Patrick Denny, a Detroit resident, skillfully maneuvers out from under his 2006 Ford Focus, which is propped up by a jack. Grease stains his hands, a testament to the task at hand. Rented tools are neatly arranged on the concrete floor surrounding him, ready for the next step.
Denny, 24, is no stranger to car maintenance, having replaced brakes before. But today presents a new challenge: overhauling the suspension by replacing the shocks and trailing arm bushings. A smile plays on his lips as he acknowledges the effort of fixing his own car, fully aware of the significant savings he’s about to realize.
“Doing it yourself can be a bit of a hassle, but the reward of saving $1,500 to $2,000 makes it all worthwhile,” Denny states, embodying the spirit of do it yourself garage auto repair.
My Mechanics Place in Livonia has become Denny’s go-to destination. This expansive garage on Plymouth Road boasts 22 service bays, a professional paint booth, a well-equipped machine shop, and even operates as a U-Haul distribution center. For just $25 per hour, enthusiasts and budget-conscious car owners alike can rent a bay equipped with a lift, or opt for a flat bay at $12 per hour. Tool rentals are also available, making it a true haven for do it yourself auto repair.
It was Denny’s doctor who first introduced him to My Mechanics Place, and since earlier this year, he’s been a regular, dedicating five to eight hours each week to working on his car. His knowledge base comes from online tutorials, primarily YouTube videos, showcasing the accessibility of do it yourself car repair in the digital age.
“Living in a Detroit apartment limits my options. I lack the necessary tools, and apartment complexes prohibit car work in parking areas,” Denny explains. “This place allows me to overcome those hurdles and save thousands by tackling repairs myself.”
The Allure of DIY Auto Repair Garages
Jay Rabaut, 55, a Livonia native, is the innovative mind behind My Mechanics Place. The concept first sparked in the mid-1980s during his time in the Navy, but the business model solidified about nine years ago.
Rabaut, a plumber by profession and a father of nine, recalls a pivotal moment in the fall of 2010 that led to the creation of his do it yourself garage.
“Retirement seemed unattainable, and the cost of college for my kids weighed heavily on me. I felt stuck,” Rabaut recounts. “In a moment of prayer, seeking guidance, the vision for My Mechanics Place came to me.”
His vision was clear: a space where individuals could rent service bays and tools to perform their own car repairs. Transforming this idea into reality took years of dedication and patience, and initial profits were slow to materialize.
However, today, especially on weekends, the 18,000-square-foot facility is a hub of activity. The sounds of revving engines, the clang of metal tools, and the hum of impact wrenches fill the air. All 22 bays are typically occupied, often forcing Rabaut to turn away eager customers. Each bay sees an average usage of two to eight hours per session. Rabaut advises calling ahead to reserve a bay, highlighting the popularity of do it yourself garage auto repair.
The business attracts 12 to 25 new customers weekly, with many regulars visiting two to five days a week, sometimes for up to eight hours at a time.
Rabaut humorously shares, “Some customers’ wives jokingly refer to us as ‘the other woman,’” recounting an anecdote where a customer lamented that My Mechanics Place was a contributing factor to his divorce, emphasizing the time commitment some individuals dedicate to their automotive projects.
Substantial Savings with DIY Car Repairs
The prominent “Do it yourself” sign on the roof of My Mechanics Place, located opposite Ford Automatic Transmission Operations in Livonia, is a clear invitation to cost-conscious car owners.
Beyond the service bays with lifts, My Mechanics Place features a comprehensive “tool crib.” Thousands of tools are available for rent at a nominal fee of $5 per hour, managed with a library-like check-in/check-out system. Specialized tools like torches and grinders are available at $10 per hour.
Adding to its revenue streams, My Mechanics Place became a U-Haul distributor in 2016. This addition provides financial stability, especially during slower periods in the auto repair sector.
The financial advantages of do it yourself car repair are considerable, as Rabaut points out. Tire shops, for instance, can charge upwards of $30 per tire for mounting and balancing, totaling $120 for a set of four. At My Mechanics Place, renting a flat stall for an hour at $12, plus $10 for tire machine usage, brings the total cost for mounting and balancing four tires down to a mere $22. This stark contrast underscores the potential savings of do it yourself garage auto repair.
