Custom built basic layouts - Is there a market?

DanMacK Jun 12, 2013

  1. DanMacK

    DanMacK TrainBoard Member

    39
    0
    13
    Hey all,

    Been a modeler for over 20 years, and I've been toying around with this crazy idea of offering basic custom built layouts as well as design services. Scenery isn't my specialty, but trackwork and wiring are, so I was going to use that to my advantage. Basic scenery and layout designs from T gauge (yes... T), to HO. Other scales would be considered as well. The idea is the "next step" from train set.

    Would there be a market for this? If so, how would one advertise? If somebody wanted a fully scenicked layout, I could provide that as well (I know people I could probably hire)

    I thought of advertising locally (on kijiji), and possibly putting something up on eBay in the form of a store. Thing about this type of business, it doesn't really require holding stock on hand... so pictures are a bit hard (no layout myself at the moment)

    Just looking to do it on the side for now for a bit of extra cash. I have a WIP website at http://www.trainweb.org/layoutsbydan/ Prices are subject to change, but I think they're reasonable given current supply costs.

    Am I completely out in left field here?

    Thanks for any input.

    Regards,
    Dan MacKellar
     
  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

    9,511
    5,673
    147
    I suppose you won't know for sure until you try.

    My two cents.

    The negative side of this is: I see layouts that come up for sale, everything from round rounds (there's nothing wrong with those types) to fairly extensive and large ones. Most never sell at a profitable price.

    On the positive side: There are people looking for someone to make them a train layout. I was asked to build a train layout for a youngster who wasn't expected to live to adolescence. I did, he did and I was never happier then when I ran into him, all grown up, in one of our LHS.

    If you want to promote the hobby, then by all means give it a go.

    How to sell? E-pay seems to be the in place for selling whatever. Why? I have no idea...but it works.
     
  3. JB Stoker

    JB Stoker TrainBoard Member

    132
    0
    7
    So this is your sales pitch??

    This is not a very convincing sales pitch. My suggestion would be to get busy and make a demonstrator layout if you are serious about selling them to other people.
     
  4. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

    2,704
    208
    48
    I would work the "basic module base" thing for all those people out there who want to participate in a modular club (whatever scale). Identify and show those products.

    I see the next best market as perhaps layouts for people that don't have time/skills to lay track and etc. KISS with options for upgrades. Like the above posters said, you never know until you try.

    Another concern in my mind is "how are you going to ship a layout?". You'll need to address that right up front so figure out those costs and hassles.

    And yeah, you have to really get your marketing "voice" going. Good luck!
     
  5. Kenneth L. Anthony

    Kenneth L. Anthony TrainBoard Member

    2,749
    524
    52
    I believe there is more of a market for CUSTOM layouts built to someone's specifications, than for selling something one has already nbuilt, and getting what one believed he put into it.

    I have been commissioned to build layouts for friends down through the years.
    A 2x4 foot N scale layout built for friend's kids' Christmas present-- an oval, 2 spurs and scenery that rose up and dropped down (but no change in track elevation).
    [​IMG]

    A club I was in built a couple layouts on commission as a club fund-raising project.
    One was an oval with one spur and a hill which served as a base for a Christmas tree stand (not shown). The buyer also specified it had a have a station, a water tower and a farm.
    [​IMG]

    The club built another for the same holiday season. Buyer wanted a mountain, a figure 8, and roads etc where he could lay out buildings.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    I believe there would be some market. But probably not enough to rely solely on that one product. You'd probably need to do custom as well.

    If you move ahead, and would like to advertise, please click on the "Contact Us" at page bottom for details.
     
  7. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

    1,766
    452
    35
    Check out some of Lance Mindheims work. He does smaller shelf layouts that aren't all that big, but they pack a lot of WOW! power. Then you can see what your competition is doing and base your future business plans off of that...

    http://www.shelflayouts.com/photos.htm
     
  8. DanMacK

    DanMacK TrainBoard Member

    39
    0
    13
    As I said, the website is very much preliminary. I'd like to get some smaller demo layouts together for sure. I have little space, so storing finished completed layouts to sell as stock isn't an option. I can probably do an 'N' scale layout relatively easily, and I'm working on designing one for a friend, so again, something to photo/show.

