The best "pricing story" I've ever heard goes like this.....A tourist driving down an interstate highway starts having some kind of car problem that has his car spitting and sputtering so he pulls off at the next town. He finds a mechanic shop and has the mechanic take a look...and "listen" at his car. The mechanic says, pop the hood and I'll take care of it. So, the tourist opens the hood, the mechanic listens for a couple of minutes, then gets a screwdriver and turns a screw on the carburetor which puts the engine back to running smooth as silk and says, " That'll be $25." The tourist gets aggravated and shouts, " $25. For turning one lousy screw?" To which the mechanic says, "Yep. That's $5 to turn the screw plus $20 for knowing which screw to turn." People just don't want to pay for KNOWLEDGE...they think the work action is all that's chargeable. Hell, if HE had the knowledge plus a lousy screwdriver, he could have done the job himself on the side of the highway. LOLOLOL. I don't know if this story is true, but it sure makes a point.
The best one I ever heard was the old man who repaired old boats. There was a HUGE ship, engine was 70 years old, and it wouldn't turn over; wouldn't even try to start. The owner had spent weeks bringing mechanics out to fix it, and nobody could figure it out. He hears about the old man, calls him up, and he comes out to look at it. The owner asks if he can fix it, old man says "I sure can.". So the old man walks over to a section of the engine, taps it with a hammer, and tells the guy to crank it. It starts right up and runs smooth as ever. The owner is so happy, he tells the old man to send him the bill. A week later, he gets the bill in the mail, $10,000 dollars. He calls the old man and says "$10,000!? For what?" And the old man replies "Tapping with a hammer-$1. Knowing where to tap-$9,999".
Young man I've been in the welding business for 20 years and you are teaching my somethings from the business side of it thanks buddy great video straight to the point...
I have some advice that may help, I purchased a 1ton 91 Chevy flatbed for 1500 dollars, a Lincoln 225 from a pawn shop for 950 dollars, a cutting torch set at a garage sale for 50 buck's, I already had most of the hand tool's, but you can buy used angle grinders drills, etc. from pawn shop's. I also purchased a gas powered air compressor from pawn shop for 350 buck's so I can do my arc gouging. Point is you don't have to start out looking pretty, BUT, you do need to be functional. Stay safe out there my brothers.
You are right pricing needs to be firm. People wouldn't go to a doctor or a lawyer and haggle with them over their fee, why let it happen with a skilled trade that you have worked hard at learning and developing.
Great presentation. I am 37 and finally have enough money to go to school. I am going to welding school starting april 2022. Thanks for the information.
21:00 I think I would've responded to that email " Lady, you can drive your fucking lawn mower off a cliff for all I care, Sincerely, SpicyBoner Welding co..."
I love to here other people’s stories and advice and compare it to my own. I started out small and still learning had a few bumps in the road but didn’t stop me I started out with a 96 dodge Dakota and 8500 generator a 90 amp mug welder and one of those Lincoln tombstone A/C stick welders still don’t work for myself full time yet but now I have a 93 F250 diesel and a 2003 F350 utility body diesel a bobcat 250 NT getting ready to buy another bobcat 260 brand new a a Lincoln 210 mig and Lincoln 200 square wave for my shop and a bunch of other tools multiple power drills and impacts porta bands cutting torches chop saws and hopefully the plan is to expand my shop this summer! It’s been a long time coming but I’m making it
I had 7 angle grinders at the same time all good brands 2 9 inch and 5 4-1/2 inch, each with a different wheel. So I never had to change wheels, plus if a grinder broke I didn't have to stop everything. I Started out at $65.00 per hr. Min 3 hrs. 18 years ago, at that time it was ok. Everything I did from those discount papers like Craigeslist, was a looser, never do ANY WORK, UNTIL, they sign your contract, if it is a big job never do more than 1 week without full payment, plus Always buy the materials with Their money, not yours!!! 😆😆 GREAT VIDEO Thanks William Orange county, ca.
I just couldnt match up the specs. To durability on gens. To welders, but it's nice hearing it worked well for you. I'm about to set up a Zena 250. They're sort of pricey, but have slick stats. Hope it pans out! Hey thanks for the trade info! I took notes!
Just ran across your video, i know it's older but i have a question on payment from the customer. I know you mentioned possibly them not picking up your product and this question also pertains to mobile welding.Do you by chance have a clause where they need to put say 50% down before you start work or gather material or do you just make them pay in full on job completion thanks.
Glad I got to see this video, thanks! I saw another video of your review on the Hobart 145 engine drive welder as was thinking about buying it for ornamental repairs and mockups/installs. Do you still stand buy it for what I'm hoping to get it for?
t Mann I understand. But I'm in a area with welders charging as little as $55 an hour for field work. So I trying to stay competitive and still make money.
