I want to start a scuba diving repair and service business what do i need to consider to start one up?
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The problem that will probably encounter the most is getting the parts needed to service the equipment. Most manufacturers will only sell the parts to scuba diving stores that are equipped to sell and service equipment. I have been the service technician at Visibility Unlimited (http://www.visibilityunlimited.com) for over 20 years now. I went to all of the required training seminars that were offered through the various scuba equipment manufacturers including Oceanic, Aeris, Sherwood, Aqualung, Dacor. I am manufacturer approved to work on the gear from all of those manufacturers but there is a catch. The catch is that if the dive store does not carry the brand then they usually can not order the parts in order to do the servicing. Our store favors Oceanic http://www.oceanicww.com and Aeris http://www.diveaeris.com as our equipment suppliers and even though I can work on Sherwood as well as several others, I can not order the parts needed to do servicing on those brands. It sort of puts you between a rock and a hard place.
There is only one place that I know of that is strictly a diving repair and service business in our state of Illinois. http://www.regtechscuba.com/ I do know the gentleman that runs it and I have seen him at the various equipment service updates that I have attended. I know is is qualified by several of the scuba manufacturers to service their gear. I also know that he is very good at what he does because our store has sent regulators to him several times. This is usually when we get backlogged with gear that needs servicing or for the times a customer brings in a brand we either used to sell but can’t get the parts or when the customer brings in a regulator that I have not been authorized by the company to work on.
I also know that he had a hard time getting the manufacturers to realize that there was a definite need for a specialty business such as his.
If you are able to get the manufacturers to allow you to work independently rather than for a particular dive store, then you need to consider the tools and equipment needed to service the gear. Most of the manufacturers have specialty tools for servicing their particular brand of equipment. Some of the tools needed may even be regulator specific. http://www.gmcscuba.com/custom.aspx?id=9 I have more gadgets than you can shake a stick at that can only be used when working on a particular model of regulator.
Once you have the tools then you need to consider the option of servicing not only equipment that is normally used in recreational diving but also equipment used in enriched air diving (NITROX) or even equipment that uses mixed gasses like (HELIOX) or (TRIMIX) mixtures.
Getting into servicing this type of equipment has even forced some dive stores to have a specific “clean” room environment that is dedicated for servicing enriched or mixed gas equipment. This can involve having duplicate tools and equipment dedicated to working on this equipment.
You will also need to have a compressor suitable for grade E breathing air preferably with a web membrane for enriched air. Mixed gas storage cylinders would be needed for dealing with blending the various mixtures of gasses.
Another important item would be a flow bench which allows the testing of regulators and scuba valves.
You would also have to be aware of any recalls equipment and be up-to-date with the schematics and procedures.
If personally feel that there is a definite need for business that is solely dedicated to the repair and service of scuba equipment because it is easy for a dive store to become back logged with equipment that needs servicing. The customer wants it yesterday while the service tech may be waiting for part or two from the manufacturer who in turn may have those parts in stock or they might be back ordered or heaven-help-us they may have discontinued that particular model for which you need parts.
You also need to develop a good relationship with any dive stores that may be within a close proximity to you service and repair facility. Many dive store owners would perceive that your specialty business as a threat to their store who also services equipment. I have known dive store owners who want their clientele to think that they are the only dive store in their state and that any and all things pertaining to diving such as teaching, sales and service belong to them.
All in all what you need is determination, patience, perseverance, compassion, empathy, sincerity and a decent sense of humor.