How much should I charge for my Welding Service? (What are your welds worth?)

#entrepreneur #businessowner #money
Welcome to this weeks Sunday Special! After a lot of you asking me the same question for the past year, I decided to finally address it! How much to charge!?! I thought this was a cut and dry answer, but I grew up in a Entrupenure house hold. My father has literally never worked for anyone. And neither have I. So this came a little more intuitively to me than someone who didn’t grow up in that atmosphere. When your self employed you never make the same amount weekly. You have good weeks and you have bad weeks. By the way guys, I am NOT a business advisor. Just a guy whose owned several successful businesses. Use this advice at your own discretion. These numbers are all examples and may or may not apply to your market. The welding needs of customers and how healthy your particular market is should help you figure what your numbers are. I hope this helps!!

[@deant876]

My hourly rate will fluctuate depending on what needs to be done. If I have to swing a 3lb hammer for hours, up 20' on a ladder, it's an emergency in the middle of the night, I charge more.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

great example

[@brian1636]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony I thought charging less for a job will for sure get a welder work.

[@FishFind3000]

Don’t forgot to calculate and add overhead. Fuel, and maintenance. Know how much your equipment costs to run.

[@jeremiahkastner5445]

I just registered my welding business! SO excited! Thanks for all the insight Ant! As always, I welcome your experience and wisdoms.

[@timfountas7986]

80% of my business is customers that hired the cheaper guy!

[@mcfwelding]

glad you made this. i do welding and fab work on the side as side work. I am a union steamfitter as my day job here in New Jersey and decided to try and pickup some welding side work. when i first started i struggled to quote jobs and took on alot of bull shit jobs that most welders would shy away from. i made good money on some and i didnt make good money on some. i struggled for the last year on how i priced things, but now i take on the jobs i want to do. being that i get a pay check every week i can pick and choose the jobs i want. i know we have two different situations here. im glad you shared this and i can see the other side is this kind of work. ive changed how i get work with implying hourly minimums with my mobile work and its made me more happy with the jobs i get. i dont get a lot jobs that way but for me it weeds out the bullshit jobs and tire kickers that want a trailer fixed for less than $200 for more to take 4-6 hours to get there and do the jobs lol. keep on keepin on ant!

[@cameronshapley7454]

For us say it’s a $3000 in material job we would double the material price then tell the client the price is going to be between 5500 and 6500, this works for us very well and we usually end up right at that doubled price with room to have error or have everything go right and charge them at that lower price. But we also have set prices on stuff that we build a lot of and always come out with a little more

[@staybusybuilding2910]

Great info. I agree with adding a percentage on top after calculating material and labor cost. It’s rare that a project goes perfect and nothing worse when you’ve priced minimum and a grinder or another tool takes a turd on you.

[@gazgtir2404]

Found this channel last week & prob watched 90% of your videos & loved every one! Im in the UK & trying to get started on my own & your advise has helped my mind set so much! Other channels make everything sound scary starting up your own buisiness, but you say it how it is & it makes sence! Thanks for your knowledge, its helped alot 👌 & great videos, keep up the good work dude 👍

[@arielwalding6811]

Man your doing great in your videos keep em coming I’m learning a lot from them love the in the field ones a lot

[@isaacchavezjr5556]

That’s right my brother. I am a gardener in California that for a hobby plays with metal and welding.Maybe in the future I will do it as a business. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of other gardeners charging cutthroat prices. And then when a customer says but they’re old Gardner stop showing up. I explain to them potential customer that it’s not worth it to them to continue because they found some other customer that is willing to pay five dollars more. You get what you pay for.

[@josetesuarez]

Let me say something abour your pricing method. I feel that it's only about the competition. I believe that you sould charge based on what you really think your work is worth, no matter what competitors are doing. You are unique, with unique skills, put them on value. Please let me know what you think about this. Nice video by the way. Always learning something from you. Thank you!

