Mobile aluminum welding and repair
Drive to boats, trailers and small businesses to weld and repair aluminum on site.
- C$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A truck or van set up with a welder, generator and tools, repairing and fabricating aluminum parts at the customer's location. Typical jobs include boat and pontoon repairs, trailer and truck-box fixes, railings and cracked equipment.
Your first three steps
- Price a welding setup for aluminum (inverter TIG or MIG with spool gun, generator, clamps, safety gear) and the vehicle to carry it
- Check which welding certifications your province or typical customers expect, such as Red Seal or Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certification
- Contact marinas, trailer dealers and farm equipment shops to offer your repair services and ask for referrals
Who pays
Boat owners and marinas, farmers, contractors, trailer owners, small manufacturers and homeowners.
How it makes money
Hourly rate plus a call-out fee, or a fixed quote for set repairs, with materials marked up. Spring boat season and winter equipment repairs can bring steady work.
Skills that help
- Strong aluminum welding (TIG and/or spool-gun MIG)
- Reading drawings and measuring accurately
- Quoting jobs and dealing with customers
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your cover includes work on customers' boats and equipment
- Fire risk from hot work on customer sites; carry extinguishers and check site rules
- Rules for transporting gas cylinders, and certification rules for structural or pressure work in your province
- Fumes and eye protection, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help (rules vary by province)
- Winter slowdowns for outdoor work in colder regions
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: mobile aluminum welding and repair
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile aluminum welding business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your welder, generator, tools and the truck or van you fit out. Insurance and safety gear add to the total.
How much can a mobile aluminum welder earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the jobs you win, your rates and how many hours you work. Outdoor work may slow in winter in colder regions.
What rules should I check before starting mobile welding?
Check commercial general liability cover, including work on customers' boats and equipment, and fire safety rules on customer sites. Also check gas cylinder transport rules, provincial certification for structural or pressure work, and WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire help.
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Photo: TheOtherKev on Pixabay