Anyone done a PDR course and started up in business?
Discussion
These PDR guys seem to be making good money (around £2000 a week!?) for a simple enough job once you have the experience and skills (I know its not easy).
Has anyone been on a course, which one and would they recommend etc?
Afterwards set up in business?
Im curious as to how successful it could be.
Theres a few people cover my area but Im already in the trade and think I would manage to have the business available.
Has anyone been on a course, which one and would they recommend etc?
Afterwards set up in business?
Im curious as to how successful it could be.
Theres a few people cover my area but Im already in the trade and think I would manage to have the business available.
I did a course many years ago.
You need to be using the rods every day for a long time before you get good at it, some guys mention 12 months or more.
I rarely use my rods now but they are handy for pushing the worst out before fill/paint etc, I pay a PDR guy to do all my dents now as it is easier, he even mentions how it takes him a while to get back in to it if he has a week off.
Plenty of blokes out there stabbing dents out, less really good ones IMHO.
Good buisiness if you can keep the work rolling in.
You need to be using the rods every day for a long time before you get good at it, some guys mention 12 months or more.
I rarely use my rods now but they are handy for pushing the worst out before fill/paint etc, I pay a PDR guy to do all my dents now as it is easier, he even mentions how it takes him a while to get back in to it if he has a week off.
Plenty of blokes out there stabbing dents out, less really good ones IMHO.
Good buisiness if you can keep the work rolling in.
AFAIK whilst you might go on a course (and some are several weeks long) you can't then jump straight into charging people cos you simply won't be good enough.
I think you'll find most dent guys have been on a course to learn the basics, practiced on old panels for months, gone another course to learn the next stage, and again practised on old panels for months.
I've heard of some in the trade that from their initial training and practising at weekends etc to actually becoming competent enough to earn a living took them 5 years.
It's a dark art that requires a lot of time investment to gain enough knowledge and skill to get things right - and only then will you be able charge for that skill.
Then, like any business, you've got to find the customers ..... where are you going to get the custom from?
Trade work is very tough (and cut throat) to get into with most dealers only using their 'trusted, experienced guy'. To take his work you'll have to be as good as him but cheaper.
If you're going into retail work then you've got to spend a lot on advertising (whatever form that may take) so that customers know you exist.
In short work won't come looking for you.
I think you'll find most dent guys have been on a course to learn the basics, practiced on old panels for months, gone another course to learn the next stage, and again practised on old panels for months.
I've heard of some in the trade that from their initial training and practising at weekends etc to actually becoming competent enough to earn a living took them 5 years.
It's a dark art that requires a lot of time investment to gain enough knowledge and skill to get things right - and only then will you be able charge for that skill.
Then, like any business, you've got to find the customers ..... where are you going to get the custom from?
Trade work is very tough (and cut throat) to get into with most dealers only using their 'trusted, experienced guy'. To take his work you'll have to be as good as him but cheaper.
If you're going into retail work then you've got to spend a lot on advertising (whatever form that may take) so that customers know you exist.
In short work won't come looking for you.
Sorry for no reply, was just on the forum for first time since and realised.
Yeh I realise all the usual marketing issues as with most businesses aswell as the fact that you cant learn it over-night but I was curious as Im in the trade and have used various guys, none had a great attitude and the last in particular didnt travel far, didnt spend much time, didnt do a particularly great job (was good enough for a £3k sales car but not your 6 months old £30k car!) and took something like £84 off me. That was trade price!
4 or 5 jobs a day and you'd be laughing at that. Not much overheads and stress free job with no come-back risk etc.
I looked at some courses, all of which seemed extortionate and sounded more like a not-so-professional money making scheme.
I already had some rods and basic equipment, if there had been a localish 1 day course Id have considered it. If it didnt cost £1000 for 1 day!
Yeh I realise all the usual marketing issues as with most businesses aswell as the fact that you cant learn it over-night but I was curious as Im in the trade and have used various guys, none had a great attitude and the last in particular didnt travel far, didnt spend much time, didnt do a particularly great job (was good enough for a £3k sales car but not your 6 months old £30k car!) and took something like £84 off me. That was trade price!
4 or 5 jobs a day and you'd be laughing at that. Not much overheads and stress free job with no come-back risk etc.
I looked at some courses, all of which seemed extortionate and sounded more like a not-so-professional money making scheme.
I already had some rods and basic equipment, if there had been a localish 1 day course Id have considered it. If it didnt cost £1000 for 1 day!
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