Working from your own garage...

[e-tek]

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?)

Background: I love restoring cars. I have my own little 1000 sqft shop, with a lift and all the tools I need. I don't do it for a living - I'm in medical sales and make a decent buck.
Having grown up in a body shop and working my way through University as a bodyman/painter/shop manager, I aquired a fair amount of skills. In the past 10 years I got serious about resto's and did several myself - from drivers to show cars. I've aquired all the tools and can do every aspect of a show resto, save for engine machining.
I tested the waters by placing an ad in the local online marketplace and got tons of interest. Lots of people with money and hobby cars needing work done. I could easily charge $50-$75 an hour for labour and make an extra $500-$700 a week some weeks.

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

 

[Torque1st]

The home shop is like a home office. It can be convenient but there can be distractions. I think the distractions are the worst especially if you need to get some infernal government paperwork done.

I have done some moonlighting and some home office type "telecommuting". The moonlighting was always at a place of business.

 

[bluesman2a]

I have much the same situation with a twist. My specialty is fabrication and off-road related stuff. I make a good living as an IT geek.

I have thought about this long and hard over the years. The conclusion I've come to is this: I've helped out a lot of people and I've never charged a penny beyond consumables. There's a reason for that.

Once "real money" changes hands you are in a completely different world. You move from "favor" to "labor". There are expectations. There are standards of performance people expect (regardless of "buddy-rate"). My life is such that I like to work on stuff, but when I'm done, I need to close the shop and walk away from it for a while. When I get darned good and ready, THEN I'll go back to the shop. May be a day, a week, or a month.

If somebody has money on the line for a job, they expect it done in a certain manner/timeframe. With my arrangement I can easily say "sorry, you're too much of a pain in my ***, here's your stuff, have a nice day."

Now I haven't had to do that in a long time, but the FREEDOM to do it is what's important. In short it's been my experience that humans as a race ****, some individuals are sterling representatives, but for the most part people ****. You need the option to walk away when it becomes problematic, especially for a part time gig. This my seem a bit cynical, but I GAR-RON-TEE you that I didn't start out this way, it's as a result of years of being taken advantage of.

If you are going to charge money, I would make it VERY clear this is not your primary job and they will get it done when and if you can, barring work, family, etc.

 

[krusty the clown]

i do more moonshining than moonlighting in my shop.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I work out of my garage, while I don't have cars here from clients I do a lot of stuff for people all over the world. Mainly fuel systems, nitrous systems and engines. I only have about 400 usable sq ft and one car lives inside so I am very limited in what I can do here. Most of it is engineering, prototyping,fab and, assembly.

I do have a friend with a shop that I use for some work mostly installing stuff like engines, rear ends, things you need a rack for. The one thing about working from a residential shop is you don't want to make too much noise and you can't use chemicals that have strong odors or stink the place up. People really don't care what YOU do in your house, they do care when it affects them.

Steve

 

[Number21]

I rent an industrial building for my shop. I do just enough business in there to cover the rent and for tax write off...the rest is my collection of broken down trucks.

 

[Torque1st]

An article to read:
http://economy.kansascity.com/?q=node/4532

Five tips to "professionalize" your work-at-home business

Between the 1990 and the 2000 Census, the number of people working at home grew by one third, and it’s expected to be a lot higher in the next population count.

While some tout the joys of toiling in one’s pajamas, there are problems with home-based work environments that are a bit too casual.

