Welding cost

[Sublifer]

That was my point. There has to be some thought and preparation, and likely some jig making of some sort.

Now week before last I had a customer with a Bobcat that had worn out the tapers on the boom for the lower Bobtach pins. The only way to fix this is to cut out the old tapers and weld in new bushings from Bobcat. I quoted the customer 6 hrs., I wish it didn't take that long but from experience it does and I've done several but not the same model as my customer's machine. He thought my quote was a little high and decided he and his buddy would do it themselves. I understood, sometimes I don't get every job I estimate. So on a Sunday I get a call, hey Brian we can't find where the bushing is, we can't find a parting line, my buddy is afraid to do this. So I went to his place a couple of days later and was surprised to find that there was no bushing that was welded in, the taper was actually ground into the arm. I was even nervous about doing it now, I called my mentor who came out and basically told me not to be a wuss and to go ahead and cut a hole in the arm and weld the new bushings in. So I did, because of my apprehension, it took over 8 hrs instead of the 6 I quoted. I handed my customer a bill for 6 hrs. plus materials and he added a $100 to it because he knew it took more than I had counted on. He was impressed with my work and that I called somebody when I was stuck. He was very glad that they stopped when they did. He also appreciated that I stuck to my word.

That is a great story :thumbsup: It really gives me hope that some people still recognize what is right and what is well deserved. I've been on that other end myself on countless occasions. Getting quotes I thought was high and deciding to do it myself. I've always followed through and done it myself but it usually cost me nearly as much money and way more time than I should have spent on it. But at least I learned a lesson. Or maybe I haven't since I keep doing the same thing. Haha :laughing:

 

[RickB]

Apparently you can't read either.

I also said I only knew him as a working friend.

Read my previous post.

Come on now Rick, you know you got taken advantage of and probably got screwed over more than once. I will bet you whined and bitched just a little. Own up to it.

You can bet I have read every post in this thread. This isn't about how I react to getting screwed. It's all about how you reacted to a lack of success in cashing in on a relationship.

 

[J_J]

You can bet I have read every post in this thread. This isn't about how I react to getting screwed. It's all about how you reacted to a lack of success in cashing in on a relationship.

You are wrong again as usual.

I sure thought I told you to put me on your ignore list.

 

[Ken45101]

You are wrong again as usual.

I sure thought I told you to put me on your ignore list.

You TELL someone ELSE to put you on THEIR ignore list?:confused2: I think maybe this tells us a whole lot....

 

[Recoveryhill]

About 10 years ago, I ordered a BH bucket from Metkit. It was a kit with all parts cut to fit. 15 in bucket, and thought it was a good price.

I operated machine and welding job shops for years but it's been more than a few that I've been out of that business. I'm somewhat surprised it took you ten years to get pissed but no matter.

If this guy operates a shop, with insurance, and all the other business overhead that comes with the operation and was paying himself say $20 an hour, I would imagine that he'd need to bill at $50 or better an hour to cover the nut. While I didn't look at the bucket link, ten years ago $350 would have gotten you 7 hours work, +/-.

There are too many unknowns in what you provided to make a judgement. Were the welds single pass or multiple passes? Were there pin bosses that needed to be kept in alignment? Was there any need for hard facing in areas around teeth or elsewhere? Did the job end up "pretty" or not? How has the bucket held up since ten years use is now in the book?

I personally don't think it is a good idea to tag a "friend" for discounts in his core line of work. He either offers or you assume you are going to pay commercial rates and ask for an estimate.

 

[5030]

You know jack crap about nothing.

In as much as you have over 10,000 post to your credit, you should know that posting anything controversial will get varied answers.

Just 'cause you fleeced the little old lady don't make it right.:thumbsup:

Deal with it and move on.......

 

[Bilko]

I would say to high!

 

[weldermike]

I am doing some fab and welding for brother inlaw for his side business of lawn care and snow plowing! Shorten bar on a mower for the dolly he stands on, build 2 boxes for gas cans, and make a dolly system for plow to be pushed in garage. All metal and 4 casters are free no charge. What would you charge for the fab and welding?????

Use your best judgement!

 

[aczlan]

I am doing some fab and welding for brother inlaw for his side business of lawn care and snow plowing! Shorten bar on a mower for the dolly he stands on, build 2 boxes for gas cans, and make a dolly system for plow to be pushed in garage. All metal and 4 casters are free no charge. What would you charge for the fab and welding?????

I would agree on a price or a price range and a pricing method BEFORE starting work on it.

Aaron Z

 

[J_J]

This was part of the original post.

