Be carful and grow with your heart. I went from 3 customers at a home shop to over 40 at a commercial shop with employees that didn’t want to work. I’m now back to a one man show after 20 years . Now with 8 customers at home and no employees I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Stay small and passionate low stress. Good luck with your new venture. -Spanky
20 (or so) years ago I had body shop guy working on my ‘36 Ford in the garage at his house. Before my project was finished he moved into a great big shop, promptly filled it with a bunch of projects and basically worked on those cars (which belonged to “local” guys, I lived 45 miles away). I ended up pulling my unfinished project and had it finished elsewhere. Don’t be THAT guy.
You're making the right decision! A craftsman needs a proper shop and you sir deserve it! Nice part about the new space is the apartment at the rear...perfect for the wife and kids when they join you, and you could even set up an editing station for the videos! Go RAC Garage, keep moving forward!
Born and raised in Conn till 1972. Now live in Va. We have really strict zoning laws here. Could you even do any additions or other improvements to your garage? Might make the decision to rent or eventually build a shop the only way to go. I’m almost 80 and watch you and Kelly both all the time. Got faith in you two, keep up the good work and continue to grow your business and family. Karl 🤗
I hear ya! What a lot of folks don't realize when setting up a shop like yours is that, yeah, the equipment is expensive (especially if you're buying all new), but the real kicker is the expense of the footprint you need to keep everything ready to go. It's not just about having the gear-it's about having it in a place where you can actually use it without spending hours hunting it down or setting it up, only to have to move it because you need the space for something else. You're constantly juggling equipment around the shop, which is a major productivity killer.
You definitely needs a bigger shop and you have made the right decision 👍 Try to get you self a welding fume extraction unit. That will improve HSE for you self and reduce the amount of dust and dirt in the shop, both from welding and grinding. Good luck with more space!
You guys are absolutely making the right choice with your new shop space! In addition to Kelly’s photography space maybe use 1 of the office spaces for ‘clean work’ like engine building/assembly, etc. Also, if the bulk of your fabrication business and stuff is elsewhere it gives you guys a lot less to move if you eventually decide to move/sell your house etc. Your 2 RUclips channels, RAC & Kelly Builds are among my favorites right up there with IronTrap, ViceGrip garage, Quick Speed Shop, Bennetts Customs. Looking forward to more great content. Part Time Rodder Membership @ ~7 months. Cheers!
great to hear you're moving to a bigger space. As I look at my 1,000 square foot garage I feel as crowded as you. So fair warning you will probably quickly out grow that space! keep up the great work!
Travis, I feel your pain I worked on my cars for 40 years like you have, I am now in my late 60’s I now have a garage with hoist 3 car storage I have a 34 chev 3 window coupe and a model a ready to build and I now can’t be stuffed working on it all, Good move on a shop move👍👍
Even if you wanted to expand your shop you would have to move out to make that happen in a timely manner. In my opinion being a contractor for a living. You would have way to much down time for your company trying to stay. I think what you are doing makes total sense. Keep going you are doing it!!!
Over the past 30 yrs we've outgrown our shop. We built a 30x80 pole barn for storage. It helped for a few yrs. Now both buildings are packed and we're in the same boat you're in. If we built a 100x300 building, we would out grow it in a few years. I think that's just the nature of having a place to play!
I like your comment because it shows how a larger space will eat up money by causing overhead. Great example ( What is cool is I was watching forklift videos before getting this suggestion. I wonder if RUclips saw people crossing over so they suggested it?)
If you expanded your present garage you'd have a backyard like mine, about 10 ft. to the back fence. Just enough room for a patio table and a expandable umbrella.
Renting that new shop is a wise move. I think that garage you have is good enought, if cars were just a hobby. But making living in a crowded garage is a different story. My bro did a same kind of move that you are doing now and his new shop was a game changer in his business. He repairs tractors, trucks, forklifts, vintage cars, daily drivers, what ever ppl bring him. His garage at home is a slightly bigger than yours and working with all those is pretty difficult. So i understand completely what is your point in this renting deal.
having limited space can encourage discipline but my frined you've reached a tipping point. it's not reasonable to expect productivity, or sanity, in what you have to deal with and you've got a business to think of. the cost of renting kinda sucks but hopefully increased productivity will offset that. kudos to the vintage 'friendly' sign. back when they were great.
