Howza Folks- Call it a mid-life crisis, a quest for something new, or just a need for real job and responsibility, but I am looking at what it would take to purchase a wrecking yard here in the Great North west. Anyone know what laws and such are needed? There is a yard not 5 miles from the Spookhouse and it is for sale. I could see it specializing in pre-1974 cars and trucks. There are a lot of old tin hoarders within a 10 mile circle of my house alone. I know I could attain a small business loan to do this. Any opinions?
Flat Top Bob does...........he's a hero, that's one job I wouldn't want. Be like owning a shelter for animals, I'd want to keep everything.
Hurry up, I need some parts! j/k Good luck man, owning a business is no easy task. I've owned my own business for the last year and a half and it is a serious amount of work. Even when you're not at work, you're working. Don't get me wrong, it's great-just not exactly easy. Good luck!
I have looked into this up here a couple of times and here is what I have found. go to your towns (or town where the yard is) and check the Zoning laws regaurding yards. You might or might not be able to be "grandfathered" in if you buy the other yard. Back here in the east it is very hard to get a new yard going. Many yards here are grandfathered but if you sell it the new owner has to apply for a permit. They are not likely to get it. many yards are gone up here now. Check on EPA regulations as well. You might want someone like Clean Harbors ( or a company like them if they are not out there by you) to check the soil around the yard. If it is contaminated then you will have a huge liability for the rest of your life. even if you sell it you are still on the hook for spill clean up costs. hope this helps.
See, this is a yard that has been in the Scappoose/St HELLens area for 40+ years. It sits vacant and ready to be fired up again. Not sure what tin is still inside.
Sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare to me... Obtaining proper licenses and permits from your city for operating the salvage yard, Getting in good with the local D.M.V. to push the paperwork needed when obtaining salvaged vehicles, learning the regulations for hazardous material storage for items like oil, radiator fluid, batteries, refrigerants, power steering fluid, gasoline, and keeping strict with it for inspections from the local health and fire departments, etc... But if you can stomach all that and turn rust into gold then why not?
I owned my own retail/wholesale business for 30 plus years and I can attest that it can drive you crazy but it can also be very rewarding,,not allways financially asmuch satisfying. The sign that hung next to the door for all those years read,, "I own this business and that is true but often I question of what owns who" HRP
Do your homework, call the old owner, or whoever, but find out why he closed up.. Maybe a good reason why it is sitting idle, find out what all permits and licenses you need, how many employees.. what are your bills per month, how much $ would sustain you for a year until you could get the finances flowing.. lots to consider. Good luck
A lot of good advise all ready. I rent out about 40 yards here in san diego next to the mexican border. Your area may differ from ours, but you will probably be in a constant battle with someone. We have a method that works for us. Pm me if you want more info.
The state of Oregon has been cracking down on Old junkyards for awhile now. I imagine this is why this one is vacant. The cars must be off the ground, evenly spaced, and paperwork must be kept up to date on all of the cars coming in and out. Also, the ground on most of these old time yards are full of oil, and decades of fluids. The state has been getting downright nasty about this point. Most of the good oldtime yards I remember around here crushed up and closed instead of have to jump through all the hoops the state & counties want them to do. Good luck.
I live in Seattle and there are a couple yards still surviving in the city so you must be able to do it in the country. It has always been a dream of mine to own a junk yard... though if you ask my neighbors or wife they might say dream accomplished
I owned a series of yards over 40 years. It isn't fun any more. A scrap metal yard is the best way to keep the DEP happy.with a scrap yard you get some fantastic buys and get to save the rough ones and part them or adopt them out. The business owns you and you must live it. But scrap is they way to save some and flea market the rest. Just my $.02.
It's not impossible at all, but it will take commitment of both time and money. The big issues for wrecking yards is, obviously, fluid contamination. You will need a plan that the DEQ will support that will ensure that all fluids, including brake fluid, axle lube, a/c gasses, etc., will be handled correctly, from removal to disposal. That includes the grease-filled dirt under the car too.-nothing that the rain can wash down onto the ground is allowed to stay. Tires usually have disposal regs too, as do mercury switches. Go talk to the agencies directly, as they will help you figure out what you can do. Zoning is big, permits may require an enviro review before issuance if the current permit is expired. It's doable, but it's a heavily regulated business and not something one does as a sideline much any more (or we all would be doing it).
well if i was you i'd run for the hills and find another idea! with all the rules and epa and all the new rules coming everyday it's a nightmare and throw in all of the repo junk parts it's hard to be open. now if it was 1960 or 1970 you could not ask for a better and more fun business to get in. it has been a good business for us since 1964 just not the same game today. pm me if i can help in anyway!
Just look at the regulations on Service / Gas Stations and Auto Body Shops! Don't think I'd jump before checking out all the "Environmental Stuff" that big brother wants fulfilled. Who is responsible when the underground tank at the station leaks? We all know who! And at an old wrecking yard there is a bit of "contaminated" soil around! Just my 0.01 cent worth.
Quick somebody shake spooky and wake him up!! at one time i was talked into calling about a hulk licence and about 2 minutes into the call i told them i had changed my mind. i had my private 2.75 acre wrecking yard that at times had 3-4 hundred vehicles in it that flew under the radar for 28 years. only reason anyone at the county found out was it was commercial and had to be inspected. when we cleared it it had 100 vehicles left on it and 400+ tire/rim combos also. i can say one thing after running thousands of vehicles through the gates they tested the soil for any type of contamination before i was issued the final check (6 figures!) and came up clean as a whistle. spooky lets just say your better off selling popcorn at the local movie house!
Go for it man. That is my dream. A salvage yard. Like the guys said thoe. If you arent gonna live it 24/7 and have your heart and soul into it. Then for get it.
----------------- You wrote "If it is contaminated then you will have a huge liability for the rest of your life. even if you sell it you are still on the hook for spill clean up costs. hope this helps." Yeah...unless you're a big corporation with lots of lawyers and and donation-lubricated political connections and then you can walk away from the toxic mess you made and leave the taxpayers to foot the clean-up bill. Mart3406 =================
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