DIY Auto Repair Lift and Bay Rentals and Other Garage Spaces For Rent

DIY Auto Repair Lift and Bay Rentals
DIY Auto Repair Lift and Bay Rentals

What do you do when your car needs work but you have no garage space? What if your garage is too small or there’ just too much crap in the way, or you live in an apartment with no garage at all?

Rent a space.

You can rent space to work on your own vehicle, but unlike auto parts stores, there aren’t any national chains that offer rental garage space, so your options will vary depending on your location.

We explain all of your options to work on your car below — from DIY auto shops and garages to more unconventional alternatives.

DIY and Maker Space Boom

In recent years there has been a boom in “maker spaces” and DIY workshops including spaces for cars and motorcycles where you can rent shop space by the hour, day, week, or month.

Many major cities have at least one dedicated DIY shop, and often available space in regular shops, or even private homes, that you can rent.

Keep your eyes peeled, as some of these rental spaces also offer automotive classes, as well as orientations that cover the proper use of the sort of tools a home mechanic isn’t likely to have.

Often these are no-cost/low-cost and can get you up to speed quickly while helping you to grow your automotive repair arsenal. Most of these operations have hydraulic lifts available which make working under the car easy.

DIY Auto Repair Space Rental

Prices vary depending on the rental period you choose and the amenities available at the garage. Among the garages listed below, the average rates are around $30 per hour, $125 per day, $360 per week, or $600 per month.

The only downside to this option is that DIY garages aren’t available everywhere. Some of the garage spaces available for rent include:

DIY Auto Repair SpacesService AreaLiftsToolsPaint
Booth
ClassesPhoneeMailAddress
DIY or Die TechshopSan Jose California

 

408-831-1425

 

2099 S 10th St #45, San Jose, California
DIY Auto Repair ShopsDenver Colorado

 

 

303-429-4000

 

6425 N. Washington St. Unit 12, Denver, CO 80229
RepairTech Automotive and DIYKissimmee Florida

 

 

407-348-3400

 

2968 Michigan Av Suite I, Kissimmee, FL 34744
My Mechanics PlaceDetroit Michigan

 

734-743-5808info@mymechanicsplace.com35655 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
U Do it Auto Repair NorthwestHouston Texas

 

 

713-701-7035Youdoitautorepair@gmail.com9239 N Houston Rosslyn Rd, Houston, TX 77088
U Do it Auto Repair SoutheastHouston Texas

 

 

713-701-7035Youdoitautorepair@gmail.com1570 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77023
American DIYGVirginia Beach Virginia

 

 

844-462-3494gearheads@americandiyg.com2404 Castleton Commerce Way #507, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Stew’s Self Service GarageSeattle Washington

 

 

425-803-0747

 

11731 120th Ave Ne Kirkland, Wa 98034
Wheatcraft DIY Auto RepairFort Wayne Indiana

 

 

260-417-1565

 

4740 Industral Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Your Dream GarageBaldwin Park California

 

 

626-338-6325info@urdreamgarage.com13409 Garvey Ave Suite 4, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
U-FIX-IT Self Serve GarageRaleigh North Carolina

 

 

919-630-8133

 

Currently relocating…
Shadetree GarageHagerstown Maryland

 

 

717-655-5703

 

207 Penn Street, Mont Alto, PA
Self Serve GarageTacoma Washington

 

 

253-328-4850

 

6239 S Adams St, Tacoma, WA 98409
DIY Garage IndyIndianapolis Indiana

 

 

317-549-9600contact@diygarageindy.com6937 East 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46226
DIY Garage OttawaOttawa Ontario Canada

 

 

343-999-3494

 

2678 Mac St, Ottawa Ontario Canada K1V-8V1
Garage YourselfMiami Florida

 

 

305-200-3020

 

2456 NW 77 Terrace, Miami, FL 33147
Gearhead DIY Super CenterWarwick Rhode Island

 

 

401-739-0090

 

250 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, RI 02889
Rent A Lift PhoenixPhoenix Arizona

 

 

602-266-0806

 

635 W Glenrosa Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
The Austin DIY ShopAustin Texas

 

 

512-358-6707

 

16501 Bratton Ln Suite C, Austin, TX 78728
U FIX-IT AutomotiveOceanside California

 

 

760-544-6181

 

2420 Industry Street Suite C, Oceanside, CA 92054
U FIX-IT AutomotiveCarmichael California

 

 

916-426-3496info@ufixitautomotive.com6611 Fair Oaks Blvd, Carmichael, CA 95608
Gearhead WorkspaceChicago Illinois

 

312-489-8818reservations@gearheadworkspace.com840 W 35th St, Chicago IL 60609
Rent-A-Lift VirginiaNorfolk Virginia

 

 

757-793-4194

 