Good for you. I hope his will help you get more done. Adam savage has loads of videos about shop organization. I would set up some pallet racks to keep parts organized for different projects. Also a metal fab area next to west the cars will be cause that will be your money maker. If a car sits it should sit in your home garage. Treat it like a business projects have to keep moving. I fell your pain I’m trying to build a garage. Have the pad will be going with a 20’x24’. I know it will not be enough for my business but hoping it will make it so i can keep working during the winter while waiting for calls. I would like to hold two in the garage and some tools. But I almost don’t see that happening cause I want tire machine to expand my business and use that to get a location. While I need the main spot to work on my Projects.Also for key programming and tire work.
Something I don't think people realize either, your shop is so packed, you wouldn't be able to move enough stuff to make room for a crew to physically do an expansion without moving into a temporary space anyway.
For all the reasons you mentioned and showed, "common sense" would say you made the most practical decision. If the rent is "reasonable", I would suggest you attempt to "secure" it as much as is possible with a long term lease (3 to 5 years) so you are not hit with a "fatal" rent increase due to a property sale or ??? BTW, people think that if they sign a long term lease, they are "stuck" with it for that period of time. That is only "partially" true/correct. If something comes up and you need to "terminate" your lease, common real estate law says you need to keep making the payments WHILE THE PLACE IS MARKETED AND UNTIL A NEW TENANT CAN BE FOUND. NOT until the written end of the lease term. Be sure to read your new lease before signing it !!! One thing I would suggest that my son and I have learned as a result of working in my "purpose built" detached garage/shop here at home. We have taken one of those "Rubbermaid" carts (2'W X 3'L X 33H" ) and filled it with the most/common tools (sockets/wrenches/ screw drivers/nut drivers/allen wrenches/ etc). The most common tools. Another cart (smaller version) has all of the body tools (hammers, discs, die grinder, 4.5" grinder, a few other air tools. Since you have organized all of your tools at the back of the shop, it will mean you will be making LOTS of trips back and forth to those "common" tools. We find that whenever we are working on something, having the cart close by saves soooooo many steps and time. The carts both have "lower" shelves also so they also can be utilized. Good luck in the new shop !!! Looking forward to seeing lots more "fantastic" metal sculpture from your channel !!!
I'm 60 years put up a building on your own property, don't be a ass and work to pay for some one else's property, Please I will pray for you to make the right decision hold on to your money
Peter, You are a breath of reason. Mechanics do the same thing...spend year after year paying rent. A kid once told me.....mind you it was a kid...." If a business doesn't own its own building it has nothing". I asked an half dozen Internet mechanics to buy a building in any city. Have one guy run his shop and the others own part of the real estate. It went totally over their heads. Imagine how good the shop would be.....One guy running it, with six long distance friends to call on for tech advice. Soon it would be the best shop in town and the group could buy a second location in another state. Why do Chinese restaurants have no employees....just relatives? People need to team up.......or, they can give all their energy away to rent payments. One day Peter, lunch is on me. Have a great weekend!
How high's the ceiling ? one or two 4 post lifts will help heaps for car storage and make work much easier as well, the ones with wheels that you can move around.
....if you gonna do this work, you need to be safe.... overcrowded work zones means hospital..... especially if you have others working with you....go for it. Kel can help by learning the tools by cleaning the shop, I know she wants to build, but you gotta learn the tools. The best way is cleaning them and the shop. Knowing where stuff is, is just as important as the ones, knowing how to use the stuff.... anyway, use the new space and make some rides.....later
Three years tops......then move home. Otherwise you will spend 20 years working to pay rent. 12 times....how much......spent every Christmas. Why? Who will you be working for?....definitely not for yourself. ( Plan B...Find an investor and buy a building together ).
Travis..does your contract allow for you to rent out the 2nd floor living area? Would it be to your benefit if it were allowed? Thinking extra $$$$ coming in each month for you. 😊
Lighting needs to be improved, I plan on putting a compressor under the stairs and enclosing it so it isn’t as loud. Plenty of room outside if I need it but I don’t plan on using it much
I hate paying rent. Maybe buy another house with more property. In the end you will own it paying off your mortgage not paying rent paying off someone's else's mortgage. Life is full of choices sir !
