How to rent garage space

[LuckyLightning]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I did a search on the site for this already but didn't get a lot of relevant results.

I'm in the central TX area and I have a few project trucks (one is a donor, the other the receiver). I need some garage space for about a month or so that I can place these trucks, swap the necessary parts on weeknights/weekends, then remove them (one I can drive out, the other I can haul to the scrap yard).

I live in an HOA-controlled neighborhood, so parking in the driveway is not an option.

My personal garage is not large enough to accommodate both trucks, even without all my stuff there.

It occurred to me that I may be able to rent someone's garage space, but I've never really heard of this as a service. I did a google search and found a few out of state places, but that's it.

I'm hoping someone here is in the ATX area and can recommend a service or local shops that might be open to this.

Thanks for reading.

 

[fav6052]

I recently just rented a 2 car garage on private property. Found it on craigslist.

My only struggle now is finding insurance for my belongings.

Good luck on your search!

 

[SILVERPLATE]

When I lived in South Florida I rented one car space of a two car garage from a neighbor. He needed a few bucks and needed the space. Worked very well, I came and went as I pleased and swapped the space with one of three cars I had.

 

[LuckyLightning]

Great ideas! Should be good for keeping the cost down as well.

I'll check out CL, maybe even post something myself.

Thanks!

 

[930dreamer]

Look into business parks, many businesses operate out of rented/leased space.

 

[BikesandTools]

Sounds like you are just looking for relatively short term renting, but especially if it ends up being longer term, see if you can ask current/previous tenants about the landlord and how he/she treats tenants. I've learned the hard way that some landlords are horrible, scumbag.............. (you can fill in the rest of the expletives, haha!).

Make sure you will be able to actually do the work you intend to do at the location you rent: for example, my rental shop has an overhead door directly outside that would be great for pulling in cars and wrenching on them... but the building doesn't allow it.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Like someone else said, look at local office / warehouse business parks. Since you aren't going to be in there that long, maybe ask them if they have a spot that hasn't been cleaned up yet since the previous person moved out, that would give you a better chance at getting only a month or two of renting and also maybe a price break.

 

[wornoutoldman]

As soon as you mention your plans to work on these vehicles the red flag goes up with any potential landlords. I'd plan on offering a large security deposit along with references if you have any. Also short term isn't helping your situation either. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Ray-CA]

Do you have a municipal airport nearby with hangers? You might be able to rent one for the time you need. Just don't walk in and say "Hi, I'd like to rent a hanger so I can work on my trucks...." Get the paperwork in hand and see if there are conditions/exclusions etc.

Ray

 

[McLean]

I'm definitely not in Texas, but I went through this same conundrum in Seattle area about 3 years ago. I don't know if there is a "good" answer, but don't give up. As mentioned here, the biggest problems that I had when searching were size (too big/too much $$) and approved activities (IE working on cars- apparently not covered on many insurance policies).

My suggestion would be to keep an eye on craigslist, contact commercial/industrial buildings, and contact storage units. Chances are, the later 2 wont be successful (commercial/ind space too big, storage wont let you work on vehicles or if they do, limited hours), but try to pick their brain- they are in this business and I got a few decent leads from this method.

I think your best bet is going to be looking for a storage/garage condo building. I know these are popping up all over the nation, hopefully there's one near you. This is what I ended up finding. It was about 45 min from my house, so definitely not ideal, but sacrifices might have to be made. I also had to sign a 1 year lease.

I used to (and still do) think that the absolute best way to go about this is to find some friends that you trust and are interested in the same thing and rent some large space together. The bigger it is, the cheaper it gets (per sq ft).

Good luck!!

-Chris

 

[GarageWarrior]

Renting space will kill any DIY project. Once you sign a lease - rent always needs to be paid, even if you have no time to work on your projects, or waiting for parts, work schedule etc. By the time you add up parts, shop rent, value of your time, tools, all the miscellaneous expenses - you'd be better off selling project vehicles and buying a decent truck IMHO.

When I did not have a shop, nor money, I used to repair vehicles in parking lots - brakes, exhaust, top engine rebuilds - no rent, can park near parts store. Cops would check that I was not selling drugs, but otherwise did not give me hard time and helped with settling other disputes.

 

[Casey69]

When I lived in South Florida I rented one car space of a two car garage from a neighbor. He needed a few bucks and needed the space. Worked very well, I came and went as I pleased and swapped the space with one of three cars I had.

i did the same! had an elderly neighbor who had an additional heated garage space that wasn't being used & i rented it for $30/month. even got a garage door opener - she used it for extra casino $$$

 

[barks]

Watched a guy do this at a storage rental place. No one bothered him.

 

[gipraw]

Where in Central Texas? If you are in the DFW area, call these people and ask for their Dallas location information. http://www.gleannlochstorage.com/

I use their facility here in Houston and it is awesome. I am in the classic car section, http://www.cartowntx.com/ , but there are lots of guys that are in the normal storage section. They have lifts installed and everything. Fantastic people to do business with.

Runs $0.50 /sqft or so. No lease requirement, month to month is fine.

 

[LuckyLightning]

All great suggestions, thanks everyone. Looking into business parks is a good idea.

gipraw, I'm in the ATX area (north Round Rock). I know Houston and Cypress, I lived up off 1960 (Champion area) and made frequent trips to ATX before finally moving back here.

The links you provided look great. I'll have to see if there's anything similar in the area, would be awesome if there is.

 

[gipraw]

Cool. I don't know of any in Round Rock off the top of my head. I will ask the place I use tomorrow if they have anything in that area.

 

[LuckyLightning]

Much appreciated Doug!

 

[Krash Kadillak]

Don't forget word-of-mouth. Tell people what you're looking for. Scout around for maybe an older retired lady that doesn't have a husband around to need a garage. You also may be able to exchange garage space for doing a few fix-its around the place.