Phil’s Garage opens for business

READY TO WORK — Phil Chase, owner of Phil’s Garage on Ludlow Road in Houlton, is ready to help customers with their automotive needs. Phil’s Garage opened in November of 2012.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    As a displaced worker, Philip Chase was 53 years old when he went back to college, graduating with an associate’s degree in automotive technology from Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
    “I was working at a local mill and was laid off due to the economy,” explained Chase.  “A lot of people don’t want to hire an old fella now. So, I had the chance to re-train through the Department of Labor.”
    Just after Thanksgiving 2012, Chase officially opened Phil’s Garage on the Ludlow Road adjacent to his residence.
    “I have all the necessary certifications,” he said.
    Chase has done mechanic work on his own vehicles, as he worked at Houlton Motors and J.K. McKay while in high school.
    “I learned a lot working at the McKay company,” he said. “The guy I worked with was a master mechanic. He taught me a lot of stuff that I still use today.”
    While growing up, Chase restored cars.
    “I have done up to three or four restorations,” he added.
    With his own know-how coupled with a concentrated field of study in automotives, Chase is very familiar with components under the hood of a vehicle.
    “Right now, I do basic auto repair,” he said.
    Chase can check brakes and has a diagnostic machine — though he is working on getting a more professional one — to evaluate error codes your vehicle may be displaying. He is certified in recharging vehicle air conditioners and is in the process of getting his state inspection license.
    “I’ve passed my [inspection licensing] test and now I am waiting to have the state inspect my building,” Chase  added.
    Phil’s Garage is a large two-door spacious garage with an office and upstairs storage. Chase built the garage for his own personal use, but now, it is serving a more commercial service.
    “Before I got laid off, I had planned on putting up this building,” explained Chase. “I had started the slab the summer I was laid off. So, it was pretty hard to stop. I kept working away at it.”
    Chase did most all of the work himself except when it came to the roof and trusses.
    “I had no intentions of putting a business here,” said Chase. “I was just going to have it for my own use. I went out into the community and was looking for a building, but I could not find one.”
    The best part of Chase’s garage being on his own lot is there is no real overhead for him, except for lights and online reference material. He is working toward purchasing an HVAC machine, which vacuums and recharges a vehicle’s air conditioning system, along with getting more specialty tools.
    The long-term goal for Chase is getting his business more visible.
    “I would like to get something in a more commercial location,” he said.
    Phil’s Garage is located at 98 Ludlow Road in Houlton and is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open weekends by special appointment only. Chase prefers having a customer drop off their vehicle, but he has had some people wait at the shop until he was done.
    “My turn-around is dependent on the job,” he said. “If a customer drops off their vehicle, I don’t charge any more [of a fee] and I am able to take a little more time.”
    Chase charges $43 an hour, unless it becomes a major job.
    “If it is going to take a long time, I will charge a flat rate because I work alone,” he said.
    Chase wants his customers to be assured he is trustworthy.
    “One of my elective classes was ethics,” he said. “I want my customers to know I have nothing to gain by lying to someone.”
    Chase will do his best by his customers when it comes to customer service and repair.
    “That is what I want if I went some place,” he said. “If they don’t need something, I am not going to tell them they do.”
    Chase said business has started slowly, but is thankful for the odds and ends he has done. So, if you are looking for a mechanic or want to try someone new, call Chase at Phil’s Garage at 521-5226.