Auto Glass / Windshield Repair
Insurance pays the bill — your customer has zero reason to say no
Auto glass businesses repair chips and replace cracked windshields. The killer angle: in most states, windshield replacement is fully covered by comprehensive auto insurance with no deductible. That means 90%+ of customers pay nothing out of pocket. You bill the insurance carrier directly at $350-$700 per replacement. Zero price resistance. A mobile van does 6-10 jobs a day.
Avg Revenue
$220K
Profit Margin
45%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$15K - $60K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Customers call or book online after chipping or cracking their windshield. You dispatch a mobile technician (or they visit a shop) to perform the repair ($50-$100) or replacement ($300-$700). You handle insurance billing directly. Shops also build contracts with auto dealers, fleet operators, and body shops for steady commercial volume.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811122 · Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | CA | $10K | $12K | 6 | — |
| Dec 2025 | CA | $100K | $118K | 6 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $575K | $677K | 5 | — |
| Sep 2025 | CA | $253K | $298K | 1 | — |
| Jul 2025 | AL | $1.3M | $1.5M | 2 | — |
| May 2025 | FL | $975K | $1.1M | 155 | — |
| Apr 2025 | CA | $1.0M | $1.2M | 4 | — |
| Jan 2025 | CO | $501K | $589K | 7 | — |
| Dec 2024 | UT | $738K | $868K | 3 | Novus Glass |
| Dec 2024 | VA | $772K | $908K | 6 | Glass Doctor |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Insurance-covered jobs mean customers never push back on price
- +Mobile model eliminates shop lease overhead
- +Fleet and dealership contracts create predictable recurring volume
- +Low skill ceiling — technicians can be trained in 1-2 weeks
Cons
- -Insurance reimbursement rates have been declining gradually
- -Requires relationships with insurance networks (TPA agreements)
- -Parts inventory management and windshield storage take space
Best For
Customer-acquisition-focused operators who can build insurance and fleet relationships
Operating Costs
Major costs include windshield glass inventory (largest COGS), technician wages, mobile van fuel and maintenance, insurance, and billing software. Mobile operators eliminate rent entirely.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find auto glass and windshield repair businesses for sale
Browse automotive service businesses including glass repair
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $440K–$770K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
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