Niche search help
 

Hey everyone,

I have been doing some heavy (for me) thinking, trying to identify some niches I could target.

I am trying to think of some applications where one might use small (30' x 30' practical max.) simple buildings. Utility Buildings, I guess. Sort of an alternative to the smaller sizes of "pole buildings" or office trailers, etc. But in this case having the advantage of resistance to weather, rot, and rodents.

I am not coming up with a lot as my roots are really I.T. based.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Kevin


p.s. Rest assured, I am not a first-timer coming here asking for things. But I couldn't remember my username or password. I guess I suffered a Gray-hair moment.

Renaming the thread: Utility Buildings
 

I guess the original title wasn't very interesting. This isn't either, but it is more specific.

Re: Renaming the thread: Utility Buildings
 

Hi Kevin,

I'm not really sure if you're asking for business ideas involving Utility Buildings etc....

Or if you're looking for other related Niches and keyword phrases...

Try Explaining a few more Details and we'll see what we can come up with...

There's Definitely some Excellent opportunities in Mobile home repair and investing...

I know of Mark Bower's successful business...
http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/

And others who are into Mobile Home investing... ;)
http://www.google.ca/search?q=mobile...ient=firefox-a

Like Lonnie Scruggs...
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&cl...Search& meta=

Even though it's Not as Good as Tangible Real Estate...

There's some Good Cash to be made by applying Creative and Smart ideas to the concept... :)

Phil

Re: Niche search help
 

Phil,

Thanks for pointing out the confusion I generated.

I have been given the opportunity to market small modular buildings, actually houses, made from foamed concrete. These have been used to create housing developments in third-world countries (4000 units in Dakar, Senegal last year). They are far above the standard that the residents have previously endured. They are actually pretty nice - maybe about the level of a double-wide here in the US. The managing partner (my brother-in-law) is looking to bring these to the Americas and asked me to help. He has been trying to get the units into the Gulf Coast.

But in addition to being used as housing, I was trying to get a few ideas for different ways a stripped-down version could be used. My fears (based on some research) is that it may be difficult to get these built as housing based on building codes, unions, etc. It is very possible that in the U.S. the market may be more receptive of these in an industrial setting.

So I was just trying to come up with some simple examples of alternatives to pole-buildings, trailers, etc.

Thanks.

Kevin

Re: Niche search help
 

Could you rent out storage space?

Or maybe use it as post boxes for international users? (like usa2me.com)

Re: Niche search help
 

Maybe you could rent some out as artist studios? There seems to be a demand (at least in my city) for cheap rental space for artists to use as a studio he/she can work in. Many don't have enough space to create their art work in their own apartment or house...

Cheers,

Dien

Re: Niche search help
 

Kevin,

Thanks for explaining...

Sounds like an interesting opportunity. Some relatives of mine invented Portable housing units for third-world countries way back in the 60's and 70's and became Millionaires...

You'll probably get limited ideas for what you're looking for here since it's somewhat of a Different topic But you never know...

My suggestion would be to Hang around and Research Everything in Architecture & Building related resources and Network throughout each micro related Niche, magazines, Blogs etc...

I'm sure you'll Get a few Good ideas and some Business connections if you Focus on the Industry/Industries related to your business...

Here's a few Quick links on where to Start... :)

http://arch.designcommunity.com/
http://library.nevada.edu/arch/rsrce...rce/index.html
http://library.nevada.edu/arch/guides.html
http://www.library.ubc.ca/finearts/ARCHITECTURE.html
http://architecture.about.com/od/arc...irectories.htm
http://www.architectmagazine.com/

Also Think on how you can Apply "Green" ideas into the Swing of Things... ;)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/r...=category&id=2

Phil

Re: Niche search help
 

Hi, Kevin,

I don't know how small your units go but here in the northwest we get some very high winds and those utility sheds that people use to store garden supplies and other stuff in literally get blown apart and scattered, as my landlady found out this past year. Being blown concrete, they might solve a problem for many people since they'd be heavier and probably sturdier.

They sound like they might be ideal for general purpose buildings in campgrounds and RV parks.

You might contract with a locker supplier and create locker storage units within one building for people who are staying a short while in an area. I live in a tourist town and cars are not the safest place for people to store things that should not be left in tents etc. The old bus and train depots used to fulfill short term storage needs but they don't even exist in a lot of places, including here. Find a need and fill it as they say.

Sounds like a great opportunity. Best of luck!

Sandi Bowman

Re: Niche search help
 

interesting ideas here ...I am thinking the houses would be 'bubble shapes' ...right or wrong ?

and

how about the hunting camps and lodges ...we have a main lodge, but then we have to have some of our deer stands /cabins in the woods permanently ...

how about some dimensions ? height ? and limitations ? why do you think you would have trouble in the US ... electricty ? limitations? windows and door treatment? plumbling?

I like the idea ...

thanks
bob

Re: Niche search help
 

The structures are based on very simple panels, 1.5 meters wide X 2 meters high, I believe. So the actual size of the units is variable. There is now a website that shows a rendering of the community in Senegal. The site is www.eurobauten.com. The style on the website is in accordance with local tastes. Actually, it is a scaled down version of the floorplan of the residence of the President of Senegal.

The problem here in the U.S. is partially that the means of construction does not match some of the outdated building codes we have in certain cities. Also, the electric and plumbing methods greatly reduce the need for electricians and plumbers but at the same time also go against "protectionist" codes (I am cynical - Chicago business practices will do that to you). I haven't completely given up on the houses for the U.S., though. Some markets are more conducive to them than others. We were thinking age 55+ developments in areas like Las Vegas or Arizona. But I wanted to get a greater feel for non-residential uses, which could have more potential.

I like the suggestions. Sandi's campground and RV park suggestion is very interesting. Also the garages. Certain types of storage would be a nice fit. I am wondering...the units already have some insulative qualities. If one were to install insulating foam panels on the interior walls and ceiling they might be very good for reasonably priced cold storage.

Some other cool aspects of the construction: It is rot-free, rodent-proof, insulating, nailable (siding or stucco is possible), weather resistant, earthquake-proof, hurrricane resistant if tie-rods are used for the roof, low moisture. The molds are fabricated locally and the panels are made and assembled using local materials and labor.

So there are certainly many potential uses for these structures. It's time to make things happen!


Thanks again for your responses, everybody!

Kevin