ERA Cobra was using three residential garages in one neighborhood. This is how they got their start.....I bet they owned those properties after some years. B is for Build is hemorrhaging money renting while they slowly build on the residential property they bought. Have a look at what Iron Trap Garage has done....they expanded up....and now they built storage. Tracy's gives sage advice. Have a super weekend
Be carful and grow with your heart. I went from 3 customers at a home shop to over 40 at a commercial shop with employees that didn’t want to work. I’m now back to a one man show after 20 years . Now with 8 customers at home and no employees I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Stay small and passionate low stress. Good luck with your new venture.
-Spanky
Yeah the plan is still to stay small, this is just to get some elbow room! 😆
20 (or so) years ago I had body shop guy working on my ‘36 Ford in the garage at his house. Before my project was finished he moved into a great big shop, promptly filled it with a bunch of projects and basically worked on those cars (which belonged to “local” guys, I lived 45 miles away). I ended up pulling my unfinished project and had it finished elsewhere. Don’t be THAT guy.
Don’t plan on it.
You're making the right decision! A craftsman needs a proper shop and you sir deserve it! Nice part about the new space is the apartment at the rear...perfect for the wife and kids when they join you, and you could even set up an editing station for the videos! Go RAC Garage, keep moving forward!
Thank you so much!
Born and raised in Conn till 1972. Now live in Va. We have really strict zoning laws here. Could you even do any additions or other improvements to your garage? Might make the decision to rent or eventually build a shop the only way to go. I’m almost 80 and watch you and Kelly both all the time. Got faith in you two, keep up the good work and continue to grow your business and family.
Karl 🤗
I hear ya! What a lot of folks don't realize when setting up a shop like yours is that, yeah, the equipment is expensive (especially if you're buying all new), but the real kicker is the expense of the footprint you need to keep everything ready to go. It's not just about having the gear-it's about having it in a place where you can actually use it without spending hours hunting it down or setting it up, only to have to move it because you need the space for something else. You're constantly juggling equipment around the shop, which is a major productivity killer.
You definitely needs a bigger shop and you have made the right decision 👍
Try to get you self a welding fume extraction unit. That will improve HSE for you self and reduce the amount of dust and dirt in the shop, both from welding and grinding.
Good luck with more space!
I'm glad you're upgrading, sorry for the extra overhead but hopefully it'll also bump your productivity and let you be even more successful.
Good luck. My barn was too small, the day I signed the check for the builders
Can't wait to see the new shop set up. You're going to feel like a bird freed from it's cage.
Hahaha I really am
I feel the clutter I deal with it in my own shop, that I stuffed full of crap.
Think what you have done on this small area. what nice sheet metal work. so new shoop will be great
I think so too!
That's the way to go. It looks like a great building for your operation.
I don’t know how you do it. The new space you’ll love and you’ll be WAY more efficient with your time which means more $$ quicker.
You guys are absolutely making the right choice with your new shop space! In addition to Kelly’s photography space maybe use 1 of the office spaces for ‘clean work’ like engine building/assembly, etc. Also, if the bulk of your fabrication business and stuff is elsewhere it gives you guys a lot less to move if you eventually decide to move/sell your house etc. Your 2 RUclips channels, RAC & Kelly Builds are among my favorites right up there with IronTrap, ViceGrip garage, Quick Speed Shop, Bennetts Customs. Looking forward to more great content. Part Time Rodder Membership @ ~7 months. Cheers!
Thank you!!
great to hear you're moving to a bigger space. As I look at my 1,000 square foot garage I feel as crowded as you. So fair warning you will probably quickly out grow that space! keep up the great work!
Thank you!
Travis, I feel your pain I worked on my cars for 40 years like you have, I am now in my late 60’s I now have a garage with hoist 3 car storage I have a 34 chev 3 window coupe and a model a ready to build and I now can’t be stuffed working on it all,
Good move on a shop move👍👍
Thanks yeah much needed
Good luck. Hope everything works out for you.
You'll make your neighbors and the city happy also 😊
Even if you wanted to expand your shop you would have to move out to make that happen in a timely manner. In my opinion being a contractor for a living. You would have way to much down time for your company trying to stay. I think what you are doing makes total sense. Keep going you are doing it!!!
The electrical contractor will have to get there before you move your equipment that needs to be wired at the new site.
Maybe a lift in the new shop to store current projects with upcoming jobs either up or down….?
Rooting for you brother!! Keep plugging
I completely understand about the space. I didn;t know that Kelly did photography. You a very talented couple.
Thanks so much!
Make it happen! You will outgrow and move again… good luck.
