your advice on new buissnus venture

[wizzbilly]

The initial message has been deleted from this topic.

[CHIEF]

Changing the subject ever so slighly what about fitting out Narrowboats? a friend of a friend used to do this and he made a good living doing this. He's buy a shell aand fit it out and sell it on.

A decent Narrowboat is around 60k btw.

He also fitted offices inside steel shipping containers as a sideline and did alright out of that too.

If you think you can do it then go for it - if you fail you fail but you'll never know unless you try.

Good luck

[Eric Mc]

There is no doubt that the motorhome market has been steadily growing over the past four or five years. The numbers of motorhomes in use in the UK is at its highest since their peak in the mid 1970s. I've heard that in 1975 there were 35,000 motorhomes/campervans registered. The number is currently at around 20,000 and rising.

There is a big difference however in that MANY of the motorhomes registered in the UK are continental built machines (with some American RVs in there as well) so there is a much larger choice of manufacturers and styles available to suit almost every taste and requirement. The market for bespoke built to order motorhomes is tiny in comparison. However, the market is there.

I would suggest getting hold of some motorhome magazines - MMM and Pracrical Motorhome being the two biggest circulation publications. MMM is for the real motorhome anoraks and there is usually at least one feature a month on home-built projects.

Converting motorhomes for disabled customers might be an area to look at as well - adding hydraulic lifts, handholds etc.

[1]

I would agree that there is a market for bespoke conversions. Most people buy a bespoke conversion with a specific use in mind; Car racing, fishing, surfing, moto-cross etc.

Personally I would specialise in one of these areas and build to their specific needs. That way you can become very efficient at doing the same conversion, not to mention the saving in time and money sourcing materials and making templates etc.

Although this will significantly reduce your market, it will allow you to build a reputation and learn the trade, and you can always expand into other areas once you are established.






You can download a free spell checker for internet explorer from www.iespell.com

Edited by 1 on Monday 11th August 19:38

[Kinky]

Billy - not much help I know - but there was a programme on TV a few weeks ago about converting a van into a motorhome. I think it was "Wheeler Dealer" - but can't confirm that (I was working at the time).

Might be useful to see if you can find a copy of it somewhere - as it might give you some tips - although I suspect it may be a bit basic for the skill level that you are already at.

But good luck with the venture

K

[richardxjr]

wizzbilly said:

i am to do just small vans that pepole can still carry there family in on a day to day basis aswell as weekends away .

my target market is younger familys with a child or 2 to be honest

Have a search for Mazda Bongo conversions (Also badged as Ford Freda).
You'll be aware of these already, Jap imports, they come over as 8 seater MPVs which just happen to have an elec-elevating roof. There are a few cottage industry converters out there, and quite a lot of fit-it-yourself kit already in the market. There's room for more, I'm sure, it's all about the marketing.

Might give you a few ideas.

I'd like one myself, specifically because they are 4WD (diesel too). So I can tow my boat or jetski with it, and use it to launch off slipways. And it's small enough to use as a 'normal' family car.

[russ_a]

VW T4 Conversions always seem very popular

[HiRich]

1 said:

I would agree that there is a market for bespoke conversions. Most people buy a bespoke conversion with a specific use in mind; Car racing, fishing, surfing, moto-cross etc.

Personally I would specialise in one of these areas and build to their specific needs. That way you can become very efficient at doing the same conversion, not to mention the saving in time and money sourcing materials and making templates etc.

Although this will significantly reduce your market, it will allow you to build a reputation and learn the trade, and you can always expand into other areas once you are established.

This is interesting (although I would be tempted not to specialise). I'm coming at this from a club motorsport angle, and I haven't seen a decent van with features that make you think "what a brilliant idea".

Take ourselves as an example. Our car could fit inside a van. We could transport the car and equipment inside (so no trailer). At the circuit, we demount everything, then the loadspace can be used for sleeping, office space, and to shelter from the rain. The inside could be designed like a Pod for Thunderbird 2.

• The car sits on running boards over the wheelarches.
• The running boards are made as a series of interlocking boxes: tool chests, stove, etc.
• At the circuit, these are removed and set around the van. As well as serving their purpose, they also act as seating, and mounting for an awning.
• Inside, bits fold out, carpet is laid on the floor, and you have a living space (so no need for a tent or B&B)
• A custom-made awning clips to the body sides (and base boxes), giving you one, two or three sides of cover.
• All of this can be removed, and the vehicle can be used as a normal van.
• Everything is designed for quick installation and removal, so we can choose which bits we need for each event. Really craftily, it could all stack together in the garage - both for tidy storage and so we have the same toolkit for the garage and race track.

Lots of little tweaks can be built in to maximise storage space, add features and strap everything down securely. On a far bigger scale, this is how the F1 trucks are designed.

I'm sure the other areas suggested would have their own bespoke requirements. You could customise trailers, you could have demountable systems for MPVs (remove the back seats, insert "activity pack").

Create an ideas book for each variant. You'll come up with ideas from customers (asking for bespoke features), and by nosing around the paddock on race day. The customer can pick & mix from the existing ideas, then add their own features and details.

[1]

HiRich said:

Lots of stuff about specialising in converting vehicles for motor racing.

HiRich said:

This is interesting (although I would be tempted not to specialise).

[Paracetamol]

Billy

This is going to come across as increadibly rude but I am only giving it as sound advice and its nothing personal as I am unsure of your issues with spelling...

If you do need to provide anything in writing to potential customers, you may find it helpful to enlist the help of a secreterial service or a friend/partner to ensure that the spelling and grammar etc is right. This will ensure that you maintain credibility with clients. Importantly, it may also protect you if you ever have disputes with clients over contract terms, quotes etc.

Once again-please dont take this personally. It is not intended to riducle you in any way. Good luck with the venture- it sounds fun.

[HiRich]

1 said:

I meant that your idea of bespoke work for specific markets was interesting. But I am not convinced that it is necessary to stick to just one of those markets. Although I neither fish nor surf, I suspect the similarities to racers are greater than the differences. The bespoke element (listening to what the client wants, tailoring the product to suit) means each market is just a small step from the others. So why restrict yourself?

The motorsport stuff was to indicate that I have not seen anyone doing good bespoke work for one particular market. I suspect the same could be said for the other markets.

[1]

When I said "specialise" i meant just that, just because you specialise in a certain area doesn't mean you can't do other things. It will just allow you to build a reputation in a certain area quicker.

Edited by 1 on Wednesday 13th August 18:49