Does anyone have a personal workshop/unit?

[SKILL]

Just curious really... I've been thinking about this recently, I do a fair amount of work on my cars and I've got a 'restoration project' sat in the garage so thinking it'd be nice to get a little unit/workshop with enough space for a 2-post lift, couple of cars, tools etc.

So does anyone have something similar? Do you find it worthwhile etc?

And being nosey how much does it cost you? Been looking around locally and very few viable options and those that are around seem quite expensive, also bigger than I 'need', but maybe my expectations are out of whack with reality...

 

[Doobedoo]

No but I have access to our works workshop complete with a 2 post ramp.

 

[sovietspybob]

When i did briefly look you're having to pay a lot of money for anything, even a standard concrete council type garage can be into the hundreds per month and something with power and space it can be 400-500+ a month from what i've seen locally.

Unless it's going to be making you money i don't really see it being worth it, with what you'd spend over a couple of years you may as well pay a garage to do whatever to your car.

I was lucky enough to have enough space to build my own steel garage of 6mx7m at home which could accommodate a lift if needed, so if possibly i'd put the money towards extending/building a bigger garage as at least then you'll get some of the money back as value of the property.

The other option is to try and fall in with a similarly minded group of people who may have access to a workshop? I know a few people who work on vintage buses and they all rent a compound and keep all their stuff there so can work on stuff and help each other out.

 

[Doobedoo]

It may be worth it if going in with mates but not really for maintaining your own vehicle.

 

[SKILL]

Yeah, tbh that's kinda how I've been leaning recently, although around here seems a decent chunk more than £4-500 for anywhere but yeah...

Being an anti-social git has it's downsides

I have considered maybe doing it as a business, like a 'rent-a-ramp' type thing or maybe buying/working on/selling cars, but not really sure I can see the business case for it, I honestly don't get how small garages manage it to an extent

 

[radderfire]

Yeah, tbh that's kinda how I've been leaning recently, although around here seems a decent chunk more than £4-500 for anywhere but yeah...

Being an anti-social git has it's downsides

I have considered maybe doing it as a business, like a 'rent-a-ramp' type thing or maybe buying/working on/selling cars, but not really sure I can see the business case for it, I honestly don't get how small garages manage it to an extent

Other business models to consider:
- Car storage
- YouTube car restoration videos. One channel that springs to mind is Mat Armstrong, who repairs crash damaged cars. He got himself a very nice unit not so long ago, but I expect it wasn't cheap.

As you are in Melksham, maybe there would be a local farmer that has a barn you could rent? Just an idea.

 

[SKILL]

Other business models to consider:
- Car storage
- YouTube car restoration videos. One channel that springs to mind is Mat Armstrong, who repairs crash damaged cars. He got himself a very nice unit not so long ago, but I expect it wasn't cheap.

As you are in Melksham, maybe there would be a local farmer that has a barn you could rent? Just an idea.

I guess, car storage would require more space, so more money which is a pain. I put some trackday/hillclimb/racing videos on YouTube, but nothing with me talking/on camera, not sure anyone wants to see/hear that when there's so many better options in that space

Plenty of farms around, not sure how to contact them though, other than just going up the driveway and asking whoever says hi Actually a lot of the places I've seen with units for let are ex-farm areas, some converted barns but mostly 'new' buildings on the space were barns used to be...

 

[EddScott]

This is something I've looked into.

I have 2 cars that I keep garaged but only one garage at home. I have another garage but a mate rents it for his Mk1 Escort so I keep one of my cars at my mums.

Ideally, I'd like somewhere I can keep both and I have friends who are always looking for space.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether you'd have to pay business rates if renting a unit. It wouldn't be a "business" as such. Just enough space for X number of cars and somewhere to work on them.

I have one mate who I know isn't really using an old lock up - fair sized yard and building for half dozen cars easy. Can't seem to get him across the line to rent it to me! Not sure why. Apathy I think

 

[gc123]

rates/insurance, security cause someone is likely to take a interest in your tools/vehicles, if power there then utility charges etc. its a whole can of worms, not to be taken lightly.

 

[Rroff]

Sadly no - would be very useful as there is a lot of stuff I could do on my vehicles but don't have the setup to do realistically. I had a look around locally and the costs were prohibitive for either shared w/ existing lift and other equipment, etc. or other potential premises - well into the 100s of pounds a month or more.

I have considered maybe doing it as a business, like a 'rent-a-ramp' type thing or maybe buying/working on/selling cars, but not really sure I can see the business case for it, I honestly don't get how small garages manage it to an extent

Those kind of places around here shared/rent a ramp with basic equipment available are booked out months or more in advance so I'd imagine there is demand for it - but I suspect there is a lot of headache involved such as insurance and all the business paperwork side of it.

 

[SKILL]

This is something I've looked into.

