New Shop...Need Advice

[jarred767]

It's been a long process, but it's finally official and things are coming together. I recently signed my first lease for my first detailing shop after being strictly mobile for ten years. :awesome: I'm super stocked.

It's a brand new construction and I should be able to take occupancy sometime in the first couple weeks of December. I've worked out of my garage in the past occasionally, but being as it's the first shop I've had, I'm looking for advice from those with experience in the area.

The working space is 26'x34' with a large roll-up garage door and a floor drain about 10' in from the door so that I can wash indoors (it's quite cold here in the winter). It will have four 8' fluorescent light fixtures which should provide decent lighting. I've debated sectioning it off slightly on the back third to make two bays in the back with a large wash bay up front, but not 100% sure on that. There is an attached office, bathroom and large storage space with washer, dryer and utility sink, so I won't need to store anything in the main work area.

I don't have a huge budget, and will probably do things over time to improve the space, but I'm curious of anything you guys would absolutely recommend, especially if it's best to be done before moving my stuff in. I'm open to any suggestions and I'll be sure to update this thread as things move along. Thanks everyone!!

 

[dcjredline]

CONGRATS! Sounds like a perfect space!!!!!!!!!! Lets see some pics? I dont have any advice as I do this out of my home garage. But wish you the very best of luck!

 

[Dan Tran]

JEALOUS!

I'm now where you are 10 years ago. I'm going through the leg work to do mobile detailing. Till then, customers have been extremely pleased.

Wish I did this when I was younger but not too late

 

[Dan Tran]

Again no advice from a beginner but wish the best!

 

[RFrommann]

I just moved into my own shop. Best things: rolling tool cart, rolling stool, and rolling towel draw bin.
Radio with surround sound type speakers. So you have music all over shop.

Also pegboard along a wall to hang all bottles and tools on. Todd Randich had an awesome set up in his garage, there's a video on his Facebook page (pure shine detailing)

Best of luck on your adventure! I'll post up a couple pictures I have of my set up. It's nothing fancy, I'm just using the space temporarily.

I would also think about adding more lighting. I may add some lights along the side walls.

 

[Sicoupe]

Congrats! Happy for you my friend, like already mentioned, lets see some pics

 

[DeansDetailing]

No advise, but I'm happy for you!

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Congrats!! So happy for you. And slightly jealous of your extra 260 square feet haha.

I just moved into my own shop. Best things: rolling tool cart, rolling stool, and rolling towel draw bin.
Radio with surround sound type speakers. So you have music all over shop.

Also pegboard along a wall to hang all bottles and tools on. Todd Randich had an awesome set up in his garage, there's a video on his Facebook page (pure shine detailing)

Best of luck on your adventure! I'll post up a couple pictures I have of my set up. It's nothing fancy, I'm just using the space temporarily.

I would also think about adding more lighting. I may add some lights along the side walls.

Basically everything he said ^^

I'd also recommend an air compressor for cleaning MF pads and running a tornador. And if you'll be running heat I'd get some type of fan to push the warm air down (heat rises). Also a really good vacuum and 25ft of hose to cut down time moving the vacuum around, this also prevents the chance of the vacuum hitting the door of a vehicle etc. If you'll be extracting in the winter definitely invest in a few air movers to speed the drying process. I could go on and on but you said budget so I'll stop haha best of wishes to you, happy holidays!

 

[GSKR]

It's been a long process, but it's finally official and things are coming together. I recently signed my first lease for my first detailing shop after being strictly mobile for ten years. :awesome: I'm super stocked.

It's a brand new construction and I should be able to take occupancy sometime in the first couple weeks of December. I've worked out of my garage in the past occasionally, but being as it's the first shop I've had, I'm looking for advice from those with experience in the area.

The working space is 26'x34' with a large roll-up garage door and a floor drain about 10' in from the door so that I can wash indoors (it's quite cold here in the winter). It will have four 8' fluorescent light fixtures which should provide decent lighting. I've debated sectioning it off slightly on the back third to make two bays in the back with a large wash bay up front, but not 100% sure on that. There is an attached office, bathroom and large storage space with washer, dryer and utility sink, so I won't need to store anything in the main work area.

I don't have a huge budget, and will probably do things over time to improve the space, but I'm curious of anything you guys would absolutely recommend, especially if it's best to be done before moving my stuff in. I'm open to any suggestions and I'll be sure to update this thread as things move along. Thanks everyone!!

I give you a lot of credit for washing like a big black salty nasty Tahoe ,and the other salty vehicles right behind it.I did that kind of work in ny,very very hard work I hope you have a steam pressure washer good luck on the business.

 

[GSKR]

It's been a long process, but it's finally official and things are coming together. I recently signed my first lease for my first detailing shop after being strictly mobile for ten years. :awesome: I'm super stocked.

It's a brand new construction and I should be able to take occupancy sometime in the first couple weeks of December. I've worked out of my garage in the past occasionally, but being as it's the first shop I've had, I'm looking for advice from those with experience in the area.

