Shadetree Garage DIY

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Paul Whiting
5 months ago
Best DIY Garage around! Rick was extremely helpful and has the tools to get everything done. I was able to switch out my axle and change my transmission fluid in no time. This is perfect to help me with my project car and I'll be returning for sure. It's worth the drive, wherever you may be coming from. If you get stuck or if anything looks questionable, Rick is there drop some tips and tricks! Thanks a lot!

  Clint Schad
6 months ago
Spent two days unsuccessfully trying to remove a cv axle and decided to find a place with a lift. Booked an appointment and got the job done in half a day. Rick was able to help me remove the axle, and if it wasn't for him, I'd still be trying to pull out the axle or having to admit defeat and send it to a shop. Clean shop, great owner, good vibes, and plenty of tools.

  Ben Canon
4 months ago
I try to do most of the repair and maintenance my car needs myself. Up until my last move into an area with a strict HOA, it's been me on my back with a wrench in the driveway. A friend of mine suggested I look for a DIY garage. Shadetree was the first result from Google, and I'm glad it was.The owner, Rick, was very patient with me as I adjusted to the wonders of having a lift and air tools. I walked away with the impression that Rick really cares about this business. The shop was clean, the tools were organized and in good working order, and the price was more than fair. I will definitely be going back.

  Ryan Kusche
a year ago
Fantastic DIY garage. Drove from Baltimore so I didn't have to do suspension and axle work on jackstands outside. Rick has all the tools and will show you how to use any you are unfamiliar with.Spending a day at Shadetree was night and day a positive experience over dealing with traditional shops around the city, struggling to find a trustworthy mechanic that charges fair prices. If you have any inclination to do your own car maintenance call about using this garage. Even if it's a couple hours drive the savings and know how are well worth it.

  John Aviles
5 months ago
This is all hands down the only legit DIY garage in the Northeast. I live in NYC and have gone to places in the Bronx, NJ and even as far as Virginia looking for a place that doesn't have some defect. They're all the same. Either some paranoid place that watches over you like a Soviet prison guard, or a spot that doesn't have their act together and feels sketchy. So I see this place Shadetree Garage getting ready to see the next defect. Spolier: I never found one. Pull up to the shop and it looks like any professional mechanic shop with 3 bays. Guy who owns the shop is Rick. He's too nice so I figured he's got to have an angle. Little did I know the angle is running a good business and getting lifetime customers. He'll get you set up and let you do your thing. No gimmicks, no games. I needed help once with an axle issue (yeah, it's Johnny Axle) and he advised and helped when I thought it was game over. I could go on all day, but long story short, this is the only real spot in range of the DC/Philly/NYC area. Take it from a guy who learned the hard way and go here first.

  Kishore Kumar
2 years ago
This is great place to work on your car and Rick is there to help you all the time. I spent a whole day in this garage servicing two cars. They have all the tools you need. Rick will help you get cars on lift and train you to use it as required. Drove from MD after scheduling an appointment for whole day. Overall it is a nice family run business and will definitely visit again for future work. Worth driving 2 to 3 hours to get there. They have a napa parts store there for common parts but I would recommend to get your parts just in case. They will dispose all oils and parts you have which is awesome.Services: Transmission, Air & cabin filter replacement, Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Brakes, Oil change

  Ally S
7 months ago
The absolute best place to go for all your auto DIY repairs. Rick has all the tools and equipment you need to fix anything on your car. He is pleasant and the rates are reasonable. I highly recommend this garage.Services: General repairs & maintenance, BrakesServices: General repairs & maintenance, Brakes

  Mark Kubiak
a year ago
This shop has saved me thousands in labor. Rick is a great guy who is willing to give a second hand, help if you're stuck, or give a qualified second look at a potential issue. Going here has been a fantastic learning experience for me while maintaining the first car I care about. The shop is incredibly well stocked (lifts, engine hoist, tire balancer, air tools) and you can arrive with no tools on hand.