Put noisy kids and pets at the top of the list. If you’re trying to establish a professional reputation, it can’t sound like you’re doing business in a day care center or a pet store. -snip-

 

[lomonte]

Been doing a lot lately- should be working on a vtx 1800 trike's fenders tonight. I am a big believer in karma- always doing the right thing and all that, but get told I'm too nice of a guy a lot. So, here's my deal. You stay, you get wash-up dirty but use my shop, knowledge, labor and tools -standard redneck currency. (Case of beer). You drop it off, you pay 25/hr cash, as long as it takes. I give all receipts, don't upcharge for parts, and I'm on a deal with most of the shops around. I've never had a complaint (knocking wood) and I always do what I'd do to my own cars/house. Can't remember the last time I bought beer. I've worked on damn near everyone in the cul-de sac's houses or cars at some point, and they've all been over and partied in my shop and around my bonfires. It keeps everyone honest. I've been biting off bigger and bigger stuff lately, just to keep me honest, and it looks like a detached might be in the near future. In summation, it's bought me some toys, and bailed my **** outta the fire a couple times, sometimes can be a pain, but overall I enjoy it.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

The home shop is like a home office. It can be convenient but there can be distractions.

We all know the distraction that e-tec has...

Getting past that however, turning a hobby into a business makes it WORK instead of FUN. Right now if I feel like helping someone, I can. If they are a pain in the a**, they can leave. Dealing with the public can be trying on your nerves and frustrating to say the least.

If you start doing work for money, I would suggest that you start (and stay) with quick, simple 10 to 12 hour maximum jobs that can be done over the weekend. That way the customer knows when they can get their car back and you don't lose garage space waiting to finish a car the next weekend.

Make sure you look at the car one weekend, have them (or you) order ALL of the parts you might need for the next weekend and then finish the job by the next Monday morning.

 

[Stick Figure]

After doing upgrades on cars for a while now, first out of my parents house, then for another shop, then my own, and now back for another shop w/ some work on the side at my house, i have learned one thing...... a lot of time it really isn't worth it.

Doing repair work is pretty easy to compare prices. To swap an alternator on XXXXXXX car has a book time, and its pretty easy for anyone to call around and realize they are getting a good deal. Restoration, and custom work is 100% different from that.... there is no book time, and it always seems like people expect the world and don't want to pay for much of anything. Nobody seems to understand how long things really take, especially for custom work.

On top of that there is far more opinion involved Going back to the alternator, there is pretty much only one way for that alternator to be installed to complete the job. Back to the way it was when it left the dealer. Now if you are doing some custom work, lets say headers ... you figure up the tube length, diameter etc, and build it... they guy might be happy, then his buddy sees it and says no those pipes are too long blah blah blah.... there can be far more drama w/ something like this than you ever want to deal w/ for a side job.

Final issue here is if this is something you are doing in your spare time, often customers will not understand this. They will expect turn around times like they would find in a situation that they are paying far more because it is someones full time career.

Bottom line if you still want to do this, put EVERYTHING in writing, both what is expected of you, the customer, the warranty or lack of, the time frame expected, etc.

If i could do anything to make money, i would flip cars. Buy them, fix/upgrade them, and then sell them. I have made some pretty good money doing this, for the most part this is on your own time frame, and if there is a decision to be made, you make it and move on. You don't have to convince someone to do something the right way regardless of what they may have read on a web forum.

good luck!

 

[illmatyk]

I have done some work at my house.

With me, It really depends on who the "customer " is. If its a long time friend, we make some kind of deal. "I'll do your brakes, you hook me up with this."
If its someone I know, but don't really hang out with them, money will be involved. And also, It helps out a little bit when i need extra cash or discount with some stuff.

Also be careful of who you do business with or who comes by, tools may end up missing.(happened to a friend of mine).

If your gonna charge them and they're not willing to pay, don't do the job. have them do it themselves.

-Matt

 

[Bigrhamr]

I've worked out of my home either full or part time for over 25 years and could write a book on the ups and downs from my perspective but i'll just touch on a couple points.

Do you want the public, your customers, in your home shop? Can you isolate them to an office area or will whoever shows up be smack dab in the middle of what was your personal space?

As far as the distractions go that's a biggy. I found when I was an employee that if I worked an 8 hour day that was usually 8 hours of billable time. At home being the CEO, secretary and head floorsweeper I'm lucky to have 6 billable hours in a 10 hour day.

