Thoughts on car storage, detailing, etc in south warks

[paddy328]

A client of mine has suggested the idea of starting a car storage business for predominately high end cars, that will also offer servicing at somewhere like mcgurks, wheel refurbs, paintwork, vehicle management and of course on site detailing. The unit would be a very high standard, not your usual barn at a farm kind of thing. Very secure, discreet and offer 24/7 access to the cars.

Who thinks this would be a good idea? I would of course still travel to do the detailing, but it would be good to have a base of operations if needed.

[Jon39]

You would obviously somehow have to estimate the potential demand for car storage.
As Warwickshire is more rural than say Greater London, I suppose many 'hobby' car owners, would have their own space to keep a few cars.

What is the name of the Warwickshire village, where AML build their special project cars? They are in a secure unit on a small industrial estate. Perhaps you could move in next door.

[paddy328]

To be fair, i don't think it would be hard to fill the spaces, but just gauging an interest really. I know many aston owners tend not to have enough cars to warrant needing extra space, but so far, its just an idea. We have a potential unit and went to look at it today. i know what you are saying about warwickshire, but it has very good transport links and many people from london have houses around here and down the road in the cotswolds.

[DB4DM]

There are already several such firms around Stratford. Is there a need for more?

[kbooker]

Maybe further North? I can't find any suitable storage around South Yorkshire...

[paddy328]

There are a couple, but they don't offer what we would offer, plus they are not as clean (essentially a barn) and you need to give 24 hours or more notice if you wanted to pick your car up. My client with the idea has his cars stored around there and sees a gap in the market and wasn't happy with the way they did certain things.

[AMDBSNick]

So let me get this right.

You are going to also offer servicing at a local indie, wheel refurbs and paintwork, all I assume at a local specialist.

I'm not sure what vehicle management is

One assumes you will add your margin for organising such services?

Perhaps you can flog them some insurance too

Let me have a think

[paddy328]

AMDBSNick said:

So let me get this right.

You are going to also offer servicing at a local indie, wheel refurbs and paintwork, all I assume at a local specialist.

I'm not sure what vehicle management is

One assumes you will add your margin for organising such services?

Perhaps you can flog them some insurance too

Let me have a think

Why the attitude? It's not my idea, but have been asked by a client if it would be a good idea, as he stores his cars already and it would offset some of the costs for him, plus he thinks things can be done better.

Vehicle management is pretty much organising collection and delivery of cars of needed.

The other stuff is pretty much services available when the car is there. Standard stuff really, but everything is on the doorstep.

nothing is set in stone, but just thought I'd put the idea to you guys.

Another cool thing would be video access 24/7 via a secure website, so you can check on your car whenever you like and check that everything is as it should be.

And no, Mcgurks wouldn't do everything, but they are there should the client wants the car servicing.

Edited by paddy328 on Friday 10th June 21:04

[Jon39]

I know nothing about how car storage firms operate in practice.
However, my 'play' cars are little used, so therefore I have to implement a care sequence, to ensure the vehicles are kept in good working condition.
One important aspect is to drive at least once a month, a minimum 30 mile trip. That seems enough to keep the cars happy, when they are not otherwise being used.
Everything is hot after 30 miles, and the exhaust system will be clear of moisture, so ready for the next rest period.

How is that driving aspect deal with by storage firms, because there could be trouble?

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 10th June 21:33

[Quarterly]

I'm surprised you haven't had a more positive response to your question Paddy, but I don't think you should let that put you off. I know someone who stores cars for a living and they do really well out of it. Most of the cars are owned as investments and never see the light of day. Here are the positives as I see them, you have an advantage that you're already well known and highly regarded for what you do, you already know how to run a successful business and have a client base. If I were in your shoes I'd go for it, what is it they say, without risk, there is rarely reward. Personally, I don't think you will ever look back. You don't want to be driving all across the country to detail cars for the rest of your life. With a base like this you can expand the business and offer other services for people who don't want to use the dealers and prefer a bespoke and trusted personal service. You will probably find that having a base means there are other avenues of revenue that you can tap in to and long term find a more lucrative source of income. I wish you the best of luck.

