Mobile aluminium welding and repairs
Take your welding kit to boats, trailers, shopfronts and builders' sites to repair and fabricate aluminium on the spot.
- £4k-18k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based welding service using TIG or MIG kit to repair and join aluminium at the customer's site, such as boat parts, trailer frames, railings, catering equipment and shopfitting.
Your first three steps
- Check your welding qualifications cover aluminium and book a short refresher or test if needed
- Price a second-hand van and a portable AC/DC TIG or pulse MIG set with gas, and work out your hourly rate
- Contact local boatyards, shopfitters and builders to offer repair and fabrication work, and ask for a trial job
Who pays
Boat owners and marinas, builders, shopfitters, small manufacturers, farms and private customers with damaged aluminium items.
How it makes money
Hourly or day rate plus a call-out charge and materials, with repeat work from builders, boatyards and trade contacts.
Skills that help
- Qualified in aluminium TIG or MIG welding
- Reading drawings and measuring accurately
- Customer service and quoting
- Safe working on other people's sites
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus tools and van cover
- Hot work risks: check fire precautions and permits on customer sites
- Some structural or pressure work may need certified welders and set procedures, so check what clients require
- Fumes and eye protection: check ventilation and PPE requirements
- Gas cylinder storage and carrying in a van, check the rules
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile aluminium welding and repairs
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 aluminium welding business?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on your welding kit, van and insurance. Public liability, tools and van cover are worth checking as part of your budget.
How much can a mobile welder earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the hours you work and the jobs you win. These are revenue figures, so allow for materials, gas, fuel and insurance.
What should I check before welding on customer sites?
Check hot work risks, including fire precautions and permits on customer sites. Also check whether structural or pressure work needs certified welders, the ventilation and PPE requirements, and the rules for storing and carrying gas cylinders in a van.
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