[@anotherdumbwelder6219]

General welding and repair is only about being available and being competitive, your work is worth what the market will support regardless of what you FEEL

[@jimgam730]

By drastically under charging, your example of $37 to $60 per hour, can put into peoples heads that you do cheap work then you won't get the good work you're looking for. Just my 2c worth

[@quickshot4050]

I love this video because your hourly rate is largely dependent on competition, for example, I’m fairly new to this and I’m charging $65 shop rate and $100 in the field, I charge just as much as you in the field while using a portable generator and a tiny $100 welder from Amazon on a 120 plug, yet you may say to yourself, “why are you charging soo high” simply because of the market here in NY, there isn’t a lot of welding here, especially portable welding, these large companies are charging $250 an hour in the field and $150 an hour in the shop, competitively, my rates are extremely low, and it’s what I figured out when I first started doing smaller projects because I was undercharging at $50 at first, where you live determines everything because I have 1/10th the experience of Anthony yet our field rate is the same because he lives in Florida.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

100% your cost of living and doing business is much higher

[@keenanmcgriff]

65 shop is too low! You have Bill's 🙏🏾‼

[@jackcarroll4251]

Where are you in NY? I'm in Syracuse

[@jimmysworld3093]

Hey cool to see this. I'm starting a buissiness right now with a 12k portable generator and a mig/stick machine in Central NJ. This is just until I can afford a new bobcat or trailblazer!

[@gregdavis4548]

@@jimmysworld3093 hey James I’m done in south Jersey Third Generation Welding! I always like to know some guys who are starting out sometimes I land big jobs that’s I would like to bring other guys on Everyone one gets a piece of the pie!

[@davidspin5353]

If your a professional welder/fabricator with insurance and are a real company either LLC or INc, you rate should about the same as Auto mechanic, marine mechanic, plumber, electrician or any other skilled trade in your area.

[@Bnev93]

Take into account MATERIAL SIZES. Guy wants angle at 16’. Full lengths are 20’. So, we cut it to size. Guess what? It’s now more expensive for less material. You just got grossed the full length (non list price) and paid the cut charge. Versus buying full lengths (which are sold at list price) and cutting yourself plus having some material left over to do what you want with. We can’t do anything with a 4’ piece of angle so it has to be paid for and then goes into clearance to sit on a shelf forever. I’m not a salesman and sure as hell don’t make commission. Just being honest. Now if customer specified they want the drops it would be list price plus cut charge. So keep all of this in mind.

[@jimmysworld3093]

Hell yeah good to see this video Anthony. I'm starting a buissiness right now with a portable 12k generator and a mig/stick machine also spool gun for aluminum. Ive got skills I know it's not the most professional set up but I'm gonna try my best until I can afford a new trailblazer or bobcat. I might try and get a cutting torch too but we will see.

[@garybrown9719]

I always factor in 2x time it always takes me twice as long as I think it is going to take

[@virtualmorality]

Amen

[@oldlincolnpipewelder]

Amen! I’m getting off myself the ground soon with my own side gig and your insight is very much appreciated! Even though I’ll be one of those guys with an engine drive only at first, it beats having a Trailblazer 302 sitting in the shed collecting dust..

[@adamw.6488]

engine drive is all a guy needs anyway, unless you're into aluminum you can weld everything with a 302 TB

[@wickedgarage]

i always estimate to the best of my abilities but i also always let the customer know, this is an estimate, if i find more things or need more material i will contact them, send pics, or have them stop by, their is always unknowns in every job, but i try to stick to my estimate or work it out with them, they appreciate the honesty and understand most of the time, but you also may get customers that dont understand and get disappointed, try to do the best you can, understand your expenses, dont cut yourself short, stick to your guns, never be a nice guy all the time, you will be taken advantage of! my father lost alot of money being a nice guy and they WILL take ADVANTAGE of you and your work! Just a quick statement from another small welding and fabrication company in NJ

[@johnnyconcrete5257]

I’m England coded welding pipe work my lads labour is £50 an hour then 40 %, materials is between 40-45% Any design is charged, ndt or coatings marked up and data packs charged at an admin fee

[@nannesoar]

7:51 BOOM! Golden wisdom, thank you Anthony🤘

[@johnkizziah108]

I had a mobile welding business in the early 70s (farm ranch area) I charged 75 hrs. Charged for fuel and equipment cost for travel time. Didn't charge for unloading and loading tools. Had the customer (if available) keep track of time. Unconditional guaranteed on my work if it broke repair was free..sold the business just didn't want to spend 7 days a week workin.

[@justintasht1067]

Fantastic video and a great help to me. All of your videos are helping me to start my own welding business hear in the uk fantastic tips and advice you give massive respect to you your help and your work you do.all ways look forward to your videos 👍👍👍

[@silentpoet75]

One thing I heard Jody say in a podcast is look at the auto shops in your area. As a welder your skill is not any less than a good mechanic. I even asked a plumber who came in to my day job what rate he gets. Just some ideas if you don't have good resources in your area. Might not get an exact number, but should put you in the ball park of what your area will pay.

