Relocating a home workshop?

[Jelly_Sheffield]

So it looks likely that we will be relocating due to my partner's job in the new year...

There's a house we've seen that ticks all the boxes (including a larger workshop with better access) and we're now starting to consult with mortgage brokers, and make preparations to sell ours.

However, I am scratching my head on the best way to relocate the seven big machines as part of any prospective house move.

It's simply not realistic or sane to do it in my normal way on completion day, even if I have the landy back on the road and hire a second trailer.


As I can see it, my options are:

1a) Sell the majority of the big equipment now (which would also help finance the move) then build back up from scratch.

1b) Sell some of the machines as a rationalisation, to generate some ready cash and make one of the options 2-4 cheaper and easier.


2a) Agree pallet storage with a local company, drop them off one by one with the trailer a few weeks before the move, and then pick up afterwards.

2b) as above but only collect the big mill myself, and get everything else delivered to the new house by pallet-line.

2c) as above but split the big mill into 3 (ram+ head, knee+table, column) and have everything delivered by pallet line.


3) Agree with a local HIAB+Haulage company to drop them at their depot a few days before the move, for them to deliver a few days afterwards.


4) Arrange a bridging loan to facilitate staggered completion dates, so we have time to move everything ourselves.


Every option that lets me keep the machines, has significant financial implications and potential pitfalls, whilst selling up is a major undertaking in and of itself.

If I do sell everything it would be a hell of a lot less stress to sell to a dealer as a job lot, but I'm keenly aware that I'd lose a good chunk of their value compared to private sales.


Any experiences or advice welcome.

Also, if anyone in the Sheffield or South Lincs. area has spare covered storage they might want to rent out for a month or so next year, I'd be very interested to chat.

 

[8ob]

Ask the seller of the new property if you can have access to the workshop on exchange, that could give you a week or two head start on the heavy lifting.

Bob

 

[addjunkie]

I put my stuff in a storage facility, or at my old mans so it wasn't involved in the move. Bridging wasn't a sensible option at the time. Can be expensive if yours doesn't sell quickly.

 

[addjunkie]

Ask the seller of the new property if you can have access to the workshop on exchange, that could give you a week or two head start on the heavy lifting.

Bob

Thats an option, but exchange in advance isnt common now. Usually exchange and complete on the same day

 

[MetalMonkey]

I think a lot depends on the machines and their condition - if they aren't anything you are particularly attached to, selling might be the best option.

If they are good quality machines in good condition, the chances are you will sped a lot of time and money trying to replace them, plus the hassle of the logestics (for some reason the right machine is only ever available on the opposite side of the country).
In which case relocating them makes sense.

You might also try having a word with @fizzy

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Ask the seller of the new property if you can have access to the workshop on exchange, that could give you a week or two head start on the heavy lifting.

Bob

That's a distinct possibility as our understanding is that it's currently unoccupied...

I guess they can only say no?

Thats an option, but exchange in advance isnt common now. Usually exchange and complete on the same day

My big concern would be that because it's uncommon now that potentially weakens our bargaining position with the buyer of our own house, or scares off some mortgage providers (for either party).

I certainly wouldn't want to put us at risk by exchanging on the other property out of sync, even if our mortgage provider would permit it (doubtful).

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

I think a lot depends on the machines and their condition - if they aren't anything you are particularly attached to, selling might be the best option.

If they are good quality machines in good condition, the chances are you will sped a lot of time and money trying to replace them, plus the hassle of the logestics (for some reason the right machine is only ever available on the opposite side of the country).
In which case relocating them makes sense.

At least 4 are absolutely worth hanging on to if I can, but nothing in there is completely irreplaceable (the lathe comes close to irreplaceable, I could find something comparable but not easily).

Ultimately if it's a case of having to choose between prioritising our future or equipment for my hobby, I will just suck it up and try to enjoy shopping for new machines... But I'd rather not.

 

[addjunkie]

That's a distinct possibility as our understanding is that it's currently unoccupied...

I guess they can only say no?


