Transform Messy Workshop Garage to Warehouse Storage

[garagenest]

I have inherited a business from my father where he manufactures/assembles a lot of products in his garage. Currently I'm working with a garage and two sheds that are filled with a mixture of raw materials, individual parts (nuts, bolts, etc)., manufactured goods, and finished products. There is some labeling/separation of materials, parts, goods, and products, but there is a lot of work to do. Many of the materials/parts are used for multiple goods/products.

The garage is roughly 18' L x 16' W x 8' H with 3' L x 16' W x 8' H of very sturdy shelving in the back. One shed is 10'x10'x8' and the other is roughly 8'x8'x8'. Both sheds are about halfway full.

My job is to turn these disorganized workshop/sheds into functional warehouse-like spaces. I know this isn't a one person job, and my father is willing to help me identify what everything is/what goods/products they are related to. I am also in the process of setting up an inventory software system so we will be cataloguing as many items as we can during this process.

Does anyone have any experience transforming a workspace like this/have any recommendations on where to start? I'm looking for systems, organization structures, businesses (within the Los Angeles or SFV area), and even threads/forums here that might be able to make this process more manageable.


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[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure what kind of business was run out of the garage. That looks typical of a late 70's-early 80's man's garage full of clutter.

A space that was used to putter around, keeping every bit of whatever just because it might have the slightest bit of use in a decades time.

If you want to actually use the space, I would consider bringing in a dumpster and sorting out the good from the worthless stuff taking up valuable space.

 

[bassJAM]

Yeah, you need to start with renting a dumpster. If you can get rid of 90% of that stuff this job becomes much easier.

 

[loganb]

First step in the industrial 5S program is sort for a reason. Aka sort out the **** and get rid of it then start with what's left to shine, set in place etc. There sure looks to be a lot of stuff in there that should become someone else's treasure...however I don't envy you having to do that with the person who created the mess there.

 

[gleman]

I'd start with getting a roll off dumpster and cleaning out the 10 x 10 first.

Take everything out and sort it right by the dumpster. This will give you room to store keeper stuff while you tackle the other shed and garage. Do the garage in quadrants. So you can see progress and not get overwhelmed.

I agree that it looks like mostly clutter and not much to inventory. You could use a notebook and put it in Excel later.

I wouldn't take too much advice from the mess maker as to what's to keep that might stir up unnecessary drama.

I'd personally figure out what's in the bankers boxes and get rid of them, total mold and mildew traps.

You can get some decent plastic totes and a nice label maker. Make sure the totes are all the same make and size for stacking and storage. You can take a picture of the contents and label it for putting it in your spreadsheet or notebook.

I'd do a deep clean as went in small chunks. You never know when you'll get under a clean workbench again.

It's also a great time to address any building concerns. Leaks, cracked windows, weather seals, painting etc...

I kinda enjoy tasks like these but you have to go in with a semblance of a plan to find success.

 

[ycgoat]

If you have the time, you may be able to sell off some of the stuff before tossing it in dumpster

 

[Rst277]

I'm not sure what kind of business was run out of the garage. That looks typical of a late 70's-early 80's makes garage full of clutter.

A space that was used to putter around, keeping every bit of whatever just because it might have the slightest bit of use in a decades time.

If you want to actually use the space, I would consider bringing in a dumpster and sorting out the good from the worthless stuff taking up valuable space.

No business was run out of that garage and he did not produce / assemble a lot of stuff. You couldn't even walk around in there let alone do work in any sort of efficient manner.

 

[Rst277]

I have inherited a business from my father where he manufactures/assembles a lot of products in his garage. Currently I'm working with a garage and two sheds that are filled with a mixture of raw materials, individual parts (nuts, bolts, etc)., manufactured goods, and finished products. There is some labeling/separation of materials, parts, goods, and products, but there is a lot of work to do. Many of the materials/parts are used for multiple goods/products.

The garage is roughly 18' L x 16' W x 8' H with 3' L x 16' W x 8' H of very sturdy shelving in the back. One shed is 10'x10'x8' and the other is roughly 8'x8'x8'. Both sheds are about halfway full.

My job is to turn these disorganized workshop/sheds into functional warehouse-like spaces. I know this isn't a one person job, and my father is willing to help me identify what everything is/what goods/products they are related to. I am also in the process of setting up an inventory software system so we will be cataloguing as many items as we can during this process.