[@masongreen2284]

Anthony I really appreciate what you do for all of us! Thank you brother

[@Geffearson442]

1.2 mill net over the course of 6 years All pretty much welding on garbage ( some alum/316 ss) One man operation Out of a 20 year old truck that could double for jeepers creepers I love watching Anthony keep getting better and better but something I told him many years ago you need to get out of that hourly mindset….There’s still a way to give your customers value and come under the big guys and still capture more profit than they were actually going to make…Without cutting corners… Get proficient in whatever industry is keeping you healthy…Keep your overhead low ( Trying to impress people with your rig and your fancy shit does not ensure quality work it just gets you further in debt) There’s much more to it that a lot of people don’t want to suffer….And I could be totally absolutely full of shit about the numbers I pulled in…. But what benefit would it be to me to sit here and throw crap like that around lol…… another fun fact is I’m currently doing 20% of what I used to do for somebody for 10 straight fucking years for 35 an hour within the first year of working for myself I had more in my savings not including assets I obtained… than I did working for 10 years Making somebody else rich

[@DonnyBwelding1]

Great explanations! Thank you for laying this down .

[@wrenchbender01]

Any ”oh by the the way since you’re here” is a signed quote increase. Often after that the customer says you said it’d cost x$ then you say you added this, this and that to the job.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

if you can do it without wait time or increased cost on material, the better you look. but I agree on the signed quote for sure

[@irelandssons]

Awesome bro a lot of younger guys need this info and hard love

[@carlgshock]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I like your videos.

[@youtubeisfullofspam7068]

Good man video man ! Here's another way to determine if you're not charging enough or charging too much. If you're getting every job you bid you're not charging enough If you're losing more jobs than you're getting you're too high .

[@michaelschulz4317]

Thank you, I've always been one to make those decisions on growth and I didn't mind kicking out of town hack competition but that was safety industry now its different. I've been known to charge as low as $45 an hour or just bid the job on what the work was worth because I felt that was the value of what they wanted and get my name out there. That news upset some good tradesmen they got over it fast not enough money. Advice taken to heart though. Btw welcome to Montana when you get here

[@horshak1]

Perfect. I just finished welding college and emailed my instructor”what do I charge” and never heard back I think you just explained why .

[@michaelschulz4317]

@@horshak1 I don't know if how I do business is at a disadvantage but the important thing is respect others and yourself and get out there you don't know tell your walking in those boots.

[@ypaulbrown]

what a great subject......thanks for explaining so well......cheers, Paul

[@DarkscytheHD]

i find this information valuable, in regards on how different each country is to Validation in accordance to your skillset, im a 28y/o Man from Sweden, i have the 6G , the HL045's on stainless and Carbon pipes ranging from 15mm Diameter up to 800mm after that its considering to go under a standard certification. i do Foodgrade, Sanitation, and Chemical. i Design all the pipe streets ranging from 10-100+ Meters. i do the calculations, Material and so on, i also do Titanium Pipe, Rarely, but its in there. i stack dimes on all my pipes, full Quality controll u name it. We make 16-18 bucks/hour after the currency exchange. and then we ofc have the royal swedish taxstate up our arse for 33% so 18 bucks x 0.67 thats our pay ^^

[@richardmedeiros1098]

I will pay you 30$ an hr american dollars. And give you a place to live if you can do all this certified under ISO 9002.

[@thomascraig3694]

Looking into going it on my own, thanks for the really useful info!

[@EtherGaming604]

You should be marking up materials at least 30%. That's the standard for almost any industry. I'm in landscaping and my material mark up is always 30% or more.

[@Peter-V_00]

I used to always figure in a cushion on actual material on site, keeps the coming up short in case something changes to a minimum.

[@EtherGaming604]

@@Peter-V_00 coming up short,mistakes,travel time, damaged material. I find 30% to be a fair buffer considering the risk a contractor takes.

[@choppergirl]

This is how you compute how much to charge them. 1. However much your 3rd grade teacher charged you to teach you the multiplication table; plus 2. How much your grandma charged you tput put a bandaid on yoru knee when you were eing a fool on a skateboard; plus 3. How much a librarian charged you ofr checking out that Cat in the Hat book when you were a kid; plus 4. How much that stranger charged you for directions when you were lost in a foreign coutnry; plus 5. How much your mom charged you to pop you out of her vag and feed and cloth you for 18 years. Add all that up, and that's how much you charge. I mean, after all, you invented welding, the process, figured out how to forge iron, how to turn it into steel,how to create electricity, how to distribute it across a network, you invented all that, right? You stand on the backs of giants, and everything you shht is not gold...

