running a framing business from rented property...

[digger]

Hello everyone

Anyone knows what's the situation when somebody wants to run his little framing business from a rented property? I rang few companies and brokers and none of them want to give me the quote. I am renting a house and want to run my business from there but sure I would need and insurance... The problem is the insurance companies aren't intersted in it. do you guys know any cmpany specializing in something like this? Sure I can't be the only person in Ireland running the business from a rented property and wants to get an insurance ... thanks!

[Graysalchemy]

I'm sure there are plenty of people running their business from home but whether they are in rented property I don't know. What I do know is that if you do run a business from home especially a workshop you would have to inform the local authority as for starters they would want commercial rates off you and all the issues of planning consent etc. That may be why insurance companies don't want to know.

Also neighbours may complain. I know running a business from home can be a bone of contention with some neighbours especially those you don't get along with and they my use it against you. Having a workshop with machinery is very different from running an online business from a back bedroom.

Sorry I couldn't have been more helpful. It is difuicult in any business starting out trying to keep costs down and seeing if the business will work before going the whole hog. Hopefully someone in the same situation will come along to help.

[prospero]

Hi Digger.

I'm assuming the Landlords are cool with you using the property this way.

What exactly are you looking to insure? Equipment? Customers work?

[skerries frameworks]

probably wont insure you because it is not a comershal property and being an unlived in house is the same as a lock up not very secure

[Roboframer]

Find a good insurance broker.

Regarding planning permission and non-domestic rates, write to the planning dept of your council and tell them your intentions - explain there will be no noise, smells, increased traffic/customer parking etc - things that affect your neighbours, and ASK if PP is required, it should not be. It's no different to someone running an online business from a spare room that could, for example involve a lot of packaging, and if there is no change of usage required then there'll be no non-domestic rates required. How many home-based serial Ebayers pay non-domestic rates?

Car enthusiasts make more noise and general disruption from their garages than picture framers, I know, I have one a few doors down

Were you to want to erect a big new building in the garden, that would be different.

(Edit) I've just realised you're from Ireland, no idea how planning/business rates work there! Calling Dermot, come in Dermot (Dermot built a whacking great workshop in his garden)

Welcome to the Forum BTW

[digger]

Hello Everyone

Thank you so much all for replying my post!

GOOD NEWS!!! I got it eventually through my landlords insurance!!! isnt that brill?

Ans to Pospero: Yeah, my Landlord is cool with that, he knows about everything and he helped me to get thi insurance in the end. hmmm... I know I got public liability and the equipment is insured aswel... cant remember now exactly as Im waiting for the papers... I know, its very bad to be insured and not to be sure what's insured hee hee!! Thanks for you answer. That is actually a good point, customer's work... Have to think about that.

Ans to Greysalchemy: I actually went to authorities andthey said if I dont have the huge sign (any sign at all actually) put up potside my house its ok, and tahy ar ok with that.... every little shered of information is good so thanks for your answer. Greetings!

Answ to Skerries frameworks: Thats what I thoguht after ringing 5 companies but maybe Winston Churchil was right "Never, never never never giv up"... thanks for your reply


Answ to Robo Framer: Thanks I am new here and got very warm welcome. This will be run as a part time job so when asked local autorities and Landlord, they actually seem not to have much of a problem with that. I also heard that bacause im doing it as a part time job, and only starting up its so calledpilot stude....(citizen inf office) Neighbous... I live in a small village actually (you blink your eye and you miss it) yet its at the main road between one big city to another and two houses at the back of my house are empty and quite of a distance from other neighbourhoods and only have lived there for a week (only moved there) so hopefully I wont get any grief from my neighbours (would be good idea to visit them with the botle of wine maybe ...

thank you alll!!!

[Graysalchemy]

Good on you I a please that you have sorted it out. It is better ironing out problems now than waiting a few months when you are up and running.

[Starfire]

Before plunging into mount cutting and framing with zero experience, (fortunate enough to have a rented workshop), I spent ten years as a consultant to letting companies, specialising in Letting law.
90% of tenancies are 'Assured Shorthold Tenancies', and as a standard clause, say that you may not carry on a business from the premises. This said, about a quarter of tenants ran a business from their home (one man band plumbers, brickies etc, and if you are even a self employed accountant, this is actually running a business). The clause is there solely to stop someone setting up a factory or office in a residential area. I had a case where a lady made jewellery, and her customers came round to pick up orders. After a couple of complaints, I went to visit her, and found that it was the evening pick ups that were the problem. A quiet word sorted out the problem. The clause is there to stop people abusing the (relatively) low rents and council tax. A one man band is unlikely to have any problems, unless there are stroppy neighbours. As you say, you have insurance sorted and the landlord on side.
The only advice I'd give is to keep the neighbours on side.

[digger]

Thnk you very much Starfire, there is actually a pub 200 meters away from my house and there are people around all the time in the evenings so hopefully neighbours wont say a word to my potential customers...... right now im only starting so not many people picking up the orders but im hoping for more....