Self-service garage? (Norwich specific)

[jlai928]

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experiences with these and if anyone knows of one in Norwich?

The closest I've found is in North Walsham which is 40 minutes away so not too bad but yeah I'm based in Norwich. Also, anyone in Norwich with a garage I can use to install coilovers and a bodykit haha

I've got the tools but main thing is that it's just easier to work on a lift and even if not, it's just too cold for my liking right now to work outside

[kurt535]

I wondered the same recently. good idea for a business so long as it can stay a workshop and not turned into more 1 bed flats

What does the other place charge?

[jlai928]

I like your thinking haha they are charging 10/hour only with a minimum of 20 (2 hours).

[Rob197]

Try fast eddys in Norwich,he's on here and not too expensive

[fast eddys]

jlai928 said:

I like your thinking haha they are charging 10/hour only with a minimum of 20 (2 hours).

I don't think you understand the overheads of a workshop mate and the insurance implications of having an unknown/unqualified person in a workshop potentially operating a ramp etc. £10/hr does not go anywhere near to paying the overheads!

Eddy

[jlai928]

Fair enough, what are we talking then if you were to run something like this? Possibly with supervision on hand?

[kurt535]

jlai928 said:

Fair enough, what are we talking then if you were to run something like this? Possibly with supervision on hand?

Supervision used to be called evening/sat courses held at the local FE/Tech college before govts spanked the FE sector funding and many tutors left!

Seriously, Eddy is on the right track.

I used to independantly deliver IMI Awards motorcycle mechanics entry level 3, Level 1 and 2 to teenagers and adults. My insurance came in at @ £1200 pcy. I got it through a specialist education training broker. I seem to recall this figure was in addition to normal public liability and public indemnity but I'd need to check. My annual costs for a workshop were as follows:

rent: £9,000
small biz rates: £2500
insurance: £2000 (I think)
heating/lights/water: can't remember! say £1500?
tutor: £25,000

net: £40,000 fixed cost

say you are open 231 days of the year (allowing shut 2 days a week and 30 days holiday and bank holiday) that's

£173 minimum you must take per day you are open.

8 hour day? so £22 per hour to cover costs.

On that basis I'd want 3/4 car bays to make it have half a chance of generating enough revenue to allow me to invest in facilities and staff to help.

My courses ended up being funded, such was the demand, so pressure was off me for many years as i had revenue stream in addition to 'retail' courses. Downside was i had to get qual'd as a teacher to get the money!

[samdale]

I live in North Walsham. If you've found the same Google result I did, forget it. Went round there the other day to ask about it. He stopped doing it several years ago. Only offered it back then as the garage wasn't making money and just wanted SOME business.

[jlai928]

Yeah mate I called them up and he said the same. A shame

[Bokers]

As the OP has tools, and having been in this situation myself, why don't you either invest in a 'popup tent/marquee' as one of my friends works this way and it keeps the heat in/rain off, or, like I did, rent your own garage. Serves as second car storage and you can work on jobs over time. You can find small garages for rent locally for not a lot of money. Better still, if you have a like minded friend or two thay you can trust, get a bigger unit between yourselves.

[jlai928]

That's a good shout mate thanks