If you are thinking about setting up a new business and working for yourself, you might be looking at office space. This can be a huge amount of rent each month and those figures can even stop entrepreneurs with the best business ideas even starting up. Have you ever considered running a business from your garage? Many garages are just dumping grounds for dirty trainers and old cardboard boxes. Some of us don’t even put our cars in our garages anymore. They can quickly become unused spaces. There is so much potential with a garage though. A double garage even more so! In this post, we’re going to look at 8 garage based business ideas you could start.
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Car Detailing
When many of us think of garages we think of cars. Whilst you might not have mechanical training, you could easily set up a car detailing business. Cleaning cars, both exterior and interior. Spending hours making vehicles look like they did back in the showroom. You’ll need power and water as well as plenty of tools and cleaning products. Washing vehicles outside before bringing them into the garage for proper detailing is a great way to operate.
Online Reseller
Next on our list of garage based business ideas is becoming an online reseller. Buy products in bulk at discount prices and then sell them to customers via platforms such as Etsy or eBay. Select your products well and price them at a rate which is both appealing to customers whilst giving you a profit. Make sure you have plenty of shelving for your products and also a desk or packing table for you to organise your orders. Online reselling can be a great way to make money.
Computer Repair
Are you a bit of a technical whizz? If you know your way around computers, laptops and other devices, you could create a garage based computer repair business. Have plenty of workspaces set up so you can work on multiple machines at the same time. One could be downloading new software whilst you are unscrewing the side of another desktop tower to change the fans. You’ll need lots of plug sockets and a decent broadband connection too. Promote your services on local Facebook pages or in your own Facebook group and you’ll be surprised by the number of people who need your help!
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Dog Grooming
Our next garage based business idea is dog grooming. People love their pets and even more dog owners were made during the pandemic. Most dogs need grooming every couple of months do repeat business can be fantastic once you have an established base of clients. You’ll need washing facilities as well as a workstation at an appropriate height so you don’t hurt your back. You might even need individual dog pens to keep dogs separate between drop off and collection. If you love dogs and have a steady hand, then becoming a dog groomer could be a great career idea.
Photographer
Love taking photos? How about turning your garage into a photography studio? You could specialise in head shots or family photo sessions. You could even work with brands to capture sharp images of products for websites and promotional materials. You’ll need plenty of lights and a variety of cameras and tripods. If working with families you’ll need patience and a happy smile. You could specialise in newborn photography, in which case you’ll need to consider comfort for baby and parents, including heating and a space to offer for baby to be fed. Having a large screen hooked up so you can easily show your captures is a great idea, as you’ll be able to sell additional prints after wowing your clients with your talent.
Guitar Tutor
Next up on our list of garage based business ideas is becoming a guitar tutor. Any musical tutor really. There are lots of people who want to learn an instrument and plenty of parents who want their children to have lessons. If you have the talent and skill, you could offer thirty minute solo lessons for a good price. Space depending you could even put on hour long group sessions which have a lower and more appealing price but you teach a number of students at the same time. Even if you don’t have musical ability, you might still be able to offer tutoring services in some capacity. Become a business tutor or help students with their English GCSEs. We all have skills, you just need to figure out how to utilise yours.
Laundry Service
A garage could be the perfect place for offering laundry services. You’ll need plenty of water and energy and a line of machines along one wall. You might even be able to utilise some outdoor space for a washing line to get clothes dried in the sunshine rather than paying for the energy to use a dryer. Get plenty of washing baskets and ensure laundry is well separated so it doesn’t get muddled up. You could even offer ironing services, so customers get the full laundry service from dropping off dirty clothing to collecting their clean, ironed and folded clothes. You’ll be constantly on your feet and busy however the money you can earn is worth it.
Soap Maker
The last garage based business idea is creating soap. Everyone wants to be clean and there are lots of people out there looking for something a little bit different. Handmade soap can sell for upwards of £10 a bar, so there is decent money in the market. Find a niche, possibly based upon your location or the ingredients that you use. Perhaps the organic route will appeal to potential customers? Brand and package your products well and you could sell them online or even get orders from shops. You’ll need to invest in soap making materials and equipment, as well as have internet access and a laptop to promote your business via. Maybe customers can even collect from your garage. You can apply this idea to any craft really, from bath bombs to candles.
There are lots of potential garage based business opportunities you can start and turn into a full time career. All you have to do is begin.