Opinion needed

[bestpartsplus]

OK Guys....I need some help and/or opinions.......I have had an extreme interest in the whole garage thing for awhile now. What I am really considering is trying to start an interior design/remolding business. What I am wondering is there anyone out there that is doing this currently that can give me some pointers?

I am also wondering if it make a decent increase in the value of the home if the garage is up fitted like we have done to ours?

Would you guys say that a finished/designed garage would help sell a home from a guys perspective?

Any opinions or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

Greg

 

[wilbilt]

Would you guys say that a finished/designed garage would help sell a home from a guys perspective?
Greg

Personally, I don't think it would do much for me, as I probably wouldn't like it and would tear it all out and set it up per my preferences.

But for the rest of the world...you just might be on to something. "Toys" are big these days, ATVs, PWCs, etc. Not to mention the mid-lifers into hotrods and Harleys.

A home designed with garage space dedicated to the toys would go over big in many markets. Parking and washdown areas, a decent air compressor and a usable bench/storage/work area could be good selling points for a family into that sort of thing. Kind of like lakefront properties with a dock and boathouse, but without the lake.

I'm wondering how it would fly with the homeowner's associations, though. Of course, you could design an entire subdivision based upon garage enthusiasts' needs....a gated community with a communal pressure car wash just inside the gate for dealing with the mud from the ATVs, a 24-hour parts store, and on-call epoxy floor experts. Maybe a detail shop with periodic detailing of owner's vehicles included in the basic HOA fees.

I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but you get the idea.....

 

[boiler7904]

I would say that it would probably be a selling point to some homeowners. It sounds like you are excited about the idea which is the first step in making it a successful business. There are a few things to think about if you're going to do this as a full time business.

- What is your intended client base? Are you going after individual homeowners or builders who would offer your services as an option to their clients?
- How will you market your services?
- Are you experienced in a broad range of construction, remodeling, etc.?
- Are you experienced in the accounting and record keeping that this will entail?
- Can you obtain all of the required insurance to run this type of business?
- How will you handle warranty and service claims?
- Do you have the contacts you would need to be successful? I'm thinking of realtors, suppliers, and reliable subcontractors for work you can't handle?
- Do you have a second source of income (working spouse, investments, pension from previous career, etc.) to live off of until you become profitable? Remember it may take a year or more for the business to start running in the black.
- Do you have health insurance?

I've thought of doing this as a business too but the questions I'm asking you are what is keeping me from doing it. Even though I have a Construction Management degree, there are a lot of variables out of my control stopping me from doing it like only being 27, lack of practical experience, having student loans and a mortgage, and just getting married (two days ago). If you can pull everything together and make it work, more power to you. Good luck.

 

[logical]

Every day I drive by $750,000 houses, 3400 sq ft living space and tens of thousands in exterior brickwork upgrades with nice big 3-4 car garages. 9 times out of 10, even after the owner is in for years, the garage still has basic taped drywall that isn't even painted. My garage is 1200 sq ft with 13 ft cielings and it only cost $600 to get it fully finish painted by the painter....it really baffles me. What the original poster proposes is a great concept but I think convincing a builder to do it on a spec house will be a tough sell. If we are talking about you being a contractor in the same way that say a home automation or home security company operates...where the builder offers your package as an upgrade that he can take a little cut of...it just might work.

 

[nova65ss]

I am just getting an organization business going here in my area as you can see from the website below. I already have a very successful garage door business that kind of allows me a foot in the door so to say. One of my builders has agreed to do a small cabinet piece in each garage which is good and gets the name out there for the neighbors.

It is just like any other business though takes time to start making a profit and alot of effort and energy. It is somewhere in the 80 million a year business nationwide now and is getting bigger everyday. I went to a homeshow here a few weeks ago and there were at least 4 booths setup with organizational items and everyone from insulation contractors to closet companies jumping on the bandwagon. Would definitely recommend having another income till things get rolling.

Jimmy

 

[ultgar]

Treat the garage like you would any other room in a "spec house" . Build it the right size, with access to all the right utilities, and leave the "furniture" for the new homeowner.

If the space is sized and engineered properly, it can suit the "needs" of just about anyone........vehicle workshop, woodworking shop, machine shop, parking garage, home theatre, gym, hobby room, etc.