{ Just how does one charge for welding, by hours, inches of weld, time, type material, What all is included? }

Why all the bull sh** and whining about other things.

If you don't know the answers, don't even contribute to the post.

Only a few had any real knowledge about the question.

I already knew the answer about the over priced job.

As far as the car, I paid $300 more than the trade in price, so you know nothings, give it a rest, as you have not contributed anything worth while to the post.

To those that contributed to the application of the fees in welding, I thank you.

I already knew a lot of this data about welding, but wanted to ask some of you how you charge.

In my opinion, the welding fees are very variable as to who is welding, technique used, labor rate where you live, long time customer, short time customer, industrial welding or personal welding, friend, relative, freebies, transportation fee, etc

I am also sure that most don't add up the number of rods, or inches of wire feed, and the gas consumed.

Labor rate per hour, does that include everything, otherwise an out the door price.

Get an estimate. I understood it then and still do.

I didn't just get pissed about the welding job. I was really really pissed then, but lessons learned. It was a true story relating to welding fees. Again, why all the bull shi* People should know what to expect.

I use these forums to add what I can to help people. Some of you might try that.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Back about 10 years ago the rate for welding was 25 an hour in shop stick or mig. Mobile service was 35 to 40. Now its about 45 to 50 in the shop. I think the bucket if it was tacked in place already square and stick welded 10 years ago here would be about 75 to 100 at the most. I have a run a farm welding service sine I was 14 WHen I started out I was getting 18 an hour but that was small afternoon projects to support my habit. At the time I was the only one around with a welder in this community.


I have seen shops that charged more if the person had a newer car or boat or other thing that might be associated with a higher rate. For years here boat mechanics have charged 90 dollars an hour. I had a fried that got into welding and he fixed a cracked boat trailer frame. No boat on it or any thing just a mild steel traier and he charged a 2 hour minimum at 90 per hour to fix it as it was Boat related. TO me that was wrong he ground out the weld and burned 1 rod and charged 180 bucks.

I ve heard him broag on his minimum but I dont/ cant charge that for shop work. Im usuaually there and the tools are ready. I did have a minimum on a few things but to do a 3 inch weld or cut something off I generally get 5 to 10 bucks. Usually if its a friend we all help each other out and stay in a trade most of the time.

 

[brain55]

I'm always amazed by what other parts of the country charge for labor. Around here I'm cheap at $90/hr., most shops get $100-110/hr., Caterpillar is getting $135/hr. for shop labor. Even 10 years ago I was getting $75/hr.

 

[k0ua]

I'm always amazed by what other parts of the country charge for labor. Around here I'm cheap at $90/hr., most shops get $100-110/hr., Caterpillar is getting $135/hr. for shop labor. Even 10 years ago I was getting $75/hr.

But look at what a house cost in California, vs back here in Mo. At least a 4 to 1 difference, sometimes more.

James K0UA

 

[brain55]

But look at what a house cost in California, vs back here in Mo. At least a 4 to 1 difference, sometimes more.

James K0UA

True, my $2500/mo. mortgage payment for 1700 sq. ft. on an 8000 sq. ft. lot and $4.459/gal diesel are only a couple examples.

 

[k0ua]

True, my $2500/mo. mortgage payment for 1700 sq. ft. on an 8000 sq. ft. lot and $4.459/gal diesel are only a couple examples.

yeah see $1100 for 4000 sq foot on about 7 acre. The fuel is not that far off though..about $3.80 to about $4.15 for diesel. I am sure other commodities are a little higher out there, but you guys pay through the nose for housing.. but wages are lower here too.

James K0UA

 

[weldermike]

I usually go by when doing side work, what is this piece worth new, and what would make it reasonable for someone to pay me to fix vs. just buy new. Then I go above and beyond with finish work to dress it up, and got a customer for life. Just have to watch that customer/friend relationship.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I Think one of our shops that does work for us is at 85 or 90 an hour but he has alot of overhead being a mechanic and welding shop. Most welding shops are at 45 to 55 hour here. But then again the average house payment is 350 per month. My friend that has a large shop and doe dump trailer and other heavy repair his shop power bill is only 75 to 100 dollars per month. But 2 hours away in Mempis the same service is 85 to 90 per hour.

My basic rate is 35 per hour welding and 45 per our on the burn table. I do tend to charge a bit more picking up materials. I add about an hour on the bill if I have to go pick up metal.

 

[Ken45101]

I think the local weld shop rate here is $60/hr.

 

[J_J]

Thanks guys for posting the correct answer to the question, can you believe all the BS about this.

All I wanted was the welding rates across the country.

 

[5030]

JJ...

Did you really expect anything less.... On this site......:laughing: