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

sixdogs · May 21, 2023

Here's a secret so mum's the word.

When a neighbor or whatever corners me into doing something, I probably will do it. When I'm done and they ask how much I always say "whatever you think" and let it go. In every instance but one I've been paid more than I would have asked of them. They're happy, I'm less un-happy and everyone wins.

paulsharvey · May 21, 2023

Neighbor and me where talking about side jobs a few weeks ago; he got a call form a friend, asking for a 3rd party asking for price per day to help pour and finish concrete, labor and his hand tools only. He said $400/day. The friend told him he was cheating himself; he said $1200 for 2 days. Neighbor told me, he prices his time at his day job x 1.5 (cause he could just work OT at day job); or free if it's a beer/work/beer/food/work/beer kinda thing for a direct friend. He helped me with my porch, I helped him with his pool barn, ect.

RandR10 · May 21, 2023

If you brought it to me and it wasn't something critical, I'd say 50 bucks. If it's for a lifting implement or critical component of a road-going vehicle you might not be able to pay me enough to touch it.

varmint · May 21, 2023

2515R Dude said:
different parts of US different prices. In Silicon Valley, CA no one is going to look in to your direction for less than $800, just to begin with.

I learned to weld, with flux core mig welder it is easy. $200 HF welder, welding mask $25-50 and other things around another $50-100
For $300-400 i'm set for life.

Sounds like a plan! I'm troubled by how much people charge for their work these days... I know the cost of living has skyrocketed, but we're not talking about brain surgery, are we? Seems like the cost is prohibitedly high unless you are a corporation, writing it off.

paulsharvey · May 21, 2023

Auto mechanic is $110/hr; heavy equipment mechanic is $175/hr; that's at their shop, during their regular hours, and they are busy, so dont expect them to squeeze you in this afternoon. Would guess mobile heavy mechanic, with service truck is probably $250/hr. Can't expect anyone to bill less than a hour for anything. Not saying a 2" weld would take an hour, but prep, weld root, clean, weld capx2; clean; prime. That's not 5 minutes. What's an oil change cost at a lube place on your car? I do my own, but company vehicle (an explorer) is like $120 for an oil change.

Alan46 · May 21, 2023

I just had a very talented mobile diesel mechanic come and R & R my injector pump he gets 120. An hour with a two hour minimum plus travel both ways it cost 360 each time, he was very good! Works on big stuff mainly. His truck is loaded with everything he needs, crane, welder etc

Edstir · May 23, 2023

Interesting subject. I was pulling my boat with my new 81 Toyota pickup and the bumper spot welds broke. I came across a Kentucky residential mail box that had a welding sign below. I asked if he would weld my bumper and don't worry about the chrome. He used stick after stick and only charged me $10 dollars. Long time ago. I took night welding classes way back in the 60's and still have my first welder I use from time to time. I needed a antenna tower base and the local weld shop cut me two 20"x20" 3/8" thick steel plate for $20. That was about 8 years ago. I got lucky deals. I know they would have to have profitable work to subsidize charitable work for guys like me.

sixdogs · May 24, 2023

Edstir said:
Interesting subject. I was pulling my boat with my new 81 Toyota pickup and the bumper spot welds broke. I came across a Kentucky residential mail box that had a welding sign below. I asked if he would weld my bumper and don't worry about the chrome. He used stick after stick and only charged me $10 dollars. Long time ago. I took night welding classes way back in the 60's and still have my first welder I use from time to time. I needed an antenna tower base and the local weld shop cut me two 20"x20" 3/8" thick steel plate for $20. That was about 8 years ago. I got lucky deals. I know they would have to have profitable work to subsidize charitable work for guys like me.

I think there's a kindness among rural people to others in distress not of their own making. Especially rural people that have it tough themselves and likely had it lots tougher when they were younger. All rules are out when helping someone in need and you do what you need to and that's part of the fabric of life. You just help people in need.

I think this is true everywhere but I've met some of the nicest people from Kentucky. I had a stranger help me with unloading a tractor tire when I was obviously in need. A cop at a routine traffic check took the time to call my insurance agent to verify I had coverage when I couldn't find the card. A business man who got it the dirt with me to help with a good deed neighbor project we were doing and stayed around for cleanup.

If someone helps me like this and cuts me a big $$ break, I always give them more than they ask. Likely they need or could use and it's a gesture of kindness in return.

5030 · May 24, 2023

sea2summit said:
I wouldn’t even show up for less than $150, that’s if it’s pretty close. The actual cost to weld would be figured out in addition to that but if the customer did all the prep and it was ready to weld it would probably be another $50. If I have to prep it could easily be another $150. Basically $300 to show up and work for an hour, after that it’s probably $50-75/hr depending on the work.

Engine drives are expensive, I know, I own one (Lincoln AC-DC).