Industrial units

[Pasty]

Talking to a friend this afternoon who runs a lot of barns converted to units. I've got a half finished barn which needs a new roof but once done, I only really need half of it and the rest is already set up for my soon to be ex non farm business. Mains water, toilet, kitchen bit, electric, insulated office and less insulated 'work area' plus phone line. It could be improved a lot and I can do all the work myself except signing off for electrics and so on but Uncle can do that.

Anyone do this? It's next to the house so don't want anything noisy and no mess outside the building. What about rates? Is it better to split into 2 so each is exempt? Any comments welcome. Area is about 7m x 18m with door access to office and roller shutter at the other end.

 

[frustratedfarmer]

See previous posts in this.

Look at local demand but given the size one unit may be best.

Generally 2500 - 5000 ft2 let best, lots of factors affect rent.

Yours is small so keep your head down and you will probably keep under the rates radar.

Unlike resi you don't have to supply everything. I am supplying 3ph boards and basic electrics, if they want more they can add it themselevs.

Look st local market rates, you may get £5-7 psf for your unit.

Thet are good little earners if you can accept the loss of privacy

 

[Pasty]

Thanks, I'll have a look at other posts.

 

[warksfarmer]

See previous posts in this.

Look at local demand but given the size one unit may be best.

Generally 2500 - 5000 ft2 let best, lots of factors affect rent.

Yours is small so keep your head down and you will probably keep under the rates radar.

Unlike resi you don't have to supply everything. I am supplying 3ph boards and basic electrics, if they want more they can add it themselevs.

Look st local market rates, you may get £5-7 psf for your unit.

Thet are good little earners if you can accept the loss of privacy

Locally 800-1000 sqft let best and there are waiting lists for this as your bringing in the domestic guy who has a garage full of things and needs somewhere to put his hobby cars. Theres loads of them around.

Anything over 2000 sqft is very hard to shift at the moment.

 

[Pasty]

Yes, was looking at smaller units. Probably 2 x 700 sqft. Wouldn't want anything noisy though as next to my and other houses.

 

[rob1]

Yes, was looking at smaller units. Probably 2 x 700 sqft. Wouldn't want anything noisy though as next to my and other houses.

We have 8 ranging from 300 to 5000 sqft, the only ones I woulnt want are commercial car ones as they leave old bangers/parts/scrap outside, we have a couple of handymen who use the small ones as stores and three carpenters, dont overcharge and they will stay a long time, empty sheds dont pay, small ex ag sheds have no rates which is a big draw for a small business.