it :-)

How much you ganna charge to reline roof in a AU xr ute ? hehe:-)

I did my brother Fairmont about a year ago. Cost about $20 in materials and an hour. Charged him a carton. Not sure what trimmers charge though. Doubt that it would be a carton.

I haven't narrowed my business down to Fords though. That would be a business Foopa. Being a Ford enthusiast, it was just a matter of time and natural selection as to where to start. I think though that by the interest shown both here in FF and Fordmods, I should have enough work to retire on.

All I have to do now is get a design for the Logo and the website, so that I can start putting some pictures up of what is possible with a little imagination.

BTW, the business is called; Extremely Covered.

Just seemed appropriate!

RSgerry · 03-01-2008, 11:27 PM

Pity you are in Queensland...I have some trimming work needing to be done but it isnt a job big enough to go interstate with. Good luck with the venture. As one other poster pointed out, get some cash from the customer before you start any work. This will cover your materials and some of your time. It would be a shame to do a lot of work only to find they suddenly cant and wont pay.

fiery · 04-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossi

I did my brother Fairmont about a year ago. Cost about $20 in materials and an hour. Charged him a carton. Not sure what trimmers charge though. Doubt that it would be a carton.

I know the quote I received late last year was around the $150 with me supplying the material to have my roof lining done, oh and I would have had to leave my car with them for the week.
Hence why it is still sitting in the lounge room waiting patiently

:

LUXO_8 · 04-01-2008, 09:08 AM

yeah i have a bit of work i'd like done as well, seats and a custom roof lining. especially good if you can secure a good courier to get the stuff to you and back(having a sunroof, i'd imagine i'd need to send you the existing lining)

be good to see your site when it goes up

Scott · 04-01-2008, 09:19 AM

So just for shits & giggles, how much would you estimate the cost to be to turn a blue VC SL/E interior into a red one? Carmine seats, dash, console, headlining, kick panels, trims, door trims and parcel shelf? I would source a complete car with blue for you to start with.

No need to spend hours crunching a quote, ball park is fine. Getting the right crushed velour and vinyl would be pretty high on the list.

Add to that, re-bolstering the the right hand side of the seat base in my GT-P - it's nearly perfect atm, just getting a little squishy.

blackers10 · 04-01-2008, 06:33 PM

roof lining.. Troy got that done the other week.. price he was quoted was $160-$180

unsure if it was a 1 day job tho.. pretty sure it was.

rossi · 05-01-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP006

So just for shits & giggles, how much would you estimate the cost to be to turn a blue VC SL/E interior into a red one?
Add to that, re-bolstering the the right hand side of the seat base in my GT-P - it's nearly perfect atm, just getting a little squishy.

Well, depending on whether you were chasing vinyl, leather, suede etc, price of the material usually drives up the end cost.
Without seeing exactly what needs to be done, and roughly the amount of material needed, all seats, door trims and dash;
Vinyl - <1500,
Leather - <2500,
Suede - <1500,

I would usually charge costs of materials and $20/hr. That or " Quid Pro Quo". I think the local guys work on about $40-$50/hr, as they have overheads. On average Vinyls costs roughly $20-$30/m. Leather considerably moreso. So if you can work out meterage on materials, that would be the first step.

BTW - I've pulled the quotes from AutoimageInteriors. I can beat their quotes ( and apparently quality, according to the pics on the website).

Scott · 06-01-2008, 10:31 AM

Thanks Rossi - the material would be crushed velour in Carmine Red.

eXi7w0unD · 06-01-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossi

, due to the fact that I do Auto upholstery in my spare time. I've had quite a few people through "friends of a friend" now asking me to customise their vehicles

do mine plz!

rossi · 06-01-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP006

Thanks Rossi - the material would be crushed velour in Carmine Red.

I'll ring up the supplier tomorrow, as they've been on holidays for the last couple of weeks. Some initial ringing around it seems that only one mob in SA make the stuff, so I try to get a hold of them as well.

I'm about so start a thread in 'Interiors' as I've picked up a bog stock standard complete EF interior, and am going to turn it into a GT-P style setup. Just chasing a conglomeration of ideas - take a general consensus then make it up. Everything from the steering wheel, shifter, trims, etc etc

That way it'll give others a basic idea of what is possible.