Mobile welder for gates, railings and repairs
Repair and fit gates, railings and small steel items at customers' homes using a van and portable kit.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
4,906 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 25110 “Manufacture of metal structures and parts of structures”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A van-based service doing on-site welding and fitting: repairing gates and railings, fitting handrails and making small steel brackets and frames. Larger pieces are made to measure and brought to site.
Your first three steps
- Check your welding qualifications and book a course if you need to prove your skills
- Price up a portable welder, grinder, safety kit and van storage, then get insurance quotes
- Offer repairs to local builders and landlords and ask for a few reviews
Who pays
Homeowners, small builders, landlords, farms and small businesses needing quick repairs or simple installs.
How it makes money
Call-out fee plus hourly rate for repairs, or a fixed quote for fitting a gate or railing, with materials added on.
Skills that help
- Welding (MIG at least)
- Measuring and marking out accurately
- Quoting jobs and dealing with customers
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether your cover includes hot work
- Fire risk when welding on site, so carry extinguishers and check customer premises
- Handrails and guards may need to meet building regulations, check with the builder or building control
- Employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile welder for gates, railings 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 welding business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your van, welding kit, tools and insurance. These are estimates, so price up your own setup before you commit.
How much can a mobile welder earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £5,500, depending on the jobs you take and the hours you work. This is an estimate rather than a guarantee, so check your own costs and pricing.
What should I check before welding at customers' homes?
Check that public liability insurance covers hot work, the fire risk when welding on customers' premises, and whether handrails and guards need to meet building regulations. If you take on staff, check employer's liability insurance.
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Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969 on Pixabay