Over the past 30 yrs we've outgrown our shop. We built a 30x80 pole barn for storage. It helped for a few yrs. Now both buildings are packed and we're in the same boat you're in. If we built a 100x300 building, we would out grow it in a few years. I think that's just the nature of having a place to play!
i am happy you have a new look on a new life
i think the new space will fill up faster then you think
It’s already full
One of the 1st thing you look for is small fork lift you can do so many things with it
I really need one
I like your comment because it shows how a larger space will eat up money by causing overhead. Great example
( What is cool is I was watching forklift videos before getting this suggestion. I wonder if RUclips saw people crossing over so they suggested it?)
If you expanded your present garage you'd have a backyard like mine, about 10 ft. to the back fence. Just enough room for a patio table and a expandable umbrella.
I totally understand your decision. I have similar case with my garage, but it´s only hobby place for me. Good luck with new shop! :)
Thank you!
Renting that new shop is a wise move. I think that garage you have is good enought, if cars were just a hobby. But making living in a crowded garage is a different story. My bro did a same kind of move that you are doing now and his new shop was a game changer in his business. He repairs tractors, trucks, forklifts, vintage cars, daily drivers, what ever ppl bring him. His garage at home is a slightly bigger than yours and working with all those is pretty difficult.
So i understand completely what is your point in this renting deal.
Yeah for a business it’s needed at this point
having limited space can encourage discipline but my frined you've reached a tipping point. it's not reasonable to expect productivity, or sanity, in what you have to deal with and you've got a business to think of. the cost of renting kinda sucks but hopefully increased productivity will offset that. kudos to the vintage 'friendly' sign. back when they were great.
Thanks brother you nailed it. It’s a tipping point t
that's my shed.
Good for you. I hope his will help you get more done. Adam savage has loads of videos about shop organization. I would set up some pallet racks to keep parts organized for different projects. Also a metal fab area next to west the cars will be cause that will be your money maker. If a car sits it should sit in your home garage. Treat it like a business projects have to keep moving. I fell your pain I’m trying to build a garage. Have the pad will be going with a 20’x24’. I know it will not be enough for my business but hoping it will make it so i can keep working during the winter while waiting for calls. I would like to hold two in the garage and some tools. But I almost don’t see that happening cause I want tire machine to expand my business and use that to get a location. While I need the main spot to work on my Projects.Also for key programming and tire work.
Yeah man I have to get some racking to put up, that’s my plan. Personal stuff (most of it) will stay at the house
Good luck Travis Sounds good
Happy for you Travis and so excited to see you working in the new shop! Know your business will grow like crazy!!
Hope so!
From a business standpoint to grow your business, a bigger shop is definitely the way to go. You’ll be so much more efficient!
Exactly, if it was just personal stuff, another payment isn’t smart
This life is not a rehearsal! go for it and be happy!
So true! Thank you!!
If that new building is a condo-style, grab another unit when it comes up.
If I can make it happen I’d love to grab the one next door if it comes available
Something I don't think people realize either, your shop is so packed, you wouldn't be able to move enough stuff to make room for a crew to physically do an expansion without moving into a temporary space anyway.
This is very true hahaha didn’t think of that
Ok now i understand. as long as you can handle the expense. Best of luck with that......
Yeah it’s very reasonable I’ll be fine e
This is why people like the south more living space enjoy your weekend thanks 4 the videos
I can see why people move down there for sure haha
Agreed. My storage is below the Mason Dixon Line. Very affordable.
For all the reasons you mentioned and showed, "common sense" would say you made the most practical decision. If the rent is "reasonable", I would suggest you attempt to "secure" it as much as is possible with a long term lease (3 to 5 years) so you are not hit with a "fatal" rent increase due to a property sale or ??? BTW, people think that if they sign a long term lease, they are "stuck" with it for that period of time. That is only "partially" true/correct. If something comes up and you need to "terminate" your lease, common real estate law says you need to keep making the payments WHILE THE PLACE IS MARKETED AND UNTIL A NEW TENANT CAN BE FOUND. NOT until the written end of the lease term. Be sure to read your new lease before signing it !!!
One thing I would suggest that my son and I have learned as a result of working in my "purpose built" detached garage/shop here at home. We have taken one of those "Rubbermaid" carts (2'W X 3'L X 33H" ) and filled it with the most/common tools (sockets/wrenches/ screw drivers/nut drivers/allen wrenches/ etc). The most common tools. Another cart (smaller version) has all of the body tools (hammers, discs, die grinder, 4.5" grinder, a few other air tools. Since you have organized all of your tools at the back of the shop, it will mean you will be making LOTS of trips back and forth to those "common" tools. We find that whenever we are working on something, having the cart close by saves soooooo many steps and time. The carts both have "lower" shelves also so they also can be utilized.
