Making money from your workshop in later years...

[Ubique]

It pains me so say it, but if I were 35 again and knowing what I do now [impossible, of course], I'd be looking to relocate out of this [once] 'Great' Britain, to anywhere other than this now [dis]United Kingdom.

For preference Canada or Oz, although it's changed there since I was last in that country.

Never been to either but there are plenty of countries in Africa that I'd move to, Namibia is probably near the top of the list but I've not been there recently, after that, maybe surprisingly Malawi or Zambia, I had a great time working in both. Unfortunately this country of ours has been screwed over by those who don't understand the concept of government - and I include some politicians and most civil servants in that.

I already use my 'workshop' to supplement my wages - friends of friends at the most, and always given an written (well, text or email) quote first, it'll always be something to get me out of the house after walking the dogs and domestic chores, more 'rattling money' to cover costs and give worth to the work rather than an actual source of meaningful income.

 

[Pete.]

workshop stuff I do is mainly on a barter or liquid refreshment basis

Same here. Ironic as I'm not much of a drinker so I can have anything from none to half a dozen cases of 1664 at any time just from 'payments received'.

Right now I have a demanding but well paid job so I have no need to charge for any of the work I do and TBH I get a kick from being able to repair something that would not normally be regarded as repairable. I often make stuff for work, but I never charge them because they never say anything if I use their van and diesel to make a 120 mile round trip to pick up some piece of equipment or other. Quid pro quo, as Dr Lecter would say.

If I make it to retirement I would surely be willing to do small paid jobs. I'd charge what I would consider to be a reasonable amount and be firm about the price and payment. Generally, if I perceive someone to be a decent person, they'll get a hell of a deal out of me.

Haven't given it much thought beyond that.

 

[Farside]

I'd given that some serious thought a couple of years ago when retirement finally happened. However, even though I've got a reasonably well-equipped setup, the issue of blagging bastads came up unexpectedly and made me pause for thought.
I'm quite happy using my workshop for me and me alone - it's me I built it for and nobody else. Hardly anyone around here knows of it and I'm happy to keep it that way.
There were only three or four outsiders ever in it, one is the immediate neighbour and he's not a type to ask me favours (although I'd happily do one for him), the second is one with his own well-equipped place so it never comes up, the third was a further neighbour and he's now deceased (but he was a great old lad) and the fourth immediately started asking me to do things for him for nowt, so he got binned.
Then there's the issue of countrywide gangs of thieving gits... the less they know, the better.

 

[8ob]

A man tinkering in his workshop can be a bit of a magnet for those drivelling tea swilling time wasters.Ask me how I know.

Bob

 

[Ubique]

A man tinkering in his workshop can be a bit of a magnet for those drivelling tea swilling time wasters.Ask me how I know.

Bob

You've been hanging around someone's workshop?

 

[MetalMonkey]

Then there's the issue of countrywide gangs of thieving gits... the less they know, the better.

I think this would be my number one worry.

 

[addjunkie]

A man tinkering in his workshop can be a bit of a magnet for those drivelling tea swilling time wasters.Ask me how I know.

Bob

I must admit, I quite often get asked can you just…..I now know that the just 5 minutes often is 5 hours, so have learnt to fend many of the requests off and only really do stuff for the genuine cases.
Recently I was asked to weld up some thing. Yea ok I said, bring it to me. 83 excuses as to why they couldn't bring it, my time to valuable to do the 3 hour round trip to collect and return. In their head I throw all my stuff in the pick up and go there and do it, not happening, I mean my oxford mig is portable its got wheels but there only to move it round my shed!

 

[Cato]

I've found that there are two words which almost magically get rid of time wasters and freeloaders. "Minimum charge."

 

[northwest]

It pains me so say it, but if I were 35 again and knowing what I do now [impossible, of course], I'd be looking to relocate out of this [once] 'Great' Britain, to anywhere other than this now [dis]United Kingdom.

I sort of emigrated, twice and should I so wish I could move to a beautiful country in the tropics tomorrow and live the life of Riley, the one thing stopping me and the reason I UN-emigrated, twice? A woman, they get you every time! No real regrets though so it is a price I am happy to have paid.

Yea ok I said, bring it to me. 83 excuses as to why they couldn't bring it, my time to valuable to do the 3 hour round trip to collect and return.

I sort of use this as a test, I try and weave a bit of effort and commitment on the recipients part if I can, it weeds out the bone idle thankless lot.

 

[MattF]

the one thing stopping me and the reason I UN-emigrated, twice? A woman, they get you every time!

As @ajlelectronics said, just the other day, those lumpy jumpers.

 

[redlig]

A man tinkering in his workshop can be a bit of a magnet for those drivelling tea swilling time wasters.Ask me how I know.

Bob

I have the answer to those types that never fails . I'm not sure if I developed it or if it was natural. I just bore them to death and they don't come back.

 

[redlig]

I must admit, I quite often get asked can you just…..I now know that the just 5 minutes often is 5 hours, so have learnt to fend many of the requests off and only really do stuff for the genuine cases.
Recently I was asked to weld up some thing. Yea ok I said, bring it to me. 83 excuses as to why they couldn't bring it, my time to valuable to do the 3 hour round trip to collect and return. In their head I throw all my stuff in the pick up and go there and do it, not happening, I mean my oxford mig is portable its got wheels but there only to move it round my shed!

Another thing that works is to ask them for a dimensioned sketch .

 

[Cato]

Worth noting the definition of 'business' if you're using a workshop (or anything else TBH) as a business. According to the OED :-

the activity of making, buying, selling or supplying goods or services for money

The last two words define the existence of the business, so it's to be expected that anyone using that business should pay.

 

[James1979]

I am lucky because I can see people coming before they get to the workshop. So, I always greet them with something in my hands - “just about to fit this, what can I do for you?”

Implies you are busy so they don’t stay and also re enforces your time is paid for.

 

[Cato]

I am lucky because I can see people coming before they get to the workshop. So, I always greet them with something in my hands - “just about to fit this, what can I do for you?”

Implies you are busy so they don’t stay and also re enforces your time is paid for.

You know those cantankerous, miserable old gits you hear about? "Go and see so-and-so. He'll sort it, but he's a bit weird so don't make eye contact, and no big or sudden movements."

We're all on this forum aren't we?

 

[Onoff]

I have a very extensive and well equipped workshop

& then some!

 

[Bobtail4x4]

You know those cantankerous, miserable old gits you hear about? "Go and see so-and-so. He'll sort it, but he's a bit weird so don't make eye contact, and no big or sudden movements."

We're all on this forum aren't we?

I have a mate like that, I drop him pheasants/rabbits/ whatever I have a surplus of, he can be relied on to have an obscure nut or washer I need on a sunday afternoon,