 

[e-tek]

Some really good ideas, advice and experiences shared here. Thanks to all. Seems more of a problem than anything for most, unless done on a real small-time basis I guess. Maybe I'll try it like that....a real small job first and see how it goes....definitely don't want to turn "fun into work"!

 

[CarCrafter]

I think the thing to do is to start off small and grow it. If and when you get to the point it can sustain you on a full time basis, you have your answer. I am in the same predicament myself. Starving at the dealer because I am not ruthless enough, so I spent a few bucks on the software, business cards, logo design, LLC organization, etc, building up clientele. My labor rates are half that of what typical shops/ dealers charge but almost 3 times what I make per flat rate hour. If I want to make it a full time thing in the future, I will have to get tax id and carry insurance and be reg'd with the state. My homeowner policy will be canceled if they knew I am operating that type of business here, but there are other companies to shop around for. I figured that eventually when I have enough business, I can factor in the cost to rent or purchase a building and move on from there. Right now, I am simply trading my TV time and weekend time for a few dollars to make ends meet. I've advertised on places like CL and I'm waiting to launch my website. Most of my clients are referrals and I offer pick up and delivery. I spend a few extra mins to make sure their car is washed & cleaned and they get a real invoice as if they went to a shop or the dealer. I far exceed their expectations and that is how I have been able to add more clients.

 

[Man Cave]

Lots of good thoughts here on this question. I have done fabrication work in addition to my day job for 28 years. I only accept what I can complete in a timely manner. Having someone calling you for a finished job when something came up in your family or professional life that is more important can be irritating, and the customer deserves your full attention to the comissioned job. A lot of resto/custom work grows once it hits your shop so take that into consideration. I still like the adage....once you make your hobby your business, you no longer have a hobby. The love of it can go away.

 

[scbird94]

I do pretty much the same thing as most of you guys- I am a full time ASE tech/shop foreman at a local dealership, and in our attatched 2 car i take on just about anything from engine rebuilds to front end work and piddly maintanence stuff.

It is strictly limited to the time AFTER i read the kids a story before bed, then i change and go out to wrench for a few hours. Bigger projects are limited to weekends.

I charge 45/hr and mark up parts a little (almost have to) and everything is 12/12 warranty with legit repair invoice for the customer. The extra money is AWESOME. It paid for my motorcycle (in cash) all "fun" expenses, stuff for the kids, and all my shop equipment.

The biggest problem i run into is people who have me fix there car, and then ask to be on some kind of "payment plan" or pay half now, half in a month. At first it wasnt a problem, i was willing to work with them because i wanted their business but soon it got to be i had such a headache and had to deal with awkward phone calls tryhing to get these people to pay- i will never again do anything of the sort. You pay 100% when your car is done. Dont got money? I take ipods, speakers, car stereos, tv's.... (i have amassed quite the collection now)

The only other problem i have is freinds and family EXPECT all your labor to be free. I went through a pretty nasty conversation with a very good freind of mine when i told him it would only be $20/hr to put his rack & pinion unit in. (good deal right?!) He called me greedy and said i shouldnt be charging him blah blah blah. Family is even worse. Cars show up at my house with no phone calls and no thank you when it is done.

I think one trip to the dealership at retail prices will make my $45/hr seem pretty modest. What do you think?

 

[Falcon67]

I think one trip to the dealership at retail prices will make my $45/hr seem pretty modest. What do you think?

Same folks that run into their doctor at Taco Bell and bug 'em for a free diag about the latest problem area. When you do stuff for $, you have to set some rules. And if the relatives don't like it, have them price it out somewhere else. They'll either come back hat-in-hand or you won't have to deal with them (usually better). I'd like to be in a position where I could do some job shop stuff from the shop, nothing huge. Our race photography/web business does well enough to pay for the equipment plus a little and that's pretty dang good. Our racin' business ( "bidness" - yo, AJ ) has it's years and this last one wasn't one LOL. I'm afraid to take on too much right now - there's almost no spare time as it is. Some of that is repair work on the house - need to get that finished and that would free up some time. That and stay off the internet

 

[tdkkart]

The biggest problem i run into is people who have me fix there car, and then ask to be on some kind of "payment plan" or pay half now, half in a month.

