Finding Your Workshop: Our Buyer Consultation Process for Mechanics
Looking for the right workshop space in Melbourne? Here's exactly how we work with mechanics, auto trades, and automotive businesses to find and secure industrial property.
Why We Understand Workshop Requirements
Most commercial agents don't understand what makes a workshop functional for automotive work. We do.
We know you need:
High ceilings for hoists (minimum 6m, ideally 7m+)
Three-phase power (200+ amps for heavy equipment)
Strong floor loading (20+ kPa for vehicles and machinery)
Good access (wide roller doors, easy trailer maneuvering)
Proper zoning (industrial or business zones permitting automotive work)
Because we specialise in Melbourne's industrial market—particularly growth corridors like Truganina—we understand automotive workshop requirements and have relationships with property owners.
Timeline: Most buyers find and secure their property within 60-90 days.
Step 1: Initial Consultation Call (20-30 Minutes)
This is where it all begins—a conversation to understand your business needs and whether we're the right fit.
During the call, we'll talk about:
Your business:
What type of mechanical work do you do? (General repairs, panel beating, performance, detailing?)
How many staff will work in the space?
What equipment do you need to accommodate? (Hoists, spray booths, alignment machines?)
Do you work on trucks, cars, or both?
Your requirements:
How much space do you need? (300 sqm? 500 sqm? Larger?)
Where do you want to be located? (Close to suppliers? Near main roads? Specific suburbs?)
What's your budget range? (Purchase price and deposit available)
Do you want to buy or lease?
Your timeline:
When do you need to move in?
Is your finance pre-approved or arranged?
Are you selling another property first?
How urgently do you need to find something?
Your current situation:
Currently renting and looking to own?
Outgrowing existing premises?
Starting a new business?
Relocating from another area?
These questions help us understand whether your property needs match our market specialisation.
Step 2: Needs Assessment & Financial Review
We get specific about your requirements and confirm your buying capacity.
Technical requirements checklist:
Must-haves:
Minimum ceiling height (e.g., 6.5m for two-post hoists)
Three-phase power minimum capacity
Floor loading requirements
Number of roller doors and sizes
Minimum floor space
Zoning requirements
EPA approvals needed (for certain work types)
Nice-to-haves:
Office space size and quality
Customer parking availability
Amenities (bathrooms, lunchroom)
Outdoor hardstand area
Workshop layout preferences
Proximity to suppliers or main roads
Financial capacity discussion:
Purchase budget: What can you realistically afford? Deposit available: Typically 20-30% for commercial property Finance pre-approval: Have you spoken to a broker or bank? Ongoing costs: Can you handle rates, insurance, maintenance? Renovation budget: Any money for fit-out or improvements?
Property search strategy:
Based on your needs, we outline:
Target suburbs: Where properties matching your criteria exist
Expected price range: Realistic based on current market
Available properties: What's currently on market vs. off-market opportunities
Timeline expectations: How long it typically takes to find the right property
Step 3: Property Search & Viewings
We identify suitable properties and coordinate inspections.
How we find properties:
Listed properties:
Properties actively marketed on commercial platforms
New listings matching your criteria
Properties that have been on market but suit your needs
Off-market opportunities:
Direct relationships with property owners
Properties not publicly advertised
Upcoming listings we know about
Owner-occupiers considering selling
Before each viewing:
We send you:
Property specifications (ceiling height, power, floor loading, size)
Photos and floor plans
Zoning and permitted use information
Pricing information and comparable sales
Any known issues or concerns
During property inspections:
What we check:
Ceiling height (measured accurately, not estimated)
Power capacity (confirmed with meter box inspection)
Floor condition (cracks, drainage, loading capacity)
Roof condition (leaks are major red flags)
Roller door operation and sizes
Vehicle access and circulation
Overall maintenance and structural condition
Questions we ask sellers:
Why are they selling?
Any issues with building, council, or EPA?
What businesses have operated there?
Inclusions (shelving, hoists, air compressors)?
Settlement timeline flexibility?
After each inspection:
We discuss:
First impressions and concerns
Does it meet your must-haves?
What would need changing or upgrading?
Does the price make sense?
Should we make an offer or keep looking?
Step 4: Offer Strategy & Negotiation
When you find the right property, we structure an offer and negotiate terms.
Evaluating the property:
Before making an offer, we assess:
Market value: What's it actually worth based on recent sales?
Condition: Any repairs or upgrades needed and costs?
Competition: Are other buyers interested?
Seller motivation: How flexible might they be?
Structuring your offer:
Price considerations:
Asking price vs. realistic market value
Your maximum budget
Negotiation room to leave
Market conditions (buyer or seller market?)
