Welding prices for truck repair

I installed base plates and top plates , tied rebar back when i could bend over , tilt walls are nice.
I know a Welder in Cadillac Mi , he stays busy in his shop by word of mouth , being a nice guy and a all around ace , he'll never be out of work.
There's a shop by me here in Cheeseland , the guys welding 4 wheel drive solar robotic clay pigeon launchers.

 

I worked for a company with an in-house welder who was one of the best I've seen. His side gig was surfacing the Fresh Kills Landfill equipment with Stelite.[sp]. He liked to sit on a stool welding our tank trailer suspensions with the arc near his leg...where they found the tumor.

But anytime someone working there, or for one of our tennants, getting a frame crack they would call in this one guy who paid us for 1/2 a bay for the day for his welding truck and the wounded tractor. by 3 o'clock, that frame looked new, was plated inside with suspension components re-installed...when I asked it shop foreman how much he just said...'if you have to ask.........'

Now that guy had his nitche.

 

I believe your story could act out like this:

You start small - doing local side gigs, and stuff for the guys here on TTR. Then you step up your game. You start trolling local truck stops offering custom work to obvious O/O's. Fast forward a couple months. You're on the Internet building custom boxes, dunnage/tarp racks. Clientele send measurements, and you build to spec. Few months later you hire your first hand, and start looking for commercial property.

After you turn down Iconic's bid to buy your company, you expand into your fifth state. You haven't picked up a welder in five years at this point. Best you can do with flame is light a cigar as you get on TTR and tell us what a bunch of plebs we are. Good luck!!!

 

Jesus, they're...beautiful. Right there is what you're supposed to be doing. Don't wait. Those pics are what you see on the Internet when people are showing off "walking the cup" tig welds. You really have talent.

WTF are you waiting for???!!!

 

incredible work man!

 

Nice welds. It’s hard to find a good Mobile or Welding Shop. I like the Mobile idea. Less Overhead to start out. Later if a Shops needed, you can grow. The 2 welders I have, one is Mobile. Other recently died, had 6 or 8 Employees. His Sons trying to keep it alive now, and make a profit. Years of charging too little has him inheriting a real challenge. You have a great skill. Charge appropriately, it’s worth it to most people. Don’t short change yourself. I’m rooting for the Son. He has a huge Customer base, all word of mouth. His Dad was a great Guy. Helped Me out a few times. I’d always give them $20 tip on $30 Job. No receipt needed. His prices were too cheap. Managed right, it’s a small gold mine shop. Fills a great need in an area of small Shops and folks like Me, with small projects and unique piecework. He repairs all kinds of stuff, Boat parts, Obsolete machinery, expensive pumps. You name it. Made a Custom tow hitch, for my Friends Trike. Good aluminum welders almost impossible to find. Just charge a high enough price, the Service will sell itself, through word of mouth.