Custom Metal Railing and Gate Workshop

Homeowners wanting custom designs, builders, architects, condo and commercial property managers.

Fixed quotes per project covering materials, shop time and installation, with higher margins on custom and commercial work.

• Welding and metal fabrication
• Reading drawings and taking site measurements
• Finishing and powder coating or working with a coater
• Project quoting and scheduling

• Commercial general liability insurance and property cover for tools and stock
• Check whether your municipality requires a business licence for your workshop and whether any trade or contractor licensing applies where you work; requirements vary by province and city
• Structural or commercial work may require welding certification (for example CWB certification) or engineered drawings, so check with your provincial regulator and the project's engineers
• Railings must meet building code, and commercial jobs may need engineered drawings
• Fire safety, ventilation and zoning rules for a workshop with welding
• Rent and equipment costs are fixed, so build a pipeline of work before committing to a unit
• Check WCB/WSIB coverage as soon as you hire

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000 CAD, depending on your workshop space, welding and fabrication equipment, and stock. These are estimates, so get quotes for equipment and rent before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on project size and how steady your pipeline is. Plan for at least 30 hours a week. Rent and equipment costs are fixed, so build work before taking a unit.

Check municipal business licensing, trade or contractor licensing, and whether structural or commercial work needs welding certification or engineered drawings. Also check building code, fire safety, ventilation and zoning for welding, insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage when hiring.