Got the sack...

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm getting the work that the other workshops around town/within a 30 mile radius are refusing to do.

Well done for getting something up & running.

However, at some stage you will need to ask 'why?' re the above statement.

 

[Scoosh]

Check out your local council's business start-up schemes and see what they can offer.
Scoosh son is in Glasgow and one scheme he is exploring is support for renting space. Through this, the council will pay (get this !):

• 80% of his rent for the first 2 years
• 40% for year 3
• 20% for year 4
• 10% for year 5

That is an excellent way to encourage and assist business start-up !

The proviso might well be that the premises need to be rented from the council but most small industrial estates are council-owned anyway I believe.

 

[Pale Rider]

Running a motor repair business from home may attract adverse comment from the neighbours, so try to keep them onside.

As you get busier, you will be making more noise, spannering and running engines.

There are rules regarding running businesses from home which you are almost certainly in breach of.

Big deal, you might say, and I agree in that you won't go to prison for it.

But it does mean you haven't much of an argument if a complaint is made.

 

[hedder2212]

I wrench on most of my neighbours cars and bikes so most are ok with it.
I keep the noise to within a reasonable time, after say 6pm i wont start a bike up and i wont run the compressor and that keeps them happy.
For now its going to have to be from home until a workshop unit comes up that is both suitable and cheapish.

Im not making enough profit yet to be able to pay the amount people want for units around here.

Well done for getting something up & running.

However, at some stage you will need to ask 'why?' re the above statement.

Theres a few reasons for it -
1. Chinese bikes - nobody wants to touch them, however the market around here is mainly chinese bikes and scooters. Im not afraid to touch them and as ive owned a few myself i know how to fix most of the strange faults they get.
2. Scooters - Some places wont touch bikes that arent "real bikes" and the tiddlers arent worth working on. However, i love scooters. again a large % of the market around here is scooters, every 16 year old wants one and they will always need something fixing or theyll want it "tuning" when they turn 17.
3. some places just dont have time to wire in spotlights and do quick oil changes for somebody last minute and they cant fit in silly little jobs like fixing a indicator and replacing a brake switch.

 

[Pale Rider]

I wrench on most of my neighbours cars and bikes so most are ok with it.
I keep the noise to within a reasonable time, after say 6pm i wont start a bike up and i wont run the compressor and that keeps them happy.
For now its going to have to be from home until a workshop unit comes up that is both suitable and cheapish.

Im not making enough profit yet to be able to pay the amount people want for units around here.

.

Sounds like you have that covered as best you can.

Sub-letting space in an already occupied unit is an idea, but it will almost certainly be against the terms of the occupier's lease.

The landlord may or may not care or find out, but you would need to be prepared to be evicted at short notice.

If you decide to investigate that, you could have a scoot around a couple of industrial estates and see if there are any likely suspects.

Ask a couple of unit tenants, they might not be able to help directly but may know of another tenant on the estate who may be interested.

 

[hedder2212]

Sounds like you have that covered as best you can.

Sub-letting space in an already occupied unit is an idea, but it will almost certainly be against the terms of the occupier's lease.

The landlord may or may not care or find out, but you would need to be prepared to be evicted at short notice.

If you decide to investigate that, you could have a scoot around a couple of industrial estates and see if there are any likely suspects.

Ask a couple of unit tenants, they might not be able to help directly but may know of another tenant on the estate who may be interested.

Im not keen on sub letting at all. I dont want to keep moving the business every 6 months etc etc id rather be in one place long term so that customers get used to me being there/know where i am etc and id rather be the only one using the unit because of the value of some of my tools and diagnostic equiptment that and the fact i sometimes work on bikes that are brand new and worth £15k+ its not a risk worth taking.
Ive let the landlord know about what im doing from home and hes fine with it, hes booked his car in for a oil and fliter change next week

 

[marknotgeorge]

The good thing about council enterprise units is that they generally have easy in and out terms. You won't be tied in for years.

 

[hedder2212]

Purchased a van today. will soon be able to go mobile as soon as i pass my driving test.
Test is next wednesday!

 

[raleighnut]

Good Luck.

 

[hedder2212]

Luck isn't what's required - it's skill.

probably a bit of both actually.
Ive been doing a intensive driving course. Ive only been driving four days.
If i didnt absolutely have to for the business, i would of stuck to two wheels.

I surprised myself, my GF and her dad by driving the van home without stalling or crashing... i guess thats quite an achievement

 

[Spinney]

At least with being a biker you've probably got more road sense than the average car driver who has just passed their test.
Good luck with the test!

 

[Brandane]

Luck isn't what's required - it's skill.

On the contrary; how do you explain the complete lack of skill shown by those who quite legitimately possess a full driving licence?
I briefly worked as a driving instructor a good few years ago, and was stunned by some of the test results. Pupils who couldn't drive a nail into a crusty loaf would pass, while pupils who consistently seemed much more competent during lessons would fail. It's a lottery IMHO..
It later worked in my favour when I passed my HGV class 1 test. Sit it at 9.15 on a Saturday morning when there is zero traffic around, even in Glasgow, and you increase your chances of success no end. There are no unpredictable nobbers around to mess things up for you!

Good LUCK, @hedder2212 .

 

[hedder2212]

Passed driving test today with one minor for going a tad over the speed limit.
Can now go party mobile with the business. Next on my list will be HGV class 2...

 

[simon the viking]

Great news!

 

[screenman]

Speeding on your test, this does not bode well. Well done all the same.