Shop Share in NoVa

[FloridaFJ80]

Hey Guys,

As most of you know that I am recently moved into the area, and will be transferring my shop to this area. Issue lies that the shops I have found are too big/pricey. In FL I had a 1000 sqft shop that met my needs just fine and gave me ample space to work on my trucks. So I wanted to see if anyone in CLCC would be interested in sharing a shop with me and working on our cruisers. I plan to have a lift, tools, space to get a dealers license, ETC. If your interested PM ME. I am looking at shops in the $1800 - $2500 price range.

 

[traveldud]

Definitely an interesting idea. How would the time allotments work? All the bills added up and proportionately allocated in hours to individuals?

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Definitely an interesting idea. How would the time allotments work? All the bills added up and proportionately allocated in hours to individuals?

It could be done in various ways. I think the easiest way is just splitting everything up evenly and each would have space to do their own thing at the shop. Shop is at their disposal 24/7. I have a day job so I would only work at the shop at nights or on the weekends

 

[Jakes40]

Square ft is expensive in NoVA!!

 

[hakalugi]

tagged to stay in the loop.

 

[fjman]

I'm not licensed in VA but I'm pretty sure you can find some space in a business or industrial park in that price range.. If you were looking out my way (Rockville/Gaithersburg) its readily available at that price point. I've got a guy that could probably help you find space and negotiate a lease out that direction if you're interested.

 

[BlackPanzer]

First, welcome! We can always use more Land Cruiser enthusiast/exclusive shops in the D.C. Metro Area. As you've likely heard most of us travel outside of the Metro Area to have work done on our Land Cruisers. There are several reasons for this... mainly cost and the lack of- in my opinion-- mechanics in Metro DC who know Land Cruisers inside and out. I personally do not trust anyone to work on mine other than (and a plug for) our Club recommended mechanics/shops.

If I'm understanding correctly it sounds like your shop is a business on-the-side? I also sense based on the prices mentioned, you are looking in the suburbs already, which is what I recommend. As you likely know by now, the closer you come to the Beltway the more expensive commercial real estate is... or real estate in general for that matter. I will ask some of my friends who are involved in commercial business and real estate to see if they know of anyone or a property that suits your needs. The good news is, as you may have discovered, running a business- even a part-time-- especially a mechanic/car enthusiast type business is profitable here because of the large median income in the area. However, volume is key because of the higher overhead i.e. taxes, leases, etc. the closer the business is to the Beltway. For this reason many in a situation such as yours, locate in the suburbs such as Reston, Chantilly, Manassas, or Leesburg in VA; or Gaithersburg, Germantown, or Potomac in MD. The biggest detractor from living in the suburbs is the commute otherwise known as the Sweet Mother of Crapulence traffic this region endures. Hopefully your home is close to your day-job and the shop, which is the Holy Grail of living here. It looks like you're in Ashburn so you're already ahead of the game.

Generally, speaking it is easier to start a business in VA than MD. My CPA relatives constantly harp that VA is more business friendly than DC or MD. Although some may debate that since adding up the different expense outlays may total the same cost depending on where you are. For example property tax tends to be higher in VA while the business licencing and other taxes tend to be higher in DC and MD. Regulations regarding business due tend be more liberal in VA... again debatable to some. The point is sometimes its a wash depending on location. Anyway, just some food for thought. Again welcome!

 

[fjman]

Have you looked on Loopnet? If you search through CBRE's website, you can see almost all of the listings. Directly on loopnet.com, you won't see as much. I did an MLS search and didn't find much. Sometimes smaller garage spaces pop up on Craigslist too

 

[Jakes40]

Garage Condo 45x23 - The Garage Journal Board
You all need to build one of these!!

 

[FloridaFJ80]

I'm not licensed in VA but I'm pretty sure you can find some space in a business or industrial park in that price range.. If you were looking out my way (Rockville/Gaithersburg) its readily available at that price point. I've got a guy that could probably help you find space and negotiate a lease out that direction if you're interested.

Wish it was closer but thanks for the offer.

First, welcome! We can always use more Land Cruiser enthusiast/exclusive shops in the D.C. Metro Area. As you've likely heard most of us travel outside of the Metro Area to have work done on our Land Cruisers. There are several reasons for this... mainly cost and the lack of- in my opinion-- mechanics in Metro DC who know Land Cruisers inside and out. I personally do not trust anyone to work on mine other than (and a plug for) our Club recommended mechanics/shops.

If I'm understanding correctly it sounds like your shop is a business on-the-side? I also sense based on the prices mentioned, you are looking in the suburbs already, which is what I recommend. As you likely know by now, the closer you come to the Beltway the more expensive commercial real estate is... or real estate in general for that matter. I will ask some of my friends who are involved in commercial business and real estate to see if they know of anyone or a property that suits your needs. The good news is, as you may have discovered, running a business- even a part-time-- especially a mechanic/car enthusiast type business is profitable here because of the large median income in the area. However, volume is key because of the higher overhead i.e. taxes, leases, etc. the closer the business is to the Beltway. For this reason many in a situation such as yours, locate in the suburbs such as Reston, Chantilly, Manassas, or Leesburg in VA; or Gaithersburg, Germantown, or Potomac in MD. The biggest detractor from living in the suburbs is the commute otherwise known as the Sweet Mother of Crapulence traffic this region endures. Hopefully your home is close to your day-job and the shop, which is the Holy Grail of living here. It looks like you're in Ashburn so you're already ahead of the game.

Generally, speaking it is easier to start a business in VA than MD. My CPA relatives constantly harp that VA is more business friendly than DC or MD. Although some may debate that since adding up the different expense outlays may total the same cost depending on where you are. For example property tax tends to be higher in VA while the business licencing and other taxes tend to be higher in DC and MD. Regulations regarding business due tend be more liberal in VA... again debatable to some. The point is sometimes its a wash depending on location. Anyway, just some food for thought. Again welcome!

Thanks for the great information. I hope to be able to offer the DC Metro area another reputable shop for cruisers. Like you noted this is part time for me but its my hobby and passion. I had been out of town on business so I am back in the game looking for a place.

Have you looked on Loopnet? If you search through CBRE's website, you can see almost all of the listings. Directly on loopnet.com, you won't see as much. I did an MLS search and didn't find much. Sometimes smaller garage spaces pop up on Craigslist too

Have been looking around in CL as well, a few have come up.

Garage Condo 45x23 - The Garage Journal Board
You all need to build one of these!!

This would be the perfect solution. In Florida there are so many industrial business parks that I wouldnt be having this issue.

Once again thank you all for your advice and comments, hopefully soon I will be able to share with you my findings.

 

[warezdog]

NoVA prices are ridicules, I pay $400/mo including electricity for an old dairy barn in New Market just east of Frederick.

Before that I had found a place with a 1400sf shop below and 2 bedroom apt on top on 175 acres for $2000/mo 7 miles south of Brunswick off 287 but someone was able to move in a month earlier than I was and got it.

 

[FloridaFJ80]

NoVA prices are ridicules, I pay $400/mo including electricity for an old dairy barn in New Market just east of Frederick.

Before that I had found a place with a 1400sf shop below and 2 bedroom apt on top on 175 acres for $2000/mo 7 miles south of Brunswick off 287 but someone was able to move in a month earlier than I was and got it.

yeah its crazy expensive. I am still looking around. Gonna have to start looking in MD. Wont mind the drive up..