My big concern would be that because it's uncommon now that potentially weakens our bargaining position with the buyer of our own house, or scares off some mortgage providers (for either party).

I certainly wouldn't want to put us at risk by exchanging on the other property out of sync, even if our mortgage provider would permit it (doubtful).

I think the exchange and complete on the same day avoids big deposits being paid in advance, espescially when many folk are buying with very low equity especially at the bottom of the chain.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

or at my old mans so it wasn't involved in the move.

This has just given me a new avenue to consider, my parents neighbours (who I'm on really good terms with) have a large secure yard and dutch barn on a plot behind my parents house.

It wouldn't be as good an option as proper indoor storage, but it's certainly worth a conversation to see if they could help me out, without it interfering with their business.

 

[addjunkie]

This has just given me a new avenue to consider, my parents neighbours (who I'm on really good terms with) have a large secure yard and dutch barn on a plot behind my parents house.

It wouldn't be as good an option as proper indoor storage, but it's certainly worth a conversation to see if they could help me out, without it interfering with their business.

Container and hiab

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

You might also try having a word with @fizzy

I had already mentally filed that if I do go down a pallet-line route he's the man to talk to.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Container and hiab

Not really practical at this end due to space constraints (the workshop is accessed via a shared yard that's down a literal green-lane and surrounded by houses on all sides), otherwise that would be a really nice option.

Everything has to leave this end on a trailer or dropside not more than 1.9m wide or 7m long.

I am beginning to feel like an idiot for figuring "Getting them out is a problem for future Jelly" when I got them.

 

[Brad93]

hiab move it all in one hit no fussing

 

[Pete.]

My experience is that even though it's heavy work moving the big stuff it's a lot more work moving the little stuff.

 

[cheb]

Could you finance buying a 7.5T lorry, assuming you have the category on your licence? Load everything into it over a suitable period of time, do the move and then sell the lorry. Or rent one for a week or so.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

My experience is that even though it's heavy work moving the big stuff it's a lot more work moving the little stuff.

Oh god, don't I know it.

Compared to the workshop, the contents of the house will be much much harder work...

Most of the workshop small stuff is already unitised into one person liftable cabinets and boxes, or on trolleys.

Unfortunately moving big machines is very time intensive, even though it's way less actual work.

Could you finance buying a 7.5T lorry, assuming you have the category on your licence? Load everything into it over a suitable period of time, do the move and then sell the lorry. Or rent one for a week or so.

I thought about this (hire, not buy) but ruled it out for a few reasons:

• It would need to be an 18T minimum as the total weight of machines is approx 6900kg.

• I don't have the C entitlement, and my dad is just too old for the self-drive insurance at only place I could find that will hire out HIAB 18T's to private individuals (even though he has his C+E and a valid CPC).

• Absolutely no way I can get a 18T to the workshop door, or safely trans-ship the machines from a trailer onto a tail-lift vehicle on the (steeply sloped) road.

 

[gaz1]

it depends on where you are going

to where you can store it so ask if anyone is in that area

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

it depends on where you are going to where you can store it so ask if anyone is in that area

If anyone in the Sheffield or South Lincs. area has spare covered storage they might want to rent out for a month or so next year, I'd be very interested to chat

Going to the A1 corridor between Grantham/Stamford, coming from the south of Sheffield.

It's close enough that storage at either end is fine, the journey time itself is less of an issue than the loading time this end.

 

[AKN]

Have a chat with @fizzy I’m sure he’ll have some good ideas.

 

[northwest]

I am in the same boat really. My plan was to buy (still might be) a 20' container, stick it in the drive and move the contents of the workshop into it nice and slowly, simply pick the whole thing up and relocate. Failing that, it is start now to move all of the "moveable" stuff into storage and the biggish machinery over the day(s) of the move. I would just get Steve Cox (Landylift) booked in advance and go from there. Doesn't matter what I decide really, I am going to need some really fit, really strong guys to move everything and I am going to be stressed to bits over it all. Selling my machinery is not an option, I have invested far too much time and effort into getting it all just right. Besides, it would all sell for tuppence and cost thousands to replace.