  Patriots
10 months ago
SHOUT OUT TO PENNSYLVANIA PEOPLE and surrounding areas of MONT ALTO, PA. DIY Garage that you can tow your AUTOMOBILE TO and get it repaired. YOU can order parts from local parts stores and can have them delivered. My experience: Planned out, I Ordered a GMC 6-speed transmission from Florida, had it delivered to the Shade Tree garage, Rick signed for it put it aside, and called me when it got there. smooth sailing from there... never had it easier than having a lift to change out the transmission. at the end of the day, I didn't feel any pain and was relaxed unlike prior to doing the project. Much better using a lift than working on your backout in the yard or street... been there done that.Mont Alto, Pennsylvania 4 stall, DIY Garage Loaded with every tool he could find, especially the specialty tools to get the job done easily and quickly in those awkward tight spots. 10klbs. Lifts as well. Rick Lee, Owner, is a great guy and his experience is invaluable when you're stuck or do not know there is a specialty tool that can help you do something easier, ask he's got it. he even helped me with a few things and LENT me his Jeep to ride back to the motel I was at for the night to finish the job the next day. That is CONSIDERATION THOUGHTFULNESS, KIND, and TRUST we the people need more people like him and DIY garages like this around.Mont Alto, PA est 20 miles from the Maryland border, and worth the ride if you can do the work and save money.Service: Transmission

  Syed Raza
4 years ago
A great place to work on your car. The rates are reasonable and all the tools included in the price. The owner is a great guy and lends a helping hand when he can which is a plus. Will go back again to do all the other jobs that were pending due to not having a garage.

  Damian
a year ago
Best DIY garage in the area! Had my first visit today, very professional environment, reasonable prices, and many tools are available to use if you do not have the right ones. Extremely convenient for DIY car projects!My friend and I completed the work much quicker than would've been possible without Shadetree's car lift bay. No one likes sliding underneath the car without any room to move, the lift shaved hours off our time.Rick, who I believe is the owner, was professional, friendly, and a great guy overall! He offered us quick advice when he had a moment and and made the whole experience a breeze. Definitely will be back Service: Exhaust

  jim ruff
a year ago
If you like the feeling of doing your own car repairs and the knowing that a repair or maintenance was done correctly (or just done), this is the place to go. Rick, the owner, is there to show you where all the tools are and get the vehicle on the lift. He s got everything you need, unless you re doing bodywork. He ll even give you pointers if you are unfamiliar with the repair. And the rates are very reasonable. I can t say enough good things about this place and Rick. I ve been heading out there from the Baltimore area and the 50+ mile trip is worth it! So far I ve replaced wheel bearings, front brake pads and rotors, brake master cylinder and booster, sway bar end links and squeezed in an oil and filter change and rotated the tires. I wouldn t have done all this if it wasn t worth it. And it it sooo much better than trying to do it in the driveway. So go and give it a try. If you ve done the repair before - it will be easier, and if you haven t - you ll have Rick to keep you on point.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Karamveer Gill
11 months ago
The selflessness and kindness that Rick lives up to every day is something every gearhead aspires to achieve. Meeting him and having someone to show such unconditional support to something I believed in, was truly a breath of fresh air. Thank you to Shadetree Garage DIY for allowing people to learn and help themselves. Clean garage with reasonable prices that's close enough to the greater DMV area. Will definitely be back!Service: Steering & suspension replacement

  Josh Yoon
3 years ago
Awesome first time experience and I will definitely be back for more work! Rick was wonderful throughout the entire time my wife and I spent at the garage for our car s oil change. He offered assistance without hesitation. We had some great conversations including ones about cars and felt like we made a friend today! Albeit we re from the DC metro area coming back here for car maintenance and repairs is a no-brainer. The shop was well-maintained and equipped, organized, and clean. The shop rate was extremely reasonable and helped us save money.

  Nick Enciu
4 years ago
Rick was extremely helpful. First got there we did a brief waiver and forms. Then he gave me a brief tour and showed me where to find the appropriate tools. I had to upgrade the intercooler in my 2018 Audi S4. ( not many videos on where those bolts were for the bumper). Rick was extremely helpful and i appreciated his assistance as it was a bit of some tedious work. Very happy a place like this exists. I m more than willing doing the work on my vehicles and lacked that appropriate garage for the tasks. Very grateful for Rick and his garage with lifts. Recommend this place for anyone in need of an appropriate place to do some quick work.