I have 2 cars that I keep garaged but only one garage at home. I have another garage but a mate rents it for his Mk1 Escort so I keep one of my cars at my mums.

Ideally, I'd like somewhere I can keep both and I have friends who are always looking for space.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether you'd have to pay business rates if renting a unit. It wouldn't be a "business" as such. Just enough space for X number of cars and somewhere to work on them.

I have one mate who I know isn't really using an old lock up - fair sized yard and building for half dozen cars easy. Can't seem to get him across the line to rent it to me! Not sure why. Apathy I think

That lock up sounds perfect, you need to push for that

Also not sure on rates, on the list to call the council about if I go down that route.

rates/insurance, security cause someone is likely to take a interest in your tools/vehicles, if power there then utility charges etc. its a whole can of worms, not to be taken lightly.

Yeah, lots to consider. Power wise I'm about to get an EV with 'Vehicle to Load', I've been have considering whether that'd work at least in the short term rather than paying for a proper supply

Sadly no - would be very useful as there is a lot of stuff I could do on my vehicles but don't have the setup to do realistically. I had a look around locally and the costs were prohibitive for either shared w/ existing lift and other equipment, etc. or other potential premises - well into the 100s of pounds a month or more.



Those kind of places around here shared/rent a ramp with basic equipment available are booked out months or more in advance so I'd imagine there is demand for it - but I suspect there is a lot of headache involved such as insurance and all the business paperwork side of it.

True, I did have a look and I think the closest place is Cheltenham, Bristol used to have one I believe but it's closed. Feels like you'd need to be/someone needs to be there all the time it's booked as well, I guess that's fine if you had two ramps/space to work on your own car, or an office I could do what's supposed to be my day job, was thinking Bristol would make more sense for something like that but sod driving there pretty much every day...

 

[MrKnifey]

I have my own workshop for my business, but keep a ramp/bay free for my own stuff luckily..I have considered renting another just for my personal stuff, but it's just too expensive

 

[radderfire]

Have you thought about asking local car clubs to see if they know of anything?

 

[SKILL]

Have you thought about asking local car clubs to see if they know of anything?

Hmm, could be a good call. Hadn't thought of that but I'm a member of Bristol Motor Club because of the hillclimbs/sprints, I should ping them an email...

 

[TomO]

you would be liable for business rates, however if the unit rateable value is low enough and you dont rent/own any other business premises, you can normally get a full exemption.

 

[casper_uk]

When i did briefly look you're having to pay a lot of money for anything, even a standard concrete council type garage can be into the hundreds per month and something with power and space it can be 400-500+ a month from what i've seen locally.

Unless it's going to be making you money i don't really see it being worth it, with what you'd spend over a couple of years you may as well pay a garage to do whatever to your car.

I was lucky enough to have enough space to build my own steel garage of 6mx7m at home which could accommodate a lift if needed, so if possibly i'd put the money towards extending/building a bigger garage as at least then you'll get some of the money back as value of the property.

The other option is to try and fall in with a similarly minded group of people who may have access to a workshop? I know a few people who work on vintage buses and they all rent a compound and keep all their stuff there so can work on stuff and help each other out.

Can I ask how much the steel garage cost to build? Got any pictures you wouldn't mind sharing? I have an area at the end of my garden where I want to build a large double garage/workshop, but it seems silly money for a brick built garage.

 

[sovietspybob]

Can I ask how much the steel garage cost to build? Got any pictures you wouldn't mind sharing? I have an area at the end of my garden where I want to build a large double garage/workshop, but it seems silly money for a brick built garage.

Yeah, i have posted here in the past but can't find it now. I think it was around the 11k mark for getting the groundworks &concrete slab done then the steel garage all put up, about 7k for the steel garage itself and 1500 for it to be erected by one of their preferred builders.

The builder who built my house was getting on for 20k for a brick built garage of the same size and that wasn't even with a slate roof so steel ones are a lot more affordable. They have their downsides though as they are hot in the summer and cold in the winter unless you get it insulated, but that hasn't really bothered me.

This is when it was new a few years ago, it's full of junk now!

What it's degenerated into now:

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

11k for that is pretty great value for that amount of space and ceiling height!

 

[casper_uk]

Agreed, looks great for 11k! Wonder what the cost would be now... Need to measure up and see just how big a garage/workshop I could fit.

 

[Greebo]

11k for that is pretty great value for that amount of space and ceiling height!

Agreed, looks great for 11k! Wonder what the cost would be now... Need to measure up and see just how big a garage/workshop I could fit.

He actual said it was £19.5k all in, still a good price. £11k was just for the base.

With the price of concrete and other materials now, I wouldnt be surprised if that wouldnt cost you £30k nowadays.

I had a quote for a concrete base during covid for a garage with water and electric run to it (60m) during covid and it as £12k. I got it revised last month and now £19k sadly

I dread to think how much the shed will be now