The working space is 26'x34' with a large roll-up garage door and a floor drain about 10' in from the door so that I can wash indoors (it's quite cold here in the winter). It will have four 8' fluorescent light fixtures which should provide decent lighting. I've debated sectioning it off slightly on the back third to make two bays in the back with a large wash bay up front, but not 100% sure on that. There is an attached office, bathroom and large storage space with washer, dryer and utility sink, so I won't need to store anything in the main work area.

I don't have a huge budget, and will probably do things over time to improve the space, but I'm curious of anything you guys would absolutely recommend, especially if it's best to be done before moving my stuff in. I'm open to any suggestions and I'll be sure to update this thread as things move along. Thanks everyone!!

Two main components you will need working in that region,a very powerful extractor,and a hot water pressure cleaner,I had my fair Share of winter washing salty embedded pure dirt in every nook and cranny,very very grueling hard work after about 3 pm you are wiped out and then bam out of no where big black Tahoe or excursion is staring you down.I give you guys the biggest credit in the world for winter washing,just be sure that when using immediate hot water try to refrain from rear glass,cause it will explode on you.and invest in synthetic Chams to dry the cars good luck on the business.

 

[jarred767]

CONGRATS! Sounds like a perfect space!!!!!!!!!! Lets see some pics? I dont have any advice as I do this out of my home garage. But wish you the very best of luck!

JEALOUS!

I'm now where you are 10 years ago. I'm going through the leg work to do mobile detailing. Till then, customers have been extremely pleased.

Wish I did this when I was younger but not too late

Again no advice from a beginner but wish the best!

Congrats! Happy for you my friend, like already mentioned, lets see some pics

No advise, but I'm happy for you!

Thanks so much to all of you for the positive words of encouragement. It was a huge step, but one that after moving the business from Seattle in the spring, I knew that this would be in the cards because of the much colder winters. I will definitely take some pics next time I'm out at the job site and keep this post updated throughout the process.

I just moved into my own shop. Best things: rolling tool cart, rolling stool, and rolling towel draw bin.
Radio with surround sound type speakers. So you have music all over shop.

Also pegboard along a wall to hang all bottles and tools on. Todd Randich had an awesome set up in his garage, there's a video on his Facebook page (pure shine detailing)

Best of luck on your adventure! I'll post up a couple pictures I have of my set up. It's nothing fancy, I'm just using the space temporarily.

I would also think about adding more lighting. I may add some lights along the side walls.

Thanks for the tips, I've never had the luxury of rolling carts, but that is a great tip. Things like this that just aren't feasible while doing mobile work are exactly the kind of tips that I was looking for. I will probably run some 8' flourescents down the sides and then see where I''ll go from there. It's tough with there being so much space though, so I'll probably see what the lighting's like once it's all put together.

Congrats!! So happy for you. And slightly jealous of your extra 260 square feet haha.


Basically everything he said ^^

I'd also recommend an air compressor for cleaning MF pads and running a tornador. And if you'll be running heat I'd get some type of fan to push the warm air down (heat rises). Also a really good vacuum and 25ft of hose to cut down time moving the vacuum around, this also prevents the chance of the vacuum hitting the door of a vehicle etc. If you'll be extracting in the winter definitely invest in a few air movers to speed the drying process. I could go on and on but you said budget so I'll stop haha best of wishes to you, happy holidays!

Thanks man! Good advice on the hoses, I was thinking that I would want a nice long hose for my pressure washer so I don't have to move it around and stuff, but hadn't thought of longer hoses for the vacuum too, definitely something I'll look into. I'll definitely be looking into a compressor as well to help expedite things. Good advice on the air movers too, It's sooo much drier here than what I've had to deal with in Western Washington, so everything dries so much faster, but now that I'll be indoors, might not be a bad idea. I plan to add things as I can over time, but these are all great ideas.

I give you a lot of credit for washing like a big black salty nasty Tahoe ,and the other salty vehicles right behind it.I did that kind of work in ny,very very hard work I hope you have a steam pressure washer good luck on the business.

Two main components you will need working in that region,a very powerful extractor,and a hot water pressure cleaner,I had my fair Share of winter washing salty embedded pure dirt in every nook and cranny,very very grueling hard work after about 3 pm you are wiped out and then bam out of no where big black Tahoe or excursion is staring you down.I give you guys the biggest credit in the world for winter washing,just be sure that when using immediate hot water try to refrain from rear glass,cause it will explode on you.and invest in synthetic Chams to dry the cars good luck on the business.

Thanks for the advice man, while the winters are cold here, luckily I don't have to deal with salt as they don't use it here. However, they do cover the roads with crushed red cinder rocks from all the natural volcanic rocks in the area, so that's a fun thing to deal with. The fact that I'll be able to do so much of my washing indoors is extremely beneficial for me and will make it much more enjoyable.

Thanks again for the advice so far guys; I look forward to hearing anything else that would be advised.