[@k-ris1921]

I charge a hourly rate of what i know i can make a comfortable living at. exotic metals have to charge a bit more for.

[@oscarborjon6112]

In Texas $70 an hour. Mobile

[@YEG26]

Appreciate the info man

[@Eden_Maker]

Wow Anthony. You have amazing content.

[@allenmcintosh1184]

Yalls are thinking way to small. You know what everyone else in my area charges?? I have no idea and I don't care. You figure what your overhead is, insurances, loans, rents, equipment, vehicles whatever can all be broken down to an hourly replacement rate over a year or 2 years. Figure 220 working days, what you need to pay yourself for labor and what your company needs to make for a profit. Now if you do all that and your the lowest guy around you need to raise prices. If your busy and booked weeks out, raise your prices, fuel goes up, raise your prices. A full on stupid amount of hard working guys spend way to much time steeling from their family's by not charging enough.

[@samuelscragg7052]

Good advice.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Glad you think so!

[@metalfab2449]

Ohhh yea this the one☝🏼 good lookin out brotha

[@curtislathrop]

Best welding videos love it

[@motivationbuilds6891]

Hey guys, i am also planning to start my own business. So i just need to ask when you guys get the power from? Do you keep your own power generator or use electricity from the customer 's sites ?

[@n0xi0u]

Im from europe so im really curious what your cost of living is and how many hours a week you usually work? I just started my own business like half a year ago work 40 hours a week welding and fabricating aluminum boats. Making around 6.5k us dollar a month. And around 1k for cost of living food/electricity etc.

[@drunkswithguns4124]

It varies wildly across the US. My area in small town Texas costed about 1k a month a couple years ago, its now up to about 2k a month for expenses. Inflation is ridiculous. I charge 65/hr and do alright, but welders are a dime a dozen here. I cant imagine how people can afford to live in major cities, I'd have to charge 250 an hour to live in New York

[@melvinmariott8609]

Yeah they asking me the same questions about that.

[@Skate.fabricate]

Keen!

[@evanfrucht]

Want to get your opinion on this; let's say if you got a call for an extended project that could take about a month or more and was a type of work you enjoy doing, would you charge less? I recently did, because I'm doing some rust repair and custom fabrication on a classic car and gave the guy a deal ($20off per hour) because of the amount of work needed, since at my normal rate it would add up quick and get quite costly. Now I'm wondering if that logic makes sense, lol.

[@randymack1782]

I was doing a lot of side hustle, for farmers, truck stops, trailer repairs, until a farmer tried to screw me over, I did it too quick, so he thought he was going to short change me, thought I was going to accept $25, for job, I had agreed to do for $100, this is over a decade ago, he supplied metal. when he got verbal demanding I accept his money & get off property, I got on phone, calling Biker friends, I told him he would be beat, maybe left for dead, when he realized I wasnt joking, he paid me full amount, but after that I quit, realizing I was ready to have someone beat or killed over $75, instead of going to court, I have only started doing light work in last few years, but that incident was over a decade ago, but my rage might still get best of me. so unsure if I can do things, so I dont really advertise, back then it was business cards I printed myself left at local farm stores, truck stop, and craigslist ads. I didnt do but a dozen or so projects last year, as I do fear myself, if someone tries to screw me over. I most commonly do auto-body sheet metal replacement or fab, that I know how to guess time, done it all my life, & I usually guess pretty close. but still have issues on any projects not related to cars. I can look at a trunk floor, floor pan, rocker panel & know pretty close, within 3 hours how long it will take start to finish. but to fab a stair, or cage for windows or door, yeah, im no good, I can build, but not good at pricing, or figuring my time

[@dennisisaac746]

That’s why they say what’s the going rate in area

[@Peter-V_00]

Be weary of working for competitors, it's not uncommon for them to give you work under their name while at the same time building their own reputation on your skill all the while bad mouthing you, happens too often. If you need the work be the specialty guy that does all the exotic stuff and make sure customers know you are "the guy" when it comes to exotics, I was that guy during my working days and was busy with good work making great money often for competitors in their shop because they bid entire jobs even though their crew came up short on talent.