    For large layouts, modular is definitely the way to go, and I'm also looking at adding module frames as well.

    Marketing is the big thing, and without layouts, its hard, although you don't want to be sitting on something that doesn't sell either.

    Lance's stuff is awesome, and that's the "High End" of layout building. My goal would be as campp said, to do the KISS principle for those that don't want to build benchwork, lay track, etc, they just want to run trains.

    Basic scenery will be offered and can be done to the nines if requested.
     
  9. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

    5,677
    580
    82
    There are people who need a basic frame and track so they can do scenery themselves. Just as you do not specialize in scenery some do not do benchwork and track. I suppose it's up to you how good the finished product is.

    There is no shame in offering a good product, and none in buying what you need to get going. Besides, it's not like the 1940's and 50's when people had to build most everything from kits and bits.
     
  10. SD40E2

    SD40E2 TrainBoard Member

    73
    1
    12
    I just recently built a small n-scale layout for my mother,and now I am in the process of rebuilding a large n-scale layout for a dear friend of mine who is no longer physically able to do it himself.I am taking pictures as I go along because I too, want to custom build layouts as a side business.I think there is a market for layouts built to a person's specific needs/space.hopefully when this one is done I can get pictures out and see what happens.
     
  11. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,037
    93
    There are adds for this in Model Railroader. I used Model Railroads by Chris. rxrchris@juno.com May give you some ideas.
     
  12. DanMacK

    DanMacK TrainBoard Member

    39
    0
    13
    Thanks for the input everyone. As I said, my big problem is no photos for obvious reasons. I mean I can put up track plans for each type of layout, and possibly do one small one, but I don't want to put money into something I can't sell.
     
  13. glakedylan

    glakedylan TrainBoard Member

    402
    4
    13
    this reply is without personal bias in terms of to whom it is addressed...it certainly states my bias...so please do not take personally:
    I would never purchase such from any source without a good sense of ability and quality of work as would be evident in photos of
    at least one completed model railroad, and if offering from just frame and subroadbed to with complete with scenery to the 9's, I
    would expect to see process oriented photos of construction from beginning to end as to know what each offering would look like and
    what to expect.

    hope this helps...

    respectfully
    Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
     
  14. jdetray

    jdetray TrainBoard Member

    656
    135
    24
    I completely agree with Gary's assessment!

    As a person who is physically handicapped, I considered hiring someone to build a layout for me. However, no one will ever get my business unless I can see detailed photos of the sort of work I am going to purchase. At the very least, I expect to see a presentation showing the step-by-step progression of a layout from track plan to ready-for-scenery completion. Detailed descriptions and especially photos of construction are a must.

    For me, words alone are useless. Only pictures can tell the story for a service like you propose to provide.

    A further thought from someone (me) who has designed and built many web sites: An incomplete or poorly constructed web site is worse than no web site. First impressions will always matter, and the old saying is still true, even in the digital age. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

    - Jeff
     
  15. DanMacK

    DanMacK TrainBoard Member

    39
    0
    13
    Excellent input (and not taken personally). I'm definitely planning to get a small layout (probably 'N') together soon. The website, I know, needs alot of help. It's just there as a placeholder now, but I need to get something physical with photos.
     
  16. NYW&B

    NYW&B Guest

    0
    0
    0
    Pre-built and custom built layouts, as well as basic bare-bones frameworks, have been around in the hobby since well before WWII. Clearly sales are always very limited - Life Like offered one in the 60's that didn't last on the market very long - so any success is generally based on the builder's reputation, usually as established by repeated presentions of his work in the pages one of the major model railroading magazines. Lack such exposure and sound examples of quality in workmanship severely limits the sales potential of anyone just starting out in the business.

