Mobile welding and on-site steel repairs
Take a van-mounted welder to farms, homes and building sites to repair and make steel items on the spot.
- £4k-20k
- 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 for welding repairs and small fabrications at the customer's site: gates, trailers, railings, machinery and fittings, with larger parts made in a small workspace.
Your first three steps
- Price a suitable van, generator or engine-driven welder, and a portable kit for cutting and grinding
- Set up a local Google Business profile and approach farms, builders and plant hire firms with your rates
- Arrange somewhere to store steel and carry out larger jobs, such as a shared unit or a farm outbuilding
Who pays
Farmers, builders, landscapers, property managers and homeowners who need quick repairs or small made-to-order items.
How it makes money
Call-out fee plus hourly rate, or fixed prices for repairs and small jobs, with materials added.
Skills that help
- Welding in different positions and conditions
- Fault-finding on damaged metalwork
- Driving and organising your day
- Clear quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for tools and your van
- Hot work risks: fire safety, fire watch after welding, and customer site rules
- Welding fumes and UV: proper PPE, ventilation and training
- Storing gas cylinders in a vehicle has rules, check current guidance on carrying and securing them
- Repairs to structural or safety-critical items may need specific qualifications or sign-off, be clear about what you will and won't do
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile welding and on-site steel 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?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your van, welding equipment, tools and any small workspace. Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many jobs you take and their size.
What safety rules should I check as a mobile welder?
Check hot work risks, including fire safety, a fire watch after welding and customer site rules. Check proper PPE, ventilation and training for fumes and UV. Storing gas cylinders in a vehicle has rules, so check current guidance on carrying and securing them.
What skills and qualifications does mobile welding need?
Useful skills include welding in different positions and conditions, fault-finding on damaged metalwork, and clear quoting. Repairs to structural or safety-critical items may need specific qualifications or sign-off, so be clear what you will do. Estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week.
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