[Speculatore]

This has been done VERY successfully by a fellow PH member at 'Garaged.com' Umair is a real petrol head and started off doing high end storage for clients using Heathrow and Gatwick. His company has snowballed and now provides a number of additional services.

[paddy328]

Thank you mr quarterly.

I have worked at garaged.com before, when it was at redhill and while it was massive, it was essentially a big dusty shed. I know he has moved nearer to gatwick and i haven't seen that unit yet. Nice guys there. The unit we have in mind is quite impressive, clean and secure.

So far, its just an idea that was put to me. I would always be a mobile detailer, as i think this is convenient option for people, but it would be nice to have a base with perfect conditions in which to detail cars. I often have to deal with dusty garages and tight spaces (not just because I'm fat). I have clients all over the place and I've never got myself a unit, because i don't think people could be arsed to travel, but it would be nice to have the option.

[Quarterly]

paddy328 said:

I would always be a mobile detailer, as i think this is convenient option for people,

Just asking this as a question, but if you had a storage business you would probably need your own collection/delivery vehicle, you could also use it to collect and deliver cars for detailing? There must be a significant cost for you to drive half way across the country and stay in a hotel to do your thing. I could envisage a situation where collection/delivery of a car for detailing would be the norm and all part of the service while a site visit would be a premium cost option?

[AMDBSNick]

paddy328 said:

Why the attitude?

No attitude Paddy.

Your OP was very scatter gun. Put some meat on the bones of your business idea and I'm sure you will get all the feedback you need from this forum.

Nick

[JulianPH]

paddy328 said:

I often have to deal with dusty garages and tight spaces

And once you had to deal with a frightning bee, if I remember correctly.

Seriously though, I agree with Quarterly. It could be a great idea and the delivery/collection side of it could be very important. If you could wrap up the following:

Secure Storage
Modern high end London unit
24/7 accesses
Delivery/collection service accross UK (even Europe..?)
Full management/concierge package including arranging servicing etc.
Detailing
Special insurance terms (due to the nature of the storage)
A rolling floor to give long standing cars x miles a month of running time
A sale & hire proposition for members wanting this (you would have a lot of like minded clients)

You could be onto a winner. Obviously you would have to work out what the overheads would be, what profitability you are aiming for and how many cars the unit could store to come up with a price per car and then test this price with the market before committing.

If you could secure enough advance bookings (pressing on the exclusivity) then you are effectively taking no financial risk.

Email me if you want to chat further, I might be interested in getting involved if that is up your street.

[JulianPH]

Sorry Francis, I read it as Southwalk (as in London!).

Actually though this might work better as your overheads will be massively lower and you can still offer collection/delivery therefore targeting clients from accros the country (including London, of course).

The collection/delivery wagon is an absolute must for this to work though.

Another service - all cars on trickle charge.

[jayplay28]

Francis you have Windrush and Ecurie Esprit already offering these services and more which are only a short drive from where you mentioned

Edited by jayplay28 on Saturday 11th June 21:04

[paddy328]

I know that mate. My client has done a great deal of research. Windrush does look very slick, but is £62 a week. It would only be a small venture to start off with. Like most things though, including detailing, there is plenty of work to go around.

[ironictwist]

paddy328 said:

I know that mate. My client has done a great deal of research. Windrush does look very slick, but is £62 a week. It would only be a small venture to start off with. Like most things though, including detailing, there is plenty of work to go around.

As long as you own the premises...Go for it. It's a great business & the relationships you build along with the passion for the people & cars you look after make it all worthwhile. If you're expecting to make a significant profit, it isn't the business for that (Not by itself at least) - Which is why I do the sourcing alongside.

The biggest "drawback" as it were...With the nature of peoples needs/wants, there are no "opening hours" really, unless you firmly put them in place from the outset and rigidly stick to them, or to speak from experience...You will otherwise then have no social life if you don't, especially through the summer when everyone else is headed off to events/days out & you have to hold the fort, which is why set hours is key if you still want to maintain some of your usual responsibilities/lifestyle choices - But I'm sad enough to admit that my work is my social life and I'm ok with that

[divetheworld]

My partner worked in the high end unsecured financing business. Storage for super cars that are used as collateral is one additional revenue stream. The big pawn businesses don't often have facilities.