would this idea work (new car business) and would you use it
Discussion
Hi,
Been thinking for a while about setting up on my own but dont know what to do..
One idea I was thinking is to rent a unit (team valley maybe) and set up an MOT centre, Also within the unit would be workshop facilities that could be rented out to DIY mechanics for either an hourly rate or a per day rate (ramp/lift ect ect). There would be say 3 ramp/lifts but only 2 bookable at any time leaving 1 free incase someone's project over runns
There would also me a valating bay.
The company would also supply parts and maybe deal with alloy wheel refurbishing
Idea's still in the early stage and I appreciate constructive feedback.
I am guessing our good old health and safety friends may be one brick wall to overcome?
Dave
Been thinking for a while about setting up on my own but dont know what to do..
One idea I was thinking is to rent a unit (team valley maybe) and set up an MOT centre, Also within the unit would be workshop facilities that could be rented out to DIY mechanics for either an hourly rate or a per day rate (ramp/lift ect ect). There would be say 3 ramp/lifts but only 2 bookable at any time leaving 1 free incase someone's project over runns
There would also me a valating bay.
The company would also supply parts and maybe deal with alloy wheel refurbishing
Idea's still in the early stage and I appreciate constructive feedback.
I am guessing our good old health and safety friends may be one brick wall to overcome?
Dave
I had similar thoughts, the DIY shop, not the MOT centre. Registration to perform MOT requires a big investment in equipment and tends these days to be handled by either dealerships or dedicated MOT centres. Lots of smaller outlets offer MOT but actually sub-contract the test.
As for the DIY shop there are several liability issues that the operating business (you) would be accountable for and most of them require that the people using equipment, even if it is their own equipment being used at your facility will require proof of formal training. For example you can't operate a trolley jack without formal training; devices such as ramps must be periodically inspected as they are classed as lifting equipment. Obviously there are issues if you were hoping to offer use of a four post lift. These issues can be managed; you just need to know that there are liability issues to sort through. You will also need public liability insurance and the cost of this will be determined by the quality of training and will be void if you fail to meet all your statutory obligations.
Good idea if you can get the liability issues sorted.
As for the DIY shop there are several liability issues that the operating business (you) would be accountable for and most of them require that the people using equipment, even if it is their own equipment being used at your facility will require proof of formal training. For example you can't operate a trolley jack without formal training; devices such as ramps must be periodically inspected as they are classed as lifting equipment. Obviously there are issues if you were hoping to offer use of a four post lift. These issues can be managed; you just need to know that there are liability issues to sort through. You will also need public liability insurance and the cost of this will be determined by the quality of training and will be void if you fail to meet all your statutory obligations.
Good idea if you can get the liability issues sorted.
I think the stumbling block will be the liability.
From my point of view it would be safer for people to work on their car under a ramp with proper facilities rather than in their single garage or on their drive supported by a trolley jack.
I will speak to maybe business link and get some advice. I fear it may be a non starter
From my point of view it would be safer for people to work on their car under a ramp with proper facilities rather than in their single garage or on their drive supported by a trolley jack.
I will speak to maybe business link and get some advice. I fear it may be a non starter
Hi, I hate sounding like a doom-monger and have never been self-employed myself but, my dad has been a self employed mechanic most of his life.
He's always had successful businesses, with and of late without premises but, in the end it was the point you are most aware of that made him give up premises - insurances and liabilities, etc. He's over 60 now, so just has all his tools in a small van and goes mobile, concentrating on classics mainly, which usually gives him the luxury of working in someone elses garage. Of course you still need all the insurances for that but, the joy is, if he's quiet he sits in the house and has no over-heads. He can also pick and choose the work he takes on, such as no heavy jobs, etc.
My other main worry would be giving strangers access to thousands of pounds of your tools, etc. Not everyone is as honest as yourself so some may go missing. Even if they didn't you would have constant breakages, etc to fund.
And one last point I would like to make is that if someone is running a certain type of sports car or what-have-you, it is quite important for their peace of mind and their cars resale value, to have service history from a reputable specialist.
For any minor jobs that aren't too important for the history most people know a local trustworthy garage capable of that task. If I was going to pay say for example (bear with me, these are completely made up figures, I don't know the ins and outs) £100 a day lift and tool hire. I'm sure most garages could do that job for me quicker than I could myself, therefore probably for less than £100. Also, that only involves me dropping the car off, going off to enjoy my day, nice and warm and clean, then picking it up later.
Anyway, like I say I'm no doom-monger and I really respect your ambition. I'm stuck in the daily grind (dayshifts and nightshifts) so good luck to anyone who has a go at getting out of it but, you did ask if anyone would use the service. I personally wouldn't. But Hey! I'm just one person.
Good Luck. Keep posting with any progress.
He's always had successful businesses, with and of late without premises but, in the end it was the point you are most aware of that made him give up premises - insurances and liabilities, etc. He's over 60 now, so just has all his tools in a small van and goes mobile, concentrating on classics mainly, which usually gives him the luxury of working in someone elses garage. Of course you still need all the insurances for that but, the joy is, if he's quiet he sits in the house and has no over-heads. He can also pick and choose the work he takes on, such as no heavy jobs, etc.
My other main worry would be giving strangers access to thousands of pounds of your tools, etc. Not everyone is as honest as yourself so some may go missing. Even if they didn't you would have constant breakages, etc to fund.
And one last point I would like to make is that if someone is running a certain type of sports car or what-have-you, it is quite important for their peace of mind and their cars resale value, to have service history from a reputable specialist.