3490 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502
I Can Fix This! ShopsGurnee Illinois

 

 

815-349-8447fixit@icanfixthisshops.com3852 Swanson Ct, Gurnee, IL 60031
Gearhead GarageColorado Springs Colorado

 

 

719-574-6811

 

1453 Woolsey Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
The Lift garageMinneapolis Minnesota

 

 

612-866-5840info@theliftgarage.org2401 E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55406
Barrie DIY Garage Auto CenterBarrie Ontario Canada

 

 

705-795-0089dale@barriedoityourself.ca84 Tiffin Street, Barrie Ontario Canada L4N-2N1
Urban WorkshopCosta Mesa California

 

949-296-2155info@UrbanWorkshop.Net365-A Clinton Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Gulf Coast DIY GarageGulf Coast Alabama

 

 

251-408-9371

info@gulfcoastDIY.com

7224 Theodore Dawes Road, Theodore, AL 36582
Chicagoland DIYChicago Illinois

 

 

779-324-5385

 

8435 west 191st Unit 8, Mokena, IL 60448

DIY Auto Repair Space Rental Spotlight

Gearhead Workspace: Space to Wrench on Your Own Car

Gearhead Workspace in Chicago, IL is a fully equipped DIY garage for car and motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as a friendly environment for those who want to learn more about working on their own vehicles. Their custom-designed space offers everything you need to fix, tune, and supercharge your vehicles, including lifts, tools, and even professional help. That’s right, they have professional mechanics on staff who can help you get your ride running like a champ!

Gearhead Workspace is also a supportive community for auto enthusiasts, offering training classes, special events, tutorials, and even a lounge space where members can chill out and talk shop. They know that space is tight when living in a big city, so they’ve created a communal workspace where like-minded people can get together and accomplish goals in a safe and supportive environment and with the best amenities possible.

  • Car & Motorcycle Lifts
  • Standard & Specialty Tools
  • Parts Ordering & Delivery
  • Mechanics & Training Classes
  • Wheel & Tire Storage
  • Member Lounge & Events

840 W 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Wed to Fri 1 pm – 9 pm | Sat and Sun 9 am – 5 pm
reservations@gearheadworkspace.com | 312·489·8818

Person-to-Person Garage Rental

If there isn’t an established DIY auto repair business near you, consider renting a space directly from the garage owner. There are several Airbnb-like sites that specifically serve the DIY auto repair space.

You can also look for space to rent social and selling platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Person-to-person garage rental options typically offer flexible payment options and rental periods, including long-term rental options if you’re restoring a vehicle.

Note that you may need to or want to sign a liability waiver and/or formal rental agreement when renting space directly from an owner. This will protect you and the owner from a legal dispute if you injure yourself, damage your vehicle, or damage the garage while working in the rental space.

Locally Owned Auto Shops, Garages

Call local auto shops and auto garages to see if they rent out the use of car lifts and car bays. They may not due to insurance and money reasons, but it’s a good place to begin your search for a car lift you can use.

Family, Friends, and Neighbors

My first car was built in a kind of borrowed/kind of rented but mostly unused detached garage at a high school friend’s parent’s house.

Who’s got an unused outbuilding, side yard, or other space that might facilitate your endeavors? Might they want to even help?

Let people know you’re looking. Find places to leave a simple note:

Workspace needed for an automotive project. Short term rent. Text Jeremy 555-555-1212

Look for bulletin boards at auto parts stores, service stations, and laundromats. Post the same message on your local Craigslist and social media. Someone that could use some cash and has some space just may call.

High Schools and Trade Schools

Call local technical schools and high schools that have automotive vocational programs. These facilities might be available for use or rent by the public, but you’d have to contact the administrative body in charge of your local facilities to find out.

Storage Units and Storage Yards

Storage units provide a place to keep your car, and some will allow you to work on your car at the facility. For a weekly or monthly rental fee, you can store the car and whatever parts or tools you need, making these units suitable for large or long-term projects.

Keep in mind that some storage units don’t have electrical outlets; if you need to use any power tools, check the unit’s amenities before renting. Storage units also do not offer lifts, of course, so they won’t be a viable solution for all repairs.

Public Parking Lots

For a small maintenance job like changing your oil, spark plugs, or air filters, you may be able to work on your car in a public parking lot. You should always ask the property manager or business owner if they are willing to let you make small fixes in their parking lots.

Public lots, such as those at auto parts stores, may not mind as long as you aren’t doing anything too involved and don’t make a mess or cause a nuisance.

Another possibility, your employer may also be willing to let you use the parking lot.

None of the retailers we contacted (including AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and Walmart) have a companywide policy that allows customers to do this, so the decision is up to the individual manager. If a store does allow you to use its lot, be careful not to spill any fluids or leave any materials behind out of respect for the property manager and other people using the parking lot.