Car storage

[azbanks]

What do you do if you don't have the space to store and work on your car?
With the wife's car, my 944 Cabriolet, three boys and misc family stuff(bikes, camping gear, etc), I don't have room for the 914 project in my garage. The home owners association says it has to go.

So I am looking for storage and work space options. Most self storage facilities don't like car storage and those that do have rules against working on cars at the storage facility.

The option I am looking at is renting a small warehouse space and renting out the extra space to other car enthusiasts. It would be a place were people could store and work on their cars.

Do you think anyone else would be interested in a place like that? If you didn't have space, what would you pay per month for access to a facility like that.

It would be air conditioned, with a good set of tools, air, and possibly/eventually a lift and welder.

So what do you think, would people pay to keep there cars in a facility like that and if so, how much?

[greglepore]

The storage idea is great, the lift not so much. Inevitably with these setups someone puts something on the lift that takes 5x as long as anticipated and pisses everyone off. Welders are major fire risks in the hands of people that don't use them regularly.

Indoor storage and some portable quickjacks or similar might be workable.

[bell]

find a self storage facility that is owned locally.....talk to the owner and hash out a deal.......they are out there and will accommodate what you need to get your business, but be prepared to sign a contact

[stomachmonkey]

Depending on your current garage situation is a hobby lift doable?

If yes pop the 914 on it and park the cab underneath.

Just pull out the cab and lower the lift when you work on the project.

Put a storage shed out back for the kids stuff.

[azbanks]

If I do this, rules would be put in place for tool/lift/welder usage. There is a office area that I would use for my own storage. I may lock the welding equipment in there when I or someone else who has been properly vetted is not in the shop.

A set of shop rules would be created and everyone admitted to the building would be required to sign and abide by the rules.

I'm thinking a hefty penalty charge for excessive time on the lift, etc.
An hourly charge for time and tools if working on a car that is not stored at the facility.

What other rules should I have in place?

What should I charge per month?
I was thinking about a flat charge for just storage and a higher charge for storage and shop/tool access.

There would be a schedule for shop time and lift time so everyone knows who is using the tools/lift on which days and times.

[KNS]

This subject has come up before - having a common storage with the ability to also work on cars. Not sure what came of it, it might be on the 911 board. You'd have to have some strict rules, what if someone else's car suffered some accidental damage?

I'm in the north end of the valley and there are storage places that do let you store cars. I used to store a car at Deer Valley Mini Storage (near Deer Valley airport), a 10X20 works for a small car. They do get pretty hot in the middle of the summer, though.

If you come up with a place be careful stating its location publicly (here, etc), you don't want to advertise an empty building full of Porsches.

[greglepore]

I'd be all over something like this. I can diy anything but for lack of lift/indoor work areas. There has to be a reason its not common, suspect the insurance is undoable...I'd start my research there, talk to a broker...

[flskala]

^^^^ egg zactly! ^^^^
Get ready to be sued in case of accidents, injuries, damage etc...
Personally I would HATE someone working near my car, let alone knowing it was there in the first place. My buddy rents a 2 car garage and pays 250/mo IIRC. Way less headaches...

I put one of my cars on a patio in my backyard a few times just because... a neighbor questioned me about it. He didn't like my response and hasn't said a word since.

[porsche4life]

I like the idea but I'm always hesistant and I wouldn't like other people having access to where my car is stored.

Another consideration, most collector car insurance company limits who has access to the storage area, so not sure they'd like this.


And I've got a 944 in PHX too, What part of town are you in?

[azbanks]

Thanks guys. I will contact my insurance broker tomorrow and check out the options.

I am near I-17 and Jomax in North Phoenix.

I know the storage angle has been done and I have heard of Shops that rent tool and lift time but I have never been able to find one. The thought of combining them seemed like a good idea but you are right, insurance may kill this idea.

Here is a storage facility that I found. I'm guessing it would cost me more per month than I paid for the car.

