Sunday Garage Day

[J5hort]

Sunday is my garage day. I spend most of my time improving the garage and working on cars as a self-taught DIY mechanic. Friends often as what I do all day in the garage and this has turned into them stopping by, usually with their cars for advice or parts for me to install. It has become a bit social and I welcome the company and work as it is a passion of mine.

I was wondering if any others fix their friends cars and any problems they might run into. For the forum I have 2 specific questions. One being ideas on a designated place for them to hangout. Some help out, other just hang out. Second, I like to help out friends, but worry about any liability while they may be in the garage and if anything were to happen as a result of repair when driving afterwards. Probably more of a legal issue. Right now I make them supply their own part, ask them to be present while repair is being done and do not accept any cash. Typically we are talking about oil changes and brake work, but my capacity includes electrical, suspension and drivetrain work and it is entertained when I have the time.

Just wondering if anyone has some ideas and any similar experiences.

 

[ericlar80]

Might be worth considering umbrella insurance if you are worried about it. It covers the random liabilities in life, such as someone getting hurt while on your property, and is relatively inexpensive.

 

[dadsEH]

1.75 acres....plenty of room to hide the bodies.

 

[bdbecker]

My only advice would be to keep the circle small. Right now you've got a good thing going, but when friends of friends start getting involved, its too easy to for things to go south. I've made this mistake twice - once when I was into motorcycles, and another time with helping people repair cars. Now I'll only help a few close friends.

 

[GMCGarage]

Might be worth considering umbrella insurance if you are worried about it. It covers the random liabilities in life, such as someone getting hurt while on your property, and is relatively inexpensive.

I believe anyone that owns a house should have the umbrella policy, stupid not to for the price. Some cover more too like automobile accidents too.

 

[J5hort]

Just revisiting old threads and updating. After a few more jobs for family and friends, I have made a decision to include freinds in on the work. Some family often help out, but I wanted to alleviate friends dropping their cars off for me to fix alone. The whole purpose was to spend time with friends and educate them on how maintenance and fixes can be done. Since that time, I have successfully worked with a few (no so mechanically inclined) friends and showed them how to do oil and brake jobs. So far so good. Not sure if any liability changes with working with vehicle owners, but it has been rewarding both educationally and socially.

 

[crewchief888]

when i was "helping" someone i preferred they drop the vehicles off and i'd get to it when i got a chance. i usually left the keys to my truck if they needed to get back home.
most of the time we were working different shifts. i could get stuff done in the afternoons after i was done at work.
i booted those "friends" to the curb after several years of doing stuff for them, but when i needed some help everyone magically had better & more important things to do

 

[ycgoat]

When people ask me for help, I always tell them I will help them do it but I am not doing it for them. Auto work is a hobby for me not a trade. If I was trying to make a living at it, I would have starved to death a long time ago

 

[ZRX61]

when i was "helping" someone i preferred they drop the vehicles off and i'd get to it when i got a chance. i usually left the keys to my truck if they needed to get back home.
most of the time we were working different shifts. i could get stuff done in the afternoons after i was done at work.
i booted those "friends" to the curb after several years of doing stuff for them, but when i needed some help everyone magically had better & more important things to do

I stopped working on one friends bike after he turned into an *askhole*. He'd call up & ask me what oil & filter he should pick up & then show up with the cheapest **** he could find on both counts. Plus he never once showed up when he said he would, often appearing hours later.

 

[nadogail]

Are they friends or acquaintances? Friendship accepts things that casual acquaintances can not.

 

[J5hort]

when i was "helping" someone i preferred they drop the vehicles off and i'd get to it when i got a chance. i usually left the keys to my truck if they needed to get back home.
most of the time we were working different shifts. i could get stuff done in the afternoons after i was done at work.
i booted those "friends" to the curb after several years of doing stuff for them, but when i needed some help everyone magically had better & more important things to do

Ya, it is a 2-way street. Started to get the friends of friends referrals. Just added to the problem. I reserve Sundays for this and and pretty selective. I do agree that being a help means that I do things on my time and there should no expectation that quick turnaround is guaranteed.