SD

 

[DIGGER_DAVE]

Every day I drive by $750,000 houses, 3400 sq ft living space and tens of thousands in exterior brickwork upgrades with nice big 3-4 car garages.

9 times out of 10, even after the owner is in for years, the garage still has basic taped drywall that isn't even painted.

My garage is 1200 sq ft with 13 ft cielings and it only cost $600 to get it fully finish painted by the painter....it really baffles me. What the original poster proposes is a great concept but I think convincing a builder to do it on a spec house will be a tough sell. If we are talking about you being a contractor in the same way that say a home automation or home security company operates...where the builder offers your package as an upgrade that he can take a little cut of...it just might work.

Or translating that statement; 9 out of 10 garage owners couldn't care less what the inside of their garage looks like!

We're a "different breed"; THEY just want a place to store their cars. (and assorted yard equipment with the occasional tool thrown in)
A nice garage interior doesn't increase property resale value; it's just a feature. (unless one of US is buying it)

 

[PAToyota]

Or translating that statement; 9 out of 10 garage owners couldn't care less what the inside of their garage looks like!

I think it is more that they don't know any differently. I bet if you marketed it properly and showed what a garage could look like a lot of them would follow along. Of course, probably not to any extent of what we are doing, but at least "nice" like the rest of the house. Years ago finished basements were the exception instead of the norm. Now that is pretty much standard in a lot of places.

 

[DIGGER_DAVE]

I think it is more that they don't know any differently. I bet if you marketed it properly and showed what a garage could look like a lot of them would follow along. Of course, probably not to any extent of what we are doing, but at least "nice" like the rest of the house. Years ago finished basements were the exception instead of the norm. Now that is pretty much standard in a lot of places.

Still; those 9 don't spend any time in their garages, other than getting in and out of their cars. The idea of spending money to make a garage "nice" doesn't calculate in most peoples budget. (how many kids are you putting through university?? )

Finished basements ADD living space, garages don't. Basements (finished) ADD value; finished garages DON'T!

 

[nova65ss]

Most of the people that we have done work/ estimates for have not been car/ garage people. They are usually people with kids and lots of toys that want their car in the garage. Alot of people go in and out mainly through their garage and use it as a front door.

Jimmy

 

[Vermaraj]

Here are the names of a few magazines for professionals in the building & woodworking industries. Do a search for their websites. They offer a free subscription once you have the proper credntials.

Custom Home
Builder
Remodeling
Qualified Remodeler
Cabinetmaker
wood & wood products
closets

There are a few others that I can't recall at this moment.

Bottom line is that many in the industry think the garage fittings industry is about where the closet industry was 15yrs ago. They are forecasting growth @15-20% yr. These days customers are in love with convenience and organization. More importantly they are willing to pay up for these attributes. I have seen bid packages for closet organizers that were mid six figures to build. Can only imagine what they get installed.

Keep in mind that most of this growth is not likely to be along the lines of ********* workshops with multiple lifts, welding areas, paint booths etc... That will always be a niche business. Most of the growth is along the lines of the Gladiator/rubbermaid garage organization type products. A four post lift is more like an upsell than a core offering.

We have been providing CNC cut custom cabinets for high end builders (4-6k sqft $900k+ pricing). In the last two years I have seen the total (as opposed to $/sqft ) value of casework in high end homes, , split about 50% kitchen, 12% family/living, 8% Bathroom, 15% closet, 15% garage/storage.

Hope this helps. PM if you would like to toss some ideas around.

 

[Bill K]

Vermaraj nailed it. I would do my marketing to new homes and devlopments. Garage organization is becoming hot now, and in my area most of the starter and midlevel new home builder don't even paint or in some cases compleatly drywall the garages to save $$$. First thing I see alot of folks do is paint and add some type of storage. I would think your biggest customer base will be middle class working profesionals who barely have time to cut the lawn, if the don't hire that out. But want a neat apperance alot of garage interiors are visable from the street. Get one job in a neighborhood and I'll bet you'll wind up with several more. " Did you see what the Jone's have done to their garage." Make sure you have a yard sign out when you do the work, with the owners permission, that can be some of the best advertising

 

[ZRX61]

9 times out of 10, even after the owner is in for years, the garage still has basic taped drywall that isn't even painted.

I did the inside of mine with T1-11 siding