Mobile welding and repair
Take a truck-mounted welder to farms, job sites and homes to repair and fabricate metal on the spot.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
17,156 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
NAICS 332710 “Machine shops”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A pickup or service truck fitted with a welder, generator, cutting gear and hand tools, doing repairs and simple fabrication at the customer's location.
Your first three steps
- Price a used truck or trailer setup with a welder, generator and cutting tools
- Get quotes for general liability and commercial vehicle insurance
- Introduce yourself to farm supply stores, equipment dealers and contractors and ask for repair referrals
Who pays
Farmers and ranchers, contractors, property owners, small businesses and homeowners with gates, trailers or equipment to fix.
How it makes money
Hourly rate plus a call-out or travel fee and materials, or a fixed price for set jobs like gate repair or trailer fixes.
Skills that help
- Welding across steel and aluminum
- Diagnosing and fixing damaged equipment
- Safe working on job sites
- Driving and route planning
Watch out for
- General liability and commercial auto insurance, check coverage for work at customer sites
- Fire risk when welding outdoors, especially in dry areas, check local burn restrictions
- Some states or cities require a contractor or business license, check with your licensing board and county
- Certified welding may be required for structural or pressure work
- Vehicle wear, fuel costs and weather affecting your working days
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile welding and 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 around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your truck, welder, generator and tools. These are estimates. Vehicle wear and fuel costs are ongoing expenses to plan for.
How much can a mobile welder earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many jobs you take, your rates and your area. Weather can affect your working days. Many people start at around 15 hours a week.
What licenses and insurance should a mobile welder check in the US?
Check general liability and commercial auto insurance, including cover for work at customer sites. Check whether your state or city requires a contractor or business license, local burn restrictions, and whether structural or pressure work requires certified welding.
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