Thread: Renting a commercial space

Option 4) Hand tools at home. I already have a decent collection and I'm getting better all the time but I know I'd miss my table saw, jointer and thicknesser. Nowhere to store timber either unless I setup one of my pallet racks outside and not too sure if the neighbours/owners are that keen on that idea.

No. three is your best option in my opinion, biggest draw back with no one is there is a not insurance company in the country that will insure non approved spaces and would just deny the claim if you ever made one, may need to compromise and move further from the city

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm picking up on the comment about insurance here, and perhaps I have misunderstood comments in this thread, please accept my apologies if so!

If the space is being used for a hobby (as my workshop will be), there should be no issue in getting insurance cover on the tools in there? To be fair, we go through a broker, and they don't recommend the sort of "defined event" policies that are prone to be the more popular ones out there. Ours is a simple policy - we have an amount that the building is covered for, and another amount the contents are covered for. Should something occur, we pay the excess, and the insurance company makes good on the rest. When we took out the policy, I specifically mentioned I had a decent amount of kit for hobby purposes in the shed, and their only question was whether I'd included enough in the contents sum insured to cover it (I had). That was the end of their concern on it, and everything I have out there is covered.

To be sure, if it's being used in a business, then it's a different kettle of fish (we do happen to also run a non-woodworking related business from home) Insurance cover for that is also easy, simple, comprehensive in terms of cover, and very affordable - as you can imagine, this is all arranged through the same brokers.

If you get stuck on this aspect, PM me, I'd be happy to pass on their details, and questions cost nothing to ask.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

When we took out the policy, I specifically mentioned I had a decent amount of kit for hobby purposes in the shed, and their only question was whether I'd included enough in the contents sum insured to cover it (I had). That was the end of their concern on it, and everything I have out there is covered.

Just make sure that you check for sublimits within your PDS. Many standard residential building & contents policies will limit coverage on non-declared items to a maximum amount. For example, our Allianz policy has $2.5k limit on jewelry items so we had to specifically list wedding rings and the like with their $ value. It did add slightly to the premium.

Might be a different story if you're on acreage though. I would imagine that rural policies (eg Elders) could well have higher sublimits on workshop equipment.

I think China's point re insurance though was in relation to living in a commercial building without an occupancy permit.

All valid concerns. It will be for hobbiest purposes but the occupancy permit is probably a valid concern regarding insurance.

Might actually be time to pick up a phone and talk to an agent I suppose. My old workshop was a 2 hour round trip so maybe I can find something out of the way for the right price and just keep my current flat. I can probably get away with 40ish sqm as well, my current space is 56sqm and has a ton of wasted space.

I'll make some calls tomorrow over lunch and report back! Thanks for the advice so far [emoji846]

Depending on what tools you have, you'll be surprised how much you can fit in an area smaller than that.

My shed is about the size of a single car garage, close to approx 30 sqm and is more than adequate for my needs. Still have room for the 3 bikes, and loads of camping gear.

Working in the area does take bit of planning but its doable.

Having said all that, another option might be to get a smaller property with a two car garage, and have one car in the driveway or have your gear pushed to one side if the bay is required.

Obviously if you have 3 phase/15amp requirements this might be a different story for a rental.

I even consider giving a wanted ad in GT a go.
Have you got mobile dust extraction?

Perhaps it's time to concentrate on honing skills in something different for a while? Box making perhaps? maybe carving?

Then, as long as you have access to even a single car garage or a garden shed, you should be right. Enough room for, say, a Triton TS and/or a cheap bandsaw for breaking down, along with a bit of timber storage.

Hand tools for everything else.

After all it's only for 12 months, right?




I spent 12 months in a basement in Toronto. After only a few weeks I was going batty, so dropped into Lee Valley and bought a Dozuki, a Ryoba, a Kugihiki, a card scraper and a pair of japanese chisels. (1/2" paring and 1/4" dovey) Oh, and a pair of small waterstones and assorted s/papers.

Not much, but it fed my habit and the boxes I produced were quite popular; they covered the initial costs and provided me with more than a few little luxuries...

As a bonus, I could work indoors without getting yelled out!

Yeah I need to pull my old SketchUp files for the shed layout from my backup, it has most of my machines modelled to exact size so going to use that to figure out the area required. The 54sqm I currently occupy loses a ton of space to a toilet, sink, shower + a ton of other stuff. I think if I really tried I could fit into half the space.

My 3HP DC is on wheels so somewhat mobile, have a shop vac + pleated filter for sanding and routing etc as well.

I could do small projects for a while but I honestly don't know what I'd build. More interested in making things I can use and at the moment that's pretty much all furniture. Want to make a bed, chest of drawers and a couple of bedside tables to start with.

It is possible to find mixed zone property - friends of mine had a high door factory to build a yacht, with a bed/bath/kitchen built into the corner.

If you're in a rural area, take a drive & see if any farmers have workers cottages on the property. Many farms have accommodation that is no longer used due to greater mechanization & use of contract labour & the farm may have a space for your workshop. Also farms often have unused sheds, due to changes in type of agriculture. In either case (accomodation with access to a shed, or just a shed for rent), you may be able to negotiate a fair price that would suit.

Hey Dan, if you get totally stuck, send me a PM. I’d be happy to help if I can. Thanks, Zac

Originally Posted by Fergiz01

Hey Dan, if you get totally stuck, send me a PM. I’d be happy to help if I can. Thanks, Zac

Thanks Zac, I might just do that! I've re-signed the lease for the time being, work is mental right now so just couldn't swing the move on short notice. But I'm going to keep looking and see if I can find a small workspace to rent, I've got till probably June before I need to be out as the place isn't being listed till August. Plenty of time to find something!

I'm trying to remain positive about all this hahaha [emoji23]