Charges for shop rental to other makers

[RogerConnerTN]

I'm in a shared community workshop with JET tools.  Here is how we do it.  If you are going to have your own  table, it's $500 per month.  If you take all tools and wood when you go it's $150 per month.  Everyone has to sign a waiver before using the space. 

 

[RogerConnerTN]

In our shop people bring in all their own hand tools.  borrowing expensive hand tools can cause damage and bad feelings.  I would tell your friend he can build himself a table and keep everything he has on or under that table so it's not in your way.  Allows you to charge for the table space.

 

[radyab]

My first thought is you are opening yourself up for a lawsuit. Your shop, your liability. Someone has an accident, you're on the hook.
  Second thought, nobody will care for your tools and shop as well as you do. There isn't nearly enough of an upside to having other folks working in your shop. To me, I would say it is too risky. Especially for less than a cup of coffee. 

 

[jeh]

My first thought is you are opening yourself up for a lawsuit. Your shop, your liability. Someone has an accident, you're on the hook.
  Second thought, nobody will care for your tools and shop as well as you do. There isn't nearly enough of an upside to having other folks working in your shop. To me, I would say it is too risky. Especially for less than a cup of coffee. 

Agree. The issue is the potential for life altering injuries. It will take some legal footwork for you to make this work safely. You certainly need to be incorporated at a minimum to protect yourself.

It is probably worth a call to a commercial liability company to see who offers it and what the costs might be. You might have to try a few to find someone that covers that use. Be clear about your business model. There are lots of occupations that some companies covers, but other do not. An example of this is gymnastics where live altering injuries are possible. The only reason I know is that my wife owns a dance studio and the first question they asked was if gymnastics equipment would be used. They made it clear that gymnastics was a no go for them, but that other companies could cover it. They must as these businesses exist and if a building is leased liability insurance is required to protect you and the landlord (2nd person/entity to be sued after your company and possibly you).

I'm not trying to say it cannot be done, but more so to make sure you are protected from legal liability. If you are involved directly there are some nuances as other liability being accepted due to what could be deemed gross negligence.

 

[zapdafish]

Decent video surveillance system too. I've known people who seem real honorable until something bad happens and family members manage to get involved and twist things around.