Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Scrimble on June 10, 2014, 10:35:37 pm

Title: renting a unit
Post by: Scrimble on June 10, 2014, 10:35:37 pm
currently having 2 vans, ibc in a shed and all equipment kept at home I am considering renting a unit, want to separate work from home,

anyone share some input good or bad? costs isnt low approx £100 per week but is it worth it?
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: LWC on June 10, 2014, 10:37:39 pm
Thats a big expense isnt it? I know what you mean but is it worth it? How much does it cost you running it from home?

Im not saying this in a negative way. I would love one to! But hey it doesnt cost me £100 a week at home  :)
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: WGB on June 10, 2014, 10:47:26 pm
Have you room to put up decent size shed??
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Clever Forum Name on June 11, 2014, 06:34:44 am
I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: 8weekly on June 11, 2014, 06:56:50 am
I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!
At that stage I'm surprised neighbours aren't complaining. Bet they aren't too happy unless the vans are out of sight.
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Clever Forum Name on June 11, 2014, 06:58:14 am
I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!
At that stage I'm surprised neighbours aren't complaining. Bet they aren't too happy unless the vans are out of sight.

I don't think they would dare ;)
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Inspire Cleaning on June 11, 2014, 08:54:50 am
Hi,
If you want to grow your business its the only way to go. You say you have two vans already. Well two vans with full rounds will push you near to the VAT threshold of just over £80k. (Midlands prices )

£100.00 per week is peanuts to pay out. Take a balanced view of advice given on here. There are window cleaners who are happy with a one van operation and there are others who are building a business so they can soak up the sun in later years.
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Scrimble on June 11, 2014, 12:35:21 pm
inspire i am vat registered, way passed 80k turnover, 2 vans are myself and 1 employee but I plan on growing

think you are right as I am the 2nd window cleaner you described,

am just interested in other windys views on here who have or have had a unit
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: richywilts on June 11, 2014, 02:25:16 pm
when renting a unit think of the other costs involved such as

**business rates
**water rates
**electricity
**security
**deposit
**terms of lease
**service charge
**building insurance
**contents insurance
**phone
**broadband

they all mount up so dont make the decision lightly i agree if you want to build a business not run it like a job you should ideally have a business premises, but ive been stung in the past just make sure you make the right choice on size etc, consider who uses the units nearby as a lot are occupied by noisy garages etc
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: deeege on June 11, 2014, 02:49:07 pm
Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 ;D
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: richywilts on June 11, 2014, 03:21:26 pm
Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 ;D

haha  ;D ;D
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Dean Taberner on June 11, 2014, 03:59:31 pm
I've got a lock up with an office attached to it which costs me £300 a month,

The broadband is £10 a month and we haven't spent £20 in electric since we moved in 3 months, electric is paid for by the means of an electric card.

The office came fully furnished with office furniture and has heating/air conditioning,

We have no contract on the office and can leave whenever we wish, like wise they could move us on I suppose.

The massive plus point to this is we've got our home life back as the business had taken over our house.
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Richard Neal on June 11, 2014, 04:11:44 pm
If I was running 2 vans,over the vat threshhold and making a good profit I would definately want a unit with soace to park up at least one van.
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Tony dunmall on June 11, 2014, 05:59:43 pm
I rent a space/ old diary unit, of local farmer it's clean I've got water, power and can park vehicles the post code actually lowers by insurance cost as it comes up as secure parking, no there's no cows in there now


costs £60 per month no rates

Water and electric on top that I currently sell water to 8 other window cleaners on total 10 of us use the water 

Car parking is £20:00 per month

It's not glamorous, just on edge village but 5 mins from house but if you look around you can find these places
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Neil Gornall on June 11, 2014, 06:54:43 pm
Try contacting your local council.
We rent one from ours, no contracts and very reasonable costs. 600sq ft  for £3100 pa.
Our local govt offer rate exemption if its your only unit and its under a certain size. So that saves me £1200pa.
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: sunshine windows on June 11, 2014, 07:30:19 pm
Here's a thought for you if at all possible.

Find a suitable property that you could rent out to a tenant, but use the garage space for your business needs.  ;)

You'll practically have a base for your business rent free
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Smudger on June 11, 2014, 07:52:29 pm
We have 3 vans and got a unit ( from the council ) as parking would have been really problematic yes it costs around £550 per month but all the vans are locked up inside every night and I don't have to worry about frost protection during the winter months
All water is produced down there, generators, pressure washers are all safely stored as well.

Depending on the size of the biz you should be exempt from rates.

Also it's a great ad - we are on a busy ( for norfolk villages ) road and the sign is easily seen by passing traffic.

It's a big step, but well worth taking

Darran
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Scrimble on June 14, 2014, 06:48:54 pm
contacted the local council and they dont do units anymore
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Stephen.C on June 14, 2014, 08:43:39 pm
Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 ;D

haha  ;D ;D when did you get out?
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Bob Stones on June 15, 2014, 07:47:07 pm
500 a month

7 X 1000 IBC tanks

Space for my 5 vans

Great
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Ian101 on June 15, 2014, 11:00:17 pm
there's a space in my back garden which is ear marked for a small building which will hold 2 vans, an office, water production area with 6 ibc's , oh and a space for a sun room / Jacuzzi on the end of it ....... may struggle to get the Jacuzzi offset against tax on grounds of muscle therapy after a hard days work  ;)

Will be shielded from nosy neighbour with a tall fence and roof will have a rainwater collection system.

£15000 to £20000 all in I reckon will look like a garage to outside world and hopefully no planning issues.

Few years away yet but will get there  :)

Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on June 15, 2014, 11:25:30 pm
buy a shop with a garge and a flat on the top of them all

 then your unit will be free and even make money with the two other bits rented out  8)
Title: Re: renting a unit
Post by: amayze on June 21, 2014, 05:28:41 am
We're in the process of moving into a unit, and it's proving better already.

Yeah, sure there's a cost, but you can get some good deals out there, we've got 18 mths free rent on a 36 mth lease, but home is now home again and work is now work.

Our biggest problem was it took us over a year to find some-where suitable !