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Body Shop Location: How Much Does It Matter?

I'm thinking about moving to a better facility for my body shop, and I was wondering how much emphasis should be put on the location. It seems it really is just a destination-type business, and I don't want to spend more than I have to just to be on a high-traffic road if it doesn't matter much.

Hank Nunn
By Hank Nunn

I’m thinking about moving to a better facility for my body shop, and I was wondering how much emphasis should be put on the location. It seems it really is just a destination-type business, and I don’t want to spend more than I have to just to be on a high-traffic road if it doesn’t matter much.

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Asked by Jeff Mayer, Marion, Ill.

Not a simple answer…lease, buy? But as a general rule: BUY THE BEST LOCATION YOU CAN AFFORD! And a little better would be good.

This is based on my personal experience of moving from a "not-quite-back-alley" location on a side street to a high-traffic location. It took more than two years to realize the benefit of the better location, but the investment in that better location pays off every day.

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Hank Nunn is a 35-year collision industry veteran. Among his many roles, he has been an adjuster, shop owner, technician, consultant and trainer. Currently, he’s western regional collision director for AutoNation. He may be reached at [email protected].

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