I have a friend that does alot of welding out of his home shop, everything from farm repairs to racecar chassis fab to streetrod stuff. Getting paid is indeed his biggest problem. He has a problem with being too nice, which then gets him stuck with someone's car in his shop while they gather up the money to finish paying him.

My father worked in a shop in a small town, the owner of the shop ended up buying another building in town to store cars while he waited to get paid for the work on them.

 

[scbird94]

Anyone run into problems with your shop/dealership trying to tell you you cant fix cars at home? I know some unions have some kind of no competition clause.

I have been approached by customers at work asking if i would work on stuff on the side which i say very firmly no. I refuse to take customers from work.

But my theory is this- my garage, my tools, my customers, my time. They employ me, not own me. If i want to fix stuff at night to buy a new toy, thats my business.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have been repairing and/or building anything with an engine since high school for friends and family. Word gets out and pretty soon you don't have any time for yourself. My wife and I got married in 1989 and I did odd jobs in the driveway of our rental house and saved up enough money to put a nice down payment on our new home in 1991 (back when down payments were required). I worked out of the attached garage for four years while saving enough money to build a 34' X 34' shop in the back yard and resumed work there while still working my full time job as a mechanic. I had a few local shops complain to a couple of the places where I was buying parts that I should not get the dealer pricing because I was not a legitimate business so to save my suppliers a lot of complaints my wife and I simply got our business license in the July 1997. I have been very fortunate to be able to make a good living and the money the side shop brings in has payed for all the tools as well as a few nice toys for the family. I have been able to throw extra money at the home mortgage and my wife and I were able to pay our home off in 2006 when I was only 37 and the wife was 36 years old. I am very proud of our accomplishments and they would have no way been possible if not for doing extra work besides our day jobs. I work by appointment only and word of mouth, I don't do any advertising other than business cards. I have about 8 clients that I work on everything they own from their snowblowers and lawnmowers to their family boats and motorcycles as well as their daily drivers. I also work on other peoples 'stuff' when referred to me by friends or associates. At our shop I charge $50.00/hr and on general repairs I usually go off of book time but on odd repairs/fabrication I charge by time and materials. I have been very blessed by being able to earn money on the side and with the help of my wife and son provide a good life for my family and hopefully provide for their future. I know others who have tried it and it didn't work for them due to conflicts, however, in my situation it has been a blessing. I would like to think I have a good balance between work and play. We travel a lot and truly enjoy life in a manner we would not be able to on our full time jobs alone. We don't make bad money, however, we don't make great money either, it is the side jobs that make the difference.

When the wife and I first got married and I was doing work on the side and only earning about $8.50/hr wrenching we told ourselves only until we started making more money at our full time jobs then no more working on the side. This was in the beginning but after 20 years now of marriage we admit we have been able to do things with and for our family that we could not have done otherwise. It also has taught our son the value of hard work and living within your means and not on credit. It has done more for my family that just pay bills but everyone has to justify it to themselves in their own way and some cannot justify it at all. That is what makes this country great, we have choices and they don't have to be the same as the next person's. Mike.

 

[Vernmotor]

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..

 

[CarCrafter]

Anyone run into problems with your shop/dealership trying to tell you you cant fix cars at home? I know some unions have some kind of no competition clause.

I have been approached by customers at work asking if i would work on stuff on the side which i say very firmly no. I refuse to take customers from work.

But my theory is this- my garage, my tools, my customers, my time. They employ me, not own me. If i want to fix stuff at night to buy a new toy, thats my business.

They wouldn't be happy with what I am doing and it is clearly stated in our employee manual about conflict of interest, but they can kiss my ___ ! If they kept me busy enough where I didn't have to do this, I wouldn't! I'd much rather get home and watch TV and work on cars just for fun. I'd rather use my lift to build toys, not fix problems.

