If I start shaping in my garage....

General Discussion
1

Does anyone know if I have to get a business license for operating a business at home? If so, how much is the license and do I have to operate only at specific times? I’m in NorCal (San Jose, Santa Cruz area).

 

 

Thanks,

Gnar

 

2

How close are your neighbors???  If you're doing it as a business you should have a license But..............

I know of one guy who was doing it right license and everything.  He rented a space previously used by a landscaping contractor.  He set up a beautyful shaping room.  A few weeks after he got all set up a neighbor started complaining to the city about the noise of the tools and the city shut him down on the basis that the property while zoned commercial was not zoned for manufacturing.  All because of one neighbor.

3

just some thoughts…

  • most residential communities are not zoned for commercial enterprises, but check with your local zoning office.

  • when you get a business license, you change your irs filing status to either a sole propietor or a llc, depending on what type of business you decide to open (this complicates your filing of taxes significantly)

  • the main advantage of obtaining a e.i.n (employment identification number) is purchasing raw materials at manufactures pricing.  ask yourself if you will purchase enough of this so the savings offset the added tax liabilty, licensing, permits, etc. 

 

  • consider whether or not it may be in your best interest to remain a ‘hobbiest’ starting out building boards for yourself and friends, until you develop a clientel base and then seek some commercial space to expand into.

  • if you do decide to build boards in your garage, which many of us do here at sways, please be sure to dispose of any chemicals and solvents in a responsible manner.

 

i am in no means offering an opinion on what you should or should not do, only you can decide that.  i am merely offering some thoughts for your consideration.

ps - there is no money in making boards on a commercial level, so do it for the fun of it.

4

how many boards have you made so far?

5

 

I live in a duplex with an attached garage. I was thinking of working during the weekends only and after 10a.m.

 

6

 

So far, I’ve been repairing dings on my boards and friends boards.

But I’d like to expand to making actual, whole boards.

I eventually want to have my own shop.

7

 

Thank you for the advice, really. Appreciate it. Has anyone in sways start this way? and if so, how is it going?

 

8

weekends only???

just say your a hobbiest

talk with your neighbors and down wind neighbors especially

make sure there ok with what your doing and tell them to let you know if it bothers them after you do a few boards

if they complain      stop and keep the peace

allways show respect

9

     Howzit gnarly, If anybody from the city comes by and asks if you are makingboards to sell or trade just say no and they are boards for yourself,no license needed. I had a friend who did repairs nd the neighbors called the city on him and instead of saying they were just his boards he told them that people gave him fish but never money. Well that is just the same as getting mney and they told him to get a license and he should really keep it to a minimum since it was not zoned for industrial work. That;s why they call the place industrial not commercial or residential or even open. Has to be Industrial zoned. My factory was in my back yard but I built boards for the firemen so I never got bothered. Aloha,Kokua

10

It's not a business...it's a hobby. Tell everyone that it is a hobby.

You're shaping and fixing a few boards for your friends. Stay low key. Smell, noise and traffic are big factors. Use UV cure poly for repairs and RR Epoxy for completes. Close the big door when you run power tools. Keep the outside clean. Pick up and deliver boards whenever possible. You're going to be at the beach to surf....meet people there and pickup/drop off boards. Keep your chemical inventory small.

One day I saw the light...my drone , blue collar job isn't too bad after all......

Ray

11

Salamat (thank you) everyone. I understand what you’re sayin’

 

PEACE!

 

 

12

Hey Ray, you are so right about your last statement.

Hey Gnar, one thing to keep in mind and I hope this is not taken as a bad omen.  If you own that duplex, be dilligent about your chemicals and electricals.  Insurance companies are always looking for an "out" and that's all they would need to say "no go" on coverage in the event of a fire. I have a buddy that ran into this problem. 

Even still, go for it, you only live once and there ain't nothin better than shapin in the garage

13

I know a few guys down here who rent a shaping room.

For a small fee you might be saving yourself from a headache down the road.

14

     Howzit bolsa,If the rental shaping room is close enough to his home then that is the way to go except tat if he shares the room then he has to leave it clean after using insted of just closing the door and cleaning up only when he wants to. Now if he is the only one using the room then he can leave it a mess when he leaves. Aloha,Kokua