As a new welder I opened a small welding business. So far the leads and customers have been coming slow. I found your videos and have a much better understanding of things. Thank you so much!
You have a solid outlook on it. Im coming up on my first year w my mobile welding llc. Been welding over 20 years but the business side is a whole new animal. Just gotta roll w it, let it happen, and keep pushing. Learning everyday. Good advice. Subbed
I used to run a mobile welding rig and the overhead killed me then I went to contract, and the market killed me with what people were able to bid. You really need connections and know people who will get your materials at a discount in bulk. Also, have people willing to recommend you for jobs they can't take. Then you need to take into account consumables, if you going to rent tanks or own them for gasses, any repairs, and know your price per hour at which you can still make money. I got my experience in a shipyard doing Coastguard, oil field supply boats, and oil rigs in South Louisiana. Nowadays I won't even touch special products unless they put a down payment.
I opened my welding/fabrication business about 6 months ago. I've sent out 4 quotes in total(two of them are for the same project just different scopes to see what they want to do). This month has been my most "profitable" where I had two quotes accepted totaling about $250. It's a slow burn but it does feel like it's picking up slightly. Quoting has been the hardest part so far, both in getting people to ask for one and then making one.
Don’t forget to have a job minimum so you don’t wast your time! I do 3 hour shop minimum for new customers and 4 hours minimum for mobile new customers
@@jicklemithers no problem. A lot of the small jobs should fall in the minimum. Tell the customer I have an (x) hour minimum @$ per hour and if I do go over it will just be the hourly. You should only really quote projects that are big fab work. Don’t quote repairs either only new fab from scratch. I’ll do a video soon
@@washburnfabcoThat makes sense, never know what you're going to run into once you start a repair. Thankfully for the two big quotes I sent to the same client are for a good amount of hours and is mostly custom fabrication. One issue I am looking to run into is how much to get as a down payment since I'll have to spend a good chunk of money on the metal since I don't have it on hand. (like 6k worth of metal)
Keep it up Josh! There will always be someone there to undercut the work , you just have to find and set the ratio of quality/speed to put out for every specific kind of job !
I met a guy about an aluminum trailer, and every E V E R Y weld on that thing was cracked. I told him there's probably not enough Argon on the island to do a job like that, and he got mad at first, then I offered to sharpen his stainless solid round bar so he could huli huli a horse he had dressed out on a picnic table. Sometimes you get into situations especially in the banana patches, and you gotta adjust.
I have been there before! Aluminum trailers are always contaminated nightmares. Anything aluminum over 20 years old that sees abuse belongs in the scrap yard imo 🤣
As a new welder I opened a small welding business. So far the leads and customers have been coming slow. I found your videos and have a much better understanding of things. Thank you so much!
Your welcome! Thanks 🙏🏼
You have a solid outlook on it. Im coming up on my first year w my mobile welding llc. Been welding over 20 years but the business side is a whole new animal. Just gotta roll w it, let it happen, and keep pushing. Learning everyday. Good advice. Subbed
Thank you. Best of luck
I was 94
Great knowledge
Thanks
@@SidArteaga thanks !
I used to run a mobile welding rig and the overhead killed me then I went to contract, and the market killed me with what people were able to bid. You really need connections and know people who will get your materials at a discount in bulk. Also, have people willing to recommend you for jobs they can't take. Then you need to take into account consumables, if you going to rent tanks or own them for gasses, any repairs, and know your price per hour at which you can still make money. I got my experience in a shipyard doing Coastguard, oil field supply boats, and oil rigs in South Louisiana. Nowadays I won't even touch special products unless they put a down payment.
agreed
Good job, I enjoyed the whole vidio, have a blessed day America
I opened my welding/fabrication business about 6 months ago. I've sent out 4 quotes in total(two of them are for the same project just different scopes to see what they want to do). This month has been my most "profitable" where I had two quotes accepted totaling about $250. It's a slow burn but it does feel like it's picking up slightly. Quoting has been the hardest part so far, both in getting people to ask for one and then making one.
Don’t forget to have a job minimum so you don’t wast your time! I do 3 hour shop minimum for new customers and 4 hours minimum for mobile new customers
@@washburnfabcoThat's a good idea, thanks for the suggestion.
@@jicklemithers no problem. A lot of the small jobs should fall in the minimum. Tell the customer I have an (x) hour minimum @$ per hour and if I do go over it will just be the hourly. You should only really quote projects that are big fab work. Don’t quote repairs either only new fab from scratch. I’ll do a video soon
@@washburnfabcoThat makes sense, never know what you're going to run into once you start a repair. Thankfully for the two big quotes I sent to the same client are for a good amount of hours and is mostly custom fabrication. One issue I am looking to run into is how much to get as a down payment since I'll have to spend a good chunk of money on the metal since I don't have it on hand. (like 6k worth of metal)
@@jicklemithers full material cost up front. And mark it up by 20 percent for so unless they pay using their card
👌
The trucking industry has that problem. Too many people hauling for cheap while fuel prices, maintenance, tires and everything else is going up.
Yup it sucks but it’s just the way it is right now. My dad owns a trucking business.
As a beginner what would you say a good hourly price is for welding repair and small custom work?
It depends completely on you. What are your capabilities and what is your overhead? I have a video breaking down pricing as well!
Do you need a contractors license for the equipment repair and rock sliders?
Depends on your state and local laws.
@@washburnfabco I’m in Ca too but seems like we don’t need one unless we’re welding/installing things to a structure. Just wondered if you knew 👌🏼
@@THEVOLCOMLIFE as long as it’s “custom” work and not bidding construction type jobs you should be fine
Keep it up Josh! There will always be someone there to undercut the work , you just have to find and set the ratio of quality/speed to put out for every specific kind of job !
Thanks you 🙏🏼
I met a guy about an aluminum trailer, and every E V E R Y weld on that thing was cracked. I told him there's probably not enough Argon on the island to do a job like that, and he got mad at first, then I offered to sharpen his stainless solid round bar so he could huli huli a horse he had dressed out on a picnic table. Sometimes you get into situations especially in the banana patches, and you gotta adjust.
I have been there before! Aluminum trailers are always contaminated nightmares. Anything aluminum over 20 years old that sees abuse belongs in the scrap yard imo 🤣