Sometimes, circumstances force you to do what you have to do. This is what I have to do to survive. Employee loyalty cuts both ways. If they didn't over staff or only fed the anointed ones, I would find better things to do with my time. Take the wife to the movies or watch Monday night football for a change.

I have never been approached, but I too would tell a customer that it would be inappropriate if they asked me while I was at work. At the same time, if this same customer saw me at the local grocery store while I am out of uniform and asked, I'd do it just the same but they have to understand that this better never get back to my employer. I figure that if the customer was going to shop around, we are bound to lose him or her from the shop/ dealer anyways. I have never had that happen as of yet and hope if never will. You are absolutely right about our time and what we choose to do with it is our business.

 

[tatra]

when i statred my full time career, i did side jobs to learn and make a bit of cash to buy more tools as needed..........extended credit, provided rides and courtesy cars and did quality work as opposed to just firng it in and out the door........when i was laid off and had to raise my prices to feed nor only myself but a family at the time, the a holishness of people showed irself..........from demanding credit, and the old prices which were at least a 1/4 of shops to demanding to be first in line after shopping at other shops for a beeter deal........there are a few i will jump for as they never questioned my ethics , workmanship or prices and for their faith in me i now don't need the money or work but will assist them whenever possible...........and the women seemed to be better than the males that were too stupid and lazy to do it themselves but knew more than i did about everything............as said before, pick a project, do it and sell it.............or you could advertise on the net to get someone who might appreciate your work and commision you to do a specific job...........

 

[CarCrafter]

I have been repairing and/or building anything with an engine since high school for friends and family. Word gets out and pretty soon you don't have any time for yourself. My wife and I got married in 1989 and I did odd jobs in the driveway of our rental house and saved up enough money to put a nice down payment on our new home in 1991 (back when down payments were required). I worked out of the attached garage for four years while saving enough money to build a 34' X 34' shop in the back yard and resumed work there while still working my full time job as a mechanic. I had a few local shops complain to a couple of the places where I was buying parts that I should not get the dealer pricing because I was not a legitimate business so to save my suppliers a lot of complaints my wife and I simply got our business license in the July 1997. I have been very fortunate to be able to make a good living and the money the side shop brings in has payed for all the tools as well as a few nice toys for the family. I have been able to throw extra money at the home mortgage and my wife and I were able to pay our home off in 2006 when I was only 37 and the wife was 36 years old. I am very proud of our accomplishments and they would have no way been possible if not for doing extra work besides our day jobs. I work by appointment only and word of mouth, I don't do any advertising other than business cards. I have about 8 clients that I work on everything they own from their snowblowers and lawnmowers to their family boats and motorcycles as well as their daily drivers. I also work on other peoples 'stuff' when referred to me by friends or associates. At our shop I charge $50.00/hr and on general repairs I usually go off of book time but on odd repairs/fabrication I charge by time and materials. I have been very blessed by being able to earn money on the side and with the help of my wife and son provide a good life for my family and hopefully provide for their future. I know others who have tried it and it didn't work for them due to conflicts, however, in my situation it has been a blessing. I would like to think I have a good balance between work and play. We travel a lot and truly enjoy life in a manner we would not be able to on our full time jobs alone. We don't make bad money, however, we don't make great money either, it is the side jobs that make the difference.

When the wife and I first got married and I was doing work on the side and only earning about $8.50/hr wrenching we told ourselves only until we started making more money at our full time jobs then no more working on the side. This was in the beginning but after 20 years now of marriage we admit we have been able to do things with and for our family that we could not have done otherwise. It also has taught our son the value of hard work and living within your means and not on credit. It has done more for my family that just pay bills but everyone has to justify it to themselves in their own way and some cannot justify it at all. That is what makes this country great, we have choices and they don't have to be the same as the next person's. Mike.

