Starting a Welding Business
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.
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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.
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There are many businesses that you could start on your own and link welding into your business. For instance in my state, you do not need a license to become a landscape maintenance "guy" but most only offer landscape duties to be performed. When you become certified or have enough welding experience to start, add that to the list of duties.
Another can be starting your own custom iron fence company, I mainly see the average houses with wood or chain linked fences. you could make those types of fences affordable for everyone, and offer warranties and other amenities that set you apart from the rest.
Also bike frames (bicycle or motorcycle frames) make your own design from a design. customize other bikes. and just sell the frames let the hobbyist build his own bike and partner up with engine companies to get discounts for your customer to buy those engine parts at a discount.
Another business you could start is if you love classic cars as I do, and you want to restore or replicate you could fabricate chassis to standards and sell these cars, chassis, and other parts that are welded on those cars. If this would be your interest I would definitely familiarize yourself with fiberglass composites and other necessary items(upholstery)to make these projects work. also there is a great interest in go karts these days. Copy the plans, change it up a little, and then see how much you can sell it for. If you profit more than you spend on materials and time spent building it, you have a profitable company. Make mini replica roadsters or any other hot rods, muscle cars or exotic cars. I learned how to use fiberglass in just under two weeks no schooling required, just the internet and you tube. Who knows maybe you will want to quit welding and make custom interiors and speaker boxes for cars?
Another business could be your own mobile welding business, lets face it, metal rusts and in time those welds become weak and need to be taken care of. go look around your house and make a list of what is welded and what you would like to do and price what you think its worth. then have someone come look at it. and note there price and meet in the middle or just under theres. From all the research that I have seen online about these types of businesses you really need to be a great welder, so don't just go buy a welding machine and think you have what it takes because you have a machine. Get certified through your local community college (for all of the above first).
Another business is, start making art from metal, people love these types of things to place in there yards, offices and wherever else. sell your own creativity on ebay, craigslist or whatever internet site you use but make sure it is something that catches eyes (make it and introduce it to your family and friends to get a reaction mainly people you do not see all the time you need bad ratings to improve your product).lol make sure I don't see it because I will copy it and sell it for cheaper. just kidding.
A cheap welder to buy that is great for welding up to 1/4 metal which is typical with a small business is the hobart handler 140 mig welder can cost any where from $350-600 bucks. If you have money buy that miller you want. make sure it has a gas option.
Remember anything that was created by metal can be duplicated just add your own flavor and you have a custom piece of metal that no one else has. And if you do replicate beat prices from everyone around you and offer the best deals with warranties.
A business to me is not just about the product its about the customers the more you have the better off you will be. so be presentable make clothes, fliers, brochures, price list pamphlets, and other company material with logos. and wake up every morning at 5am and pass those flyers out to peoples' door steps. Do projects and take pictures of everything so you have proof that your work is the best. DO NOT COME TO MY STATE YOUR BUSINESS WILL FAIL!!! Just playing
For those who don't know how to open a business become certified and then call your county or state employment office to learn how to start your own company. I don't recommend this but people do it anyway just weld. Then when you have the money saved up get your company under wraps.
Recommend getting familiar with Microsoft office(power point, excel, word 2007) to make brochures and flyers. I create business flyers and brochures for $49.99 but save your money and do it yourself. You need to learn that stuff. Any other questions just ask me. I might have some Ideas for you. Your own landscaping business could be the easiest I think.
I am just an unemployed person with a family trying to find the solution. So if you have something bad to say about me just keep it to yourself because nobody cares that you waste your time to go out of your way to insult my ideas.
Jestin James
Startup Biz Hub - Senior Advisor (Staff)
@kendall hall, it totally depends on the country you belongs to. Please write back with location so that we can guide you on financial side. You can always start it as a part-time and look for a 8 hr job somewhere else. Once you have enough clients or hold on the business then jump to full-time. You definitely have to buy a welding machine, some tools and a vehicle to carry that from place to place. I believe you will still be a mobile welder.
Jestin James
Startup Biz Hub - Senior Advisor (Staff)
I have experience in fabricating and installing: Roof trusses, Structural steel frame, Stanchion and colomn, Grider/Rail for Cranes, Trailors, Sliding gates, Pallisade fence, Tank stands, burglar doors and windows. If u are somewhere, wherever in the world, willing to start your welding company, having necessary tools and machineries, and willing to learn from my experience, but you don't have qualifications, skills and idea of what and how you want to do, contact me and i can come so that we can team up and present all the long lasting steel products to the world. My email: silasm23@gmail.com My cell no. +264 813410087