Fellow project guys, would you do this full time?

[MikeyT]

nope, it would make my hobby too much like work. Plus the way the market goes, it would be too inconsistent for me.

Mike

 

[tpodwdog]

id have to say NO...i wouldnt. i did that once years ago. i loved carpentry, and turned it into my profession....now i could care less if i ever see another piece of wood for my remaining days. i hate going to work , but i love going out and working on the cars. its strange how once you master something....youre sick of it by then . !

 

[Donny]

I think balance in ANY work is necessary. Some days I'm welding, others media blasting, others running around for parts/supplies, it keeps it ALL continually interesting (to me) and fun, and pride always comes in; meaning doing it right because I just have to, no other way but doing it the right way! NorthernDave, you got some skills man; the car, the photography, if you can balance them all, you're good! Or, if you can find a niche in this market like I did buying a Media Blasting business, move it, start in a new market, then you're golden, people will come to you!

 

[Ron 73]

With the enthusiasm that most come hear to do and show others, everything thats discussed in these resto threads, I imagine this question has popped up more then once in most minds, because we do love this stuff, everyone has there days but its a tempting thought to want to go to work each day loving there job, but what dawg said is true more then not, but again, balance like said would make a difference because with this type of work, you are doing many different things, if your doing them completely, you need to be a fabricator, a welder, body man and a painter, lots involved with all this, a good imagination to come up with ways to do things helps.. This would make a good sticky, how many have thought about doing this before? Lots of info here to give someone a thought or two if there thinking on doing it. Just a thought.

 

[moparbud66]

X2

Nope! Wouldn't do it. People don't wan't to pay the money that it takes to do things properly. Also, IMO it would become too much of a chore rather than a pleasure.

 

[Donny]

You absolutely can turn the hobby into a business. Just remember its a business now, hobby prior. Remember that, and you'll stay open.

 

[6pktgo]

I used to do it for a living (for 20 years), & Loved it & learned alot !! Still dabble it & Still Love It & still learning !!

 

[northerndave]

Hey guys...

lol.

- - - Updated - - -

Still on that fence... leaning hard...

I'll know more next week.

 

[HYRDGOON]

I believe it as much depends on your Network and reputation now as it does your skill level. You could do it yourself but you need enough space to juggle multiple projects because inevitably they all can't keep going at once and as funds dry up or slow down on a project it can inevitably be left occupying your space and not earning you money PLUS there's down time waiting for parts etc. There's 2 separate guys not far from me that both have shops to accommodate 4 cars which seems to be the perfect rotation for always keeping busy... One of them has an assistant and the other goes at everything himself but both always have a full shop and cars waiting to get in.

The preferred method would be to always have one bay open for the quick jobs (oil changes, tuning etc.) that keep the cashflow going...

 

[snakeyes]

don't fall off that fence :headbang:

 

[Cornpatch MO]

If you are like most people, I would say no. Mechanics- body men, lose interest if they work all day and try to work on their own projects on nights and weekends. Guys that do, usually don't want to spend any time with their wives and kids--hide in the garage. 8-) ..............................MO

 

[747mopar]

For me it's a big NO, repetition ruins anything for me. I think if I left the body work up to someone else it might be a little more appealing but I'm just to slow to ever expect to be able to make any money. Like others have mentioned I think it would suck all of the fun right out of it but it all depends on your mindset. Good luck

 

[northerndave]

I think balance in ANY work is necessary. Some days I'm welding, others media blasting, others running around for parts/supplies, it keeps it ALL continually interesting (to me) and fun, and pride always comes in; meaning doing it right because I just have to, no other way but doing it the right way! NorthernDave, you got some skills man; the car, the photography, if you can balance them all, you're good! Or, if you can find a niche in this market like I did buying a Media Blasting business, move it, start in a new market, then you're golden, people will come to you!

I'm gonna do it Donny.

Building a new shop this spring.

50'x80' with 14' walls. A nice spray booth, a tear down/blast room, a fab area, a 2 post hoist, rotisserie and body carts, an office, 1 bathroom, A good amount of racking for storage of parts for vehicles being worked on.

I have financial backing from a trusted source, spec builds are on the menu for the business launch.

 

[Donny]

That's awesome! I've been thinking about this too, well, actually thinking how I can hitch up with other like-minded folk and pool our talents and skills under one roof, or one compound and we all have a net gain of mutual association and teamwork. Good luck!!!

 

[snakeoil24]

I learned over the year's that doing what I am good at gets personal satisfaction. My love is metal work, leading and panel beating. I can fabricate most anything, finding qualified people for the other trades is always an issue. I have an upholstry guy who works for a shop and he will do work after hours. Motor work is no issue thru A qualified machine shop is no issue. We also have many of these Mexican run back yard shops that work jobs very cheap. This is a big problem for my blaster since they do good work and under cut him by 50 percent or more.The cost of space is the biggest problem and environmental laws and regulations I would have to get a better handle on.

 

[67GTX440]

Many people who do this for a hobby are very meticulous and if something does not come out right, do it again until it is correct. They do it right, they don't do it fast. As a business, you find that the market does not allow you to charge a labor rate to work like this so you have to adopt a "good enough" attitude to make money. You are never your own boss working for yourself. Every customer is your boss. Most people who had one boss who they regarded as tough to work for would love to have that boss back after starting their own business. This decision should be tempered with how well you like supervising and motivating employees, maintaining essential paper and tax work, and resolving customer issues. It is not all going to be working on cars.

And a reality TV show always helps with free advertising and keeping the business afloat if cash flows are not adequate. :violent1:

 

[Propwash]

Really neat to hear you're pulling the trigger Dave. Sounds like a good platform for your shop. Has to be pretty exciting and a little scary at the same time, but such is life. Wish you the best on your business adventure.

 

[BigBlock61]

Good for you Dave good luck and don't let it get overwhelming.

 

[spoolinhard]

I worked professionally for 2 days. Quit on the second. If its not my car its not the same and the drive isnt there.

 

[northerndave]

I have 2 basic directions, business plans, that can be operated out of the same shop. One is as I have explained and as we have spoke of here in this thread. The other is the manufacturing of various outdoor equipment and items geared around hunting and various outdoors recreation type hobbies.

The latter, is more bulletproof as far as a business plan... So it may be what I find myself doing the most of, and it's possible that the restoration type efforts remain limited. If the fab-manufacturing takes off well enough on its own, then I will forget about building cars except as a hobby.

We'll see.

The main thing is I am going out on my own, full time, in my own shop.