Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Windscreen Business in the United Kingdom
So you decided to venture into the fleet of machines, planning to provide assistance in commercial and domestic vehicles alike. You aim to seize opportunities found in the repair and replacement industry to generate a sustainable income. And for someone relatively knowledgeable about automobiles and who has acquired skills in instalment, starting a windscreen business is perfect for you.
Precedently, it would also be most practical if you secure assistance from a United Kingdom corporate service provider to ensure that your business incorporation is seamless without (invisible) lapses that may cause you troubles midway.
What is Windscreen Business?
A windscreen business specializes in repairing or replacing a vehicle’s cracked windscreen while exhibiting exceptional customer care. It also offers supplementary auto maintenance like window tinting, headlight restoration, and detailing as part of the full-service option.
This type of business is often considered mobile or part-time, directly heading to the clients’ location to lessen the damage to the vehicle. The upfront investment may be inexpensive, but the solution it provides is demanded widely. Here are the following:
- Frequently, windscreens get minimal damage (or have small chips) due to compacted stones and minor incidents. Thus, it just needs to be repaired, and then your client is good to go.
- Meanwhile, there are damages that repair services are no longer sustained. You would have to find materials to replace the windscreen and install it in the vehicle. Make sure you know where to source a particular model during this scene.
- Windscreen removal—Most particularly on cracked or damaged windscreens along with the exteriors that can no longer be fixed. However, there are circumstances that it is preferably stripped in more minor scales to be resold.
You could also consider selling accessories such as wind deflectors and security window films. And you can extend your coverage in addition to cars: buses, motorhomes, caravans, and tractors. Have your clients agree to a regular inspection to avoid incidents.
Making it Big in the Windscreen Industry
Since you would operate based on the area at large, you must be readily equipped with the essential tools needed in case of calls or emergencies. There are also circumstances when clients would prefer technicians to install windscreens within the yard of their homes or facilities in the districts.
Furthermore, your goal is to establish a long-running and reputable automotive service provider to every sector of the vehicle industry:
- Car Rental Organizations
- Engineering & Construction Companies
- Van Hire Groups
- Main Automotive Dealerships
- Public Transport Service Groups
- Fleet Operators, etc.
At the same time, you should acquire broad areas of vehicle knowledge or exhibit specific skills that are advantageous in performing the service: automobile glass technology trends, networking skills, glass repair, attention to detail, and physical strength.
Hence, as long as you form a team of qualified technicians and know-how to source potential clients, in the long run, starting a windscreen business is much more rewarding than most vehicle service-oriented firms.
Windscreen Business Registration Process in the UK
Following the concept and preparation of your firm’s coverage, decide how you want your business to be legally recognized. The first step in company registration in United Kingdom is gathering all the necessary information about your windscreen business to help formalise your company.
Note that there may be impending changes depending on the nature and location of your operations. There are also regulations that you need to be wary of.
- Choose a company structure. This would determine how you want to manage your tax, whether it is personal assets or drawing company dividends.
- Check your company’s name availability. It’s true that generating a unique identifier may be challenging, both in legal terms and with customer perception.
- Submit the details of your windscreen business to the Companies House. They would mainly require the following: registered office, company directors, and shareholders.
- And then allocate the shares to your shareholders. We recommend you make individual shares worth at least £1.
- Formalize the Memorandum and Articles of Association (agreed upon and signed upon by the members involved). This consists of the scope of your business activities, information of the directors—basically, the handbook of your firm.
- Following the registration process, the Companies House would issue a Certificate of Incorporation (CRN) addressed to your physical office. Then, you would need to set up a corporate bank account for all the business financial transactions. You can have it done with our professional accountants.
As long as you’re above 16 and a qualified director or shareholder, then you’re eligible to register a company at the Companies House. However, as a startup entrepreneur, we recommend you seek help from professionals.
Furthermore, formation packages would be the best cost-effective and timeless assistance option. It would save you from the confusion and unforeseen pitfalls that may turn into legal issues. Contact us for a swift registration process with no lapses. We cover all the business necessities to handle all your needs.
Windscreen Business Licenses and Permits Needed
Fortunately, there are no specific licenses or permits that your windscreen business would need to acquire. However, there are state and local federal registration that you need to comply with. You might want to check on the following:
- Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation Registration
- Sales Tax Permits
- Employer Identification Number
- Financial Conduct Authority regulation for windscreen related insurance
- Music License from PPL PRS Ltd.
- Employment legislation
- Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF)
As a startup business owner, going through the entire company incorporation alone would require you to spend a lot of money. Adding the fact that the submission of requirements and legislation process may be perplexing. Besides, it would be best to be wary of the regulatory framework and local ordinances to comply with. The complexities of establishing a business may discourage entrepreneurs from visualizing their ideas.
But no worries, as the leading provider of company incorporation services in United Kingdom, 3E Accounting United Kingdom ensures you will achieve successful incorporation. We are experts on a wide range of accounting services, current changes in the legislation, and startup business formation of small- to medium-sized firms. Contact us, and we will provide you with a system that meets the specific needs of your windscreen business in the UK.
