Mobile welding and metal repair
Take a truck-mounted welder to homes and job sites to build, fix and install railings, gates and frames.
- $8k-35k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 238120 “Structural steel and precast concrete contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A mobile service that does on-site welding, repairs and small installations such as railing fixes, gate repairs, trailer and fence work, and custom brackets, using a truck or trailer with a portable welder.
Your first three steps
- Choose a service area and check what mobile welders nearby charge per hour and for call-outs
- Equip a used truck or trailer with an engine-driven or portable welder, a cutting setup and safety gear
- Register your business, get insured and tell local contractors, fence companies and farm suppliers you are taking jobs
Who pays
Homeowners, farms and ranches, small contractors, landscapers and property managers who need quick on-site work.
How it makes money
Hourly rate plus a call-out or travel fee, or a fixed price for defined jobs, with materials added on top.
Skills that help
- Welding in different positions and on different metals
- Troubleshooting and quick measuring
- Safe work around fire and heat
- Customer service
Watch out for
- General liability insurance with coverage for on-site work, and commercial auto insurance for the work vehicle
- Check your state's contractor licensing rules for installation work and any limits on job size
- Fire risk when welding on customers' property, so carry an extinguisher and check any hot work rules for commercial sites
- Structural or load-bearing welds may need certified welders or inspections, so check before taking them on
- Travel time and fuel can reduce your real hourly earnings, so price your call-out fee carefully
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile welding and metal repair
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the truck or trailer, the portable welder and the tools and insurance you need. Your own total will vary with what you already own.
How much can a mobile welder earn per month?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on the mix of jobs, how many hours you work and how much time goes on travel. Fuel and travel time can reduce your real hourly earnings.
What rules and insurance should I check for mobile welding?
Check general liability insurance covering on-site work, commercial auto insurance, and your state's contractor licensing rules for installation work. Also check hot work rules for commercial sites, and whether structural or load-bearing welds need certified welders or inspections.
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Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969 on Pixabay