I started with a duromax 13000 watt generator for $900 on sale, and a Vulcan Commander 225 for $500 on sale. I weld on AC though, so there’s that. That mf has a 100% duty cycle at 100 amps. It will burn 1/8 th inch 6011 at 90, and 7018 at 100 all day long.
Damn man you make me feel bad. I was gonna go to harbor freight and get a welder and generator then put some ads on craigslist. Can't really afford that right now but I'm ready to get started and see how it goes.
Sorry that was not my intention. The 8750 generator from HF is very good. I used to have one until it got stolen. If you're on a budget get the ahp160 stick welder and the predator 8750. You might be able to get started for under $1k. Just an idea.
Hi. im sure you cover this in one of your other videos. what kind of work would i be looking for in a mobile welding business? im not a welder by trade. im a mechanic that has over time acquired lots of welding equipment. nothing fancy. Bobcat 225, plasma cutter, torches couple of 220 cracker boxes old flat bed ford etc.. just wanting to do somthing for myself before its to late. Thanks. Johnny Chain
Hard facing heavy equipment entryways, fab on site repair work lots of heavy equipment that have cracks in them need to be gauged out first though ir you can do fences
Adam Spears I've got a few concrete contractors I do work for. Concrete contractors are extremely hard on equipment so it's almost guaranteed work. I also do work for some local general contractors. I've got one big GC that is out of state that pays very good. Bottom line is my customer base is very diverse. I try to stay in industrial work. Private individuals some not all can be very difficult to work with.
Ace #1 Usually, you add consumables to the invoice, and those are overestimated. For example, if you use 8 pounds out of a 10-lb spool of wire on a job, you charge them for the spool; don't break things down too much. All it does is make more work for you that you're not paid for. Also, a minimum is good to have. Keeps people from calling you out to waste time if they know you've got a $400 mobile minimum with 2 hours labor at $85 an hour.
BRENT3143945 and honestly IDK where you are getting used bobcats. But around here the cheapest one Craigslist right now is a onan engine bobcat $2400 431hrs. No way I'm buying that! I'd only give 1k at the most.
@@derbadortheweldor8940 so do you also have a minimum. Like the fist 2 hours is 200$ and 75$ an hour after that? Plus 2$ a mile from where you started?
You think the area has a lot to do with it . because I started a mobile welding business about a year ago . I've got some big jobs . then boom dead as a dead horse . I got all my equipment Lincoln ranger 225 and suite case to run innershield all paid for .
Cody Dayton my advice would be spend a week mapping out all of the industrial business like sawmills, small auto shops, logging company, drilling company and concrete companies. Go visit them in person and introduce yourself and your services. Bring your equipment just in case they want you to do work ASAP. Also it is a good idea to take some business cards and leave them at places like tractor supply and any small business that's related to any kind of construction or agriculture. The first year is all ways the hardest. Just keep grinding and give your best work possible and eventually the work will start picking up. Also make sure your business is on Google maps and yellow pages.
here is a thought llc not sole proprietor cover your ass if one get sued don't wont to loose your home car etc so.. llc is what i am told by the pros to have your biz registered as
heads on 1980`s 1990`s crap are crap i am building a 400m ford tmyer flat top piston good heads megasquirt efi all fer a beater truck with zf 5speed why i hate not being able to rev the engine and it go past 4k n humm wile a full loaded truck is coming down the interstate like the 351w i had did no air flow ..lol home-adviser is bogus it need boycotted and all like 100 bucks to then is bad to me scam
The best "pricing story" I've ever heard goes like this.....A tourist driving down an interstate highway starts having some kind of car problem that has his car spitting and sputtering so he pulls off at the next town. He finds a mechanic shop and has the mechanic take a look...and "listen" at his car. The mechanic says, pop the hood and I'll take care of it. So, the tourist opens the hood, the mechanic listens for a couple of minutes, then gets a screwdriver and turns a screw on the carburetor which puts the engine back to running smooth as silk and says, " That'll be $25." The tourist gets aggravated and shouts, " $25. For turning one lousy screw?" To which the mechanic says, "Yep. That's $5 to turn the screw plus $20 for knowing which screw to turn." People just don't want to pay for KNOWLEDGE...they think the work action is all that's chargeable. Hell, if HE had the knowledge plus a lousy screwdriver, he could have done the job himself on the side of the highway. LOLOLOL. I don't know if this story is true, but it sure makes a point.
The best one I ever heard was the old man who repaired old boats. There was a HUGE ship, engine was 70 years old, and it wouldn't turn over; wouldn't even try to start. The owner had spent weeks bringing mechanics out to fix it, and nobody could figure it out. He hears about the old man, calls him up, and he comes out to look at it. The owner asks if he can fix it, old man says "I sure can.". So the old man walks over to a section of the engine, taps it with a hammer, and tells the guy to crank it. It starts right up and runs smooth as ever. The owner is so happy, he tells the old man to send him the bill. A week later, he gets the bill in the mail, $10,000 dollars. He calls the old man and says "$10,000!? For what?" And the old man replies "Tapping with a hammer-$1. Knowing where to tap-$9,999".
