Classic/exotic car storage price, ect - opinions wanted
Discussion
Long story short, I've been given an opportunity to move my business to new premises. The place is bigger than I need. Part of the building, the part I don't really need, is suitable for conversion to a facility for storing cars. It's not huge and is probably capable of holding maybe 20 vehicles in the manner in which I'd like to do it.
The premises is on a secure, gated estate and would be accessible 24/7. The area is indoors and we would construct individual secure garages in the building each with it's own roller shutter so very private. Each storage garage would have power outlets, a web-cam viewable by the customer and perhaps things like lockers for essential "car stuff" - maybe even running water so that cars can be washed, etc.
We aren't looking at offering a "full service" such as servicing, repairs, car drop off and collection or valeting as some facilities do so it would be strictly secure storage only - but high quality, very secure storage in a pleasant "petrol-heady" environment. As I say, limited space so ramming the place with cars isn't the plan so I reckon it may as well be high quality rather than high volume.
I've never used these types of facilities so looking for a bit of advice on what is reasonable to charge and any other pitfalls we may encounter. I've been through other threads on this subject and insurance seems to be possibly one of the biggies but I have a few tame brokers who are mates so I'm sure we can sort that one way or another.
My initial thoughts on pricing is in the £25-£30 a week region, perhaps a bit more. My only real reference is a storage container I currently rent which runs me £75/month.
This isn't a get rich quick scheme and won't be my main business. It's an idea to utilise some spare space and contribute to the premises costs. I'm not expecting to become wealthy from this and I'm not interested in taking people's eyes out.
Location will be the North East.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
The premises is on a secure, gated estate and would be accessible 24/7. The area is indoors and we would construct individual secure garages in the building each with it's own roller shutter so very private. Each storage garage would have power outlets, a web-cam viewable by the customer and perhaps things like lockers for essential "car stuff" - maybe even running water so that cars can be washed, etc.
We aren't looking at offering a "full service" such as servicing, repairs, car drop off and collection or valeting as some facilities do so it would be strictly secure storage only - but high quality, very secure storage in a pleasant "petrol-heady" environment. As I say, limited space so ramming the place with cars isn't the plan so I reckon it may as well be high quality rather than high volume.
I've never used these types of facilities so looking for a bit of advice on what is reasonable to charge and any other pitfalls we may encounter. I've been through other threads on this subject and insurance seems to be possibly one of the biggies but I have a few tame brokers who are mates so I'm sure we can sort that one way or another.
My initial thoughts on pricing is in the £25-£30 a week region, perhaps a bit more. My only real reference is a storage container I currently rent which runs me £75/month.
This isn't a get rich quick scheme and won't be my main business. It's an idea to utilise some spare space and contribute to the premises costs. I'm not expecting to become wealthy from this and I'm not interested in taking people's eyes out.
Location will be the North East.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
if you have the available space, and it's suitable then it could be an easyish way to get some overheads covered then it sounds a decent idea. Having those independent kind of internal garages sounds like it'll be above the usual warehouse storage, but perhaps below the ones where they do maintenance and a white glove type service.
I think pitching around the £25 to £35 a week feels right with what you've said paid via DD or standing order a month in advance. You could do a deal to get it off the ground where if someone commits to 12 months then perhaps they pay for 11 and get 1 free - gets you cash in the bank in advance.
A mate of mine used to store an old 1960's Foden 8x4 show truck, I'm sure he was paying around £100 a month for it and that was just at a local commercial vehicle place that had a spare unit with 4 bays in each with one power point for a battery conditioner.
Good luck if you decide to go ahead, i'm sure there is a market for it.
I think pitching around the £25 to £35 a week feels right with what you've said paid via DD or standing order a month in advance. You could do a deal to get it off the ground where if someone commits to 12 months then perhaps they pay for 11 and get 1 free - gets you cash in the bank in advance.
A mate of mine used to store an old 1960's Foden 8x4 show truck, I'm sure he was paying around £100 a month for it and that was just at a local commercial vehicle place that had a spare unit with 4 bays in each with one power point for a battery conditioner.
Good luck if you decide to go ahead, i'm sure there is a market for it.
Sounds quite good value to me.
I have a car collector friend who has set up something similar in Yorkshire, it may be a bit posher, with permanent security, but larger I think at 75+ cars. I tentatively enquired how much.... he just gave me that 'you can't afford it look' then told me he'd filled it already!
I'd seriously consider putting one of my classics in a facility like you are planning if the costs were along the lines you say. However it would have to be local (ie 10 mile range) and in an area where driving it from the facility would be interesting, ie not a built up area.
I have a car collector friend who has set up something similar in Yorkshire, it may be a bit posher, with permanent security, but larger I think at 75+ cars. I tentatively enquired how much.... he just gave me that 'you can't afford it look' then told me he'd filled it already!
I'd seriously consider putting one of my classics in a facility like you are planning if the costs were along the lines you say. However it would have to be local (ie 10 mile range) and in an area where driving it from the facility would be interesting, ie not a built up area.
I'm paying £80 a month for a space in a secure, CCTV, climate controlled garage with access to a workshop, lift, brew/toilet facilities and permeant power for my MGBv8 in Cumbria and £55 a month for a secure powered outside garage for another car and assorted sundries.
The main car storage area holds about 15 cars and 10-15 bikes, and the guy that runs it as a side-line an keeps his cars and bikes there as well. It's always full, I couldn't find anything better locally it's about 15 miles from home and anything else in the county (nearer Carlisle)was much more expensive (£30 a week and up) and that is before you got into any white glove services.. I'm glad it's always full - it's stopped me buying another car more than once!
Back on topic - I think thee have been threads on this sort of thing in the past - if you have the space going idle and the security and can get your insurers to handle the third party access to your building it sort of works - but not if you have to buy a property in the first place. It of course helps to be a petrolhead ;-). CCTV coverrage available via the internet to renters is a must - lockable 24x7 access with a secure outdoor area to run/wash the cars (Old cars and smoke alarms dont mix - which is a point about your building fire systems). Power to each parking bay - somewhere to park the car you arrived in and a loo would be good. The workshop/lift is a bonus.
S.
The main car storage area holds about 15 cars and 10-15 bikes, and the guy that runs it as a side-line an keeps his cars and bikes there as well. It's always full, I couldn't find anything better locally it's about 15 miles from home and anything else in the county (nearer Carlisle)was much more expensive (£30 a week and up) and that is before you got into any white glove services.. I'm glad it's always full - it's stopped me buying another car more than once!
Back on topic - I think thee have been threads on this sort of thing in the past - if you have the space going idle and the security and can get your insurers to handle the third party access to your building it sort of works - but not if you have to buy a property in the first place. It of course helps to be a petrolhead ;-). CCTV coverrage available via the internet to renters is a must - lockable 24x7 access with a secure outdoor area to run/wash the cars (Old cars and smoke alarms dont mix - which is a point about your building fire systems). Power to each parking bay - somewhere to park the car you arrived in and a loo would be good. The workshop/lift is a bonus.
S.
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