How to Start a Welding Business

You know your way around a MIG or TIG — now you're wondering if it's time to go out on your own. Whether you're weighing up the opportunities which come as a contractor or going all-in as a business owner, there's more to welding self-employment than just laying clean beads. From insurance and quoting to marketing and management, here’s how to turn your welding skills into a solid business. 

For the best tool to grow your business, try Tradify free for 14-days!

Low on time? Skip ahead!

1. Choose your welding services
2. Decide: contractor, sole trader, or business owner?
3. Get certified
4. Structure your business
5. Set up your welding workshop (or mobile rig)
6. Tradify tools to save your wallet
7. Find and keep customers
8. Manage jobs & workflow
9. Grow your welding business

1. Choose your welding services

Before you register anything or invest in gear, get clear on what kind of welding work you want to specialise in — and what actually pays in your area. Your choice will largely depend on your expertise, but as you move forward in your business, making conscious choices based on your strengths, gear, and local demand makes it easier to price jobs, market your services, and become known for quality work.

2. Decide: contractor, sole trader, or business owner?

There are many ways to make money in the welding industry, without having to commit to the demands of running a business. Before you commit, it’s important to understand the advantages and challenges of each path.

Here is a basic breakdown of the options: 

1: Stay employed

Pros: 

• Reliable, steady income.
• Superannuation/pension, holiday pay, and fewer responsibilities.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility in schedule or job selection.
• Capped earning potential.

2: Work as a contractor

Pros: 

• Greater flexibility — choose when and where you work.
• Higher pay per job is often possible.

Cons: 

• Responsible for your own tax, insurance, and equipment.
• No job security or employee benefits.

3: Start your own business

Pros: 

• Full control over pricing, services, branding, and growth.
• Potential to scale, hire staff, and take on bigger projects.

Cons: 

• Requires upfront investment and time to build momentum.
• Ongoing responsibility for admin, compliance, and cash flow.

Tradify tip: Many welders choose to contract for a while first — it’s a smart way to gain independence and test the market before going all-in with a business.

Not sure if you're prepared? Check out our blog: Am I Ready to Start a Business?

3. Get certified

You might already have years of welding experience, but running a business adds in in a lot more responsibilities and legal requirements. Depending on where you’re based, you’ll need to meet different certification, licensing, and insurance requirements including;

• Australia
  • Certs: Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade & AS/NZS ISO 9606.
• New Zealand
  • Certs: NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) & AS/NZS ISO 9606.
• UK
  • Certs: NVQ Level 2/3 Welding, ISO 9606 or BS 4872 compliance.
• USA
  • Certs: Welding cert (e.g. AWS D1.1) depending on the job and state.

Tradify tip: Sorting this admin early saves headaches later. It also helps build trust with customers, especially when you’re quoting on structural or safety-critical jobs.

4. Structure your business

Once you've got your services and qualifications sorted, it’s time to lay the groundwork for actually running your business. This step isn’t as flashy as buying new gear but it’s what keeps jobs flowing, invoices getting paid, and your business above board.

Here’s what to tick off:

Pick a business structure

Depending on your location, this could be:

• AU/NZ
  • Sole trader, partnership, or limited company (Ltd).
• UK
  • Sole trader or limited company (Ltd) via HMRC or Companies House.
• US
  • Sole proprietorship, LLC, or S-Corp (register with your state and the IRS).

Register for tax

• UK
  • Register for self-assessment and possibly VAT if income exceeds the threshold of £90,000 (updated 2024) 
• USA
  • Get an EIN from the IRS for tax and banking purposes. Some states also require sales tax registration.
• Australia
  • Apply for an ABN, and register for GST if you expect to earn over $75k.
• New Zealand
  • Get an NZBN and register for GST if earnings are over $60k.

Open a business bank account

Keeping your business finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax time easier and helps you look more professional when clients pay invoices.

5. Set up your welding workshop (or mobile rig)

Whether you're planning to operate from a dedicated workshop or offer mobile welding services, setting up your workspace to suit how you work best is crucial.