Does anyone have any experience transforming a workspace like this/have any recommendations on where to start? I'm looking for systems, organization structures, businesses (within the Los Angeles or SFV area), and even threads/forums here that might be able to make this process more manageable.


. . . . . . . .

Throw everything out of both sheds onto the lawn. Store anything that NEEDS to be stored long term, like tax information, in the small shed. Those banker boxes I assume contain some important papers but the shear number of them make me think that most can go in the recycling bin nobody needs to store that much paper. Anything not needed for the "business" but IS STILL USEFUL can go in the bigger shed. Keep the garage as the workspace / storage of materials to make whatever you make. As a few have already said, there is a ton of junk in that garage that simply needs to be sold, put on the end of the driveway in the hope that someone else will take it or thrown out.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I'd start with getting a roll off dumpster and cleaning out the 10 x 10 first.

Take everything out and sort it right by the dumpster. This will give you room to store keeper stuff while you tackle the other shed and garage. Do the garage in quadrants. So you can see progress and not get overwhelmed.

I agree that it looks like mostly clutter and not much to inventory. You could use a notebook and put it in Excel later.

I wouldn't take too much advice from the mess maker as to what's to keep that might stir up unnecessary drama.

I'd personally figure out what's in the bankers boxes and get rid of them, total mold and mildew traps.

You can get some decent plastic totes and a nice label maker. Make sure the totes are all the same make and size for stacking and storage. You can take a picture of the contents and label it for putting it in your spreadsheet or notebook.

I'd do a deep clean as went in small chunks. You never know when you'll get under a clean workbench again.

It's also a great time to address any building concerns. Leaks, cracked windows, weather seals, painting etc...

I kinda enjoy tasks like these but you have to go in with a semblance of a plan to find success.

This is all excellent advice, and I, too, enjoy a task such as this, so long as there are no time restraints.
Regarding the banker's boxes, I use them a lot; I have some that are 35 years old and have been stored in several different environments over the years, and other than cosmetic issues (from being re-labeled over and over) they are still in great shape. I've never had any issues with mold and mildew.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, You should approach this like you are going to eat an Elephant, that is one bite at a time.

Working with your Father, the creator of the accumulation will be something like walking in a Minefield, he may have made emotional attachments to much of the contents.

You will need to draw on your reserves of Patience and Understanding. If your Father is near my age he may remember when he was poor and he had very little money and routinely straightened bent nails.

While your Father is alive you may see some progress in inventory but don’t expect to throw much away. We “Old Timers” have not yet lost our Pride, and he undoubtedly has a lot invested in the accumulation.

 

[GrayFlattop]

If you have the time, you may be able to sell off some of the stuff before tossing it in dumpster

Or put an ad on CL or FB marketplace to give the stuff away. Better to have someone else make use of it than to pay to have it go to a landfill, if nobody takes it - it goes to the dump.

 

[reader2580]

No business was run out of that garage and he did not produce / assemble a lot of stuff. You couldn't even walk around in there let alone do work in any sort of efficient manner.

So you're saying the OP is lying about his father running a business there?

I've done business with a place that was almost that bad. He did good work, but no idea how. The business fixes radiators, intercoolers, and the like. I have had work done there a few times and there are narrow paths between all the radiators. I think a lot of the radiators laying around are bad and they just have yet to be scrapped. He put a new core in a large radiator for me. He said he found a new core on the shelf that he had in stock for years and used that for my radiator. No idea how he even managed to find the core.

 

[Boogerman]

The hardest thing about this process will be having your dad there to help. I presume he lives there and will want to continue to use the garage for his personal shop, and storage for his maintenance stuff? That's what I see as the biggest challenge.

I would start in on this by making a space that is clear to store the good stuff. This won't take a lot of space, but is essential to the sorting process. Bring in a portable carport structure or a conex or something and cover with tarps on the outside if you have to, but get a space designated that only gets good materials and tools. Then, also get a dumpster or pickup or something to throw trash in.

Then, I'd pick which space to start with. If you need to store a lot of materials, I'd pick one of the sheds. Empty it, and make 3 or 4 piles.

1) Put the good stuff, still needed in the good stuff space you created.
2) Put the garbage in the dumpster/pickup to haul off.
3) Put the stuff to sell in a pile, in the good stuff area if needed for weather/security, but keep it separate from the keep.
4) Put the recycle, free, etc in a pile to get rid of often.

