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Body shop pay plans can be a game-changer for your business, driving higher revenue and growth. By implementing a pay plan that incentivizes technicians to work efficiently and effectively, you can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
A well-designed pay plan can also reduce employee turnover, saving you money on recruitment and training costs. In fact, a study found that employees who are paid on a performance-based plan are 25% less likely to leave their job.
To achieve this, consider implementing a pay plan that rewards technicians for meeting productivity and quality targets. For example, you could offer a bonus for completing repairs on time or achieving a certain level of customer satisfaction.
Pricing Systems
You have two main options to consider for your body shop's pay plan: hourly or flat-rate. It's impossible to say what's best, but you should evaluate both systems to see which fits your shop better.
Bennett suggests offering both a flat-rate and hourly check to your employees for a two-month period to see which one works best for camaraderie and productivity.
The hourly system allows employees to think they're working for themselves, but the flat-rate system can make them feel like they won't do a good job.
Specifically, hourly and flat-rate systems work in different ways:
Pay Plan Incentives
To build a pay plan that motivates your technicians, you should work to nail down what bonuses will incentivize them to be more efficient and productive.
Adding a bonus program on top of individual hourly rates is a pretty simple procedure. It would involve a combination of hourly pay plus an incentive on hours billed. This way, technicians get a base pay regardless of hours worked, but can earn more for billing out extra hours.
For example, if someone gets $20 per hour for 40 hours per week, but they bill out 50 hours, then they get a two-hour bonus for every hour they bill out.
Team-Based Structure
In a team-based structure, a shop's unified culture can be attributed to a team-based payment plan. This system creates a shop full of subcontractors.
Technicians in a team-based flat rate environment are paid separately by their rates, but it's about what the entire team produces, not individual performance. The team's total production is divided equally among all members.
A team-based payment plan can make it more transparent for what everybody is earning, as the money is divided based on skill and experience, rather than individual hours worked.
Integrate Bonuses into Pay Plan
Bonuses can be a game-changer for your pay plan. By incorporating bonuses, you can motivate your technicians to be more efficient and productive.
To create a bonus plan that works, consider weekly bonuses that are based on hours billed. This means your technicians will get a guaranteed 40 hours of pay per week, but their total pay will also depend on how many hours they bill out.
For example, if they get $20 per hour for 40 hours, but bill out 50 hours, they'll get a two-hour bonus for every hour they bill out. This can add up to a significant amount of extra pay.
To make bonuses even more effective, you can set benchmarks for efficiency and productivity. This will give your technicians a clear idea of what they need to do to earn more pay.
Flat-rate systems can be a bit different, but the idea is the same. You'll set benchmarks for efficiency and productivity, and your technicians will earn more pay if they meet those benchmarks.
Benefits and Advantages
Offering auto repair financing can greatly benefit your body shop. By providing flexible, hassle-free, and budget-friendly financing options, you can make expensive repairs affordable for your clients.
This can be a game-changer for customers who may have had to go elsewhere or postpone repairs otherwise.
Competitive Edge
Offering auto repair financing can be a game-changer for your business. By making expensive repairs affordable for your clients, you can convert customers who may have had to go somewhere else or postpone the repairs otherwise.
Finturf’s POS financing solution is a key part of this strategy. It's designed to be flexible, hassle-free, and budget-friendly, giving you a competitive edge in the market.
This means you can attract more customers and build a loyal client base. By providing a financing option that fits their needs, you're showing them that you care about their financial situation and are willing to work with them.
Higher Revenue
With Finturf's POS solution, your auto body shop can appeal to more customers searching for flexible auto repair financing options.
This can lead to an increase in the number of repairs you take on, resulting in higher revenue for your business.
By offering flexible financing options, you can attract more customers and increase your shop's revenue.
Client Acquisition and Financing
Many consumers are left with a significant out-of-pocket expense after an accident, with the average cost being $457. This can be a major hurdle for people looking to get their cars repaired.
Insurance often covers two-thirds of the damage, but customers may still have to pay a deductible, which is becoming increasingly common, with some paying up to $500.
By offering an in-house financing option, auto body shops can attract more clients who are looking for affordable payment plans. This can be a game-changer for businesses, as it sets them apart from competitors.
As customers search for more affordable ways to pay, an in-house auto financing option can improve client acquisition efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any auto body shops do payment plans?
Yes, some auto body shops offer payment plans to help make repairs more affordable, such as CARSTAR locations with flexible financing options. Check with your local shop to see if they offer payment plans or financing options.
How much can a body shop make a year?
A typical auto body shop can earn around $100,000 per year, while individual mechanics can make between $30,000 to $50,000 annually. However, profits vary depending on location and expertise.
Sources
- https://www.carstar.com/about/carstar-credit-card/
- https://www.fenderbender.com/running-a-shop/article/11506196/finding-the-right-pay-plan-for-your-technicians-2017-11-01
- https://stingersolutions.com/pages/shop-pay
- https://thespraysource.com/pages/shop-pay-installments
- https://finturf.com/other-services/auto-repair-financing/
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