As a hobby welder, you likely have a skill that could earn you money on the side.
Turning your garage workshop into a part-time welding business is an excellent way to generate extra income doing something you already enjoy.
All you need are the right tools, skills, and knowledge to get started.
In this article, you'll learn the basics of how to make money with a welding side hustle.
From determining your services and rates to marketing your business and building a loyal customer base, we'll cover everything you need to know to turn your welding passion into a profitable part-time venture.
With some time and effort, you can transform your garage into a space that works for you, allowing you to earn money doing what you love.
Assess Your Welding Skills and Equipment
To start a profitable welding side hustle in your garage, you'll need to ensure you have the proper skills and equipment.
Assess Your Welding Skills
First, evaluate your welding technique and expertise.
Can you perform basic welds like filet welds, butt welds, and lap welds? Are you certified in any welding processes like arc welding, gas welding, or mig welding? If not, consider taking a welding course at a local college or vocational school to build your skills.
You'll need to be highly proficient to produce quality work that will generate good reviews and repeat customers.
Obtain the Necessary Equipment
To work as an independent welder, you'll need some essential equipment:
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A welding machine like an arc welder or mig welder.
A multi-process welder that can handle steel, aluminum and stainless steel is ideal for most garage workshops.
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Welding helmet or welding mask for protection.
A helmet with an auto-darkening filter allows you to see your weld puddle as you work.
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Welding gloves to protect your hands from high heat and sparks.
Leather gloves with an insulated lining work well for most welding applications.
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Welding clothing like a leather welding jacket, apron and work boots.
Protective gear will minimize risks of burns, even from radiant heat and spatter.
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Other tools like welding pliers, wire cutters, chipping hammer, wire brushes, and clamps.
These tools help in preparing materials, setting up, and finishing welds.
With the proper skills and equipment in place, you'll be ready to start your own welding side hustle.
Market your services to local individuals, contractors, and businesses to build a loyal customer base and start generating a good income from your home garage workshop.
Research the Market for Welding Services in Your Area
To determine if there is demand for your welding services, you'll need to thoroughly research the market in your local area.
Examine classified ads and job sites
Look at sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and NextDoor for ads from individuals and small businesses seeking welding work.
Check job sites like Indeed, Monster and ZipRecruiter to see what kinds of welding jobs companies are hiring for.
This will give you an idea of the specific welding skills and certifications in highest demand.
Contact local machine and fabrication shops
Reach out to local machine shops, fabrication shops, and manufacturing plants to inquire about their need for contract welders.
Let them know you're starting a mobile welding business and are available for overflow work or short-term projects.
They may be open to subcontracting work to you during busy periods.
Network at your local chamber of commerce
Attend networking events at your local chamber of commerce to connect with other small business owners and people in the manufacturing and construction industries.
Strike up conversations, share details about your new welding venture, and ask about their need for welding services.
Pass out your business cards and build relationships.
Research wages for welders in your area
Check sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, PayScale, and Glassdoor to determine average pay for welders in your city or state.
The going rates for certain welding certifications and skill levels will help you set competitive prices for your own services.
With some legwork, you can determine if launching a mobile welding business is viable in your area.
Analyze all the data to see if there are enough opportunities and a path to profitability before investing in equipment and supplies.
Do your homework, and soon you'll be ready to fire up your welding torch and get to work!
Determine What Welding Services to Offer From Your Garage
Once you have the necessary equipment and workspace setup in your garage, it’s time to determine what specific welding services you want to offer.
There are several options to consider:
Repair and Restoration Work
Many hobbyists and antique collectors need welding done to repair or restore metal equipment, furniture, signs, and more.
Offering repair and restoration work is a great place to start.
You can advertise this service to local collectors, hobbyists, and antique shop owners.
Fabrication and Custom Projects
If you have experience creating custom metal pieces, offer customized fabrication services.
This could include building railings, gates, awnings, sculptures, and any other metal structures for homes or businesses.
Promote this service to contractors, interior designers, architects, and homeowners in your area.
Production Welding
For those with experience in high-volume welding, production work may be an option.
This involves repetitively welding the same or similar pieces to fulfill large orders.
You’ll need additional equipment and space for this type of work.
Market to local metal fabricators, equipment manufacturers, and construction companies that may need welding assistance for major projects.
Mobile Welding
Offering mobile welding services means traveling to your clients to weld on-site.
This requires equipment that can be transported in a truck or trailer.