  Benjamin Hankinson (Bleeding Raindrops)
3 years ago
Rick is an extremely kind, helpful, no nonsense down to earth guy. He helped me change my Transmission fluid and oil. His shop has every tool you'll need, rags, and a deep sink to wash your hands when you're done. 4 bays, 2 standard auto lifts, and plans for a 3rd lift which will fit a longbed pickup. He doesn't have an alignment rack but then again who does? Easy to pull in and out just one street back off the main road. I will definitely be back.

  Rich Osterland
3 years ago
This is a great place to work on your car. Rick was more than willing to lend a hand and offer some advice. The rates are very reasonable and will save you a ton in taking your car to the garage. Highly recommend using his garage, I had to drive 90 miles to get there and it was well worth it.

  Richard Hamilton
2 years ago
I discovered Shadetree Garage when I needed to tackle doing the brakes on my Kia and I wasn t too keen on trying to do it without an abundance of tools and a suitable place to jack it up. I looked at my options and figured if people were driving hours to work on their cars there, it s gotta be solid.I ended up driving about a hour or so myself and lemme tell you, it s worth it. Beforehand Rick, the owner, was great to work with on the phone and was able to find a open bay for me.Once there and after signing the usual paperwork, Rick patiently showed me how to use stuff like the lift and the air gun - definitely glad that I went with the lift as it makes changing brakes a heck of a lot faster and easier on the back. He was friendly, answered any questions I had, checked up on me, and even gave me a couple of pointers. I was able to pull up my laptop, connect to Wi-Fi and follow the tutorial I found on YouTube which was also great!The atmosphere is great, very relaxed, and you feel very accomplished at the end when your done and everything s working again. - the money you save by doing it yourself is just a bonus.The fact that two regulars who work on their cars all the time there were also in the shop that day just confirmed that I made a great decision to come here and it s great to be able to support the DIY ethos and spirit - we need more places like Shadetree Garage.

  Gregory Fisher
2 years ago
Best DIY shop in the Northeast! Coming from NoVa is definitely worth the drive. Rick is very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend anyone who wants to get their hands dirty and do their own work on your car to come here!

  Amir O
a year ago
Rick & Debra are just wonderful, loving, extremely kind people. Well run business they treat you like family. Rick always help, and advice you on what you need. Long live Rick & Debra you guys are awesome.

  Philip Mahar
a year ago
Visited this shop a few times; I received terrific help from Rick in terms of experience and support. I plan to rely upon his skills and tools in the future!

  Roland Miller
5 years ago
I was so happy to find a place that I could go to work on my wife's car that has all the tools and equipment you could possibly need. Even better, the owner, Rick, is very knowledgeable and helpful. I live in an apartment now, so I can't work on my car at home, but even when we have our own place, I will continue to take our cars to Shadetree. I'm just so thankful that a place like this exists.

  Ryan Soverns
3 years ago
The only place I know that you can do your own mechanical work on your vehicle!! They have all the tools you'll need no matter what size the job is! Rick the owner is super knowledgeable about most vehicles and is a huge help! No more having to work on your back! They have lifts!!

  James D.
2 years ago
Great place to go work on your car. Especially if you are tired of working on the ground on jack stands. Rick is super friendly and helpful and I can t recommend the place enough. Will definitely be going back.

  Amir Parsa Paydar
11 months ago
Awsome place. Awsome people. Have all the tools that youll need and will advise you if your not sure of anything. Be sure to be polite and clean and youll never go to a mechanic shop again.

  El BRIAN RODRIGUEZ
9 months ago
I go often to work on my car,rick is always there if you need help,very nice place to work in your own car by your own

  Rory McDaniel
a year ago
Just an amazing experience. Rick was awesome. Every tool I could think of (and some I didn't know existed) were all there. I'll definitely be back.

  Wror Jan
2 years ago
Very nice place. Had all the tools I needed for my brake job. Rick is an amazing guy. Worth every penny.Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  Jerry Brooks
6 years ago
I am a novice when it comes to car repairs, I was introduced to the owner though a mutual friend... Great guy!! Great place to do any type of repairs needed. I had some questions about my car, he was extremely knowledgeable and willing to give advice..

  Hanna Goldenberg
a year ago
Rick the owner is a great guy!This is our favorite garage for DIY.Highly recommended