Turn this Building into a Top Notch Detail Center......Need your ideas and Tips

Wendell Jarvis

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All suggestions are Welcome, I already have a Game Plan, but looking for others opinions and ideas, From Flooring to Lighting.....

I recently closed on this Property, it was on the Market for only One day with a Offer already on the Table ( this is Prime Location ) So I made a Cash Offer , Listed at $340,000.00 but with a Cash offer of $325,000.00 I was able to get the Property with a couple of contingences......still pending ( Foundation, Roofing etc.)........So, Money Still Talks !!

So I want to hear from ANY of you Especially Shop and Garage Owners, How would you turn this building into a First class Detailing Shop....
its currently 1600 Square Feet (but the property is 1 acre which gives me plenty of room to expand in both directions ( front, back or sides )...
My first idea is to knock out the front and replace with glass roll up doors and the Rear of Building with Metal roll up doors. The building is perfectly wired to handle a enormous amount of Electricity, floor has about 4 drains......
I would really like Input on Lighting....T5,T8 or Led......Positioning of Lights...Vertical or Horizontal and Ceiling Layout.
My Primary Colors are RED,White and Black........
Display Road sign is about 50 feet tall....very visible..,,,,
So let me hear your ideas......treat it as if you owned it and what you would do.......

Thinking of using this for the Road Sign......either lit with standard or Led .....



front of building



rear of building



front side





Entrance Sign



Inside 17 feet in width



Floor with drain.......I could use this floor, but any ideas would be great

 
Cool place!!! Can't wait to see the semi finished product! They are never really DONE
 
Do you know the original purpose of that building?
 
This looks like a place (that I used
to stop by and grab a bite to eat at
every now and then) that's located
off the Eastern Bypass.

If so: Good Location.


Bob
 
I like your logo. It's attractive and simply clear, it communicates the purpose of the business very well. Blown up and on that sign post will get people's attention, no doubt!
 
i like it.
Like the building, like the outdoor space.
Hope it works out.
Keep us updated as it all unfolds.
 
Waffle House? Really nice location I would like to see a high roof outdoor tall truck bay. I have a 9ft. tall Sprinter van and can imagine a double bay open shelter by the back door for 4x4's and Big rigs while they are at the club. Make sure to get paid in advance in case they spend it all at the club.
 
How will you be getting vehicles inside the building and out of the sun and weather? Will you be the building owner or renting. If you are the owner then there is no problem with cutting a roll up door in the side for access. But if renting will the landlord allow the needed construction.
Once the vehicles are inside the building the first thing would be lighting, then water (both hot and cold), then a dedicated air drying system. Could just be lawn blower or maybe even stationary warm air blowers. Don't forget room heating. Will you be doing coatings? Maybe consider quartz heater to speed setting.
For the outside a big awning or gazebo to keep finished vehicle clean, dry, and out of the sun before the client picks it up. Possibly even a compressed air system to blow dust off the vehicles before they are brought inside. Maybe an outdoor wash bay so two (or more) vehicles could be worked on at the same time. Unfortunately it looks like the vehicles will have to go in and out the same door since it appears that flow through driving won't be possible.
 
Personally I would rent it out.Or convert to a conveyor type carwash.As far as detailing solely I may take a while to recoup your money back.A great smooth well run detail shop will gross about 250k a year then deduct all your expenses payroll etc.At 250 a year that's a lot of cars to detail.Turn it into a carwash ,and if there is enough traffic you will make alot more money and have something to sell in 10 years.
 
Wendell, good evening. I'm guessing that if you have 325K cash, you're doing this simply because you want to. Good on ya! I'm in the process of retaking my garage as a workspace and found the following article on lighting that you may find useful (see Light fixture positioning made simple):

Light fixture positioning made simple

Also, you might want to check out Larry Kosilla's video on his garage redo from last fall. Really interesting to watch. Love the Quick Jacks. Just be sure to get a solid warranty on your epoxy floor!

Subscribing now. Can't wait to see the outcome. Good luck!
 
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I'd start with pulling those plant beds to get drive-up access to building. Could the front glass be replaced with a garage door.
Rip the floor, with center drain end to end.
 
Looks a little to small for a shop, just the picture maybe. Good luck on your future ventures and will keep in touch with the thread ;)
 
Very cool! Good luck with the new place.

Youtube WhiteDetails Hes got a pretty cool setup there with a small lift & a very basic clean setup which might give you some cool ideas.
There is also Larry from AMMO who made his garage into a detailing area, so again some cool ideas may come from there.
 
Wendell, good evening. I'm guessing that if you have 325K cash, you're doing this simply because you want to. Good on ya! I'm in the process of retaking my garage as a workspace and found the following article on lighting that you may find useful (see Light fixture positioning made simple):

Light fixture positioning made simple

Also, you might want to check out Larry Kosilla's video on his garage redo from last fall. Really interesting to watch. Love the Quick Jacks. Just be sure to get a solid warranty on your epoxy floor!

Subscribing now. Can't wait to see the outcome. Good luck!

thanks for the reply.....yes on the Cash purchase...this was a investment not only for a detail shop but years down the road...located in a high demand area...i could list it in 1 year and easily make $50,000.00 profit
 
325.00 cash I would rent it out.Then buy another against the one you have and rent that out.you will get a nice profit check every month forever.
 
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