Self serve garages

[cincinnati_kid]

Does anyone have a self serve garage where you can rent bays, lifts, tools, etc? Seems like a good idea. Insurance would be bad i think but I am always looking at an opportunity. I have thought about this kind of thing but I have never seen one. Here is a link to one in WA.

http://selfservegarage.com/rent-a-bay

 

[ImportTuner]

I just saw one on craigslist .. across the bay from me.

http://liftedworkshop.com/

 

[DIC]

Theres a machine shop here that rents out

 

[cincinnati_kid]

Theres a machine shop here that rents out

not a bad idea either but insurance would kill you i think

 

[marlinspike]

If you have a friend in the military, they might be able to get you into the base hobby shop.

 

[cincinnati_kid]

I dont need a bay I was thinking it would be a good business venture.

 

[marlinspike]

I dont need a bay I was thinking it would be a good business venture.

Ah. I know I'd use one. That said, there was one in Chantilly, VA that just couldn't turn a profit. I think they went too big though. They had a fully supplied garage you could rent. I think a better idea would just be lifts and air tools, with everything else being supplied by the renter.

 

[Joe B.]

Over the years I have heard of these places off an on but they either don't last or don't proliferate. If it was a great business model, they would already be all over the place. I'm not saying one could not make it work but some change in the business model would likely be required to make it work.

I suspect that part of the problem is that the people that have the skill to do the work and that have the money to rent a place to do it will likely already have access to a garage. Also, look at how much techs get paid compared to how much you pay for the work to be done. Even when you remove a tech and do it yourself, if you use a bay similar to what the tech used, you will still need to cover a similar amount of overhead to support that bay.

 

[Jagmandave]

I've used this one in KC.....

http://www.diyautorepairkc.com/

 

[fringeofinsanity]

I've considered this as a supplement. I've been looking high and low for a small shop space that's reasonable for a part time business, but haven't been able to as of yet. So I have been thinking of going a little bigger Han my needs and then renting out the extra space. Hadn't considered supplying tools though. For those who have used one of these can you comment on the types of hand tools were available?

 

[Steve.S]

Cincinnati Kid, there used to be one of these on Montgomery Rd in Norwood in the late 1970s. IIRC, it was called "Rent A Bay" or something like that.

 

[Stuart in MN]

There's one in Minneapolis: http://firstgeargarage.com/ I've visited there, it's a pretty nice setup.

 

[vintage914racer]

There's one in Minneapolis: http://firstgeargarage.com/ I've visited there, it's a pretty nice setup.

They're closing in early March

 

[Stuart in MN]

They're closing in early March

Really? That's too bad - from what I saw it looked like they were doing well.

 

[brownbagg]

we had one here, but peoplle kept misusing the tools and stealing the tools so it wasnt profit. but it was nice to change out a clutch in 90 minutes.

 

[Jagmandave]

I've considered this as a supplement. I've been looking high and low for a small shop space that's reasonable for a part time business, but haven't been able to as of yet. So I have been thinking of going a little bigger Han my needs and then renting out the extra space. Hadn't considered supplying tools though. For those who have used one of these can you comment on the types of hand tools were available?

You might call the guy who's shop I referenced, that's almost exactly what he did too. He wanted a place where he could work on his own cars, then figured if he could rent out the space and tools when he wasn't using it it would help pay for his fun. His name is Dave and he'd be happy to talk to you about his experience.

He currently has three two post lifts and two scissor lifts, and about 6 sets of hand tools, plus impacts and specialty tools, He also has a tire machine and a good electronic balancer.

 

[chris142]

They had one in the movie "Christine". It's where the kid rebuilt the car. I have never seen one around here.

 

[fringeofinsanity]

Thanks Dave

 

[joe_padavano]

Unfortunately, I think the combination of limited customer base and liability insurance cost keeps driving these places out of business. There was one here in Northern VA that was open about a year, but closed last year.

 

[NWphotog]

Click and Clack from NPR had one in the 70s. Not many food co-ops left either.

 

[justanengineer]

For those who have used one of these can you comment on the types of hand tools were available?

The military auto craft shops Ive used in the past had everything from basic mechanics toolkits with hand tools and power tools to engine specialty tools, autobody tools, and welding gear. Its very common for these to have all of the electronic diagnostic equipment, a welding bay, and even paint booths. They also have ASE certified master techs roaming around overseeing operations, so if the "customer" doesnt know how to do a specific job the tech can either guide them through it (free) or do it for them (usually a small fee). Tools are dispensed free, but each kit or tool take requires a token which you start out with a limited number of (~10), so they always know who has what inside the tool room. Youre also renting the bay by the hour ($2-4), consumables are extra, but they also have a wrecker and storage yard (another fee) if your project isnt out each day. Realistically, if you have the time and $$$, you can build a long term project without owning a dam thing other than the car and parts.

The biggest problems I saw in these was accountability, but when your "customers" are all required to have a military id, accountability is easy via the chain of command and/or pay deductions. In this environment, it works. Out in the civilian world.....good luck.

 

[rgdeja]

Re: Self serve garages - or a man cave!

I currently work out of home garage, its a 3 car garage but tandem so not much room to install a two post removable lift. I use jack stands for now.

I've been contemplating to get my own shop/garage and rent out.

Here are my assumptions 3k rent and insurance on a 1500-2000sqft (in bay area, ex: concord) 36k per year
Lift, tools etc: 15k
office supplies, wifi, coffee, misc stuff etc: 6000 per year

So total outlay in the first year: 57K

Assuming there are no additional expenses and trying to recover the cost in the first 12 months;

I have to rent the place 36 hours a week for 52 weeks at $30/hr rate.

To add to it:

If I am going to rent almost full time, I probably have to hire some one to be there all the time. Even a cheap guy at $15hr 12 hours a day 7 days a week (two guys working)
you are looking at $65,520.00 per year.

So, assuming the darn place is rented ALL the time 12hours a day 7 days a week, in a year, at $30/hr you will make about: 131040

So, after expenses, 131040-65520-57000 = $8520

All in all it is not a good business model to make money.

It may be fun to have my own place. Looking for commercial condo to buy and build a man cave with mezzanine level to have TV lounge, bed and bath and downstairs be office space and work space for auto and electronic shop area.

I looked a new construction on Industrial Way, Concord, CA for a 3400sqft shell they are asking $127/sqft. Plus another 150k or so refurb the inside for a man cave. At this point I am not sure I would rent it out...

Or, does it make sense to do this at all...

I know this is an old thread but wanted to get some comments