Have you transformed your coating hobby into a business or started your own business?

[Catchowder1]

I am seeking stories from people who started powder-coating as a hobby then transformed it into a business. It doesn't matter whether your business is home-based or whether you bought your own building.

Specifically I am looking for information concerning the logistics of starting a powder-coating business. What obstacles did you encounter (EPA, licensing, permits, etc), how did you overcome them (technically rather than philosophically). Was there anything in particular that you were required to obtain or do because of the nature of this business (i.e ventilation systems, inspections, etc).

Those are the few questions that I can think of off the top of my head but really any information you provide is more than I intially had Any fun stuff you want to share is great too!

feel free to private message if you want.

Thanks!
LyNsEy

[Banditperformance]

I started my own Biz, it's home based. NO real logistics or anything. I just got a Tax number and Registered the business. It may vary where your at, but I am in Rural area and you acctually dont even need a Biz licence here. But I did so I can use the Tax writeoffs and such

[chromo]

Much can depend where you are at and what you actually plan to do. Some places can be really stupid!

My mom's house is in a stupid township where you cannot have any type of home business even though it's in the country really. About 20 acres, but falls into 2 townships.
The barn is about 100 feet away from the house, the barn is actually in the next township where you can do about anything
So legally she cannot run any home business from the house, not a hair care shop or even mail order etc.., but my dad had a body shop just fine in the barn for years.
Sometimes he would leave an un-registered car next to the house for awhile like a 50's, or the old truck they used in the field, after awhile they write or came by and threatened to fine him or tow it away, he just moved it 100' and told them nicely to buzz off cause it was in the next township not their's
You really have to check your area before you do anything serious, that was a big difference in just 100' distance.
Before the house was built it was just a barn and cornfield!

[Catchowder1]

Originally Posted by Banditperformance

it's home based... NO real logistics or anything. I just got a Tax number and Registered the business.

I'm curious, what did you register it as. Someone from the state wanted to place it as something automobile repair related (wayyyy off base there I know). Another coater in my county is registerd as a metal finisher.

I spoke to a "business professional" about starting the business and one question I didn't have an answer to regarded EPA regulations and inspections and whether I'd be required to have certain ventilation systems. I explained how coating is different than spray painting and such, however, I really didn't have any "paper" to cak me up. But you didn't have any trouble with those things when opening your company in your location..that's very reassuring.

Are you a corp or sole proprieter? We're thinking LLC.

Thanks!
LyNsEy

[Catchowder1]

Originally Posted by chromo

My mom's house is in a stupid township where you cannot have any type of home business even though it's in the country really. About 20 acres, but falls into 2 townships.
The barn is about 100 feet away from the house, the barn is actually in the next township where you can do about anything
So legally she cannot run any home business from the house, not a hair care shop or even mail order etc.., but my dad had a body shop just fine in the barn for years.
Before the house was built it was just a barn and cornfield!

THAT is too funny Citizens in my county can have home-based businesses, but they have to own their home and possibly have it rezoned. I'm still researching the hole zoning thing.

Maybe I can just buy adjacent properties on the county line

What did your father have to do to keep the body shop compliant with local law and regs? Anything in particular?

[chromo]

Don't know what he did, might have just been a business license for general auto repair? Long ago and I was not living around there then and other stuff was not so bad or strict or just plain nuts like it can be now.

As for State, Fed, county, or EPA OSHA stuff that would hit both townships being a higher body than a township anyway. Just the idea you could have any business 100' one way on your property and not be able to have anything 100' the wrong way.

If I ever get the house I plan to move it to the other side of the barn and take away the townships tax dollars, then fill the basement with water and see if they try to fine me for building swimming pool with out a permit LOL

[JTW37]

Something I ran into and I'm still only a hobbyist (more or less). After I had an Insurance claim for roof damage, they kind of snooped around my place. I am into old cars (restoring etc.) and have a few sitting around. So, the thing they came at me with is, "are you running a business at your home?" Of course, my answer was NO! So you may want to see what sort of $hit they want to dump on you. It appears the Insurance Companies have gotten a say in what you can or can not have on your property or how you may have it. It's like them checking your credit score (what ever the hell that is. And who invented that cr@p anyway?) before they will sell you Insurance, so they can stick it to you.

I also live in the country ( outside of the city limits ) on six acres. Our zoning people are A-holes around here. So I stay low key.

[GotUCovered]

hi ! had to jump in on that credit score thing for insurance!they are doing that on home and auto now in MI !should not be allowed.kinda like kicking somone when there down! ! ! im starting a shop right now and having trouble even getting insurance on my building for powder coating. THANKS RAY

[defed]

i guess it's one thing to start a 'legit' business, but if it were me, it would be a 'side' business, off the books, and don't tell anyone anything.

i've had enough 'experience' dealing w/ my town to know that they don't need to know.

[Catchowder1]

For those with legal businesses, what, if anything, were you specifically required to comply with on a local, state, or federal level?

Powder-coating, although it uses fairly safe materials, does require the storage, use and disposal of chemical strippers, charged particles, and very hot ovens.

Did you ahve to register with anyone other than for occupational licenses and tax IDs.

Thanks!