Diy Garages

[darkislight]

Has anybody given serious thought about using a fix it yourself garage?

Any problems with liability?

[Efterlyst27]

Never heard of one here in the US.

[vertbmw]

Yea, don't know of any here in the states

[kornkid8600]

They are doing it in the UK but I don't know. Liabilities could be an issue. Same as costs. I wonder how successful they are in the UK.

[BoldUlysses]

There's a local business, almost like a self-storage facility, focused on car projects, where "tenants" rent garage-type bays. Sounds kind of like what you're talking about. I can't find the website at the moment. It seems a lot of military installations offer "auto hobby shops" along those lines too.

-Matt

[AnimatedZombie]

What is a fix it yourself garage?

[cognoramus]

It seems a lot of military installations offer "auto hobby shops" along those lines too.

Yeah, most military posts have a DIY garage with tools and all, but afaik you have to take a safety class from them before you can use it.

If there's anyone near Savannah that wants to try it out, I'd be happy to help sign you in on post just for the chance to get some experience.

[Ruckdive]

Regarding liability...I'm guessing you mean if you drop a car on your buddies head, right? Because if you mean who's liable if you suddenly ruin your car because you don't know what you're doing, I feel like it's a no brainer.

[darkislight]

What is a fix it yourself garage?

A rented bay at an auto repair garage with or without tools where you can personally repair a vehicle. Hourly rates vary depending on time spent and tools or assistance required.


Regarding liability...I'm guessing you mean if you drop a car on your buddies head, right? Because if you mean who's liable if you suddenly ruin your car because you don't know what you're doing, I feel like it's a no brainer.

Liability for the garage user / for the garage owner (e.g. personal injury, fire, theft, enviromental spills etc.)

Sometimes the inspection / small repair or modification that can or can't wait and you would like to do yourself without scheduling a date with the dealer or your driiveway in bad weather.

I've seen such places but they are not plentifull and I was wondering why not?

Maybe the liability risks are too many.

[AnimatedZombie]

What is a fix it yourself garage?A rented bay at an auto repair garage with or without tools where you can personally repair a vehicle. Hourly rates vary depending on time spent and tools or assistance required.

Alright thanks man

[typeS4]

Regarding liability. Just have them sign a waiver, most people don't read it and it would be the owner at almost no risk.

[montaillou]

I don't know if OP is thinking of opening one or going to one, however liability is covered with insurance - unless this is some sort of back alley, handshake, nudge, nudge, wink, wink sort of thing.

[darkislight]

Check this one out in the UK

pitstartgarage (http://www.pitstartgarage.com/)

[P2Hakes]

I used one when i was in school in Cleveland, OH.
Nice owner, he was an old Italian immigrant. Charged $10 an hour and you had to sign a liability release. A.K.A. - if you have a retard moment then it's on you.
The lifts were um, questionable, but did the trick.

I think it would be a great idea to start a business based on that principle, except we live in a sue-happy America populated by many whom amaze me that they make it to see the next day.
You would need to have some serious insurance which kills profitability, along with meeting all kinds of E.P.A. guidelines that joe-blow in his driveway couldn't give a rat's ass about.
Then you have to worry about the habits of the people repairing their vehicles in such an environment. You would have to have some type of "stupidity prevention specialist" that would constantly check up on the tenants to make sure they're not idling a car in a closed garage while they adjust the carb or what-have-you.

Awesome idea in principle
expensive and worrysome in practice

-Pat

[DrewDude320i]

The issue is, as Pat stated, people will sue for a chipped thumb nail. Great idea in theory and would benefit a lot of do-it-yourselfers, but you're never fully legally bulletproof. Maybe try to start it as a LLC?

[MrSaikou]

Sounds cool. The main benefit is the lift. In a pinch, you can get by without, but it is just harder.

[darkislight]

I found this on the net (the company name has been deleted) but How do you like these rules and regulations?

