Working from your own garage...

[shovel]

Good posts y'all. I have a l;ittle different take on a home based sideline as I used to build cabinets and furniture from my shop. The business changed my hobby to a chore. Doing something because you want to is one thing. Once somebody pays you, you have to do it. It ruined it for me. I have completly gotten away from woodworking, selling almost all of my tools except my unisaw. I am now restoring an old truck because that is what I want to do. Another issue that reared its ugly head is that my family resented all the time I spent in the shop. There again, I "had" to do it because I had accepted payment. e-tek, you may be wired a lot different than me. You seem to balance your work, family and hobbies well. Me - not so well. My kid will graduate high school next year. I'm planning on having more time on my hands then. Good luck with your quest. Whatever you do, please share with pictures. I loved the Challenger and am digging the Merc flathead!

 

[70Chevy]

I take in all the side jobs that I can - brake jobs, water pumps, starter, alternator, etc. Now that I've read thru this thread I'm a little afraid to take on any more. I've been doing it for over 20 years.
I came across this thread searching to see what anybody is doing on the side to make extra cash to feed their hobbies.

 

[e-tek]

OK guys - awesome thread - sounds like a lot of guys got something out of it. Me? Once I've set to do something, I'm hard to deviate! I took in a perfect starter job - one where the owner wants a smaller bit done first, where I collected half the estiamte up front, then the balance of my actual hours when done. Then he will return for the floors. I charge $60 an hour, plus major materials. This will allow me to spend ALOT more on my rides and tools!!

 

[fireball 440]

When I build my new garage I'd like to start doing auto detail for extra money. Complete cleaning, polish, & wax. I like doing that sort of thing and am getting quite the collection of buffers, brushes, sponges, polishes, cleaners, wipes, and waxes, I do my cars in spring and fall, too cold in winter or else I'd do it then too. I'd probably just set a flat charge for car or truck, and what level of recon they want. Also do other small repairs, break jobs, etc. $25/hour, keep it cheap and no one will complain and can make an extra hundred bucks in a half day.

 

[Lawbreaker2]

I'm not telling what I'm doing on the side, I don't want the feds knocking on my door.

 

[Lawbreaker2]

They will want to collect some kind of tax or fee and make me get a permit or some ****.And then I would have to

 

[PhantomEB]

I do it here and there, minor mechanical fixes, seasonal filters and fluids but try not to go much more than that. I have a hard time doin my own stuff much less needin someone else breathin down my shirt due to procrastinating, so I try to say no as much as I can.

Yes the extra money would be nice but I hate trippin over someone elses **** much less my own.

 

[Joe69]

The only side work I do is for my family, and that doesn't pay too well. I have an upcoming clutch job in my Mom's Mustang, the throwout bearing is making noise.

Joe

 

[carnegie03]

Really interesting perspectives from everyone, especially those who do the same/ similar work on the side as they do for a day job. I do the same, though as an architect. I actually find most side job clients I've had are blown away by the service and attention to detail they get, while most of our rich clients at work are unappreciative at best. Yes, I charge less, but make more than my take home. I only take jobs our office wouldn't take on, and typically do ask permission from my employer.

Here's a question that's semi-related: I live down the street from my office (walking distance) and most people at work know I've got a fairly involved car hobby and tools to support it. Three different people in the office have asked and been allowed by me to use equipment, get help with something or utilize my driveway. Here's the problem- they always seem to want to borrow my compressor when I want to go home and do other things, use my driveway and leave rust stains and old radiators around or leave me project to do gratis. WTF? I'm a nice guy, but only to a point. This week my boss dropped off pieces to be welded while I wasn't home (second time). His stuff is literally rust holding hands and I feel like he is taking advantage of my time- I'll have to fabricate some pieces just to get the junk back together. He could easily buy new and not bother me outside work. Note: I don't socialize with people at work and generally avoid anything other than a professional relationship- just my personal choice with these people. I do need the job and things are slow. Guess I'm fixing the bosses stuff, eh? Suggestions? I'm open to something creative...

 

[nkachur]

Carnegie03, the easiest way to deal with a situation like this is to set up ground rules for your assistance. You have to let people know ahead of time what your rules are or they will take advantage of you. If you say politely that you charge this much..., or that you will only lend assistance on advance notice most people are willing to accept it. Trust me I learned the hard way.

 

[dodge610]

I do bead blasting and powder coating on the side most of the people so far that i do it for say how soon they need it i try to oblige usually works out have had the pains in the **** that i usually just tell here is your parts find someone else very seldom have to do that in fact only one time in 5 years i have been doing this helps pay for my hobbies and also helps other guys out by doing it cheaper than the big guys but i love doing it.

 

[nate379]

If you do good work your side job may turn into a full time deal with employees.

My friend started rebuilding transmissions on the side before or after his reg job. Now, about 2 years later he has his own shop and that is all he does.

 

[dcovey]

Buy something fix it up and sell it..that way you can make money with out all the pains.

I like others here been down that road of working other peeps.. stuff. This way you can do it in your time like you want..

100% agree with Vernmotor this is where to be...

I too worked as a mechanic and then worked side jobs evenings and weekends. Turned it into a full time business, then people started calling me or showing up at different times when I was supposed to be closed.. Some people just have no respect for you, the old "I was driving by and saw your lights on, and didn't think you would mind" deal.

I grew so frustrated with people I joined the army and eventually retired as a Warrrant Officer in 2003. Then like a dummy tried my own business again Performance welding/fabrication, ended up the same way. I have been pretty much bumming around since retiring, just spent a year working in a race chassis shop as a fabricator/welder.

Now I'm going to try what Vern said. Anyone want to buy a custom dragster chassis?? LOL

Good luck whatever you do..


Dave

 

[nate379]

I agree with you there!

I like to be able to work on my stuff if and when I feel like it. Once in a while I will take an odd job, but I have been burned a few times over it.

Had some kids here one day that wanted an exhaust cutout welded up. Told them to rake most of my yard (3/4 acres) and I would do it.

Well they were done in 2hrs while I worked on that darn thing for a good 8hrs! Simple job that just fought me the whole way!

I do it here and there, minor mechanical fixes, seasonal filters and fluids but try not to go much more than that. I have a hard time doin my own stuff much less needin someone else breathin down my shirt due to procrastinating, so I try to say no as much as I can.

Yes the extra money would be nice but I hate trippin over someone elses **** much less my own.

As far as the lights on or doors open, to me that means someone is there and I can schedule work at least. My friend would be at the shop at 2-3 AM some nights. I drove by everynight after work (3-11 shift) so I would stop by to help if he was there.

 

[danski0224]

My tax guy told me than an LLC is nowhere near as good as a plain old INC.

Having any type of corporation adds many layers of expenses and paperwork.

He also told me that one must NEVER mix personal and business funds. Always write that check and balance the books.

If the INC is set up right, you can also obtain unemployment insurance and be able to use it.

Disability insurance is the biggest issue for those that are or seek to become self-employed. If you get hurt and are out of comission for a few weeks, whaddaya do? Few months?

No one plans to have an accident, but it happens.

Disability insurance is much more expensive than health insurance for an average and reasonably healthy person.

AFLAC is NOT true disability insurance.

 

[danski0224]

I know it's come up before, but I could really use a fresh perspective on doing work from your own home/shop. (NOTE: I'd like to keep it more of a PHILISOPHICAL conversation - not about state/federal/local regulations and the like. Not about the cops or the neighbours, EPA or CIA...Okay?)

So I wonder - anyone doing something similar on "the side"? Maybe mechanical work? Woodworking? Renovations? Got any advice?!!

On the philosophical side, I say do it and have fun.