Garage Co-op? : Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 5, 2010 7:25 p.m. M030 HalfDork
Some friends and I are thinking of starting a garage co-op, and with this thread, I hope to test the water and see how much interest there would be in such a thing.

These co-ops already exist and are successful in Sweden. Here's how it would work:
- We own a multi-stall garage with several lifts and a full set of tools.
- There would be an annual membership fee and a tool deposit. This would allow one to use one of our garage stalls, and all the tools for a specific amount of time per day/week/month.
- Basically, if you have a car and you want to fix it yourself, but don't have a place to work on it or the proper tools, you would join our 'club' and you could work on your car at our shop.
- Storage of cars would cost extra, because space is limited.
What sayeth the wise GRM readers?
Sept. 5, 2010 7:43 p.m. alex Dork

If it was near me, I'd likely join for the lifts if nothing else.

I believe there's another GRM'er doing something very similar, but I can't remember who or where.
Sept. 5, 2010 7:46 p.m. Platinum90 SuperDork

There was a thread about this a while ago. I would be interested.
Sept. 5, 2010 7:47 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

I would join in a heartbeat, and if any Omahammer/Council Bluff GRMers are interested...
Sept. 5, 2010 8:09 p.m. porksboy Dork

I'm a member of one local to me. It is thru a major defense contractor and you must be either an employee, retired from there, or a family member of same. $25.00 a year for membership.

It is a four bay facility with two lifts. The lifts are only high enough for changing tires and brakes. One is designated only for tires. I think the liability police prohibit a full height one as the ceilings are high enough. There is an outdoor drive on lube rack. We also have a tire mounting machine and a Hunter computerised balancer. A tire shaving machine. A tool crib stocked with specialty tools, You must bring you own hand tools. The crib has an attendant that is there o few hours a day. Usually some old retired fart that wants to get away from his wife.

I only use it for the specialty tools,diagnostic tools (they can be removed from the shop and taken home) and the tire mound and ballance. We are currently looking for a brake lathe.

No working on cars for profit is allowed, of course it cant be enforced but it is there to keep the facilities from being tied up all day. I think there are only about 50 members.
Sept. 5, 2010 8:12 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

If I can score enough land in the next move I am considering something like this.
Sept. 5, 2010 8:57 p.m. alfadriver Dork

I'm sorta, kinda a member- I've rented garage space in the past.

There are issues- some people are messier than others- I can be on the messy side- but worse is when a messier person encroaches on your space and then the "leader" complains about your space.

With the right people, it can be made to work great- obviously.
Sept. 5, 2010 9:06 p.m. M030 HalfDork

We've been talking to investors to help us get this going, and their big concern has been about preventing people from 1. repairing cars for profit and/or 2. people bringing in stolen cars.

For #1, we think that all shop time will have to be scheduled in advance, to avoid letting the shop get monopolized by any one person or group. We might have to have shop users sign some sort of agreement and insurance waiver, but we're still working through this potential problem.

For #2, we're thinking that when somebody joins, they have to give us a photo ID and a credit card (for the tool deposit). Further, there could be some sort of a VIN log, where members would have to record the VIN of the car they are working on, and initial next to it, before they could use the space. This log would be subject to regular police inspection.

Too harsh? Any other ideas?
Sept. 5, 2010 9:14 p.m. Trans_Maro Dork

When you sign up for your liability insurance, be sure to bring plenty of lube.
Sept. 5, 2010 9:15 p.m. M030 HalfDork

Trans_Maro wrote:

When you sign up for your liability insurance, be sure to bring plenty of lube.

we know.
Sept. 5, 2010 9:26 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

My thoughts too were on liability.
We do similar here but it is a boat storage place and inside owners work on boats. Of course the space rental clearly states that you can only work on your own boat and nowhere does the building exterior give reference to what is going on inside. We do not want to draw the attention of EPA, OSHA, etc.
Sept. 5, 2010 9:53 p.m. Ranger50 Reader

I too have thought of this. An old 8 or 10 bay dealership building has come up for lease seems easy enough to get some peeps in there and work on the place and make some easy coin. There was a place in Cincy called Painter's Lane, but it looks like it has gone the way of the dodo. I believe they failed because it was too much too soon with no income.

I truly believe it can work as you would have to limit your membership, easier on the liability IMO, and make it a bring your own tools place, again liability should be easier. I personally believe some people don't need to work on their own vehicles. I also believe that in order for it to work, you have to charge per hr/per day to keep certain undesirables out and keep your liability in check.

Brian
Sept. 5, 2010 10:13 p.m. M030 HalfDork

Ranger50 wrote:

in order for it to work, you have to charge per hr/per day to keep certain undesirables out and keep your liability in check.

That's a really good idea.

How much would you (the GRM readers) be willing to pay per hour/per day to use such a facility?