For those who are new to auto repair, My Mechanics Place employs two certified mechanics who offer guidance and advice. While they cannot perform repairs themselves due to liability reasons, their expertise is invaluable. Customers are required to sign waivers, and Rabaut maintains insurance coverage.
On average, individuals can save between 60% and 80% on car repairs by choosing the do it yourself route, according to Rabaut.
“We prioritize both cost and time savings for our customers. We are always looking for tools and methods to make the process more efficient and accessible,” Rabaut emphasizes.
Gearheads Rent-A-Bay: Another DIY Option
My Mechanics Place isn’t the only establishment catering to the do it yourself auto repair trend in the region. Gearheads Rent-A-Bay in Waterford offers similar services, providing service bays and tool rentals for DIY enthusiasts. While smaller in scale, Gearheads serves around 15 customers weekly, charging $20 per hour for a bay with a hoist and $12 per hour for a flat bay. Tool rentals are priced at $10 per day, according to co-owner Nathan Klein.
Gearheads, established around the same time as My Mechanics Place in July 2015, features three bays with lifts and one flat bay, along with a motorcycle lift. Currently, they do not have certified mechanics on staff.
Klein explains the inspiration behind Gearheads, tracing it back to the 1970s when military bases commonly had similar hobby shops. “A gentleman in Oxford also had a gas station where he rented out bays to people after his mechanics left,” Klein adds, highlighting the historical precedent for do it yourself garage auto repair spaces.
A Hub for Both Amateurs and Pros
My Mechanics Place attracts a diverse clientele, ranging from everyday car owners to seasoned gearheads. Some regulars even rent larger workspaces on a monthly basis for extensive projects on vehicles and even boats.
Among the 22 service bays, eight are equipped with car lifts, including two heavy-duty lifts capable of handling trucks up to 43,000 pounds. While catering to the average DIYer, the facility also draws in specialized professionals like Jason Robertson.
Robertson, 39, a clay modeler at Ford Motor Co. by day, is a renowned restoration expert for AC Cobra sports cars, iconic collector vehicles from the 1960s.
AC Cobra owners commission Robertson to restore their valuable and rare cars. He began using My Mechanics Place two years ago, primarily for its paint booth, which rents for $100 per hour or $400 per day. While seemingly expensive, Robertson points out that outsourcing the same paintwork would cost him around $12,000.
“I simply couldn’t do this level of restoration work without this place,” Robertson states, while preparing an AC Cobra side panel for painting. “My home setup lacks temperature control, and paintwork is inherently messy.”
Over the past 14 years, Robertson has restored approximately 40 AC Cobras, typically dedicating a week of leave from Ford to each car. His paint booth expenses at My Mechanics Place amount to about $700 per restoration, and he completes three to four AC Cobra restorations annually, earning around $10,000 per car.
DIY Garage Auto Repair as a Lifeline
Robert Vanorden, another regular at My Mechanics Place, found the facility at a crucial juncture. After a seven-year career at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck plant assembling Cadillac sedans, he faced a layoff on February 28th.
GM’s decision to idle five North American plants, including Detroit-Hamtramck, slated to end production in January 2020, prompted Vanorden to activate a backup plan.
He had started utilizing My Mechanics Place shortly after its opening in late 2015, renting a workspace for $500 per month to launch a side business. His initial venture involved purchasing a used Ford Escape SUV for $600. After performing numerous repairs at the DIY garage, he sold it for $3,200 in early 2016, realizing a significant profit.
Since then, Vanorden and his 21-year-old son, Robert Vanorden Jr., have successfully fixed and flipped around 35 used cars, consistently generating profit. They honed their repair skills through online resources and by exchanging knowledge with fellow DIY mechanics at the shop.
“Without a personal garage, I was forced to work on cars outdoors in challenging conditions – grass, snow, ice… sometimes even having to dig the car out the next day,” Vanorden recalls. “This place is a godsend. The collective knowledge of other mechanics and access to professional equipment are invaluable.”
Until Vanorden secures new employment, his DIY car flipping business at My Mechanics Place serves as his primary source of income, demonstrating the real-world impact of do it yourself garage auto repair opportunities.