1.Before using our services, you must present a valid and current copy of the insurance on the vehicle which you will be working on at xxxxxx. Our insurance also requires that a current, signed Release of Liability form must also be kept on file in our office.



2.The complete premises of xxxxxx. are under monitoring at all times. Please respect our premises, garages, and tools. Anyone who decides to break the law or remove tools or other supplies belonging to xxxxxx. from the premises will be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.



3.You are expected to keep your area picked up, free of debris and clutter, and leave the space and/or tools that you use in the same condition which they were in prior to your use. Anyone who choses to not to clean up after themselves will be charged a cleaning rate of $60 per hour to return the area to its normal condition. It is a garage, we understand that. But, please be respectful of our premises and of those who will be using the space after you. Your area will be inspected upon completion of your rental. All tool carts will be inspected upon return. Tools missing from the cart will be charged at the retail price with payment due prior to leaving the premises.



4.No one under the age of 18 may be on the premises of xxxxxx. without their legal parent or guardian with them at all times.



5.Absolutely no alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or anyone under the influence of these items are allowed at anytime on the premises of xxxxxx. You will be asked to leave with no refund given if you are suspected or found breaking this rule.



6.Any vehicle left over 30 days will be towed at the owner's expense. Any personal belongings left over 30 days will be discarded. Please make sure to remove all of your belongings with you when you are finished using our services.



7.For xxxxxx's Mechanics Labor or Assistance, you must set up an appointment. If you would like to hire our mechanics for a project or job, an appointment must also be set up.



8.xxxxxx's does NOT resale parts. However, we do offer with all space rentals use of our discount at the neighboring O'Reilly's Auto Parts for significant savings on all parts.



9.By using xxxxxx. and Do It Yourself Auto Repair Services you are assuming all risk. You release xxxxxx. from any and all claims by using their premises, garage, services, and mechanics.



10.All returned checks are subject to a $30 returned check fee per incident in addition to any and all bank charges associated with the return of your check. xxxxxx. reserves the right to refuse any check from any person for any reason.


11.xxxxxx. reserves the right to refuse the use of their premises, services, and mechanics to any person for any reason.

(Obviously some editing must be done......:eek:)

[s25019]

Hello darkislight, I read some of your post on your radiator upper hose neck fix. I have a 92 e36 325i as well and the neck is half broken off. I have been experiencing "slippage." While we are on the topic of DIY garages and since you live in Quebec, I was wondering if you can make me one of those aluminum fittings for my radiator. If you have an ebay or paypal account, I will buy it from you. I live in Kingston, Ont. If you are interested, please email me at s25019@rmc.ca. Thanks

[djetaine]

Hello darkislight, I read some of your post on your radiator upper hose neck fix. I have a 92 e36 325i as well and the neck is half broken off. I have been experiencing "slippage." While we are on the topic of DIY garages and since you live in Quebec, I was wondering if you can make me one of those aluminum fittings for my radiator. If you have an ebay or paypal account, I will buy it from you. I live in Kingston, Ont. If you are interested, please email me at s25019@rmc.ca. Thanks

private message feature - use it

[s25019]

Sorry, I don't think I have access to private message features. On the topic of DIY garages, I am pretty sure they exist in Canada. The one I am with is more of an auto club where club members rent tools and pay for membership fees. With volunteers managing the premise. We have one here in Kingston. I am in the Canadian Forces and there are auto clubs associated with larger bases. Here is the website to mine. http://home.cogeco.ca/~kac/contact.htm.

[djetaine]

my bad s25019, didnt realize you only had 2 posts.
OT- I wish there were a diy garage around my area. I would def use it

[Jetblack2000Ci]

Cool idea but sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen, waiver or not. I would use it though for doing some minor work though for sure. I live in an apartment so I don't have the ability to do DIY jobs right now. I miss having a driveway...

[SimTechDJ]

pretty popular option near military bases and i know of a couple in arizona. nice option if you live in a city where there isn't room to work!