I had this business idea today, I think some people are already doing it. What do you think?

If you had the option to rent a fully equipped shop for a few hours or a day or two to work on your rig would you do it? How much would you expect to pay? It seems like people are always looking for ways to save money and this might be beneficial for both parties. If I have tools and space and you want to use them but don't want to invest all the money needed to own them it seems like it might work.

There would need to be some details worked out, but would you do it?

 

i might but the problem you would run into is tools missing and breaking

 

There are some of those around at most army bases

The Auto Crafts Center offers equipment and tools for authorized users caring for their own vehicles. Regular bays, vehicle lifts, paint booth, body bays, welding, machine shop, wheel balancing, engine overhaul bay, RV lift, lubrication bays, tire change, computer diagnosis, electrical system testing, towing service, lock-out service, starting service, and special tool.

I have used them while on base, but I can't remember how much they charged or anything. I know it wasn't much, maybe like 10 bucks an hour or something like that. In the summer time it is really busy there, so I'm sure it would work out in the civilian side.

 

hmmm make sure you have insurance and what not.. i think the shop rate at the shop i worked at was like 65/hour. so i figure 80/hour for use of tools, overhead and expect some clean up

 

I was thinking something like barcodes on the tools or those new RFID chips, check out the tools and check in the tools. Anything not checked back in or broken you pay for, also any welding/grinding consumables etc.

I know the shop rates here in CA run anywhere from $70-120/hr.

 

We have a place where I live that does this - except I dont think they have a lot of handtools to use.

They rent the bays out, some have hoists etc. but they all have air, water etc. As for the tools, you basically supply your own. I believe they charge somewhere around $13-17 an hour. Keep in mind this isnt in the US, and we take it up the butt for everything (as in everything is $$$ here).

 

Yeah, I want to keep it affordable for the user but not so cheap I get freebie seekers. I'd rather keep it busy and affordable.

I was also thinking of supplying the basic tools as well as air tools, specialty tools, jacks, welding equipment etc. I already have a lot of tools since I'm in the business. Could always use more though.

 

i would gladly pay to use a bay for the day i live in the city and its hard to do anything with people flyin by you, gotta constantly watch were you are going to step, toss, or shoot the hose at. man you get sick of that and it makes you just want to pay someone to do it for you.

 

Around here, shop rates tend to run about $50 an hour. That is for a mechanic to work on your rig. They are much quicker at repairs than I would be. In some cases what my mechanics can do in an hour hakes me 2.5. If your charge $15 an hour. My cost would be around $40 to do it myself for what my mechanic would do for $50.

Take into consideration, tools, utilities, clean-up, insurance (God forbid someone gets hurt working on their truck), Building lease, building up keep, your time / salary to schedule ,ect. I think you would have to charge close to that.

The BIGGEST thing would be if a tool or jack or lift or whatever failed that you supplied. They would clean you out for the rest of your natural life.

Now trying to sound like a downer here. You just have to look out for yourself and we live in a SUE HAPPY WORLD. I like the idea. I have even considered it myself. I had just found that even if they sign a waiver, they can still come back on you. It wasnt woth it.

 

If I didn't have a shop and tools I would be happy to rent a shop with equipment for a few hours to put on a lift kit or longer to put in a tranny or whatever. To me it would be worth $100/hr for short term (2 or 3 hours) or maybe $400 or $500 for a 16 or 18 hour period. Thats alot cheaper than buying a shop and tools for the guy that wouldn't use a shop everyday. My shop payment with insurance, taxes, utilities and tools runs just shy of $800 a month. If mine wasn't for work to I would not be able to afford it as a toybox. Get a cc# from them so if tools come up missing you can charge them for it and have them sign a waiver like at the races/pulls saying you are not responsible for damages/injury. Go for it!!