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pay as you use garage
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 5:32 pm
by Bryan
Im thinking about setting up a garage with a 2 or 4 post lift, tools etc to rent by the hour, to work on your own car.
Whats peoples thoughts on this, do you think theres a market for such a thing.
This will be in the woking area?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 5:50 pm
by Steve
Ive always thought that this is a great idea! Even just the lift hire would be great and bring your own tools. It seems like every job I do on my car would be ten times easier if it was on a lift.
Suppose the only worry is that you get a car on there, the owner starts tinkering with it and something breaks. Ok if you have storage space to wheel it into but guess the answer would be wheel it outside and let the owner arrange recovery etc.
Good luck with this....hope it gets off the ground!
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 6:33 pm
by Blue
It's a good idea but would need to be closely monitored, people will really take the Bananarama! if they get the chance.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 7:10 pm
by Dart Vader
there's one near oxford might be worth a sneaky peak
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 7:58 pm
by Bryan
Bringing your own tools would be my preference but i wouldn't charge to hire the tools unless it was specialised..ie brazing/welding gear.
To be honest, I'm not looking make a living out of it but more for somewhere we can work on our cars, help each other out.
Just looking at prices for lifts and they are very affordable. just need to find a place to house it all.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 8:34 pm
by Super Sloth
Have you considered renting a space together with some like-minded mates that you can trust rather than have it open to all?
As Blue points out - there are plenty out there who will try and take the mick.
For it to be a public thing there will be things to consider like some sort of insurance coverage and things like the ropes on the lifts will need renewing periodically.
Not trying to shoot your idea down just mentioning things that will need considering.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 9:46 pm
by Roger
I wondered about this when we had spare capacity. But i just couldn't see how it stacked up finacially.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 16 10:25 pm
by andyrob
sorry to sound negitive but really sounds like making a rod for your own back
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 16 6:59 am
by Bryan
andyrob wrote:sorry to sound negitive but really sounds like making a rod for your own back
Why do you say that Andy?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 16 7:47 pm
by shovelheadrob
A chap I used to know did this in Peterborough back in the '80's, it was a great facility, but as Blue said, some people will always take the Bananarama! & after a few years he just turned it into a regulator garage & car sales place. You'll likely end up with a dozen motors in various states of disrepair & no money coming in.
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 16 8:24 pm
by sticky
There"s one called Ramp And Wrench on Fletchhamstead Highway(A45) in Coventry. Have not tried it myself, but its been going a while and seems to be doing OK
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 16 10:36 am
by ghopki
Did you ever move forward with this Bryan?
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 16 1:36 pm
by Bryan
No i didn't, rental charges around here are crazy, £30k+ a year but I'm always on the look out and if the right unit comes along i would have a go. As i think i said in my post, I'm not looking to make a living it out of it, just cover costs and really somewhere me and like minded people could work on our cars.