Going to take a little work but decent shop.

[tuscarora dave]

Figured I'd start a thread showing my new shop as I found it when I got the keys today and upload more photos as I get it geared up. Plenty of room for working and loads of storage space. It's pretty much a mess but it sure has lots of potential and the fact that it is 7/10ths of a mile from home is a huge plus. So here's the pics of it as I found it. I plan on cleaning it up tomorrow and getting a coat of floor paint down sometime this weekend before moving my stuff into it. That will make a big improvement in itself.




It's on the corner of a very busy intersection with a highway off/on ramp right beside it so all sides of the building are good for signage.

The inside is dirty and has some stuff left in it that the owner says I can make use of.






There's an office/storage area on the floor level and a storage loft above that has tons of space for storage. But there's a bunch of stuff to be cleaned up first. There's definitely some useable stuff up there though.



Like this cart, I can see a bucket and lots of products/tools on this cart already.



A nice fatigue mat for in front of the work bench.



This drum pump might come in handy for something like a 55 of APC.



Gonna be fun breaking all of these boxes down.



The owner said he just bought this compressor brand new and has never been turned on yet. It came with these air tools for around $300. He said I could buy it from him if I like. I then reminded him that he owes me $200 for a detail I did on a consignment van that he had from last year. I guess that will feel like a $100 air compressor and tools.



Already a desk in there so I won't have to buy one of those.



Hey, he left me some detailing products!!!



And a quality drying towel, imagine that.



Thanks for looking guys, I'm pretty excited about all of this. I'll post a few pics as soon as I get some of the work done and get my stuff in there.

[Kristopher1129]

So much potential, man! I could easily see that turning into a nice little shop. Especially for a one man operation...it's perfect. Hell, you got an office/waiting area, storage space, visibility, useable left overs, looks really clean on the outside...score if you ask me!

Get a fire permit and light those boxes up. Screw breaking them down. Grab some beer and enjoy. Maybe that is the New Hampshire in me talking, ha. We burn everything around here.

[ShineTimeDetail]

Nice congrats!!

[tw33k2514]

Definitely has potential. I bet you are very excited to get started on it.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Looks like lots of room to work with, congratulations! Project #1 seems to be better lighting, based on the pics.

[Dr Oldz]

Good luck Dave. Looks like a great shop you got there! Post some after pics please.

[Matt]

That looks like it's gonna be a real cool shop!

[FUNX650]

Lots & lots of potential...
Also...Nice to have a short commute to work!

-Are you still "part-time" detailing for your preferred clientele only?
-Didn't notice a bathroom/washroom facility, or any indoor/outdoor hose bibs/sill cocks
for detail-washes.
-Lots of parking area around...I'm guessing you can use it.
-How much land proper, if any, goes along with the building?
-Those commuter buses/vans look nice...I've always wanted to convert one as to be a personal motor home.


Please keep us updated on your project's progress.



Bob

[HiDefDetailer]

Looks like lots of room to work with, congratulations! Project #1 seems to be better lighting, based on the pics.

Absolutely! It took me a solid year to get the lighting in my shop to be up to par. I spent a lot of money on a cool lobby and other creature comforts first but in hindsight I would spend money on the work area first and then the other stuff. Here's a warning...building a shop is a money pit. You'll never be satisfied and stuff will always be breaking down.

[Setec Astronomy]

Along with what FUNX was asking about the bathroom/water...can you wash inside? Drains? Water runs out the door?

I guess I don't understand the compressor...IIRC the previous tenants were working on the vans for the owner...so I presume he bought the compressor for them to do that...so why would you have to buy it? Or is he going to be bringing the vans somewhere else for service now that you are renting the garage? I'm not saying it's not worth it for you to buy it, I just don't understand why the owner bought it.