Good luck in the new shop !!! Looking forward to seeing lots more "fantastic" metal sculpture from your channel !!!
That’s a great tip, I’ll be ordering a few of those!
I'm 60 years put up a building on your own property, don't be a ass and work to pay for some one else's property, Please I will pray for you to make the right decision hold on to your money
There is no room on our property ...
Peter, You are a breath of reason. Mechanics do the same thing...spend year after year paying rent. A kid once told me.....mind you it was a kid...." If a business doesn't own its own building it has nothing". I asked an half dozen Internet mechanics to buy a building in any city. Have one guy run his shop and the others own part of the real estate. It went totally over their heads.
Imagine how good the shop would be.....One guy running it, with six long distance friends to call on for tech advice. Soon it would be the best shop in town and the group could buy a second location in another state.
Why do Chinese restaurants have no employees....just relatives? People need to team up.......or, they can give all their energy away to rent payments.
One day Peter, lunch is on me. Have a great weekend!
Yeah definitely can always use more space
You will be far more productive with room to move man. Good move 👌👌👌
I am on YOUR side.
What ever happened to your Model A Coupe you chopped and put it in storage?
Had to sell that but I keep in contact with the new owner, he’ll being it down one of these days
How high's the ceiling ? one or two 4 post lifts will help heaps for car storage and make work much easier as well, the ones with wheels that you can move around.
Ceilings are giant but I feel like a lift would get in the way for what I do
@@RACGARAGE That new one Brent from Halfass Customs got seems to work well for him, gets you off the floor... have a look at Wildfire Lifts.
....if you gonna do this work, you need to be safe.... overcrowded work zones means hospital..... especially if you have others working with you....go for it. Kel can help by learning the tools by cleaning the shop, I know she wants to build, but you gotta learn the tools. The best way is cleaning them and the shop. Knowing where stuff is, is just as important as the ones, knowing how to use the stuff.... anyway, use the new space and make some rides.....later
Great video…good logic! Best to you…great energy!
Good job well done be safe in your move.😊😊😊😊
Three years tops......then move home. Otherwise you will spend 20 years working to pay rent.
12 times....how much......spent every Christmas.
Why? Who will you be working for?....definitely not for yourself. ( Plan B...Find an investor and buy a building together ).
Your going to need a dumpster at the new shop,,,,that locks so people don’t dump their crap in there when your not around…!
I live in one Communist HOA and seeing you work at home family around that's Awesome but you need room
Yeah it’s cool working from home but I need this
Dude your garage is just too small, It's time to expand that's all, Congrats.
You're making the correct decision.......
I get it , so move already.
Travis..does your contract allow for you to rent out the 2nd floor living area? Would it be
to your benefit if it were allowed? Thinking extra $$$$ coming in each month for you. 😊
The “living area” isn’t supposed to be a living area. It’s not zoned for a living space. Haha
How’s lighting and sound(compressor placement) security,outside parking for moving stuff around?
Lighting needs to be improved, I plan on putting a compressor under the stairs and enclosing it so it isn’t as loud. Plenty of room outside if I need it but I don’t plan on using it much
Does this mean the family daily can sit in the garage during the winters
Haha maybe!
Level up
I hate paying rent. Maybe buy another house with more property. In the end you will own it paying off your mortgage not paying rent paying off someone's else's mortgage. Life is full of choices sir !
It’s easy to spend someone else’s money.
ERA Cobra was using three residential garages in one neighborhood. This is how they got their start.....I bet they owned those properties after some years.
B is for Build is hemorrhaging money renting while they slowly build on the residential property they bought.
Have a look at what Iron Trap Garage has done....they expanded up....and now they built storage. Tracy's gives sage advice. Have a super weekend
Smart move.
When is the BIG move…..?
Did it this weekend!
It is time ...
Agreed
Would you work on my 31 no rust minor stuff?
Send me an email rhodealliancecustoms@gmail.com
Larger air compressor?
I need a larger one for sure
After watching the walk through, I now see why you have decided to move . I retract my original comments.
Hahaha I knew i had to make this video. Thanks for being cool!