"Live like no one else so you can live like no one else !!!" I hope I can pay off our mortgage early and be debt free sooner rather than later as well. Sometimes I worry that I am taking away business from the smaller shops, but at the same time I don't actively go after their business by slinging mud at them. There are plenty of people out there who have been at the mercy of crooked shops and incompetent so called mechanics. The way I see it, I can help myself by helping them. Someday, hopefully I can transition these clients to business clients if I ever opened up shop. Since they were with me from the beginning, I'd give them the best pricing and not triple it when the shop doors open.

 

[scbird94]

" Someday, hopefully I can transition these clients to business clients if I ever opened up shop. Since they were with me from the beginning, I'd give them the best pricing and not triple it when the shop doors open.

I have that very exact same logic. I actually had a very good deal drop into my hands on a 2 bay shop about 2 miles from my house, and i ALMOST took it.

The reason i hesitated is this. I make very good money as shop foreman at our dealership ($22/hr) flat rate. I work typically 40 and bill between 60-70 hours in a week. On a good week i am making between 30-40 bucks for every hour i am there. nice change in our area. Then at home, i am able to charge 45/hr and its my "shop rate" but essentially its my labor rate because i have NO overhead. I make out like a bandit and people are getting the deal of a lifetime.

If i opened a shop of my own, granted i would LOVE not to have a boss, but i would lose the "bargain" pricing for my customers because of overhead, and i feel i would stay moderately busy, but if it gets slow- its my family that is going to be losing. As it sits now, it gets slow at work, my boss stresses because his *** is on the line, I dont make as much money for that week, work less hours, but i can just do a few more side jobs at home and come out in the black.

I really am still considering opening my own, the location rocks and rent is only $1500/mo for two big bays and a office/waiting area. But you figure in al the flushing machines, hoists, heat, garbage, computers, insurance, alldata, identifix, scan tools, and it gets a little silly... i have enough customers to keep me comfortably busy at home, but if i make it legit- who knows?

Is the grass greener?
What do you guys think?

 

[CarCrafter]

Do all of your research and go over your business plan with a fine tooth comb. When you think you've got everything covered, go over it again a few more times. Plan for failure and you'll be better prepared. Each of us has different reasons as to why we want to venture off and do our own thing. I can tell you from experience that owning your own business can be one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. The ability to make the call and CHANGE because you are the one at the helm. The flip side to that is the responsibility that goes with the title. Employing other people is a responsibility all it own. Well, it should be anyways. I mean, you kind of have some impact whether that guy down at the other end of the shop will be able to pay his bills. Owning your own shop can be lucrative, especially if you can build up a good reputation and maximize your productivity. That brings into question your business practices, whether you'd be able to do the right thing, be ethical, etc. Just think about how much a shop or dealership makes per labor hour billed per tech. On the other hand, you can open the biggest shop in town, over staff, make sure your best friend gets his 150 hours a week, while the other guys stave and you'll end up with someone like me who might be waiting in the wings to take you down !!!

 

[Keep]

I would look long and hard at a couple numbers. Mostly what insurance is going to cost you. House insurance and Liability insurance (this is the big one)

As soon as someone whos car you have worked on gets in a accident you are on the hotseat. Are you licensed, certified, insured?

I used to run a networking/computer business out of the house. I had a room set aside that was for business only. It had its ups and downs. Ups, you set your own hours, no boss (minus the wife that is), you were at home. Downs, distractions, catching up on the weekends since you slacked during the week, the late night phone calls when someones internet broke....etc. As soon as I found full time work, it stopped, I do not miss it one bit.

I agree with the others that say "Buy, fix, build, sell" You can take your time and still make some extra cash.

 

[sasquach]

I do small jobs here and there but nothing big . I used to do all over paint jobs but it is time consumingand you really never make any money in the long run . Do small fender benders or buy and sell then that way if you feel like not doing it for a while people arent hassleing you to do it .

 

[scbird94]

One of the main reasons i want to own my own shop is when i think of the future. The harsh reality of this feild is once you get over a certain age, changing technology tends to thin out the crowd and i have seen too many fresh out of school kids take the place of a tech that has been wrenching for 20 years. Working for someone else, you either need to be the manager or buried so high in a union they cant you.

