occassional carpentry work at my storage unit?

[The motor guy]

I rented out a storage unit so I could store some of my larger tools. I've realized that it's not really possible to load some of these tools into my truck and bring them back to my house. Everyone seems to do some kind of work out of their storage unit everytime I drive through. The main thing I can't move is the table saw. Do you think im going to have a problem with management if I use it every now and then? I'm going to hook it up to my generator and will be done with everything in about 20 minutes and will clean everything up of course. As far as I know they said just don't work on your car. I see guys their that have actual shops inside the storage unit. It looks like they busted down the wall so they can use two entire units. My unit isn't that big so I will have pull the tools outside of the unit but their is ample room for vehicles to drive by still. I can see it now, they will see me doing carpentry and will tell me I'm not allowed to. What should I say if they tell me I can't? Everyone else at the place does work also. Should I just wait until the office closes to do anything? Of course by then it's dark outside with the time change.

 

[Roob]

Ask the management of the storage unit property.

 

[ColdCanuk]

Go anytime you want, do the work you want, clean up, and look like you own the place. 1/2 hour is nothing.

Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

You're making a living, working, doing your thing. If owned that storage lot, I'd be happy to help people get further ahead. I'd rather have you than some bum on welfare or long time workers comp. scamming the system.

If they ask you to stop, you can figure out another plan. You obviously have the skills and consideration to figure out another solution... worst case.

 

[eljefino]

It's possible that it's a town rule/ zoning ordinance that you can't do work there. Management is just the middleman. Enforcement will vary depending on how their relationship is with the town.

Are there empty units? If so, they're happy for the tenants. If no, they'll kick the worst offenders out first. Don't be in their sights.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
I see guys their that have actual shops inside the storage unit.
If so, it sounds like management isn't concerned. I'd go ahead and do whatever you need to do, just be sure to clean up after yourself if you do anything outside the unit and don't have a radio blasting the whole time.

 

[The motor guy]

I think it's going to be the generator that might cause the problem since it's noisy. Then again I did say I was going to store a table saw and was wondering if they had outlets in the unit. They said no and I said I would buy a generator. Now whether or not they put two and two together I'm not sure. I didn't want to ask.

 

[BigCahuna]

I did some checking around by me, and the rules vary depending on who owns the place. They basicly say you cannot use their electricity, cannot work on cars, store tires or flammable liquids of any type,can't have a party or drink beer, or perform work out of you space.You really need to read YOUR rental agreement to see if they will throw you out for dong some minor work now and then.,,

 

[crazyoildude]

how do you get along with them? Are you the type to bring coffee and say hello or are you just an invisible tenant? Are you the type to complain and or pay your rent late? Some people get away with everything some are picked on.. I have a tenant that does my snow removal at my house and he does not even live in my town but he owns a landscaping business he can do anything he wants.

 

[Panzerman]

When I used to have a storage unit. I would go down there on the weekends and see guys sitting on lawn chairs drinking beer and talking shop. It was a hang-out. I see people working on their cars, bikes and wood working. Its basically their garage away from home. I live in a big tourist community too. I don't have a problem with them, if they did it at midnight, someone might.

 

[The motor guy]

I have more than one unit. I've been there for like 4 years and always pay my bill on time. I just recently acquired this second unit for my tools. The other unit is a parking spot for my boat.

 

[itguy08]

I would say it depends. When we had our storage unit there was a guy with one of the largest units. Did just that - he'd set the generator outside with the exhaust pointing away from the door and do his work. He had lights inside and would work at night in the winter.

Pretty cool if you ask me.

 

[GreeCguy]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
When I used to have a storage unit. I would go down there on the weekends and see guys sitting on lawn chairs drinking beer and talking shop. It was a hang-out. I see people working on their cars, bikes and wood working. Its basically their garage away from home. I live in a big tourist community too. I don't have a problem with them, if they did it at midnight, someone might.


I don't have a storage unit but my brother does for his business. This sounds so much like his place which he has basically set up as a "man cave." He has a large unit and works on all manner of things inside and out. His unit is on the very back of the property and occasionally the owner will ask him to do little fixes and repairs around the place. Maybe that's the reason he can get away with so much.

 

[The motor guy]

I'll just wait for the office to close and hope for the best. I noticed that their is a house on the property that has a fence around it. My storage unit is about 400 feet from the house. I don't know if the owners of the house sold their land to the storage facility and had them build around the house or what. Hopefully the owners don't live their. I doubt it though because it's a huge storage facility with many locations around. I just find it kind of strange.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted By: ColdCanuk
Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.



+1

 

[GumbyJarvis]

If they don't say you can't, assume you can.

 

[dparm]

Check the lease you signed. I'm sure it's spelled out in there; I don't even trust the employees to give you the correct answer verbally.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: zrxkawboy
Originally Posted By: ColdCanuk
Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.



+1


I agree. Besides if they have a problem with it i'll say ok, i'll move both the boat and my tools elsewhere. I bet you they will be like ok nevermind. We have like 10 different storage places where I live.

 

[The motor guy]

lol. Thanks for checking big cahuna. I like the beg for forgiveness than ask for permission idea. I always get myself in trouble by doing the right thing and asking, honestly it's better off the other way.

 

[JerryBob]

What are you cutting on the TS? PT lumber, MDF, even plywood, can make for some pretty nasty and toxic dust that someone might object to.

If you're just cutting dimensional lumber, I don't seen why anyone would have something to complain about.

 

[SatinSilver]

You mention 20 minutes to do your thing. Is that per day, week, month etc...? Even per day shouldn't be an issue. Esp, if you act confident and sure. Versus a shady weasel. Carry yourself in a strong manner and they shouldn't bother you. Even police size people up.