Young man I've been in the welding business for 20 years and you are teaching my somethings from the business side of it thanks buddy great video straight to the point...
I have some advice that may help,
I purchased a 1ton 91 Chevy flatbed for 1500 dollars, a Lincoln 225 from a pawn shop for 950 dollars, a cutting torch set at a garage sale for 50 buck's, I already had most of the hand tool's, but you can buy used angle grinders drills, etc. from pawn shop's.
I also purchased a gas powered air compressor from pawn shop for 350 buck's so I can do my arc gouging.
Point is you don't have to start out looking pretty, BUT, you do need to be functional.
Stay safe out there my brothers.
You are right pricing needs to be firm. People wouldn't go to a doctor or a lawyer and haggle with them over their fee, why let it happen with a skilled trade that you have worked hard at learning and developing.
Great presentation. I am 37 and finally have enough money to go to school. I am going to welding school starting april 2022. Thanks for the information.
21:00 I think I would've responded to that email " Lady, you can drive your fucking lawn mower off a cliff for all I care, Sincerely, SpicyBoner Welding co..."
That was a great video link, as an entry level welder I really appreciate sharing thoughts and giving valuable advices . Thx Mat.
I love to here other people’s stories and advice and compare it to my own. I started out small and still learning had a few bumps in the road but didn’t stop me I started out with a 96 dodge Dakota and 8500 generator a 90 amp mug welder and one of those Lincoln tombstone A/C stick welders still don’t work for myself full time yet but now I have a 93 F250 diesel and a 2003 F350 utility body diesel a bobcat 250 NT getting ready to buy another bobcat 260 brand new a a Lincoln 210 mig and Lincoln 200 square wave for my shop and a bunch of other tools multiple power drills and impacts porta bands cutting torches chop saws and hopefully the plan is to expand my shop this summer! It’s been a long time coming but I’m making it
Subscribed because you dropped some knowledge on me today.
smackroscoe same!
Love ur channel. Just bought a champion 145 so I can start doing odd jobs around town.
Hi mate from Australia I'm just starting my own mobile welding and find your video great informative and to the point.. 👍👍
The pricing segment is right on the " money". The kids have no insurance. Little to no overhead. Liability waivers are worthless in California.
Best 30 min on you tube
Thanks bro vid it’s awesome
I had 7 angle grinders at the same time all good brands 2 9 inch and 5 4-1/2 inch, each with a different wheel. So I never had to change wheels, plus if a grinder broke I didn't have to stop everything. I Started out at $65.00 per hr. Min 3 hrs. 18 years ago, at that time it was ok. Everything I did from those discount papers like Craigeslist, was a looser, never do ANY WORK, UNTIL, they sign your contract, if it is a big job never do more than 1 week without full payment, plus Always buy the materials with Their money, not yours!!! 😆😆 GREAT VIDEO Thanks William Orange county, ca.
I dream about setting up a welding business... thanks for the great videos!
Totally agree with everything. But a + 1 on the harbor freight shop press being scary at times...been there.
Finished your video definitely appreciate the in sight.
I just couldnt match up the specs. To durability on gens. To welders, but it's nice hearing it worked well for you.
I'm about to set up a Zena 250. They're sort of pricey, but have slick stats. Hope it pans out!
Hey thanks for the trade info! I took notes!
Thank you for the Info and tips, helpful info to know. Keep up the video...
Great video. How do you take payment when mobile welding? Half upfront?
Just ran across your video, i know it's older but i have a question on payment from the customer. I know you mentioned possibly them not picking up your product and this question also pertains to mobile welding.Do you by chance have a clause where they need to put say 50% down before you start work or gather material or do you just make them pay in full on job completion thanks.
I’m also curious
You’re video was very informative! 👍
Couldn’t have said it better !
Pretty sure I changed that lady's oil at walmart ten years ago.😂
Glad I got to see this video, thanks!
I saw another video of your review on the Hobart 145 engine drive welder as was thinking about buying it for ornamental repairs and mockups/installs. Do you still stand buy it for what I'm hoping to get it for?
I still use it to this day. It's a great first engine drive welder
@@derbadortheweldor8940 awesome! I've saved about half of the cost for the machine and leads. Getting pumped up to get it!
You dont charge enough , keep the trade value up. $120.00 isn't bad at all at lest in VA
t Mann I understand. But I'm in a area with welders charging as little as $55 an hour for field work. So I trying to stay competitive and still make money.
I started with a duromax 13000 watt generator for $900 on sale, and a Vulcan Commander 225 for $500 on sale. I weld on AC though, so there’s that. That mf has a 100% duty cycle at 100 amps. It will burn 1/8 th inch 6011 at 90, and 7018 at 100 all day long.
