Small metal fabrication shop

General contractors, builders, property managers, farms, restaurants, manufacturers and private customers.

Quoted prices per job or per part, plus repair and on-site install work. Regular trade accounts give steadier income than one-off jobs.

• Welding and fabrication
• Reading blueprints and shop drawings
• Estimating materials and time
• Managing customers and deadlines

• Lease terms, zoning, fire code and any air or fume rules, check with your city or county
• General liability, property and product liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• OSHA safety requirements for welding, ventilation, guarding and protective gear
• Some structural or code-related work may need certified welders or engineered drawings, check job requirements
• Slow-paying commercial customers, consider deposits and clear payment terms

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your lease terms, equipment and insurance. These are estimates, so check lease terms, zoning and fire code with your city or county before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your customers, job sizes and pricing. Commercial customers can be slow to pay, so consider deposits and clear payment terms.

Check OSHA safety requirements for welding, ventilation, guarding and protective gear. Also check air or fume rules, insurance including workers' compensation once you hire, and whether structural or code-related work needs certified welders or engineered drawings.