Our own TV&S car storage unit?

[sidekickdmr]

Before I even start id like to clarify that this is very unlikely to happen due to red tape and politics but just a thought at this time.

Ive seen a huge number of threads asking about car storage/garages in the local area lately, I myself am interested in this too now its winter.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And that’s just the people who have bothered to start a thread.

Wouldn’t it be cool to get a number of is together, say a maximum and set number of 10 people, and collectively rent a unit somewhere central to the TV&S area.

It could be used for car storage, mechanics, could even have a sofa and a beer fridge for Sundays spent tinkering/cleaning cars.

Location isn’t perfect but something like this:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-to-...


Or this

www.gumtree.com/p/flats-houses/storage-unit/108533...

£100-120 each a month would cover the unit, insurance and upkeep.

I don’t know if we would have to pay business rates, that’s an enquiry for the council.

Entry could be worked on a key code basis and every time someone leaves the club/group of 10 the code is changed.

Thoughts?

Edited by sidekickdmr on Monday 17th November 11:24

[sidekickdmr]

Yes I agree it would be imperative to ensure it ticks all of those boxes, but I don’t think that would be too hard.

The units ive listed above were very quick examples and just for an indication, there are lots of better and more suitable units around.

For example, there is a big house in Wokingham that has a very large and secure new unit on site. The whole site is behind electric gates and CCTV covered and being next to the owners house there is someone around at nighttimes too.

Ive still got his number somewhere I can dig out if enough interest.

[sidekickdmr]

As you say, security would be key, its not going to be Fort knox but as an example, the place I mentioned above has gates, CCTV, 24 hour people on site and its an all brick and steel building with a steel shutter door.

We could obviously fit a GSM Alarm system which only the 10 of us know the code for. or install our own smart phone compatible CCTV, both of these options are quite cheap.

I don’t know how insurance would work, we would need a policy to cover the place going up in flames/ public liability etc, but wouldn’t each car be individually insured anyway?

[sidekickdmr]

We could even get an alarm/access system where each member has a unique code so if there are any issues we have a log of comings and goings.

That and a basic CCTV system with DVR and remote viewing would be plenty to keep an eye/track on things.

[sidekickdmr]

I'd be happy to pay it year round as I would basically be using it as my garage, I only use the v6 once every 2 weeks or so so that would work for me all 12 months.

But this can be flexible I guess?

If anyone had another use for it in the summer, it wouldn't have to be used for a car (ie, boat storage, household stuff, trailer)

[sidekickdmr]

Agreed and like I said I wasnt saying we should even consider the units linked.

I was hoping for a unit that was big enough to be able to park like this (with a path/driveway down the middle):

\\...//
\\...//
\\...//
\\...//
\\...//


Or some variation of the above that meant you can always access the car.

Not forgetting that there would be lots of outside parking for additional storage, parking, car cleaning etc.

[sidekickdmr]

Im always happy for suggestions, feel free to post on here/PM me as many as you want.

However I feel we are still in the "is there sufficient interest" stage at the moment, if enough people are interested then we can start to look at it more seriously and look at insurance/council side of things.

As a side note, the Gumtree unit I posted in the OP has got back to me, its based in Finchampsted, wokingham, tucked behind a private house behind gates and CCTV, Its a very informal deal, just a months rent in advance and monthly direct debit, no need to involve the council for business rates etc. However it is £1000 a month and is only 12.5x8.3 M internally so guess we could only fit perhaps 6 cars inside.

Edited by sidekickdmr on Tuesday 18th November 15:07

[sidekickdmr]

Guess a good way to monitor interest would be a list:

Obviously non committal at the moment, but if you are seriously interested please add your name.

1. Sidekickdmr
2. SimonJH

[sidekickdmr]

This does seem to have a good, steady flow of interest, and that only from the people that frequent the TV&S sub forum on PH alone.

Leave it with me, Ill take another look into it over the next few weeks.

[sidekickdmr]

Location wise, I wouldn't say it has to be immediately surrounding Wokingham, but as this is going to be regular car storage for some (me included), Id say 25 miles is pushing it, however, for the right place (Secure) and price it could be a possibility. PM me if you want

Size/price wise, I was looking for something along these lines:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-to-...

2500 square foot

Metal construction and shutter

Remote but secure location, with residents on site

Central door, with enough room for cars to line either size with central driveway.

I reckon, at a guess you could fit 7 cars lined up each side, so 14 in total?

£13,500 PA, £1125 a month, between 14 cars that's £80 a month. Ok bills and insurance on top, but would also be space outside for extra car/motorhome parking.

[sidekickdmr]

Total loss said:

Potential place 22 miles from Crowthorne High St.

Very secure, armed guards
The building could take any size vehicle, motorhomes included, with AFAIK 24/7 access.
Some friends have one of the other buildings & use it as a workshop/car storage, as yet I don't know cost's. Total area, anything from 2,000 to 20,000 sq ft

Does sound good, is it a dedicated building or shared use?

Total loss said:

sidekickdmr said:

£13,500 PA, £1125 a month, between 14 cars that's £80 a month. Ok bills and insurance on top, but would also be space outside for extra car/motorhome parking.

+ Business Rates ? which at 48% (?) would be another £6500

I need to look into this more but AFIK if you are using it for personal use, and not a business, and can prove this to the council, there are no rates to pay.

You don't pay business rates on self storage units.

I just need to call the council and find out for sure.

[sidekickdmr]

Surely one of the biggest uses for industrial units is car mechanics and such, they must get around it somehow, I've never been asked to drain my car before taking it in for some work.

[sidekickdmr]

Beaker77 said:

Gents,

This thread seems to have gone cold so I assume nothing panned out? Well I can warm it back up for those who are still interested. As per my original posting, I have been looking for some time for shared workshop space in the West Berkshire area to no avail, so I have decided to lease my own workshop and provide some shared facilities. I already have a lift, MIG, TIG, plasma cutter, tube bender etc. as I do body and mechanical fabrication work on my own projects, but my double garage has just gotten too small for my plans (which include a spray booth so my neighbours wouldn't be too happy about that).

I have it narrowed down to two units in Newbury, both around 2500 square feet so plenty of space with a layout that would provide easy access to both storage and workshop facilities. I am meeting the agent today to finalise so this would likely be available in the next couple of weeks. Costs would start at £100/month for storage accessible 24x7, but PM me if you are also looking for workshop access for repairs or project car etc. and we can discuss further.

Good on you!

Best of luck and ill be sure to PM you if needed.