Workshop setup:

• Ventilation & safety: Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated and able to handle fumes. All spaces also must be equipped with appropriate fire safety measures.
• Fume extraction systems: Use local exhaust ventilation or portable fume extractors, especially for enclosed spaces or heavy-duty work.
• Fire extinguishers: Keep an appropriate extinguisher (Class D for combustible metals, or CO2/dry chemical for general use) easily accessible.
• First aid kit: Stock a first aid kit specifically equipped for burns and eye injuries.
• Clear escape routes: Ensure exits are unobstructed and emergency plans are visible and understood.
• Safety signage: Display welding hazard signs, PPE reminders, and emergency contact details.

Mobile welding rig

• Vehicle selection: A van or trailer with sufficient space to house your equipment securely.
• Equipment mounting: Securely mount your welding machines and gas cylinders to prevent movement during transit.
• Power solutions: Consider portable generators if on-site power isn't available.
• Tool organisation: Use storage bins and racks to keep tools organised and easily accessible

Equipment

• Welding machines: Depending on your services, you might need MIG, TIG, or Stick welders.
• Workbenches: Sturdy tables with clamps to hold materials securely.
• Storage solutions: Organise tools and materials.
• Power supply: Confirm that your electrical setup can handle the load of your welding equipment.

6. Tradify tools to save your wallet

One of the fastest ways new businesses lose money? Underquoting. Welding might feel second nature to you, but your time, gear, and expertise need to be priced right — or your margins will melt faster than a tack weld on thin plate.

Let’s break it down:

• Labour time: Be realistic about how long each job takes, including prep and clean-up.
• Materials: Don’t forget to include gear like rods, wire, gas, grinding discs, and PPE.
• Overheads: Workshop rent, vehicle costs, insurance, admin tools — they all add up.
• Profit margin: Add a buffer to ensure you're not just covering costs, but growing your business and generating financial security.

Use tools to do the maths:

• Profit Margin Calculator: See if you're charging enough to stay in the black.
• Charge-Out Rate Calculator: Work out your ideal hourly rate based on expenses and income goals.
• Materials Markup Calculator: Don’t forget to mark up what you supply — not just your time.

Quoting made easy:

Once you’ve got your pricing sorted, you’ll need to present it to customers clearly. Tradify’s quoting software lets you create professional estimates quickly — and even gives customers options to approve online.

Tradify tip: Track which types of work are most profitable, and don’t be afraid to adjust your prices if demand (or costs) change.

Extra tools: 

• Welding Business Plan Template: Outline your business goals and setup requirements. 
• Welding Estimate Templates: Create professional estimates for your services. 
• Welding Job Card: Keep track of job details and materials used.

7. Find and keep customers

Getting your welding business off the ground means more than just delivering quality work, you need to attract clients and keep them coming back. 

Get found online

• Set Up a Google Business Profile: Ensure your business appears in local searches by creating a Google Business Profile. 
• Leverage social media: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for showcasing your work. Share before-and-after photos of projects, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Optimise your website: If you have a website, make sure it’s mobile-friendly, includes clear contact information, and highlights your services. Incorporate keywords related to your welding services to improve search engine visibility. Or, use Tradify's Instant Website feature and get online in less than 10 minutes. 

Check out tips for marketing your business here. 

Offline marketing

• Branded vehicles and clothing: Turn your work vehicle and clothing into mobile advertisements. A well-designed logo and contact information can catch the eye of potential clients. Tradify offers insights on vehicle wrapping ideas for tradespeople.
• Business cards and flyers: Distribute these at local hardware stores, community centers, and events. They’re tangible reminders of your services.

For more strategies, check out Tradify’s article on offline marketing strategies for small businesses and tradespeople.

Email marketing

• Build a contact list: Collect emails from clients and interested individuals to keep them informed about your services.
• Send updates: Share newsletters with project highlights, promotions, or tips related to welding.

