Mobile steel fabrication and repair business
Take your welder to farms, yards and job sites for on-the-spot steel repairs and custom installs.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
3,434 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.1% in a year
NAICS 332312 “Fabricated structural metal manufacturing”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A truck or trailer set up with a welder, generator and cutting tools. You repair and fabricate steel on site, such as gates, fences, equipment, stair rails and trailer frames, and take bigger parts back to a shared or rented space.
Your first three steps
- Price out a used truck or trailer rig with welder, generator, grinders and safety gear
- Visit local farms, contractors and property managers to introduce your services and ask what repairs they struggle to get done
- Set up an LLC if you want, get an EIN, and get insurance quotes for general liability and commercial auto
Who pays
Farms and ranches, contractors, property managers, small manufacturers and homeowners.
How it makes money
Hourly rate plus travel and materials, or a fixed quote for larger jobs. Emergency repairs can command higher rates.
Skills that help
- Welding in different positions and conditions
- Troubleshooting and repair
- Driving and towing
- Quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- General liability and commercial auto insurance; also check coverage for your tools and equipment
- Hot work on customer property carries fire risk: check fire rules and site requirements
- Some states and cities require a contractor or specialty license for certain structural or installation work, so check your state licensing board
- Customer certification requirements (for example, code-welded structural work) may call for certified welders
- Business license, sales tax and vehicle rules vary by state and city
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile steel fabrication 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 estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your truck or trailer, welder, generator and cutting tools. Your total will depend on whether you buy new or used equipment and how much you outfit at the start.
How much can a mobile welder earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the hours you work, the jobs you win and how you price repairs and installs. The idea assumes at least about 15 hours a week.
What insurance and rules should I check before starting?
Check general liability and commercial auto insurance, plus coverage for your tools. Hot work on customer property carries fire risk, so check fire rules and site requirements. Also check your state licensing board for contractor or specialty license rules.
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