Damn man you make me feel bad. I was gonna go to harbor freight and get a welder and generator then put some ads on craigslist. Can't really afford that right now but I'm ready to get started and see how it goes.
Sorry that was not my intention. The 8750 generator from HF is very good. I used to have one until it got stolen. If you're on a budget get the ahp160 stick welder and the predator 8750. You might be able to get started for under $1k. Just an idea.
@@derbadortheweldor8940 thanks for the info man. I'll check into that.
@@derbadortheweldor8940 have you seen the vulcan 225 welders from harbor freight? What's your take on those?
@@TomFromUA-cam honestly the new Vulcan welders just seem cheap to me. I got to use a ahp 160 and it's very well built.
@@derbadortheweldor8940 cool thanks
Hi. im sure you cover this in one of your other videos. what kind of work would i be looking for in a mobile welding business? im not a welder by trade. im a mechanic that has over time acquired lots of welding equipment. nothing fancy. Bobcat 225, plasma cutter, torches couple of 220 cracker boxes old flat bed ford etc.. just wanting to do somthing for myself before its to late. Thanks. Johnny Chain
Hard facing heavy equipment entryways, fab on site repair work lots of heavy equipment that have cracks in them need to be gauged out first though ir you can do fences
@@thomas25082 Sweet Thanks. world is a little different right now but hopefully we will get back to normal.
@@chainlandproductions820 it’s gotten worse but at least we can still work and have just enough left after taxes. Any update did you start up?
@@DB-bk9tr couple of small jobs. not really started.
How did you get started welding?
from the welder, why not just run the leads from the weld truck on ground to unite on roof?
Jim Flynn I didn't have 200' of lead needed to do that. The GC I was working for offered to pay for a crane so I took him up on his offer.
Good advice
Good knowledge
Who is your most common customers
Adam Spears I've got a few concrete contractors I do work for. Concrete contractors are extremely hard on equipment so it's almost guaranteed work. I also do work for some local general contractors. I've got one big GC that is out of state that pays very good. Bottom line is my customer base is very diverse. I try to stay in industrial work. Private individuals some not all can be very difficult to work with.
Derbador the weldor thank you bud
Does your hour rate include consumables?
Ace #1
Usually, you add consumables to the invoice, and those are overestimated. For example, if you use 8 pounds out of a 10-lb spool of wire on a job, you charge them for the spool; don't break things down too much. All it does is make more work for you that you're not paid for.
Also, a minimum is good to have. Keeps people from calling you out to waste time if they know you've got a $400 mobile minimum with 2 hours labor at $85 an hour.
Ace #1
Oh, and you generally want to charge your cost plus about 20% on those types of things on the invoice.
You can get Miller Bob cats for about 1k used
BRENT3143945 yeah someone's used up pos. I'll take 145amps that work all the time vs 225 that doesn't work half the time.
BRENT3143945 and honestly IDK where you are getting used bobcats. But around here the cheapest one Craigslist right now is a onan engine bobcat $2400 431hrs. No way I'm buying that! I'd only give 1k at the most.
If there outside of your range do you charge $2 a mile round trip or just one way
It’s one way. I don’t even flat rate trip anymore I just do $2 a mile for everything now.
@@derbadortheweldor8940 so do you also have a minimum. Like the fist 2 hours is 200$ and 75$ an hour after that? Plus 2$ a mile from where you started?
Good video!
You think the area has a lot to do with it . because I started a mobile welding business about a year ago . I've got some big jobs . then boom dead as a dead horse . I got all my equipment Lincoln ranger 225 and suite case to run innershield all paid for .
Cody Dayton my advice would be spend a week mapping out all of the industrial business like sawmills, small auto shops, logging company, drilling company and concrete companies. Go visit them in person and introduce yourself and your services. Bring your equipment just in case they want you to do work ASAP. Also it is a good idea to take some business cards and leave them at places like tractor supply and any small business that's related to any kind of construction or agriculture. The first year is all ways the hardest. Just keep grinding and give your best work possible and eventually the work will start picking up. Also make sure your business is on Google maps and yellow pages.
Derbador the weldor. Thank you . I wrote downs some notes . I am doing my research tonight . thank you for the new ideas
Leads tho
here is a thought llc not sole proprietor cover your ass if one get sued don't wont to loose your home car etc so.. llc is what i am told by the pros to have your biz registered as
heads on 1980`s 1990`s crap are crap i am building a 400m ford tmyer flat top piston good heads megasquirt efi all fer a beater truck with zf 5speed why i hate not being able to rev the engine and it go past 4k n humm wile a full loaded truck is coming down the interstate like the 351w i had did no air flow ..lol home-adviser is bogus it need boycotted and all like 100 bucks to then is bad to me scam