Moving into industrial unit...design?

  • Thread starter Thread starter moelar2
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moelar2

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Hello,

Recently, my partner and I have been checking out locations to open up our facility. So far, we've mainly been looking at industrial units since those seem to be the most receptive to this type of business.

The typical floor plan is a long rectangular warehouse type space. One in particular that we are considering is 1000sq.ft. It has a small office and the rest is space. The ceilings are nice and high, probably somewhere around 25-30ft.

Questions:

1. Does anyone have any experience with these units? If so, are they recommended?

2. The units have AC only in the office. How should I take care of conditioning the back area?

3. Any suggested floor plans/design?

Keep in mind, budget is very limited. We have enough to cover first and last month's rent, and also have a project pending that will render some earnings.

Thanks.
 
Those types of units are cool but you still have to do a good bit of construction. A lot depends on your neighbors and noise proofing requirements. I've been in studios like that where they just framed in the control room and a small iso booth for vocals. Then they left the back loading area unfinished and used it for drums and amps where they want a more 'live' tone.

How much are you planning on spending?
 
I have an uncle and brother in law who are both contractors. They have undertaken to help me out. All I would be responsible for would be materials, pizza, and beer.

Off the top of my head, I figure our budget is probably somewhere between $2000-3000 for materials.
 
I hate to be a downer but it sounds like you guys are running pretty tight. I would put a realistic construction budget at closer to $5k minimum but it just depends on what you want to do. Blue Bear and Michael Jones have recently been doing a lot of construction so they probably have better insight into those costs. I doubt you could even get HVAC done for $3k.

Are you going to be able to keep revenue coming in? Hopefully first and last month wont be the first and second month.
 
Well we're working on a big project right now...last month we made $10K. The previos month it was $2.5K. And thats just word of mouth. We want to put out ads in the local magazines, but its really difficult to do so given the fact that we have home studios, and those willing to pay big money and don't know us would likely be discouraged by the fact that they are recording in a garage. Manyt of them are also looking for the "experience" of recording in a "studio."

We have several small projects pending as well. Besides, on months that nothing comes in (hopefully not many of those), the rent is such that can easily be covered by both of us.
 
That's pretty cool you guys are already making cash.

The problem with studio construction is that it takes a lot more material and time then regular construction. I don't know if you and your family are aware of that. Instead of one wall you need two, instead of one layer of drywall you need two. You have to caulk every seem and if you screw up then the whole effort can be for nothing. Then there is also the issue of sound treatment which could easily run a few grand by itself.

In your situation I would see what could be done with as little new construction as possible. Maybe you can spend your money on paint and sound treatment and give it a cool industrial vibe with good sound. You would sacrifice good isolation but you are probably used to that already. As long as outdoor noise isn't a problem you should be okay.

Then when you have about $10-20k to spend you can build in an isolated control room and tracking room and really have a nice place. You might try talking to the property owner and see if they would be willing to finance some new construction. Some are willing to do that because you are adding value to the property.
 
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