I found 'the book' about a year ago and I've been itching to build a car ever since. Trouble is, I don't have a garage, and neither does anyone one I know (or at least one that's available). So I have two choices: Wait 10-20 years until I own a house with a garage (not appealing), or rent somewhere.

Has anyone had any experience of renting somewhere to build a locost? I live in NW London incidentally, and I'd be quite happy to travel a bit (not too far tho) if that made it cheaper/easier to get a place. Or has anyone got a brilliant idea I haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance for any ideas. They're all appreciated.

Luke

offer to pay GTS rent space to build a GTS in their workshop......might go for it you never know

I'm in a similar situation, so I called the council as they know of any garages (private or council) that are up for rent. I haven't managed to find any in my area (Greenwich) but definately get in touch with the council and get them to point you in the right direction.

Try this link, and search for things like "lock up garages" or something similar - http://www.findit.co.uk/ . There are sure to be some on yellow pages too so check there also.

The cheapest I found was about £150 a month though (with elec and water), so unless you're minted or are planning to build to completion in a month, you might try having a walk around your local neighbourhood and trying to see if you can see any garages that look unused. I reckon you could blag your way into one, find someone who doesn't use their garage and ask if you can rent it for £30 a month or something, and explain what you'll be doing.

Apart from that, how big is your living room??

Hope that helps some, let me know how you get on!

Cheers,
Nick

[Edited on 17/5/05 by nicksertis]

Don't suppose you've got a garden big enough to build one in, and then take down a fence or wall to get it on the road when finished?

Because you can buy some very large waterproof Gazebo/tents for about £80 from Makro, wouldn't be very secure mind

i bought a shipping container. thats only if you have somewhere to put it though

not bad, fully lockable steel workshop for £800 . Its got fully installed electrics and lighting now that cost extra mind

Liam, I like your style I'm moving house shortly and may end up without a garage so I'll keep this idea in mind.

they are an untapped resource.

you don't need planning permision as they are temp buildings.

I have even heard of ppl buying 6 or 7 and building a house with them

The problem with council garages is presumably they don't have power. I can't imagine a car battery or generator would power a MIG welder

quote:

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Originally posted by liam.mccaffrey
i bought a shipping container. thats only if you have somewhere to put it though

not bad, fully lockable steel workshop for £800 . Its got fully installed electrics and lighting now that cost extra mind

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i reckon if i painted "imigrants inside" like the intel logo i could pass it off as a balkan computer company, what do you think?

seriously though i could live in one of them things they're awesome

[Edited on 18/5/05 by liam.mccaffrey]

[Edited on 18/5/05 by liam.mccaffrey]

You're right about the council ones not having power, but they did also say that they knew of private garages that were up for rent from time to time. Worth a try I suppose, they might be able to point you in the right direction at least.

I'm liking the idea of a shipping crate though!

Nick

i.ve heard of boys buyin 2 or more containers and takin the gas axe to "inside" walls to make a bigger workshop

[Edited on 18/5/05 by johnston]

quote:

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Originally posted by lsteele
I can't imagine a car battery or generator would power a MIG welder

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