AboutMike Giles Expertise I am a Master Scuba Instructor with over 6000 dives. I can answer questions on general diving techniques, diving education and diver training. I can offer suggestions on the use and selection of proper dive equipment, general maintenance of dive equipment as well as diving equipment repair. I can also offer suggestions on air conservation techniques and buoyancy control. As a dive shop owner for 17 years, I can offer suggestions on starting/running a dive business.
Experience I have been diving for 52 years, teaching diving for 47 years and owned a diving business for 17 years. I am a certified regulator repair technician for several different brands and a certified scuba cylinder inspector.
Organizations I am currently a member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Divers Alert Network (DAN), International Resort and Retailer Association and the Better Business Bureau
Publications Undercurrent magazine and Divers Chapbook
Education/Credentials I am a Master Scuba Diver Trainer with 15 distinct specialty instructor ratings, Rescue Diver Instructor, Medic-First Aid Instructor and I have degrees in Chemical Engineering, Biology and Radiologic Technology.
I have two friends that are interested in opening a dive shop. They are both partners now in an existing ATV sales and repairs. What type of startup cost is associated with something like this? Looking at a typical dive shop, there does not seem to be a huge amount of capital tie up. At least not like what they have now with ATV's and cycles.
Thanks for any input you can give.
Answer Hi Chris,
I also received your "oops" follow-up question. You've probably already seen some of my previous answers regarding starting a dive shop so I won't go through all that again. However, when compared to an ATV/Cycle shop, the capital investment is small. I don't know if ATV's or Cycles are provided to the dealer on consignment but in the case of scuba inventory, all items are purchased by the dealer at full dealer cost and then it's up to the dealer to recover his investment through sales.
The start-up costs will depend on how you set up the shop. Will you have an on-site pool, dive boat or classroom facilities? At a bare minimum, you'll need a storefront and retail space, air compressor and filling station, and retail inventory. Costs for retail space will depend on your local market. An air compressor and filling station can be purchased used for around $5000. Depending on the brand selected, retail inventory can be set up for around $15,000.
Chris, this information along with all the stuff I've provided in earlier answers should give your friends a good idea of how to proceed and what to expect.
