Aluminium fabrication workshop

Local manufacturers, engineering firms, builders, boat and motorsport businesses, and private customers with one-off jobs.

Quoted price per job or hourly shop rate plus materials, with regular repeat orders from a few trade customers.

• Experienced aluminium TIG and MIG welding
• Cutting, bending and basic fabrication
• Quoting and job costing
• Reading engineering drawings

• Public liability insurance, plus buildings and contents or equipment cover as needed
• Check unit lease terms, permitted use, business rates and three-phase power costs
• Customers may ask for welder certification or quality records, so check what each job requires
• Fumes, fire and noise: check extraction, fire safety and PPE requirements
• Employer's liability insurance if you take on staff or apprentices

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your welding and cutting equipment and the unit you rent. Check lease terms, business rates and three-phase power costs too.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your customers, the type of jobs and how full your order book is. These are revenue estimates before costs.

Check public liability and equipment cover, the unit's permitted use and lease terms, and whether customers want welder certification or quality records. Also check extraction, fire safety and PPE, and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff.