Possible Shop Move

jimmylittle

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Dec 7, 2013
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Here's the deal:

I have a small shop in a Brooklyn, NY warehouse.  I am pretty busy and it's usually full of a project or two for clients.  My special lady just got a job all the way across the country in Los Angeles.  It's only a few months, but we're seriously considering relocating there, at least for a couple of years.

Here's what I've been contemplating...  I really can't trust a moving company to move all my tools across the country.  I have a small shop, as I've said, but it is chock full of stuff (12' ceilings and shelves all the way up!)  Renting a Penske truck will be about $2800, plus gas (which I figure to be (2900miles/9mi per gallon)*$4.50 per gallon for diesel= $1450 in fuel.  So, $4200 or so, plus 5 days driving to get my stuff to LA for a couple years.

Here's what I'm thinking -  Just pack up my shop into a small (and secure!) storage unit in Brooklyn, and just buy $4000 in new tools over there.  I can get a pretty good set up to start, then buy a few other things along the way as I complete jobs.  If we decide to stay permanently, I'll fly back and bite the bullet to drive all my stuff, if we decide to come back to New York, I'll just sell everything before I leave.

I'm also considering crating everything and having a freight company ship it, which would only be about $2000.  I have no big shop tools, everything is portable.  My biggest stuff is the Kapex, a Bosch portable table saw, and about 35 Systainers full of fun. 

Any one have any experience or advice?  It seems like crating it is the best option, but there's a little devil on my shoulder telling me to put a couple grand into new tools rather than moving stuff.
 
Once packed up and placed in storage you will never use it again. 

Move it or sell it!
 
There's also a middle ground ... take some of your tools over.

... and a variation, make this the time to fit out a mobile workshop.

Thirdly - sell your tools (majority/bulky) and buy the best compact stuff you can on the West Coast and build you mobile rig over there!

 
I have an excellent mover that I can recommend if you want to go that way. He brought my stuff back to MN for me when we moved AWAY from California. He's been doing it for like 35 years.

PM me if you want info.
 
I don't see an accounting for storage fees if you leave things back east a few years, or the travel cost to go and retrieve them if you stay in LA. Also if you are hoping to work in the same field in LA wouldn't your tools be essential? Just doesn't seem like you're accounting for all the costs in your scenarios.
 
jimmylittle said:
Any one have any experience or advice?  It seems like crating it is the best option, but there's a little devil on my shoulder telling me to put a couple grand into new tools rather than moving stuff.

If it were me, I'd consider two of your thoughts. Pack what you want to keep and take (or ship) it to your new destination. Sell the rest and cater to your inclination to buy most everything new in LA.

Another consideration would be to rent storage space from a shipping company. If you decide you'd rather have what's stored instead of buying new, simply call the storage/shipping company and tell them to deliver it all.
 
You might also look at renting a PODS container or two as necessary.  You can load it yourself, lock it and walk away when PODS picks it up.  They will either store it for you or relocate the container to a place of your choice where you can unlock and unload it into your new digs.  I've used them for a couple of moves and will do it again the next time I move.  With workshop equipment, you may have to find out what the weight limitations are per container and plan accordingly.  They also rent furniture blankets to protect the stuff that can get dinged. 

 
There are always going to be costs associated with moving.  I would use it as a time to pare down what you don't need.  Moving the tools seems like the easy part, however.  How would you continue to serve your clients in New York or what would you do to establish a new client base in California?  This can take a lot of time (years) even as a lone individual in an improving economy.  You may consider getting a job from someone else who has a full shop and need only a few basic tools or you may find your niche or tool needs change.  I can't imagine doing cost-effective, quality work in my area without a jointer in my shop for example.  Also, a couple of years is long enough that some of your clients in New York may find a replacement for you.  Good luck. 
 
Thanks to all for your input, it really is helping.

As far as east coast storage goes, it would not cost me anything.  It would all go to my dad's garage and sit.  As far as clients go, I'm not terribly worried about that.  The majority of my work comes from television (I build for many home makeover shows), and fill in the blanks with private clients.  Private clients are a small part of my income, so a few clients a year are all I need to supplement my busy TV schedule.

I looked into PODS, and may be going that route.  I have no big heavy shop equipment.  No jointers or planers, no big table saw.  I'm currently very mobile.  I just need to see how much the permits would be to park a POD on the street for a day in New York City! 
 
If you're looking into PODS and the warehouse you're using has a rollup door big enough, see if the franchisee has their motorized dolly.  Four wheels that bolt to the corners, one with a battery and motor similar to a pallet jack.  I saw one at the national restaurant association show in Chicago a couple years ago. 
 
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