Welding uses electricity, lasers, or fire to fuse two or more pieces of metal together. Welders either work from a dedicated shop, have mobile services, or both. Common welding jobs include repairing:

• Cracked wheels or rims
• Broken chairs or other furniture
• Bicycle frames
• Metal gates
• Exhaust pipes
• Cracked transmission or manifold

Different welding techniques are used on different metals. Most welders can work with the following materials:

• Steel
• Stainless steel
• Iron
• Copper
• Aluminum
• Cast iron
• Titanium
• Brass

Welders typically make $20 to $40 per hour or $40,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on location and experience. Underwater welding, rig welding, or other specialties often pay much more than standard welding.

Start by searching our list of welding contractors, then:

• Get at least three free estimates to compare.
• Examine reviews and previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
• Choose a company that is licensed, bonded, and experienced.
• Look for someone certified by the American Welding Society (AWS).
• Verify their insurance and warranty.
• Get a written estimate, contract, and warranty before work begins.
• Follow a payment schedule instead of making large payments up front.

After asking questions and verifying credentials, hire the best welding shop near you.

When looking for local welding shops, ask the following questions:

• How long have you been in business?
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• What certifications do you have?
• What metals do you typically work with?
• What kind of equipment and methods do you use in your shop?
• Do you offer mobile services if I can't transport my item to the shop?
• How do you handle any damage or accidents?
• How long will the project take?
• Do you offer a warranty for your work?
• Will you give me an estimate and contract in writing?

Welding costs around $50 to $125 per hour, depending on the difficulty of the project and the welder’s experience. This hourly rate includes more than just the labor rate. Most welders lump the cost for filler and base materials, welding equipment, electricity costs, and administrative overhead expenses in their hourly rate.

Smaller welding projects that use a fraction of the materials and a few minutes time often incur a minimum fee of 1 to 2 hours of labor to cover the welder’s overhead costs. Though not common with residential welders, some larger projects are charged per inch of weld, per pound of materials, or per unit based on the job difficulty.