Customer Access

[GeoSpectrum]

I am looking to start-up a home framing buisnes. I have the space for workshop and further space for gallery if things take-off. My main concern is customer access. We have a large drive with room for several cars but it is of course our only access to the house. Would it be better to offer some kind of home visits pick up drop-off service or hope that I dont get two many simutaneous visitors? Or even consider a small industrial unit?

[iantheframer]

I worked from home when I started and it was a bit of a nuisance because I value my privacy. Most people respect this, but you must be prepared for the fact that some people will turn up unannounced, while you are watching your favourite TV programme, or having dinner with friends. Once somebody even turned up at 11.00 pm on a Sunday, because they were just passing and it would “save them a trip tomorrow”

I would at least offer a collection and delivery service initially, then consider a separate premises if it works well. Get a separate phone number for all the same reasons.

Also having customers come to your home can bed a problem insurance-wise, look into this aspect if you take this route

[Roboframer]

Planning permission can be another problem. You may not need it if you offer only collection and delivery but you may have to apply if you intend to have customers calling and could well get refused if your street/road is turned in to Piccadily Circus!

[Jonny2morsos]

As Robo' says your local authority will proably only give approval if you are operating on a collect and deliver only basis. If you are having customers visit you then you will need public liability insurance with a minimum of £2m cover.

Having said that so long as you don't cause a nuisance then you could start up at home but be prepared to look for alternative premises once things take off. I would not mind betting most of us started that way.

[ShaggyDog]

I started that way, and I'm still working on a collect and deliver basis - the majority of my customers like the idea of not having to find a parking space and lug a large artwork around, but have their friendly local framer come and collect it and bring it back framed. You do need to work out the cost of provinding this service, as it means that you will be spending time collecting/delivering which can't be spent framing. Good luck with the business.

[Gesso&Bole]

There are, of course other options that are part way in between.

Some Framers have been successful with a regular one day a week market stall. Or to work with a suitable retailer - perhaps a gift shop, or interior design shop, to provide the samples, pricing system and collect and deliver. My first framing business, in the 1980s we had display boards with framing chevrons out in over 100 different outlets ranging from the local glass merchant, to some very upmarket Central London galleries. We had 2 vans on the road, and collected and delivered to each outlet once twice or three times a week.

I also know of a chap in Loughton Essex in the late 1980s who fitted out a big Mercedes van as a showroom, and went door to door in the posh suburbs, he did very well indeed, delivering a leaflet a couple of days before he visited, then knocking the doors asking if people wanted framing done. Sadly his framing skills were not as good as his selling skills, but you get the idea.