Garage software implementation checklist

Week 1: Account and data

1. Create your account and set up your garage details (name, address, VAT number)
2. Import customer records (names, phone numbers, email addresses)
3. Import vehicle records (registrations; DVLA lookup can fill in make/model/MOT data)
4. Import or re-enter your service menu and labour rates
5. Set up staff accounts for technicians and reception

Week 1: Diary and scheduling

1. Configure working hours (open/close times, lunch breaks)
2. Set up technician and bay columns
3. Create service types with default durations
4. Book any existing appointments into the new diary

Week 1–2: Integrations

1. Connect your accounting software (Sage, Xero or QuickBooks)
2. Set up payment processing (Mollie account for card terminal, payment links and online checkout)
3. Connect parts ordering (GSF Car Parts and/or Bond wholesale)
4. Test an end-to-end flow: create a job card → add parts → complete → invoice → export to accounting

Week 2: Booking website

1. Upload your logo and set your brand colours
2. Configure your service menu with prices and durations
3. Set up MOT booking and tyre search if applicable
4. Connect your custom domain or use the default Garegi subdomain
5. Test a booking from the customer's perspective. Does it appear in your diary?

Week 2: SMS and reminders

1. Set up your SMS sender name
2. Configure booking confirmation messages
3. Enable automated MOT reminders
4. Send a test SMS to yourself

Go-live day

1. Start all new jobs in the new system
2. Complete any in-progress jobs in the old system (don't split a job across two systems)
3. Brief all staff: "From today, everything goes in the new system"
4. Keep the old system accessible for reference for 30 days

Week 3–4: Bedding in

1. Check that accounting exports are correct
2. Verify SMS reminders are sending at the right times
3. Review the booking website. Are customers finding and using it?
4. Ask your team what's working and what needs adjusting