Starting a Welding Business

Summary: A portable welding business basically needs two things: a machine to do your welding for you and a swift respond to all those that seek your business's services. A business like this usually does not need an office space to be functional, but set up ways where your clients can contact you. And make sure you advertise.

Usually, people associate welding with construction work or metal work; and they think that setting up this type of business means you are either into construction or into metallurgy.

This is not necessarily so. Anyone can set up a welding business – that is, anyone who knows how to use and wield a welding machine. If you are wondering how anyone can possibly make a living out of this type of work, then read further on.

Construction sites and metal shops always use welding machines for obvious reasons. Some construction and metal companies even have their own welders and their own machines. But supposing a group of people from an ad company decides to set up a huge commercial platform in front of their building and they need it in steel; or your neighbor down the street has an errant garage door that needs to be cut open; or your kid is constructing a science project that needs to be literally welded shut – you don’t really go to a construction or a metal company and ask to borrow their welding machine, do you? Of course not. Sometimes, people actually rent welding machines for small projects and use the machines themselves. Unfortunately, this is a haphazard solution to the problem.

Therefore, creating a business that allows the use of a portable welding machine with a skilled welder to boot is not only a feasible business venture, but a lucrative one at that. If you decide to take on this business, you’ll be surprised at how many people actually need your professional services. Setting up your business will of course entail you to acquire a welding machine. Make sure that it’s a portable machine: small, compact but sturdy enough that it doesn’t conk out on you when you are actually servicing for a client. A welding machine may come with different functions, so choosing one or more is a matter of knowing the demographic of your intended client base, and your personal skills as a welder. Machines function as stick welding, tig welding, wire welding and welding machines that are used for cutting like plasma arc cutting and gouging or PAC and air carbon cutting and gouging or CAC-A.

Admittedly, machines like these do not come cheap, and an in the hands of an untrained professional, can become deadly. This article will then assume that you are setting up this business because you do have background and expertise when it comes to welding and cutting metals. Preferably, you and your company have certification for safety, have permit to operate and have licenses as a legitimate business venture.

A business like this usually does not need an office space to be functional. You do, however, need to find a way wherein clients can reach you in case they need your services. Having a serviceable phone or a working e-mail address will help. A vehicle that can help transport you and your machine to the location is imperative, and will give you an edge over other welding companies that cannot respond to your clients’ needs ASAP. Try to keep track of old clients and try to gain the trust of new ones by advertising. Posters and flyers are inexpensive, and so are posting ads in the Internet; but the best form of advertising is still through referrals. If you have clients that patronize your work, ask them to refer you to other potential clients.