Text message marketing

• Encourage Customer Reviews and Referrals
• Use texts to send appointment reminders, special offers, or quick updates to clients. 
• After completing a job, ask satisfied clients to leave reviews.
• Offer discounts or small rewards to clients who refer new customers to your business.
• Display positive reviews on your website and social media to build trust with potential clients.

For additional tips on growing your trade business, check out Tradify’s article on how to grow your trade business.

8. Manage jobs & workflow

When things get busy — and they will — having a solid system for quoting, scheduling, and staying on top of jobs is what separates a professional welding business from a chaotic one. The last thing you want is to miss a booking, double up on appointments, or forget to invoice a job. Here’s how to keep things humming:

Keep jobs organised

• Use job management software to track work from quote to completion.
• Assign tasks, manage materials, and keep notes all in one place.
• Tradify’s job management software was built for trades — including welders — to simplify admin and give you more time on the tools.

Stay on top of your schedule

• Tradify’s scheduling gives you a real-time view of what’s booked — and lets you easily slot in new jobs or reassign work if plans change.
• Need help on-site? Assign tasks to subcontractors or team members with a few clicks.

Keep communication clear

• Customers don’t like being left in the dark.
• Use automated reminders to confirm appointments and send updates.
• Tradify lets you communicate with clients via email or SMS (in available regions), all within the app — no more jumping between platforms.

Quote & invoice without the paperwork pile-up

• Once the job's done, the cash should flow — not get stuck behind admin.
• Create professional quotes, convert them into jobs, and send invoices in just a few taps.

9. Prioritise safety 

Welding is no joke when it comes to safety. You’re dealing with extreme heat, flammable materials, high-pressure gases, UV exposure, and heavy-duty equipment — often all at once. Staying safe isn’t just a legal obligation, it’s what gets you home in one piece at the end of the day.

Essential PPE for welders

At a minimum, make sure you and anyone working with you has:

• An auto-darkening welding helmet
• Flame-resistant clothing (wool or treated cotton — not synthetics)
• Heavy-duty gloves
• Steel-capped boots
• Respirators (especially when welding galvanised steel or working in enclosed spaces)
• Ear protection, depending on your work environment

Follow regional safety regulations

• Australia & NZ – Follow AS/NZS 4836 and Safe Work Australia / WorkSafe NZ guidelines. Ensure your site has a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a clear safety plan.
• UK – Comply with HSE welding guidelines, including ventilation requirements, fume extraction, and PPE.
• USA – OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q outlines safety rules for welding, cutting, and brazing. You will also need to meet NFPA 51B standards.

Need to keep records or run regular safety chats? Use Tradify’s free Toolbox Talk Template to make it easy.

Stay prepared

• A fire safety plan and extinguishers
• Regular maintenance and inspection schedules
• A process for reporting and tracking incidents (Tradify’s Incident Report Template can help with this)

Tradify tip: Running a safe, compliant business protects your team, impresses clients, and helps you win more work on commercial sites.

10. Grow your welding business

Once your welding business is up and running, the next challenge is building something sustainable and scalable. Whether you want to stay solo and boost profits or grow into a full crew, it’s all about making smart moves as you go.

• Track what’s working (and what’s not)
• Use software to keep tabs on which jobs are the most profitable.
• Identify time-wasters, underpriced services, or clients who are always paying late.
• Expand your team when ready, hiring even one person can double your capacity — but only if you’re organised.
• Create clear job roles and expectations. Use Tradify’s Job Description Template to get started.
• Once you’re managing others, performance reviews help keep things on track.

Diversify your services

Once you’ve nailed your core offering, look at branching out — maybe into CNC cutting, stainless fabrication, powder coating, or steel supply.

You could also explore partnering with builders or fabricators, or subcontracting on larger jobs.

Keep improving your systems

If admin is still eating your evenings, it’s time to automate. Tradify can handle quoting, scheduling, job tracking, timesheets, invoicing — even customer follow-ups.

Try it for free with a 14-day trial or try a free demo.