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Expanding from the garage

  • Thread starter Thread starter Simonjlr
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Simonjlr

Hi all,

I'm a designer/maker and I'm on the verge of launching my products.

I've been working on them in my garage up until now and i've pretty much run out of space in there so I've been keeping my eye out for a small unit.

The thing is, I don't want to be VAT registered as i'm selling to the public and the cost of my materials is quite low. However, a unit (around 800 sq/feet) is about £150 p/w + vat + bills. Which just seems like a lot to me

I'm in Milton Keynes and I don't need anywhere nice or flashy by any means. Anyone got any ideas or should I just phone random farmers so see if they've got outbuildings free?

Thanks,

Simon.
 
Thanks for the reply, i've tried the council. They put in in touch with the local chamber of commerce. What the CoC have done is partitioned a large unit, to form about 20 smaller ones, with breeze blocks and metered the electricity going into each partition.

It sounded good, so I went to have a look and I expected it to be good value. Fair enough heat and light was included and you could give a months notice to leave but it was about £160 + VAT (from memory).

I might just be being a bit tight.
 
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Your not tight, I rent a unit I don't even use, but I took it in case I do, its £180 a month for 400 Sq Ft and no rates to pay.

If it is going to be long term can you not sell you house and look for one that has a large double garage or would that be too much of a step up ?

I find councils are quite expensive and shoddy places, maybe look on rightmove but still I think small adds in local papers are better and drive about a bit looking, so many commercial places for rent but try to avoid ones that have rates on top.
 
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Ask around - look at new businesses in your area. You might find the have spare space they'd be willing to give up for minimal rent.

My full time employer recently did this as we had spare space and no one/nothing to fill it. Best bet would be asking BNI/rotary members for some contacts.
 
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You would be surprised at how many people would be happy to share unused space these days.

Best of luck ,

Daniel - AKA Mr Virtual
 
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Thanks for all the replies.

I will give space sharing a try.

The only slight problem is that my work consists of general noise/mess/dust.

Probably the worst part is the fact that I spraypaint - HVLP with waterbased paints so there's not much overspray in the air but I wear masks/filters.

Do you think gumtree's the best bet?
 
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Simonjlr said:
Hi all,

I'm a designer/maker and I'm on the verge of launching my products.

I've been working on them in my garage up until now and i've pretty much run out of space in there so I've been keeping my eye out for a small unit.

The thing is, I don't want to be VAT registered as i'm selling to the public and the cost of my materials is quite low. However, a unit (around 800 sq/feet) is about £150 p/w + vat + bills. Which just seems like a lot to me

I'm in Milton Keynes and I don't need anywhere nice or flashy by any means. Anyone got any ideas or should I just phone random farmers so see if they've got outbuildings free?



Thanks,

Simon.
Click to expand...

How about a garden workshop?
 
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