From Naval Hobby Shop to Entrepreneurial Success
Dewie Smith, 58, a Ford transmission center employee across the street, is a frequent visitor to My Mechanics Place, typically three times a week.
“I’m a mechanic by training,” says Smith, who now works as an executive mechanic for Ford. “For me, this is a beloved hobby.”
Smith also uses his skills to assist friends with car repairs, a common perk of being a mechanic, as he jokes, “When you’re a mechanic, you have lots of friends needing help.”
Rabaut’s initial encounter with do it yourself car repair dates back to the mid-1980s during his Navy service. A fellow serviceman enlisted his help to replace a car transmission at the base’s “hobby shop,” a dedicated garage for soldiers to work on their vehicles.
“I was amazed,” Rabaut recalls. “The ability to rent a garage for the day was a revelation. I immediately thought, ‘Why don’t these exist outside of military bases?’ I knew if I ever had the chance, I’d create one.”
However, his career path led him to plumbing contracting, and the DIY garage idea remained dormant for nearly 25 years. After finally drafting a 23-page business plan for My Mechanics Place, Rabaut suffered a stroke in 2011. This setback temporarily halted his plans until his recovery and the discovery of a suitable building for My Mechanics Place in 2014. However, startup capital remained a challenge.
“I presented the business model to my father-in-law, who dismissed it as a foolish idea,” Rabaut recounts. “When I discussed it with my dad, he questioned if I genuinely believed people would pay to fix their own cars. I was confident, telling him, ‘Dad, there are many people who would absolutely do that.’”
Ultimately, his father provided the crucial financial support for a down payment on the building that now houses My Mechanics Place, previously occupied by Hitch House, a trailer hitch and service business.
A Story of Perseverance and Community
My Mechanics Place officially opened its doors in August 2015, but the initial month saw a mere three customers.
“The first year was financially demanding,” Rabaut admits.
By March 2016, he had fallen six months behind on mortgage payments. One day, the property owner arrived to address the debt. A woman in the lobby overheard the conversation, as Rabaut recounts.
“She interjected, ‘Did I hear that man correctly? Did he threaten to take this building from you?’” Rabaut recalls, his voice filled with emotion.
He explained his financial struggles and his readiness to concede defeat. However, the woman offered words of encouragement that changed everything. “‘He will not take this from you. God didn’t bring you this far for you to fail. Don’t worry. My prayers are always answered, and I’m praying for you, honey. You will not lose this building,'” she declared.
This unexpected encouragement provided Rabaut with the renewed determination he needed. He successfully secured financing and persevered.
“I didn’t lose the building,” Rabaut states, emphasizing the miraculous turn of events. “It was truly a miracle.”
Expanding Horizons and Future Plans
By the fall of 2016, My Mechanics Place achieved its first break-even month. That same year marked the accidental yet beneficial addition of the U-Haul business. Initially intending to only accommodate a U-Haul dolly and car transport, Rabaut firmly declined becoming a dealer.
However, fate intervened when a couple mistakenly dropped off a 26-foot U-Haul truck at his location, directed there by U-Haul. Rabaut instructed his staff to arrange for its removal by the time he returned from lunch.
Upon his return, the truck was gone. He inquired about its disposal, only to learn, “We didn’t get rid of it; we rented it out.”
“I was surprised, asking, ‘You rented it?! You didn’t even know how to process a rental.’ They explained they had contacted U-Haul for guidance, and, ‘You made $250 on that rental.’ I immediately said, ‘Tell them we want more trucks!’”
Today, the U-Haul operation contributes up to a quarter of My Mechanics Place’s monthly revenue. While the mechanic service peaks from October to May, the U-Haul business thrives from May to September, creating a balanced and consistent year-round income stream.
My Mechanics Place has been consistently profitable since the fall of 2018, according to Rabaut. His future plans include expanding to additional locations in 2020 and potentially offering instructional courses on various car repair techniques, further empowering individuals in do it yourself garage auto repair.
“This venture is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done because I’m empowering people to help themselves,” Rabaut concludes. “As a plumber, you’re often treated as subordinate. Here, people are striving to make ends meet, and we provide a valuable service that helps them.”
Contact Jamie L. LaReau at 313-222-2149 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter.
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