How do I find out if a repair garage depends on one star technician?

Ask the seller for work orders over a good stretch of time, sorted by technician. Check who handles diagnostics, difficult jobs and comebacks, and how many hours each person bills. If one technician carries a large share of the complex work, or if others regularly hand problems to them, you have found a dependency. Also notice whether customers ask for that person by name when they book. Then talk about the person. Is the technician an employee, a partner or a relative of the owner? What are their pay, hours and certifications, and are there any written agreements? Ask directly, with the seller’s permission, whether they plan to stay under new ownership and what would make them want to. Your lawyer can advise on employment terms and any non-compete arrangements.

Finally, test how deep the bench is. Are others being trained on the same work? Is there a second person who can do the difficult jobs, even more slowly? A garage that has documented its methods and shared work is far less exposed if the star leaves, and you can ask for that as part of the transition plan.

Key takeaways

• Sort work orders by technician to see who does the hardest and most valuable work.
• Speak with the technician about plans and what would keep them at the garage.
• Ask what training exists so skills do not sit in one person’s head.