Key terms:
Deposit: Typically 10% (shows commitment)
Settlement period: 30-60 days standard (or longer if you need time)
Conditions: Finance approval, building inspection, due diligence
Inclusions: Existing equipment, fit-out, fixtures
Negotiation process:
Initial offer: We present your offer formally in writing
Seller response: Accept, counter-offer, or reject
Counter negotiations: We negotiate on your behalf
Terms discussion: Not just price—settlement, conditions, inclusions
Final agreement: Once terms are mutually acceptable
Step 5: Building Inspection & Due Diligence
Once offer is accepted subject to conditions, you conduct inspections and checks.
Building & pest inspection:
Why it's critical for workshops:
Structural issues affect equipment installation
Roof leaks damage tools and vehicles
Electrical problems are expensive to fix
Floor problems affect hoists and heavy equipment
We coordinate:
Recommending qualified commercial building inspectors
Scheduling inspection at property
Reviewing report with you
Negotiating repairs or price adjustments if issues found
Cost: $800-1,500 depending on property size
Other due diligence checks:
Zoning confirmation:
Confirm automotive work is permitted
Check for any council restrictions
Verify no upcoming rezoning plans
Title search:
Confirm seller owns property
Check for any easements or restrictions
Verify no encumbrances
Environmental checks:
EPA requirements for your business type
Trade waste approvals needed
Contamination history if applicable
Strata review (if applicable):
Body corporate fees and rules
Shared facility access
Any restrictions on business operations
If issues are found:
Minor issues ($5-10k repairs): Typically negotiate price reduction
Major issues ($30k+ repairs): Negotiate significant price adjustment or walk away
Deal-breakers: Structural problems, major roof failures, contamination issues
Step 6: Finance Approval
While building inspection occurs, your finance is being formally approved.
Commercial finance process:
What banks assess:
Your business financials and trading history
Personal financial position
Property valuation (bank will value property)
Loan serviceability (can you afford repayments?)
Timeline: Usually 14-21 days for approval
Common issues:
Low valuation: Bank values property less than purchase price
Serviceability concerns: Banks want to see strong business cash flow
Deposit shortfall: Need full 20-30% deposit confirmed
If finance doesn't approve:
Contract typically includes finance condition—you can walk away and get deposit back. We'll then reassess what properties suit your revised budget.
Step 7: Contract Signing & Conditions Removal
All conditions are satisfied and contract becomes unconditional.
Your lawyer's role:
They handle:
Contract review and explanation
Title searches and legal checks
Settlement preparation
Stamp duty calculations
Final financial reconciliation
Cost: $2,000-4,000 for commercial property purchase
Conditions removal:
Once you're satisfied:
Building inspection acceptable
Finance formally approved
All due diligence completed
You're ready to commit
Your lawyer formally removes conditions—contract becomes binding and you proceed to settlement.
What this means:
You're now committed to purchase
Deposit is at risk if you try to walk away
Settlement date is locked in
Start planning your move and fit-out
Step 8: Settlement Preparation
Final steps before property ownership transfers to you.
Pre-settlement tasks:
Your preparations:
Arrange final payment (balance of purchase price)
Organize building insurance from settlement date
Plan your fit-out and equipment installation
Notify current landlord if applicable
Arrange utility connections
Final property inspection:
Usually 1-2 days before settlement
Confirm property condition matches contract
Check nothing has been removed that should stay
Note meter readings
Address any last-minute concerns
Settlement day:
What happens:
Lawyers exchange documents and money (morning)
Title transfers to your name
You receive keys and access (afternoon)
Property is officially yours
Costs paid at settlement:
Balance of purchase price
Stamp duty (significant cost—around 5.5% in Victoria)
Legal fees
Our buyer's agent fee (if applicable)
Bank mortgage costs
Typical settlement timeline: Contract signed → 30-60 days → Settlement
Step 9: Post-Settlement Support
We check in after settlement to ensure everything went smoothly.
Our follow-up:
Settlement week: Check-in on handover and any issues
First month: Follow-up on fit-out progress and unexpected issues
Ongoing: Available for questions about property matters
Why we stay in touch:
Future opportunities when you're ready to expand or upgrade
Referrals if you know other mechanics looking for property
Network building for long-term relationships
Problem-solving if issues arise with property
The Bottom Line
Buying industrial property requires understanding buyer requirements, technical specifications, market values, and negotiation strategies.
Our consultation process ensures:
Properties match your technical requirements (ceiling height, power, loading, access)
You understand realistic market values and pricing
Technical issues are identified before you commit
Negotiations are handled strategically
Settlement process is managed smoothly
Timeline: From first consultation to settlement typically takes 60-90 days depending on property availability and finance approval.
Call Manny: +61 428 334 968
Email: [email protected]
Let's discuss your business and whether we're the right fit to help you find your workshop.