If i own my own business by the time i reach the age where they would try to replace me, i would be the BOSS. Pass the business to my son. You know the drill.

 

[zmotorsports]

Another thought that my wife just threw in is that people are going to need to have their 'stuff' fixed one way or another, it might as well be at our shop and at less money (due to lack of overhead as someone else already mentioned) and we get a piece of the pie as well as all the other shops around. I have to agree with her and I know there are some extremely talented technicians out there, however, the last few jobs that I have done where they were at another shop first I was not impressed with. I feel I can do as good if not better job than the shop down the street and the clients that I have seem to agree. Mike.

 

[CarCrafter]

One of the main reasons i want to own my own shop is when i think of the future. The harsh reality of this feild is once you get over a certain age, changing technology tends to thin out the crowd and i have seen too many fresh out of school kids take the place of a tech that has been wrenching for 20 years. Working for someone else, you either need to be the manager or buried so high in a union they cant you.

If i own my own business by the time i reach the age where they would try to replace me, i would be the BOSS. Pass the business to my son. You know the drill.

Isn't that a dam shame. It seems everywhere I turn I see that. Guys who are old enough to be my dad who mentored me when I had fewer scars. Part of my desire to own a shop is so we would all have a place of steady employment. The believe that we would do right by our customers and do right by ourselves. I know exactly who I've got and I know what our capabilities are. Many of the older guys I know who were/ are great techs don't even want to be in this business anymore. SMs only give a dam about selling flushes and how many hours they billed at the end of the week. They couldn't care less about fixing the dam car!

 

[rsanter]

I do side work out of my garage as I have the time and as I get the jobs.
I do:
engine builds
head porting and valve grinding
welding and light fab work
machine work
narrow rear ends
restore steering wheels for shelbys, ferraris, porshe, and maseratti.

I do it because I kind of need the money to fund my projects and toys. plus I like it


the rules:
I work for who I want to and on my schedule. I dont like a hard timeline because I just cant meet them. I have a small group of customers who know me and my work and I only work for them or someone they refer to me. no advirtising by me at all.

I will make about $10K on the side this year and am booked to the end of the year. there are a couple of leads for next year that I are working on

bob

 

[e-tek]

I definitley want to retire early - about 55-59 would be do-able - and I know I'll want to do something to keep busy and pay for my hobbies. I could either do some work in my shop or work PT in a parts shop or the like. If I did any work from my shop, I definitely would only do "high-end", no time-frame resto work. I'd put it out there up front - I do it right & it'll cost ya!!

 

[LoneGunman]

We have a no side work policy at work, not wrenching, electrical work. It's more of a don't ask and don't tell policy UNLESS you STEAL a customer, then it's dismissal and they will fight to deny unemployment benefits. I think the line is if the customer was or is a customer of the company you work for. If I work in someones house and see them two months later at a park I still don't think it's right to do sidework for them, too me it's not much different than stealing.

I was on a job and one of the other guys were sent to help me, idiot hands the lady HIS business card. I pulled him aside and said WTF? His attitude was it's the customers choice, now mind you this is on MY job, guy put me in a bad position and I told him so. He caught an attitude about it which made up my mind, supervisor was called and he was fired on the spot.


"Anyone run into problems with your shop/dealership trying to tell you you cant fix cars at home? I know some unions have some kind of no competition clause.

I have been approached by customers at work asking if i would work on stuff on the side which i say very firmly no. I refuse to take customers from work.

But my theory is this- my garage, my tools, my customers, my time. They employ me, not own me. If i want to fix stuff at night to buy a new toy, thats my business."

 

[Moose-LandTran]

If i could get the work in, i'd work from home. Desperate for the money..

 

[Gregster]

I am very selective on what work I'll take at home. Usually just stuff from the people in my area. As soon as people start busting my chops about the price I kindly ask them to leave.

