I want to build a dojo.

[Firdes]

I wish to build a dojo in my back yard and there is enough room to do so. How can I accomplish this? Any ideas on how to build one, And I would rather build one out of wood insted of metal, Becuase metal is not a good way to build one. Any ideas?

[scottnshelly]

http://www.behmdesign.com/

 

like this you mean?

[tkdBill]

If you live in a city or town, you probably have to get a building permit. This usually involves submitting plans to the building inspector to make sure that all the local building codes are met. Also, you have to check your local zoning ordinances to make sure that you are allowed to operate a business in your residential neighborhood. Most towns do not allow a business to operate in an area zoned for residential.

 

You definitely want to make sure you have martial arts insurance. If someone gets hurt in your backyard, they will likely sue you for medical bills, etc, and your homeowners insurance will probably not cover it. You don't want to lose the house!

 

--

[Shorinryu Sensei]

You definitely want to make sure you have martial arts insurance. If someone gets hurt in your backyard, they will likely sue you for medical bills, etc, and your homeowners insurance will probably not cover it. You don't want to lose the house!

 

--

 

Actually, it would be cheaper if you made your martial arts school a corporation for around $150. Keep the school seperate from your home, so that if you did get sued...which I've never heard of a school being sued in the 30 years I've been in the arts....they can only sue the corporation, not you personally. This protects your personal belongings, such as your home. Gotta love loopholes!

[tkdBill]

Unfortunately, I have known instructors who have gotten sued, but since the insurance company typically settles out of court, most people don't hear about it.

 

Loopholes, yes, and the injured person's lawyer will use them too. First, they sue everyone, including the instructor and the landlord (homeowner, in this case), and then they can try to pierce the corporate vail. Even though you may ultimately prevail on both counts, it runs well into the thousands of dollars to defend your position. Even a "hold harmless" waiver has to be defended in court, complete with hearings and lawyers.

 

The injured person may not be the one who wants the suit, but may be forced into it to pay medical bills for an expensive injury, such as a back injury.

 

That's why a few hundred bucks a year for MA insurance is so worthwhile. It all becomes their problem!

 

--

[senna_trem]

What kind of style is AFK? I know nothing about those three mysterious letters!

[MASIsshinryu]

On the liability side, if you do incorporate make sure that everything is kept separate from your private life. Do not share equipment, space or anything else which could be used to agrue a link between the two. Extremely hard to do, if it is on your property.

 

As far as the building, itself: Find an existing building you like, take good photos of it from ALL angles, and ask an engineer or architect about some good building plan costs. This is something I intend to do as well, if i ever manage to quit being transferred every few years.

[ShotokanKid]

If you know who Oshima sensei is, try learning from him. Cost to mantain a year _ $100,000 USD. Everyone says its really nice. Realistically, you should try the garage plan thing with wood floors.

 

GOod luck