The Stables Group

[356racing]

The Stables is pretty expensive but it's catering towards the full service crowd. There's a small group of Porsche guys that rent spaces for $100 a month near I-17 and Indian School. I would think for work and storage you would need some sort of partition, there's no way I would be happy with a guy doing rust repair and welding next to my car.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by azbanks

The option I am looking at is renting a small warehouse space and renting out the extra space to other car enthusiasts. It would be a place were people could store and work on their cars.

Sounds like a real headache. You would be both a tenant and a landlord.

[ckelly78z]

An idea like a shared storage facility/work area would be a nightmare in my mind. I would have a hard time thinking about all the low skill, low responsability people out there looking for this type of situation. Someone grinding/welding/torching in the vicinity of my car with little regard for other guy's cars/equipment would be a big problem, not to mention trusting every person allowed into the building with not robbing you blind.

I think the only way I would have a car in storage, is if no one else is poking around near it, or working on stuff near it.

[jcommin]

I lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago for about 4 years. It was a rental unit with no assigned parking spot or space. I rented a garage that was just down the street from me for $150/month. The garage was a 2 1/2 car garage that I shared with the owner. He had a Corvette that was a summer car. I was originally worried about sharing any space with anyone but he was just as meticulous as I. I had tools, jack stands and other car stuff. This turned out to be a great find and he was a nice guy.

I got lucky, I'm not sure I would share space without knowing the details of the other person.

[azbanks]

The space I am looking at is divided. There is a large space that would be for storage and there is another unit that is accessed through another set of doors that would be the lift/work area.

356racing,

Can you PM me the info on the spaces at I-17 and Indian school?

[VincentVega]

Much simpler to move and/or build a garage. One guy doesnt pay, brings a friend that takes a tool, you get robbed, someone's car gets scratched/dented/stolen... tons of liability and potential issues with limited upside. Good luck, this type of setup sounds great but I'm not sure its actually possible.

[GG Allin]

........home owners association.........

[Deschodt]

Same situation...

- tried the pro storage warehouse: Pro: awesome place to go to, lots of cool cars, yours included, easy access, etc.. Con: $$$$$$$$$$ - if you are on the top lift, requires advance call, generally not the place to work on cars

- Tried the local mechanic race shop type storage - Pro: other cool cars, slightly cheaper than above. Cons: Access is a lot harder, more limited, more of a pain to setup or move cars around (in my case anyway), it's not as professional and you're always bothering someone if you want to swap cars often.

- Considered buying a small warehouse and renting/sharing with folks: Cons only: $$$$ purchase in my area, city ordinances, liability on all fronts, lawyer would be needed to setup a LLC or something to shield you and make it a business. Did cost/return analysis and no thanks ! PITA...

- Garage extension: By far the simplest but $$$... option b: If you have vertical space or can afford raising the roof, a stacking lift can do the trick. Best option at $2000-3000. Done it before... New garage is $30K, raising the roof 6ft or so was $12000 quoted. I can't do that now because my new house garage is upstairs, too much weight if I stack.

I sold 2 cars in the end, tired of paying $$$ storage... Still have one in the $$ storage... Some friends of a friend might share their warehouse with me at some point but we're back to liability concerns.... Think about the stacking lift/roof beam modifications.

[tevake]

I had the same issue with the managment here at the park where I'm settled in for a while. It sucked not being able to work on my SC.

So I asked if it would fly to have a large tent structure in my space. Sure no problem.
They just don't want to see cars being worked on or up on stands etc.

Once I got the tent up and the car inside, then zipped up the street facing end.
I was free to do whatever inside the tent.

This a temporary set up but may be an option for you till something better comes along

My nomad garage.



There is room inside this 10' x 20' tent for the car and the engine/ trans just behind the car.
This may not be allowed in your situation, just bringing up another option .

I just finished some engine out projects, the nomad garage worked out very well in getting the management off my back, yet being able to carry on with my car projects.

Cheers Richard

[RKDinOKC]

Know some guys that each have their own storage with a separate shared work space. It don't look cheap.