Know of any workshop space for rent (Northamptonshire)?

[rileytoolworks]

Hi all. I'v

 

[neilyweely]

Hello Riley

Whereabouts in Northants are you? I am in Bedford, and may be looking for something in the area too. I have a couple of contacts for the Rushden area who may come up with something, I'll let you know.

Next week I am looking at a unit, pretty well secure, at the rear of a farm. I don't know yet that it has 3 phase, or is insulated, but it sounds ok. However, it may be more than I need, and if so will let you know. Would you consider a share?

Either way PM me your rough location, or post it on the thread, if you are happy to, and I will let you know.

Thanks

Neil

 

[rileytoolworks]

Thanks Neil.
I'm in Kettering, but work in Market Harborough. I would consider a shared workshop - what kind of prices are youlooking at? (If you don't mind me asking)
What kind of work do you do?
Adam.

 

[Chems]

I'm based in the Northampton area, closer to the rugby side but will keep an eye out.

Also if you need a shop hand, you know someone to beat with mallets to take your frustration out on I'd love to get involved in a small capacity.

 

[rileytoolworks]

q

 

[BradNaylor]

Hi Adam

I am reading this thread with interest after looking at the superb kitchen you posted in the Projects forum.

I can certainly recommend the idea of a shared workshop, if you can find the right guy to share with. I have done this for the last year and it has transformed my business.

www.thecabinetmakers.com

The advantages are many and obvious. All overheads and running costs are halved. A two man workshop doesn't need to be any bigger than a one man workshop. Ours is only 800 sq ft and we have all the machinery needed, two benches, and a spray booth. There's still enough space (just!) for us to be working on seperate projects at the same time. It just needs a bit of co-ordination.

My mate and I own about half of our machinery each - some is his and some is mine. Any new aquisitions would be agreed upon and made jointly. Its a bit like a marriage though, find the right person and it is great. Pick the wrong one and it is a disaster. We've been lucky.

A recession is, in many ways, an ideal time to be starting up on your own. As people have less money to spend they will be seeking out cheaper alternatives to the likes of your current employers. From the little you have told us about your boss he sounds like exactly the type who will struggle over the next few years, bloated and complacent by the easy success of the last decade of consumption.

Did he pay cash for his new car?



I thought not!

:wink:

My guess is that you could charge half of what he charges and still make double what he is currently paying you for doing all the work.

If you need any help or advice don't hesitate.

Cheers
Dan (Duncan)

 

[superunknown]

There must be something in the air right now as I am also considering the exact same thing. Also looking for a possible workshop share. I live in East Sussex (only just out of Kent).

 

[rileytoolworks]

Dan

 

[rileytoolworks]

Dan, I just looked at your website. it answered all of my previous questions. I like it!

 

[BradNaylor]

Dan, thanks for the kind words about the kitchen. Coming from yourself I take that as a huge compliment. I really admire your work.
Hopefully things will pan out. Talking to my wife on the phone tonight (long story- supposed to be out on site all week on a stay away job, turned up did half a day then the site foreman closed down the site! My wife and son are staying with her parents so I came back to an empty house.)), she certainly seems to support the idea, although we both know if it all goes wrong, we will almost certainly lose our house (things really are that tight at the moment).
Can I ask, have you always been self employed? and if not, how did you make the transition?
Thanks again.
Adam

Adam,

The most important thing is to have SWMBO on board. She has to understand that some weeks there will be £300 to spend in Sainsburys, and some weeks there will be £30! That's self employment for you.


I've been with my missus for ten years and she is great, but she still sometimes wants me to get a 'proper job'!

I've worked for myself since 1981, mainly because I'm a stroppy bastard who would rather stick needles in my eyes than work for someone else.

Most self employed people are like that. If that's not you then maybe you should just look around for a better job.

If you want to give it a go however, I wish you all the best. I'm here to help.

Cheers
Dan

 

[Mattty]

Dan, thanks for the kind words about the kitchen. Coming from yourself I take that as a huge compliment. I really admire your work.
Hopefully things will pan out. Talking to my wife on the phone tonight (long story- supposed to be out on site all week on a stay away job, turned up did half a day then the site foreman closed down the site! My wife and son are staying with her parents so I came back to an empty house.)), she certainly seems to support the idea, although we both know if it all goes wrong, we will almost certainly lose our house (things really are that tight at the moment).
Can I ask, have you always been self employed? and if not, how did you make the transition?
Thanks again.
Adam

Adam,

The most important thing is to have SWMBO on board. She has to understand that some weeks there will be £300 to spend in Sainsburys, and some weeks there will be £30! That's self employment for you.


I've been with my missus for ten years and she is great, but she still sometimes wants me to get a 'proper job'!

I've worked for myself since 1981, mainly because I'm a stroppy bastard who would rather stick needles in my eyes than work for someone else.

Most self employed people are like that. If that's not you then maybe you should just look around for a better job.

If you want to give it a go however, I wish you all the best. I'm here to help.

Cheers
Dan

lol it's true! I'm probably unemployable after nearly 15yrs being self employed. The thought of being an emplyee makes me feel sick!

 

[Chems]

I'd really love to see how you get on Riley, I've actually got about 5 items on order from various people and I am really just a hobbiest but at the moment it seems to be changing into a productive little sideline. I'm not the most skilled . . . . yet but if I keep it simple people are happy with what they get.

Where do you find as someone who is self employed do you pick up the most work? I actually have picked the last few things I made through work colleagues.