small workshop questions ..

[owas]

Hey everyone,
Ive got an idea for what I want to start a small business as and currently do all my metalwork outdoors which is getting quite annoying fast.

I already have all the equipment and steel I need so
(Welder, evolotion metal saw, drill press , angle grinder, table ect) so no outlay there just moving and renting a place now.

Just something around 500 sq ft or less.
ive seen some advertised around £50 a week, how much can I expect to pay on top with electric and rates ect ? A really rough estimate would get me an idea of the feasibility of this as ive never rented a place before so its all new to me..

 

[cumbriasteve]

As well as rent you may be required to pay for building and public liability insurance, a small industrial estate in my area also insisted you were registered with an accountant and he provide proof of the last years finances.

I would do everything I could to manage without the burden of renting, of course if you have no space for a workshop, even a small one then yes it limits your options.

A business friend once advised me that if you can not manage the expense for a year without relying on any income then you should steer clear of setting up, seeing the number of small set ups that only last a few months I think it was good advice.

 

[zzr1200]

It would help if you state the area where you intend to rent a workshop, rates tend to vary around the country...

London.............very high.

Shetland............low-ish possibly.

 

[owas]

Sorry .. would idealy be in oldbury (by birmingham), not an expensive area.

I did think once Ive worked out how much it would cost to have a years rent+ everything else already before I start.

right now the only other option would be to build a lean to roof off my house that shelters everything ... but its not very productive to have to wheel out my large welder, drill press ect

I already have a 8x16ft gym room in my garden so I dont think I can legally build another, although a conservatory style lean to off my house could work?

But wouldnt it be abit dodgey to do so much loud metalwork at home?
I havnt had a complaint so far but I dont think im far off if I start working everyday lol

 

[BrokenBiker]

Sorry .. would idealy be in oldbury (by birmingham), not an expensive area.

I did think once Ive worked out how much it would cost to have a years rent+ everything else already before I start.

right now the only other option would be to build a lean to roof off my house that shelters everything ... but its not very productive to have to wheel out my large welder, drill press ect

I already have a 8x16ft gym room in my garden so I dont think I can legally build another, although a conservatory style lean to off my house could work?

But wouldnt it be abit dodgey to do so much loud metalwork at home?
I havnt had a complaint so far but I dont think im far off if I start working everyday lol

as long as you aren't working during unsociable hours there isn't really a complaint to make. My one neighbour insists on phoning the council or police as soon as i start grinding or welding or even if I light the wood burner in the garden now and the last copper that came out told them to grow up and told me i was within my rights to indulge my hobby providing it is within reasonable hours.

 

[owas]

as long as you aren't working during unsociable hours there isn't really a complaint to make. My one neighbour insists on phoning the council or police as soon as i start grinding or welding or even if I light the wood burner in the garden now and the last copper that came out told them to grow up and told me i was within my rights to indulge my hobby providing it is within reasonable hours.

Ah right I always assumed it could be classed as a nuisance and was quite hesitant to grind a lot.

I think building a lean to with some sort of barrier will be the best bet then for now,
attached the area ive got to work with, think a timber frame structure would be cheap enough. (Old pic, table where all the mess is now)

 

[zzr1200]

Try finding/looking for your local business enterprize start up scheme, sometimes they have access to reduced rates, low rent work units.

or

The only other option is to try and find a farmer who has a small space to rent for pocket money, I agree hard to find a farmer in Oldbury but sometimes well worth the hassle/travel....

also knew a guy who started of in a private large rented garage (25ft x 35ft), the old dear who owned the house/garage was as deaf as a post, he was gutted after several years when the old girl popped her clogs.

 

[zzr1200]

Do you buy your steel by the ton???

 

[owas]

Do you buy your steel by the ton???

Got that entire lot for 200 quid + a fiver for someone to bring there flatbed and pick it up lol.

Ill have a look see if theres anything like that around here, I just have a feeling that theres a million extra costs when renting a unit that I dont know anything about, hence the newbie questions

 

[zzr1200]

I just have a feeling that theres a million extra costs when renting a unit that I dont know anything about, hence the newbie questions

Your local business startup scheme is the place to go, generally run by retired business men who want to help others startup (possibly to get away from SWMOB as well), plus they will know or have access to information and know any pitfalls your walking into, well worth a visit.

imho

 

[the snooper]

if you do get a small workshop you should qualify for small business rate relief, I think its still available to apply and you would pay zero rates

 

[cumbriasteve]

Looking at that amount of steel in your garden I suspect you will be lucky to claim it's a hobby, you could try saying you have a medical ferrous collection obsession.

 

[the snooper]

Looking at that amount of steel in your garden I suspect you will be lucky to claim it's a hobby, you could try saying you have a medical ferrous collection obsession.

no to mention the business rates people may come after you running from home

 

[zzr1200]

Looking at that amount of steel in your garden I suspect you will be lucky to claim it's a hobby, you could try saying you have a medical ferrous collection obsession.

 

[owas]

Looking at that amount of steel in your garden I suspect you will be lucky to claim it's a hobby, you could try saying you have a medical ferrous collection obsession.

I think I do.
the gym before I set it up properly

Iron everywhere lol.

It technically has only every been used for a hobby though as ive only built equipment ive used to date

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Surely the answer is turn the gym room into a workshop and join a gym for exercise - would work out cheapest option !
As I see it you'd have to travel to "work" every day with a workshop so no different to traveling to a gym. In fact do you use the gym room every day ? What about renting a nearby council lock-up for sub £10 a week to use as a gym room or seeing if a mate has a spare garage they want to share the gym equipment.

Paul h

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Once you have your workshop and find yourself with lots of projects to build , you wont need a gym

 

[owas]

Surely the answer is turn the gym room into a workshop and join a gym for exercise - would work out cheapest option !
As I see it you'd have to travel to "work" every day with a workshop so no different to traveling to a gym. In fact do you use the gym room every day ? What about renting a nearby council lock-up for sub £10 a week to use as a gym room or seeing if a mate has a spare garage they want to share the gym equipment.

Paul h

The thing is, its not just me that uses the gym, another 8/9 odd people too, so theyd all have to get gym memberships aswell.
Also training to become a powerlifting/strongman competitor so alot of specialised equipment I wont find typically in a normal gym.

Its wood too ... I dont want to burn it down and no dedicated electric supply, just a spur off a plug inside to power a small sub and lights

I see how it would be better if it was just me though.

 

[simplysimon]

if you have an electric cooker point you can run pretty much anything you're likely to want, the cable (not the socket) should easily be capable of 32A if you can spur off it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you have an electric cooker point you can run pretty much anything you're likely to want, the cable (not the socket) should easily be capable of 32A if you can spur off it.

the cooker outlets are 45a rated. The sockets attached to them are just 13A so you would have to either hardwire into it or fit a commando socket to it. And then have to put up with cables trailing through the kitchen.