[Mike Halliday]

I thinking of getting a unit to store the vast amount of equipment I have, but they are looking  a bit pricey any ideas how I could earn money from having a big unit?

the one I'm looking at is a council owned unit on a purpose built estate, its a 1000sq/ft. I was thinking of making a rug cleaning plant in part of it or maybe offering a 'take up, store & re-lay' carpet service for people that are decorating or doing major building work.

any ideas?

[Darren O]

I was looking at some over Christmass got my eye on one about a mile from my house theres about 10 units all in the one iam looking at is 45sq metres  got quoted £3500 a year thats including service charge for the yard also no business rates untill after 2011 at the earliest.

[Mike Halliday]

that about the right price, mine is double that size and works out at £7000 a year inc vat and rates.

[Glynn]

Iv'e got my own 750 sq ft workshop/unit and a 650 sq ft office building attached to it. No rental.

[nevil]

I rent a small unit from the local council. It's handy for storing all the gear, but also if you want to take rugs off site to clean. Costs a couple  of hundred a month but It's a life saver when you need to do maintenance on equipment. Also came in handy for storing the kids Christmas presents. I've been sub letting half of it out to a local furniture builder for the past six months which has helped financially. I think he's out this month so I reclaim my space.

Great idea about the carpet lifting and refitting service.

[Phild]

Self storage facilities where they use old shipping containers are useful. Not only are they cheaper but you can usually negociate an even more favourable rate for longstay.

[Neil Mc Anulty]

Yeah I use one of those storage containers, the guy I rent it from has about 20 in a business park all taken. It costs £20 plus vat with electricity available and has fitted the ceilings which stops condensation, it was a problem at the start.

I have a stud wall half way down so I only heat half and keep machinery down there in this weather and for drying the rugs.

Its 9ft wide and 45 long. only twice has it been too small for the rug, it was awkward but managed. I would be fit to clean and dry approximately 15-20 rugs a week.

I will get a few pictures later and post them.

[CATMAN]

You should try the commercial landlords first as they carn't give them away at present, because after six months they have to pay full rates on an empty building.

I know a bed place that got a 28k unit at 11k a years. You certainly want a good rent free period.

Problem with councils as I've found is they have no interest in a rent free period, they progress very slowly, the application form was 22 pages long and wait for it you are limted the want a guarentour if you defalt on the rent and a payment to check your credit file.

Steer clear of evanseasyspace, they charge the rent, plus there own electric and gas charges, which are upto 50% more, then they charge a climate change levy (what is this I don't know) then finaley a 10% admin fee + VAT.

Also you want a rent agreement that you can get out of not a full term lease which are a ballache.

Regards

Graham

[clinton]

Niel

How do you get on with security etc with the lock up,do you have to insure it

cheers clinton

[murky]

If you live out in the sticks or nearby pop out and have a word with the farmers, they are allways looking to let sheds etc out for a low rent.

Mate of mine makes and polishes kitchen granite worktops got his from a farmer and when the council came round to do business rates he told him to shut up shop and take the day off and he put bales of hay near it so they wouldnt see it.

'Dont want them buggers putting our rates up do we' was his response.

Thats what I call a real farmerrrrrrrrrrrrrr! (sorry)

Murky

[Mike Halliday]

went to see a unit today 3000sq/ft with an office kitchen and 2 toilets it was fantastic, been empty for 9months

if I was a entrepreneur I would get it in a shot, it has so much potential (rug plant, leather spray unit, car valeting, importing chemical & machinery)

but would cost £140 a week.... but its 3 times the size I need, if I could go halves with someone we would both get a fantastic bargain

[paul moss]

Mike i looked at a couple like that and its heart wrenching.

Do you take the chance or not???

I think you right to leave it at 150. You should find sothing that will do you for around half that.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Why noy have a Summer house built in your garden it's big enough and then when you sell up you'd get your money back and some!

You have enough space if you take down the shed and the outer conservatory so your back garden doesn't look cramped, just a bit of planning and thought, Glynn has a nice set up at his.

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

Shaun our lass has moved back in and we just want the house to be a home not a glorified factory unit, plus with the 3 trailers I've got the place is looking like steptoes yard.

one of the conditions of her coming home was I move all the machinery out of the Bungalow, ( bitch is already trying to rule my life again  : 

did you ever see the cat pump I had in the bathroom cabinet, and the manual forklift  in the utility room, she was'nt happy about them

[Shaun_Ashmore]

To be replaced by potpourri and other girly things.

Shaun

[Stu.Clem]

Got  a nice small secure 200 ish sqft lockup in the centre of my main "area" It benefits from a loading bay / large 50 space carpark entrance to it too.  Very convenient for popping back to if overlooked anything.
A  must if I am to be able to keep my beloved trials bikes where they belong in my garage.
Tried keeping stuff in our summerhouse but my missus obviously not as kindly as Mrs Ashmore   : Even 24 bottles of zap-it was frowned upon!!

Stu

[Shaun_Ashmore]

My missus is always frosty!

Shaun

[Phild]

We are 15 minutes from Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre if anyone wants to discuss space / storage / work areas. We have a couple of contract cleaners storing materials and a windowcleaner with a water set-up for WFP cleaning - his guys just come in and fill their tanks. Put NE34 9PZ into Google satellite maps. call Andy on 07720 461 561 if you want a look around.

[Neil Mc Anulty]

Clinton
I havent even thought of insurance to be honest but as far as security is concerned I wouldnt be worried. The guy who owns it is the owner of an electical contracts company and has had cameras fitted all over and quite visible, so a good deterrent.
At night you would have to go through 2 gates before you even get to the container and then the container itself would be hard to get into. It certainly would cut out the opportunist hood and I doubt It what I would have would warrant a more sophisticated operation.

[jasonl]

I hav 1100ft shop/storage  in Sheffield , in need of refurb 20k ,, or 30k fully refurbed  ,bargain for someone.