[@ryanlangston439]

Here’s the only thing I found that I don’t agree with in the video is oh you charge 37 compared to 60 I’m not gonna double my price just so I can, that’s why it’s called competition if I can do just as good as work an the overhead costs I can maintain compared to the 60$ guy then I’ll lower my rates some cause in turn that will double my clients in theory

[@daywalker6847]

Thanks

[@BRadWilson3]

On large jobs, like the pole support replacement, do you make them pay a percentage first?

[@keenanmcgriff]

100hr has been good for me so far so I guess my work is worth it to them.

[@hashslinginhasher]

good advice

[@dennisisaac746]

There’s a saying you get what you pay for

[@chrisallen9154]

I find it annoying when people say they are going to start their own business and charge less until they get more experience. Fools! Go to work for somebody else until you have the experience you need. Nothing wrong with having somebody else pay for your education while at the same time you get to eat and pay bills. Go it on your own when you are really good and can charge top dollar. You may be surprised how busy you are going to be.

[@djmeta4]

Do you charge for materials with the consideration of having to buy 20ft lengths of material?

[@sagee425]

Big fax

[@bke4096]

Ayhay how much would you charge for a 40 foot handrail made of 2 inch pipe in Houston texas?.... No really dont take this serious.

[@frankLopez-zw2ui]

Nyc is almost the same scope

[@andypatterson7426]

So when you drive a long way to and from that's where your + 20% comes in so the actual job is 3 hours lets say 100 per hour and you drive 4 hours please tell me how you do your math

[@dtezthompson5034]

Do you charge a minimum @Meltin Metal Anthony ?

[@erikrobles5727]

Fuck what your competitors think or what their over head is if you can be profitable and make things work at a lower rate then good for you and so be it hopefully it turns into more work basically as a business owner your in it for the well being of yourself and your family don’t worry about the other guy!!

[@adamw.6488]

amen, i cant stand seeing guys looking for work offering full rig service for like $70/hour ( 90+ is standard here, 100+ if piping ). Drives me nuts.

[@anotherdumbwelder6219]

That’s the problem with everyone encouraging people to get into this industry… the price will be driven down as the industry is so over promoted

[@TheSingleAss]

How do you charge traveling to the place? I have a job coming that is 1 hour away and 1 hour back and it should be 1-2 hours of work . I told the guy I am going to charge him for the gas. and I feel like those 2 hours driving will be unpaid labour.

[@virtualmorality]

Got to charge a minimum charge. Say, "2 hour minimum)

[@krbassin2465]

Where in FL are you I'm a student welder

[@tomasalvarado207]

😎👍

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 👍🏼👍🏼 Approved

[@dennisisaac746]

You want a 15$ weld 0r the best

[@BRadWilson3]

I pay .50 cents for used steel in Dayton Ohio. What's everyone else pay?

[@ekkiseisenwerk260]

1€/kg mid of Germany

[@jake-mv5oi]

30 usually in eastern VA area last I bought, but it's been a while

[@i.parkinson7822]

Used/ drops/ scrap is going for .60 lb in Portland. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

[@frankLopez-zw2ui]

With a helper is 150 +

[@jaydentoucher6962]

Dude your a fucking beast love the vids

[@jeremiahkastner5445]

I'll be your huckleberry... :) *smokes non-chalantly*

[@dennisisaac746]

So why move across the country is there a better work market

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

florida is hot and crowded. im really not happy here anymore. I will miss my friends and customers dearly

[@dillanstainbrook1764]

Montana is where it's at oil field, shop work, mobile work and its s great place to live wish you the best of luck with your move Anthony. I've been in Wyoming for 11 years and absolutely love it

[@tiredcreekironworks8123]

Great video! Thanks for posting

[@georgelasala6588]

P.S SLDING RUE IN THIS ARE

[@kboostmobile6580]

$65 bucks an hour no more. I'm sick and tired of service people ripping people off a simple jobs. Don't like the payoff her go somewhere else and get paid

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Your out of your mind. Keep your day job

[@rogerrettinger3225]

If you lower your price and move out here to MT your will go broke.

[@frankLopez-zw2ui]

How much you charge lol

[@georgelasala6588]

811WELDING&SANDBLASTING $ 48 . 90 MY EQUTMENT IS PAY FOR AND IAM A FAB / GOOD& MANTC WELDER AND DID IT PRO FOR 40 YRS WITH LOCAL 40 IN NYC .