    NYW&B
     
  17. robert3985

    robert3985 TrainBoard Member

    841
    57
    14
    I get offers to build layouts or scenery at every show I attend with my layout. However, I don't do any of it since I don't want to turn my hobby into a business. My deadlines I put on myself are stressful enough, even though nobody will kick me in the butt but me if I don't reach my goals for a particular show.

    But, I've been building models professionally, both freelancing and full-time at various research and aerospace industries for years. The big deal is that customers want three things (1.) Excellent work, (2.) they want it NOW...oh...and (3.) they don't want to pay much for it.

    Customers have a difficult time thinking that professional model builders actually should make a living wage, since making models is a "hobby" right??? We should just do it for the fun of it...yup, with a dollar here and a dollar there to show us their gratitude.

    That's why 99% of all my models that I built under contract were done for institutions (Museums, Galleries, Churches and various other businesses), with the occasional individual thrown in.

    I think if you knew how much the custom layout builders charge for their work, you'd drop your drawers and fall over backwards...but, these guys have a reputation, are generally published, and can afford advertising in the model railroad magazines. Some of them also employ a crew, so it's not just one fellow working day and night, trying to make that deadline!

    Personally, a modeler can tell me how good he is, but I take it with a grain of salt until I see his work. The proof is in the tasting as they say. One person's idea of "good" might not be someone else's and model railroaders are a notoriously diverse and opinionated bunch.

    The deal with making even basic layouts is that you gotta be good in several areas (electrical, trackwork, scenery, carpentry, etc.) and you have to be prolific, single-minded and you MUST not mind working on something you really don't give a rat's weenie about...other than the dollar bills it's gonna put in your pocket once it's delivered and your customer is happy.

    Good luck!! It's not something I'd want to do, but I suppose there's a market out there for well-built, "basic" layouts (whatever that is)...but, I'm not sure there's a big enough market to provide a living wage, as I'd think the guys with the deep pockets who are willing and able to pay for what most of us do for ourselves, want something more than a "basic" layout. But, them's just my thoughts, and I could be dead wrong.

    Cheerio!
    Bob Gilmore
     
  18. VentureForth

    VentureForth TrainBoard Member

    50
    0
    6
    Very facinating thread. In trying to build up my model train empire, I have been keeping an eye out on Craigslist for various deals. For instance, a couple weeks ago, I spent $80 for a loco, and it came with 56 pieces of sectional Atlas track, about 10 freight cars (including two limited Christmas boxcars), an old MRC controller, and about five Pola buildings - three still in their shrink wrap. Not a layout - that was the plus. Everything was virtually new in the box with very little wear. But to get back on topic, there are currently only two other listings - one is an HO layout, about a 4' x 8' with two trains, and necessary controllers. Price is $200. Probably worth about that in scrap. But it's a working layout and it would be fun for the kids. On the other hand, there is an N-scale layout about the same parameters. Perhaps it's much more detailed, but at any rate the cost for it was around $1800. It's probably a much more stellar set up, but I don't think each piece sold separately would cover the cost, so you're paying for his a) retail investment and b) time. Both of those layouts are still both for sale, which implies to me that the market for someone having a layout built for them is probably not that strong - either in the stellar or not-so-stellar builds.

    I can imagine commercial layouts costing an order of magnitude above that. Especially when other employees are involved. SOMEONE out there will make it, though - perhaps it is you, Mr. robert3985, who will be the NEXT reality TV sensation, after those guys from Tanked. You get an order to make something spectacular, you have a week to finish it, there'll be some sort of major hitch when it's installed, but at the last minute...just before the emotional reveal...it will be fixed, and your customers will have high accolades for your professional work.

    I'll call the show "Side Tracked".
     
  19. JB Stoker

    JB Stoker TrainBoard Member

    132
    0
    7
    I am thinking the producers of such a show would seek out some professional layout builders who have an outstanding portfolio to head it up.

    But, as in AxMen, you want the polished professionals like J.M Browning and then for "color" you want an S&S Aqualogging....

    Please don't take that the wrong way DanMack. :startled:
     

Share This Page