I had one guy tell me that I should pretty much work for free because I am not a real garage.

 

[econoaddict]

Be careful, I found out a couple of weeks ago it can get ugly quick working in a residental zone.
Long story as short as possible: I tried to help out a needy neighbor with some simple but needed car repairs, she picked the car up and insisted on giving me some cash for the labor (not much as I was not going to charge but she insisted, said she would fell better if I took it).
My other neighbors, elderly couple managed to get a picture of her giving me money and turned it all over to the city and county. The called me in and let me know that I am being watched and informed me of all the violations and fines etc.. that will happen if I am "caught" again.

In reality if I had different neighbors this probably would never have happened. It did open my eyes to the fact that it can happen.

 

[sasquach]

Be careful, I found out a couple of weeks ago it can get ugly quick working in a residental zone.
Long story as short as possible: I tried to help out a needy neighbor with some simple but needed car repairs, she picked the car up and insisted on giving me some cash for the labor (not much as I was not going to charge but she insisted, said she would fell better if I took it).
My other neighbors, elderly couple managed to get a picture of her giving me money and turned it all over to the city and county. The called me in and let me know that I am being watched and informed me of all the violations and fines etc.. that will happen if I am "caught" again.

In reality if I had different neighbors this probably would never have happened. It did open my eyes to the fact that it can happen.

That is why when I accept the cash I make shure we are inside the garage .

 

[CarCrafter]

One way to do it is to try and get some business from used car lots. Another friend of mine who works at a Toyota dealer does a lot of that. He fills in with repair work as well, but mostly does work for used lots. Often times, they put up the funds for the cars (auctions) and the parts, and he invests in the labor. When the vehicle is sold, they split the profits. I recall one night about a year ago he did 3 head gaskets (lift and swap only) on Cavaliers. He was up until about 3:am, but got'r done.

 

[zmotorsports]

Be careful, I found out a couple of weeks ago it can get ugly quick working in a residental zone.
Long story as short as possible: I tried to help out a needy neighbor with some simple but needed car repairs, she picked the car up and insisted on giving me some cash for the labor (not much as I was not going to charge but she insisted, said she would fell better if I took it).
My other neighbors, elderly couple managed to get a picture of her giving me money and turned it all over to the city and county. The called me in and let me know that I am being watched and informed me of all the violations and fines etc.. that will happen if I am "caught" again.

In reality if I had different neighbors this probably would never have happened. It did open my eyes to the fact that it can happen.

I was concerned of this as well. When some of the vendors that I deal with were getting questioned as to the dealer pricing they were giving me the wife and I talked and decided to get our business license to avoid any future problems. I have been lucky to not have any problems like this but if anyone did say anything at least I am perfectly legal. I even had to go to all my neighbors within a 200' radius and get them to sign a waiver saying they approved of my having a business license in a residential neighborhood. I went one step further and typed up a short statement of concerns that I thought some neighbors might have and give it to each of them stating things such as I would not run any engines past 10:00 p.m., if even working past 10 pm I would close the shop door and not run any air tools and not have any vehicles parked around the yard or in the street. I can honestly say after 12 1/2 years I have never violated my agreement and I think that is one reason I have the respect and loyalty of my neighbors. Shortly after getting my license two others got people within my city limits got automotive business licenses as well and had nothing but problems with their neighbors and the city put a moratorium on automotive home based businesses. Even if I go a period of time without doing customer work I still would continue to renew my license because I could never get another one in my city now.

I have a close friend that builds custom stereo boxes for cars in his home garage and keeps it clean and fairly quiet at nights and has nothing but problems with one of his neighbors. The neighbor is three doors down but the ones on either side have no issues. Sometimes I wonder if people see someone trying to get ahead or improve their situation/life and they get jealous and have to put a stop to it. I know not everyone is like this but I strongly feel there are some that just want to come home from work and sit in the Lazy Boy and complain about someone who is trying to better themselves. Mike.