how much if ask a welder come to your home and weld a 2" length small metal plate?

[rScotty]

What I find interesting is the wide range of answers to the OP's original question. I wonder what is causing the difference? Age seems a part of it. The skill level is not high.

rScotty

 

[sixdogs]

I get asked to do "simple" or small grading tasks and you have to set a floor of prices or you'll be in a fools errand and be asked to do lots more small time wasters and money losers by countless others who wouldn't do the same for you.

In my biz, you aren't just taking an implement with you but hauling an expensive vehicle and trailer that requires insurance, fuel, depreciation and inherent liability for an accident on the way. You could damage a tree or make a rut in the yard. .

There is what's stated to be done but there will be unspoken prep work like getting things ready to do the job or stuff in the way or do this "while you're here" such as another small leveling or "hit this with your seeder". Plus job liability in that anything that goes wrong the owner will fully expect to be made whole at retail prices at a minimum. Scrape a 15 ft tree in a small way and the friend will want a new one R and R'd by another guy that sells trees and charges top dollar.


Long ago I waited 20 minutes for a guy to finish a cell phone call while I did him a favor. Another was a struggle collecting even a pittance fee.

No thanks to all of that because there's a line around the block of others wanting the same waste of your time.

If I do a job requiring a an implement with me, I charge $150-$175 for the first hour and then $125 to $150 an hour after. Plus materials used. For those who ask about small jobs I state the price right away and say it's too expensive and to do it yourself. That's actually the answer they expect. This has kept me out of the fray of sliding downhill and oddly enough, people that pay these amounts often want other much larger things done. Plus they give referrals that are pre-qualified since the people know the price, know the workmanship and know it's a business and not a help your friend effort.

 

[Observer82AB]

That being said, I am going to open a welding shop here at home for just such. I have the shop welders and a portable welder too. No one does the small jobs and there is a living to be made this way.

 

[rScotty]

B

That being said, I am going to open a welding shop here at home for just such. I have the shop welders and a portable welder too. No one does the small jobs and there is a living to be made this way.

Be careful. I did something like that and within two months needed to rent a building. Half a year later I was looking for a larger one. All because of looking for a weekend hobby.

In an era of sales and computers, there is a huge opportunity for people who simply do mechanical work.

 

[Yander]

I get asked to do "simple" or small grading tasks and you have to set a floor of prices or you'll be in a fools errand and be asked to do lots more small time wasters and money losers by countless others who wouldn't do the same for you.

In my biz, you aren't just taking an implement with you but hauling an expensive vehicle and trailer that requires insurance, fuel, depreciation and inherent liability for an accident on the way. You could damage a tree or make a rut in the yard. .

There is what's stated to be done but there will be unspoken prep work like getting things ready to do the job or stuff in the way or do this "while you're here" such as another small leveling or "hit this with your seeder". Plus job liability in that anything that goes wrong the owner will fully expect to be made whole at retail prices at a minimum. Scrape a 15 ft tree in a small way and the friend will want a new one R and R'd by another guy that sells trees and charges top dollar.


Long ago I waited 20 minutes for a guy to finish a cell phone call while I did him a favor. Another was a struggle collecting even a pittance fee.

No thanks to all of that because there's a line around the block of others wanting the same waste of your time.

If I do a job requiring a an implement with me, I charge $150-$175 for the first hour and then $125 to $150 an hour after. Plus materials used. For those who ask about small jobs I state the price right away and say it's too expensive and to do it yourself. That's actually the answer they expect. This has kept me out of the fray of sliding downhill and oddly enough, people that pay these amounts often want other much larger things done. Plus they give referrals that are pre-qualified since the people know the price, know the workmanship and know it's a business and not a help your friend effort.

Agree with this, and some of the worst cheapskates are the rich folks and that is why they are rich. Don't mean I'm here to make them more rich with my equipment.

That can/do include neighbors. I have a rule that I follow. It is simple for me, I do what I want to do. If I feel like charging I do, if I feel like doing it for free and I have time, I do. What I won't do, neighbor or otherwise is become someone's cheap hired GoTo.

Example, I have one neighbor who is about to turn 90. He has never asked me to plow his drive or shovel his stoop or clean in front of his mailbox. I feel like doing it for him so I do. He has offered me money every year and I always decline. He is rich and he is a cheapskate but I don't care. I have my reasons for not charging him. His daughter sent me a $50 gift card. I have no idea where it is, I haven't used it. Maybe my wife did.

For me tractoring is a hobby, I make a living otherwise. This is completely different for those who make a living at it.

Non-neighbors will not get those prices : )

 

[prairiegirl]

Hi everyone, I would like to have a investigation. How much if ask a welder come to your home and weld a 2" length small metal plate on the attachment you there? Not in China, but the cost for this service in the US.

That's small work for me, less than ten minutes. But not easy for someone doesn't know welding.

I don't have a number for you, but can tell you that they start counting time from leaving their place (sometimes even time for putting mobile welder on the truck) so you will not be paying for ten minutes.
You will be paying for a welder person, a welder machine, a truck, fuel, set-up,
It takes a lot of time do do a 'little job', including listening to you explaining what you want them to do.

 

[ddbackhoe]

That being said, I am going to open a welding shop here at home for just such. I have the shop welders and a portable welder too. No one does the small jobs and there is a living to be made this way.

Absolutely agree.

 

[ddbackhoe]

B

Be careful. I did something like that and within two months needed to rent a building. Half a year later I was looking for a larger one. All because of looking for a weekend hobby.

In an era of sales and computers, there is a huge opportunity for people who simply do mechanical work.

Dont forget to pay attention to the zoning issues too. A friend was doing ag repairs at his farm, next thing you know he’s got tri-axle dumps and heavy equipment in the shop (good for him). He got shut down pending rezoning approval. No repairs on anything until further notice.

 

[sixdogs]

That being said, I am going to open a welding shop here at home for just such. I have the shop welders and a portable welder too. No one does the small jobs and there is a living to be made this way.

Absolutely someone can make a living doing this if they are efficient and good managers. No one wants to discourage entrepreneurial efforts because we are Americans, that's what we do and I did it myself.


But let's think about that for a minute. Maybe a guy is charging a small amount in his shop. That's fine. But most likely it's without any liability or workman's comp insurance, on private property and in a private and depreciating building. Likely the cost of equipment is not figured in. Who is paying for all this?

The guy doing the work is. He's actually charging more but paying part of those fees and risks himself to arrive at the discounted rate. If all those amounts were figured in, the cost would be higher. Get burned or hurt your eyes and no insurance. Disabled; no comp. Burn the house down and some insurance policies won't cover that loss. The guy's kid--or your kid-- grabs something hot and the ER bill is $4000. Weld something to customer spec but it caused his car to crash and he says you welded it wrong. Prove otherwise and legal retainer is $10,000+ and that if you win same day. Infinity if not.


You can protect against a catastrophic loss with a high deductible for not that much. Make sure your insurance covers you if operating a business on premises. Get business and liability insurance and a "floater" so if the customer slips and falls you don't lose your house. Just a thought.

 

[ArlyA]

Let add. If everyone just needs a 2" weld and wants to pay you some minimal fee, you'll be broke asap. Then the folks who drive brand new Audi's, will me PO'd you asked $50 to do it. (not enough to survive)