 

[jarred767]

One other question that I forgot earlier:

Best recommendation on what to do with the floor???

Right now it's bare concrete. I may be able to work something with the builder to include some sort of sealer or epoxy to help maintain the surface as best as possible. I'm also thinking of maybe adding RaceDeck FreeFlow tiles around the wash station to help with water drainage and traction. Any thoughts or suggestions on this would be awesome as this is one thing I probably would like to do before moving anything in or doing any work in the space. Thanks guys!

 

[FinishingTouchA]

One other question that I forgot earlier:

Best recommendation on what to do with the floor???

Right now it's bare concrete. I may be able to work something with the builder to include some sort of sealer or epoxy to help maintain the surface as best as possible. I'm also thinking of maybe adding RaceDeck FreeFlow tiles around the wash station to help with water drainage and traction. Any thoughts or suggestions on this would be awesome as this is one thing I probably would like to do before moving anything in or doing any work in the space. Thanks guys!

I was going to say something about this but you mentioned budget and I threw that idea out the door. If you go that route it must be a commercial epoxy coating otherwise it will chip up. The RaceDeck isn't a bad idea either but when I priced it out I nearly sh*t myself haha.

 

[flamefighter]

No advice but best of luck

 

[JamMaster Jay]

Congarats!!! I remember the first warehouse I ever rented for my first business. I was scared to death because it became real. A location for my clients to come that wasn't my house, lol. You will grow exponentially from this point forward. I don't know you but am super happy for you. I look forward to my 'first' warehouse in this venture as well. Good luck

 

[RFrommann]

since we just chatted briefly on facebook, i will bump this.


let's hear where you're at with picking up items for the shop.

i bet you're anxious to get out of the snow!

 

[jarred767]

since we just chatted briefly on facebook, i will bump this.


let's hear where you're at with picking up items for the shop.

i bet you're anxious to get out of the snow!

Thanks for the friendly bump! rops: It's coming along, it just keeps on getting strung out for me. Latest update that I've heard is that middle of January is most likely. Luckily I'm taking a week off over Christmas when the next big snow storm is supposed to roll on through. Haven't pulled a buffer out in over a month now though, and really craving it :buffing: lots of interiors and washes though, I guess that's winter in a mountain town:dblthumb2:

As for getting stuff for the shop, it'll probably be a slow process over time, but first thing I'll probably look into is getting RaceDeck tiles to make a wash area simply for traction and drainage with doing all indoor washes. After that, probably a washer and dryer, storage devices, and then working on getting a whole new set of tools to keep in the shop to make things more efficient. The next year will definitely be a year of transition for me.

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Thanks for the friendly bump! rops: It's coming along, it just keeps on getting strung out for me. Latest update that I've heard is that middle of January is most likely. Luckily I'm taking a week off over Christmas when the next big snow storm is supposed to roll on through. Haven't pulled a buffer out in over a month now though, and really craving it :buffing: lots of interiors and washes though, I guess that's winter in a mountain town:dblthumb2:

As for getting stuff for the shop, it'll probably be a slow process over time, but first thing I'll probably look into is getting RaceDeck tiles to make a wash area simply for traction and drainage with doing all indoor washes. After that, probably a washer and dryer, storage devices, and then working on getting a whole new set of tools to keep in the shop to make things more efficient. The next year will definitely be a year of transition for me.

I definitely hear you on the interiors, we've been averaging 2 full interior details a day :nomore: lol
Good for you taking off a week, you deserve it!
Hope everything goes well with the shop, Landlords will always be a pain, been waiting 2 weeks for mine to fix 5 leaks in my roof, the rain last night nearly ruined my office furniture!
I'll let you know how the Race Deck works out. I ordered 75 percent from AG and the rest (in green) from Big Floors.. The green arrived 2 days after ordering. Still haven't received a shipping notification from AG ugh. Pulled out a few tiles and they look very slippery so I will let you know before you go ahead and order for the wash bay.

 

[jarred767]

I definitely hear you on the interiors, we've been averaging 2 full interior details a day :nomore: lol
Good for you taking off a week, you deserve it!
Hope everything goes well with the shop, Landlords will always be a pain, been waiting 2 weeks for mine to fix 5 leaks in my roof, the rain last night nearly ruined my office furniture!
I'll let you know how the Race Deck works out. I ordered 75 percent from AG and the rest (in green) from Big Floors.. The green arrived 2 days after ordering. Still haven't received a shipping notification from AG ugh. Pulled out a few tiles and they look very slippery so I will let you know before you go ahead and order for the wash bay.

Thanks Ryan, what style did you get? Free Flow? You gotta post pics once they're all installed. I bet you can't wait!

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Thanks Ryan, what style did you get? Free Flow? You gotta post pics once they're all installed. I bet you can't wait!

Yeah, graphite border and green/white checker board in the center. The Free Flow is a smooth molded plastic, I'm curious to see how they are once "broken in" because fresh out of the box they are slippery lol