For any minor jobs that aren't too important for the history most people know a local trustworthy garage capable of that task. If I was going to pay say for example (bear with me, these are completely made up figures, I don't know the ins and outs) £100 a day lift and tool hire. I'm sure most garages could do that job for me quicker than I could myself, therefore probably for less than £100. Also, that only involves me dropping the car off, going off to enjoy my day, nice and warm and clean, then picking it up later.
Anyway, like I say I'm no doom-monger and I really respect your ambition. I'm stuck in the daily grind (dayshifts and nightshifts) so good luck to anyone who has a go at getting out of it but, you did ask if anyone would use the service. I personally wouldn't. But Hey! I'm just one person.
Good Luck. Keep posting with any progress.
Cheers lads really appreciate your comments. I honestly fear that H&S will be the kill joy. With regards to hiring tools I would take a deposit that would be refunded if all tools are returned.
The MOT side would just be a revenue source. I have found a company that rents equipment like ramps/lifts ect and the prices are good
I see the point mark raised about just paying a garage but some like to do things themselvs especially with service history being highly regarded.
The other reason for opening would be access for me to plenty of toys paid for by others :-)
The MOT side would just be a revenue source. I have found a company that rents equipment like ramps/lifts ect and the prices are good
I see the point mark raised about just paying a garage but some like to do things themselvs especially with service history being highly regarded.
The other reason for opening would be access for me to plenty of toys paid for by others :-)
No probs David, I hope you do get sorted with something.
I see your point completely about people fettling their own cars and me and my mates were always harping on about chipping in for a unit, a few years back. My situation now however, is simply the one I mentioned.
Good luck with whatever you turn your hand to matey.
I see your point completely about people fettling their own cars and me and my mates were always harping on about chipping in for a unit, a few years back. My situation now however, is simply the one I mentioned.
Good luck with whatever you turn your hand to matey.
I would use it if I had an older/interesting car or the time to work on it. Knowing I had access to a workshop with ramps and quality tools would certainly swing me in the favour of buying something that was more fun to drive but needed constant car and attention.
H&S may well be your enemy but if you had cast iron legal disclaimers on certain items and, maybe a bod employed to supervise/carry out indcutions on jobs like lifting engines and gearboxes and using the lifts, then you could overcome them.
H&S may well be your enemy but if you had cast iron legal disclaimers on certain items and, maybe a bod employed to supervise/carry out indcutions on jobs like lifting engines and gearboxes and using the lifts, then you could overcome them.
Chris_w666 said:
H&S may well be your enemy but if you had cast iron legal disclaimers
Unfortunately the HSE is enforced through criminal law not civil law; it's not possible to sign over your responsibility. Many companies ask people to sign disclaimers but they are often not worth the paper they are written on. It would be like having a contract that says that your wife will be accountable in the event that you are caught speeding. Chris_w666 said:
maybe a bod employed to supervise/carry out inductions on jobs like lifting engines and gearboxes and using the lifts, then you could overcome them.
This is the way to go. There is a place doing this on the Scottish Boarders, they restrict what tools the owners can bring in and the supervisor operates the lifts and observes the activities with the power to halt work if he isn't satisfied that the work is safe.Thinking about this, only a little though. There could be extra money (and ways round H&S) in running courses that taught people how to do general maintainence on their own cars. Local colleges would probably be happy to run them for you as they would gain LSC funding for the right course outcomes and you get income from charging a course fee and hire fees to the college.
Chris_w666 said:
Thinking about this, only a little though. There could be extra money (and ways round H&S) in running courses that taught people how to do general maintainence on their own cars. Local colleges would probably be happy to run them for you as they would gain LSC funding for the right course outcomes and you get income from charging a course fee and hire fees to the college.
Great idea. I know gateshead college car repair centre are based on team valley so it may be worth a callThanks
Its certainly an interesting an idea and worth doing a little market research on (I suppose you've already started by posting this). From a personal point of view I could only see me using it very occassionally for huge jobs such as engine out jobs. The reason being that I have my own garage and plenty of tools. I suspect this is also the case for many other would-be customers.
One thing you could look into is one of the MG owner's club. When EVO build the Westfield XI they used the MG club's own shared workshop for one job, it would be worth your while finding out how that works. I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could maybe be run as a subscription club rather than a conventional business. Food for thought.
One thing you could look into is one of the MG owner's club. When EVO build the Westfield XI they used the MG club's own shared workshop for one job, it would be worth your while finding out how that works. I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could maybe be run as a subscription club rather than a conventional business. Food for thought.
Gad-Westy said:
Its certainly an interesting an idea and worth doing a little market research on (I suppose you've already started by posting this). From a personal point of view I could only see me using it very occassionally for huge jobs such as engine out jobs. The reason being that I have my own garage and plenty of tools. I suspect this is also the case for many other would-be customers.
One thing you could look into is one of the MG owner's club. When EVO build the Westfield XI they used the MG club's own shared workshop for one job, it would be worth your while finding out how that works. I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could maybe be run as a subscription club rather than a conventional business. Food for thought.
Got a mate who was in MG club, posted him this topic and hes going to make enquiriesOne thing you could look into is one of the MG owner's club. When EVO build the Westfield XI they used the MG club's own shared workshop for one job, it would be worth your while finding out how that works. I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could maybe be run as a subscription club rather than a conventional business. Food for thought.
Ta
dave
http://www.northeastrestorationclub.co.uk/
This is a place in Washington that is similar, they have 4 post ramps and bays people can hire at a certain rate. There used to be more pictures on that site but they are updating it apparently. Maybe they could offer an insight into how to do it?
Does sound like a good idea though, I think I would use it tbh
This is a place in Washington that is similar, they have 4 post ramps and bays people can hire at a certain rate. There used to be more pictures on that site but they are updating it apparently. Maybe they could offer an insight into how to do it?
Does sound like a good idea though, I think I would use it tbh
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