Start selling and giving away #3 and #4 items above immediately, don't let them accumulate. Same with the garbage, dispose of it every time your container is full. One of the things I'd do continuously, is throw stuff from the garage into the garbage and recycle and dispose area every time you walk through or have a spare minute. There's a lot to be mined in there, you don't need to leave the easy to get rid of for the final sort.

Once you get your first space cleared, you now have 2 sorting areas to use. Whatever you intend to keep in the new clear space, set up that storage system and put stuff there from the "good stuff" area. Don't put stuff in here that you need to move back out, leave that in the good stuff sorting area.

Start in on the other shed. When it's clear, set up the storage system and fill it with stuff that will reside there more permanently.

In the garage, I'd start by picking one area that will be your working area for the business. I run a business out of my shop, and one of the essentials I have in that space is a 4x8 foot table as working area. That area isn't horizontal storage, it's clear to assemble and disassemble things, pack shipping boxes, open and sort things coming in, etc. Workbenches might be a necessity in your business. Whatever the working area needs are, I'd make an attempt to clear that area first, and set up that space at least in a rudimentary fashion. Now, you can use that space to sort and process materials. If you have to start doing business stuff, you're also ready for that and can do that simultaneous with the sorting process.

Now, I'd go through the garage and sort out the stuff in it. As you find things that go into the 2 storage sheds, put them there in the final configuration you want to use them in the future. Stuff that goes back in the garage goes into your good stuff sorting area to clear out the garage space to give sorting/working room.

When you get all the garage space cleared out, clean it up. I'd do any repairs and upgrades now, while stuff is out. Give some thought to sealing the space against heat/cold/weather. Stop storing **** in the rafters, put at least plastic up stapled to the rafters to keep the heat and bugs and dirt out. Sheet rock ceiling would be real nice. Add some decent lighting. Put in efficient storage. Buy some PPE like dust masks and eye goggles, etc for using the equipment. If you intend to run the business as a business, make it into one.
Right now, this is a putter around space that your Dad might do a few saleable items in, it's not a workspace or business. Mostly it's accumulation/junk storage space.

When you get the garage space prepped, bring in the stuff from the good stuff area. If you're lucky, it will all fit in the spaces, and still have working room. Good Luck!

 

[nadogail]

A common mistake is the assumption that businesses that start in a garage won’t amount to much.

Apple, Hewlett-Packard and many others started in Garages. Disney started in a former gas station.

 

[gleman]

This is all excellent advice, and I, too, enjoy a task such as this, so long as there are no time restraints.
Regarding the banker's boxes, I use them a lot; I have some that are 35 years old and have been stored in several different environments over the years, and other than cosmetic issues (from being re-labeled over and over) they are still in great shape. I've never had any issues with mold and mildew.

Don't get me wrong, they have their place but it's not with me. I had to do my grand parents and parents "important papers" in mostly old bankers and had quite a few retain moisture when the humidity was really high or they got wet.

 

[Rst277]

So you're saying the OP is lying about his father running a business there?

I've done business with a place that was almost that bad. He did good work, but no idea how. The business fixes radiators, intercoolers, and the like. I have had work done there a few times and there are narrow paths between all the radiators. I think a lot of the radiators laying around are bad and they just have yet to be scrapped. He put a new core in a large radiator for me. He said he found a new core on the shelf that he had in stock for years and used that for my radiator. No idea how he even managed to find the core.

I'm not accusing him of lying but what some people call a business and what is a real business are vastly different things. A radiator shop having radiators all over the place I can understand - that garage is full of junk plain and simple. No one is making a living wage out of that space.

 

[gleman]

Lying is too strong a word.

I don't think there's been any commerce in that setup for a few years. The combo sander doesn't looked used at all, the delta drill press is vintage and the chop saw might have been used in the last few years with the number of discs laying around and grime on it.

I'd guess it was dad's puttering around shop to get out of the house. I don't find anything wrong with that but we should recognize the difference between a business and a hobby shop.

 

[tyyost]

I’m in the sort it camp. If you don’t have carte blanche to throw things out you have no choice but to start by sorting.

l’d start with tools and get the stuff I could identify in one area.

I also agree on the bankers boxes - look like an assortment of god knows what. Did he restring tennis rackets? Former tennis pro, looks like a pile of stuff to go on facebook market place for free. One advantage you have is that there are plenty of shelving and other places to store items as you sort and clean things out.