So, You've Got an Empty Garage & £20,000 to Burn? Here's Your Next Side Hustle
Alright, let's talk. You're sitting on a goldmine, or at least, what could be one. That empty garage of yours? It’s more than just a place to store dusty boxes & forgotten fitness equipment. It's an opportunity. & with a cool £20,000 in your back pocket, you've got the fuel to turn that opportunity into a serious side hustle.
Honestly, the possibilities are pretty endless, & it can be overwhelming to figure out where to even start. But don't you worry, I've done the digging for you. We're going to break down some of the most promising, profitable, & frankly, exciting ways to turn your garage into a money-making machine.
The Low-Hanging Fruit: Renting it Out for Storage or Parking
Before we dive into the more hands-on hustles, let's talk about the easiest win: renting out your garage as is. This is the ultimate passive income play. Seriously, you could be making money while you sleep.
Turns out, there's a huge demand for storage space in the UK. Research has shown that a whopping 5.7 million garages in the UK aren't even used for cars. They're just sitting there, filled with clutter. By clearing out your own stuff, you could be banking some serious cash.
So, how much are we talking? Well, it depends on your location, but the numbers are pretty impressive. In London, you could be looking at an average of £228 a month for a standard single garage. But it's not just a London thing. In Surrey, you could pull in £216, in Aberdeen £177, & even in parts of Wales, you're looking at around £150 a month. Some people are even making a killing from their sheds, with average earnings of over £1,400 a month in some cases!
Here's the thing, though. You could go the old-school route of putting an ad on Gumtree, but that can be a bit of a hassle. You've got to deal with viewings, contracts, & all that jazz. This is where a service like Prked comes in. It's a platform that connects people who have spare space – like your garage – with people who need it. It’s a super simple way to find someone to rent your space, & they handle all the boring stuff for you.
& it's not just about storage. If you live near a city center, a train station, or a sports stadium, your garage could be a prime parking spot. People are desperate for cheaper & more convenient parking, & they're willing to pay for it. With Prked, you can list your garage or driveway as a rentable parking space. It’s a brilliant way to earn some extra cash with literally zero effort on your part. On average, you could be making an extra £119 a month just by renting out your parking space.
Getting Your Hands Dirty: The Workshop Hustles
If you're someone who likes to be a bit more hands-on, your garage is the perfect place to set up a workshop. With a £20,000 budget, you can get some seriously good equipment & get a proper business off the ground.
Small Engine Repair
Think about it. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, generators, motorbikes… they all have small engines, & they all break down. If you've got a knack for fixing things, a small engine repair business could be a real winner.
Startup Costs: Your biggest initial outlay will be on tools. You'll need a good set of hand tools, power tools, & some diagnostic equipment. You'll also want to set aside some of your budget for marketing – think local flyers, a simple website, & maybe some online ads. With £20,000, you'll have more than enough to get a really professional setup.
Potential Earnings: This will depend on your skill level & how many hours you put in. A lot of small engine repair businesses charge a flat fee for a service, plus the cost of any parts. You could also buy broken-down equipment, fix it up, & sell it for a profit.
The Nitty Gritty: You'll need to think about insurance, specifically public liability insurance, in case you accidentally damage a customer's property. You'll also want to check with your local council about any regulations around running a repair business from a residential property.
Car Detailing
People love their cars, & they're willing to pay good money to have them looking their best. A car detailing business is more than just a quick wash & wax. We're talking deep cleaning, paint correction, & ceramic coatings.
Startup Costs: The initial investment for a mobile car valeting business can be anywhere from £4,000 to £20,000. This covers everything from high-quality cleaning products & a pressure washer to a van if you want to be mobile. Since you have a garage, you can save on the van & create a premium detailing studio. Your £20,000 budget would allow you to invest in top-of-the-line equipment like a steam cleaner, a rotary polisher, & high-end detailing products.
Potential Earnings: This is a high-margin business. Once you've got your setup, your main ongoing costs are your cleaning supplies. You can charge a premium for a full detail, & with a few happy customers, word of mouth will be your best friend.
The Nitty Gritty: You'll definitely need public liability insurance to cover you in case you damage a customer's car. You'll also need to be mindful of water runoff & any chemicals you're using. It's a good idea to check with your local council about any specific licenses you might need for a car cleaning business.
The Modern Hustle: Hyperlocal Delivery Hub
In today's on-demand world, people want everything delivered, & they want it now. A hyperlocal delivery service focuses on a small, specific geographic area, offering super-fast delivery from local shops & businesses.
Startup Costs: Your garage would be the central hub for your operation. You'd need to invest in some shelving & an organization system. The bulk of your budget would go towards developing a simple app or website for people to place orders, & on marketing to get local businesses on board. You could also invest in a small fleet of electric bikes or scooters for your delivery drivers.
Potential Earnings: You'd take a small commission from each order. The key to success here is volume. The more businesses you partner with & the more customers you have, the more you'll make.
The Nitty Gritty: You'll need to think about the logistics of your operation. How will you manage orders? How will you track your drivers? You'll also need to have the right insurance in place for your drivers & for the goods you're delivering. This is a more complex business to set up, but the potential for growth is huge.
The Legal Stuff: Don't Get Caught Out
No matter which side hustle you choose, there are a few legal bits you need to be aware of.
- Planning Permission: If you're going to be doing anything more than just storing things in your garage, you might need planning permission from your local council. This is especially true if your business is going to increase traffic or noise in your neighborhood.
- Business Rates: If you're using a significant portion of your home for your business, you might have to pay business rates on that part of your property.
- Insurance: Your standard home insurance probably won't cover your business activities. You'll need to get a separate business insurance policy to make sure you're covered for things like public liability & any business equipment you have.
- Tax: Don't forget about the tax man! You'll need to register as self-employed & pay tax on your earnings. The good news is that if you're renting out a room or space in your home, you can earn up to £1,000 a year tax-free.
So, What's the Verdict?
Honestly, there's no right or wrong answer here. The best side hustle for you will depend on your skills, your interests, & how much time you're willing to put in.
If you're looking for a low-effort, high-return option, then renting out your garage for storage or parking is a no-brainer. & with a platform like Prked, it's never been easier to get started.
If you're more of a hands-on person, then a workshop-based business like small engine repair or car detailing could be a great fit. & with a £20,000 budget, you can create a really professional setup.
& if you're feeling ambitious & want to build a business with real growth potential, then a hyperlocal delivery service could be the way to go.
Whatever you decide, that empty garage of yours is a blank canvas. With a bit of cash & some smart thinking, you can turn it into a thriving side hustle.
Hope this was helpful & has given you some food for thought. Let me know what you think
