You can start a limo business with about a million dollars. On the other hand, you may decide to spend over $10 million. This is so because acquiring limousines, and other high-end vehicles used in the business can be very expensive.
However, certain factors determine the exact cost to start a limo business, and that is what we will discuss in this article.
A limo business, short for limousine service, is a transportation company that provides luxury car services using limousines or other high-end vehicles.
Limo businesses cater to various occasions, including weddings, corporate events, airport transfers, proms, and special nights out.
Limo services offer chauffeur-driven vehicles equipped with amenities like leather seats, entertainment systems, and minibars, providing clients with a comfortable and stylish transportation experience.
7 Factors That Determine the Cost of Opening a Limo Business
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The Number and Types of Limousines, and Other High-End Vehicles You Want to Start the Business With
If you intend to start your limo business with less than a handful of limousines, and other high-end vehicles, then you should be prepared to spend about a million dollars or more.
But if you want to start a standard limo business with over a dozen of some of the latest limousines, and other high-end vehicles, then you should be prepared to spend over $10 million.
So also, it is important to note that the brand, type, and size of limousines, and other high-end vehicles you want to start the business with will go a long way to determine how much you will spend to get the business up and running.
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The Size of Your Parking Facility
You are not supposed to park your limousines, and other high-end vehicles indiscriminately on the street. By law, before you can get approval to start a limo business, you should be able to secure a parking facility for your limousines.
The cost of leasing a secured facility in a highbrow area that is large enough for over a dozen limousines, and other high-end vehicles is going to be significant.
For example, it will cost you between $2,000 to $10,000 per acre per year to lease a secured parking facility in a suburban area, and between $10,000 to $100,000 or more per acre per year to lease a parking facility in an urban or prime commercial area.
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The Cost of Registering the Business, and Obtaining the Necessary Licenses, and Permits
As expected, before you can start a limo business, you should have in place the following licenses and permits; Business License, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement,
Motor Carrier Authority (MC Number), Vehicle Registration and Commercial Plates, Vehicle Inspection and Safety Certificates, Limo or Limousine Operator’s License, Insurance (Commercial Auto and Liability),
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), State and Local Permits and Certifications, and Operating Authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) et al.
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The Required Insurance Policy Coverage
Exotic cars that are used in the business are usually under a lease agreement, coupled with the fact that the limo business just like any other rental business is subjected to risks of different proportions.
In essence, if you are planning to start a limo business, you should at least have the following insurance policy coverage in place:
Commercial Auto Insurance, Liability Insurance, Passenger Liability Insurance, Workers’ Compensation Insurance, General Liability Insurance, Property Insurance (for your vehicles and premises),
Umbrella Insurance (Excess Liability Insurance), Garage keepers Insurance, Business Interruption Insurance, and Business Owner’s Policy (BOP).
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The Cost of Hiring and Training Your Employees
You cannot start and operate a limo business alone, and as such, you should make provisions in your budget for hiring and training your employees.
You should make plans to hire chauffeurs, operations managers, dispatchers, customer service representatives, fleet maintenance technicians, accountants or financial managers, I.T., administrative support staff, and marketing and sales officers.
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The Equipment, Tools, and Supplies Needed to Operate Your Limo Business
You should plan and budget for GPS navigation systems, communication devices (e.g., two-way radios, smartphones), vehicle maintenance tools and equipment, vehicle tracking software, reservation, and dispatch software,
Office computers and software, accounting software, office furniture and supplies, safety equipment (e.g., first aid kits, fire extinguishers), safety and maintenance records software,
Payment processing systems, vacuum cleaner, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, tire pressure gauge, and roadside emergency kit.
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Your Operational Cost, and Contingency
You cannot operate a limo business without having a budget for operation and contingency. Under your operational cost and contingency, you should be able to budget for:
Fueling your exotic cars, servicing and maintenance, toll fees, parking fees, towing fees, emergency vehicle repairs, unforeseen maintenance costs, unplanned vehicle downtime, legal fees (if facing any legal issues), accidents and collision repairs, and medical expenses (if injuries occur), et al.