While convenient for clients, mobile welding may limit the types of projects you can accept and reduce your overall productivity.
Target farmers, machinery operators, and others with welding needs in rural or hard to access locations.
The key is to start with the welding services you feel most comfortable and experienced providing.
You can then expand your offerings over time as your skills and client base grow.
Choosing a focused set of services will make it easier to market your new welding side hustle and better meet your customers’ needs.
Price Your Welding Services Competitively
To make money welding in your garage, you need to determine competitive yet profitable rates for your services.
As with any new business venture, do some research on the going rates for welders in your area.
Check sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for national and local median wages for welders and welding technicians.
You'll want to price on the higher end of the range, since you're offering a specialized skill and the convenience of welding services right in the customer’s garage or on-site.
However, don’t price yourself out of the market.
Offer an initial consultation to assess the needs and scope of each welding job.
Provide the customer an accurate estimate for time and materials so there are no surprises.
Charge by the hour or by the project
For small repairs and jobs, charging an hourly rate, such as $50 to $100 per hour, is common.
For larger, more complex projects, charge a flat project fee.
Either way, be very clear in your initial estimate regarding exactly what’s included and not included in the price.
Specify if there are additional fees for materials, equipment, or travel.
Offer discounts and package deals
To increase business and return customers, consider offering first-time customer discounts, bundled services at a lower overall price, or loyalty programs.
For example, offer 10% off for first-time customers or charge $400 for 10 hours of welding services versus $500 if purchased separately.
These types of incentives and deals will make you more competitive and appealing to potential garage welding customers.
Accept a variety of payment methods
Make it easy and convenient for customers to pay you.
Accept cash, checks, credit cards, Venmo, PayPal or other digital payment methods.
Let your customers know all their options upfront before starting a job.
Quickly invoicing and accepting payment after completing a welding project will ensure you get paid in a timely manner for your services.
By pricing competitively, offering deals and discounts, accepting various payment methods, and providing professional estimates and invoices, you’ll build a successful welding side hustle in your garage.
With some experience, you can charge higher rates and take on more complex, customized welding projects.
Market Your Garage Welding Business Locally
Once you have the skills and equipment to start welding as a side business, it’s time to find customers.
Focus your efforts locally to build up your reputation and client base.
Here are some tips for marketing your garage welding shop in the neighborhood:
Build a Website
Create a simple website to establish an online presence for your welding business.
Include details about your services, experience, and certifications.
Post photos of projects you’ve completed.
A website gives potential customers a place to learn more about what you offer before contacting you.
Network
Attend local community events like chamber of commerce mixers to network and spread the word about your welding services.
Meet business owners and hand out your business cards, flyers, or brochures.
Join relevant social networks and Facebook groups to connect with others.
Look for opportunities to help people in the community with your skills at a discounted or donated rate to raise your visibility.
Advertise
Place ads in community Facebook groups, Nextdoor, local newspapers, and the PennySaver.
Sponsor related podcasts, blogs, or YouTube channels.
Put a sign in your front yard and flyers on community boards advertising your welding shop.
Offer promotions and discounts to attract new customers.
Build Relationships
Develop ongoing relationships with local businesses like hardware stores, machine shops, contractors, and metal fabricators.
Ask if they’ll display your business cards or flyers.
See if they’ll refer customers to you for side jobs they can’t do themselves.
Provide discounts and promotions for their referrals and loyal customers.
Satisfied customers and strong relationships with others in related fields will continue to drive new business to your garage welding shop over the long run.
Following these steps to market your welding skills and services locally will help establish your garage business in the community.
Don’t hesitate to start small and build up your reputation through high-quality work, customer service, and networking.
With time and dedication, you can turn your welding passion into a successful side hustle.
Create an Online Presence for Your Garage Welding Business
To establish your garage welding business, create an online presence to help promote your services, engage customers, and boost your visibility.
An active online presence will lend credibility to your new venture and allow people to find your business from the comfort of their home or mobile device.
Build a Website
Design a simple yet professional website to serve as a digital storefront for your welding shop.
Include details about your business, services offered, photos of work samples, customer testimonials, contact information, and your location.
Having a website gives your business a permanent home on the Internet and allows potential customers to learn about your shop.
Establish Social Media Profiles
Set up profiles for your welding business on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google My Business.
These channels are free to use and allow you to connect with customers, promote your services, post photos of projects, share updates, and build brand awareness.
Engage your followers by posting regularly and replying to comments and messages.
Claim Your Business Listings
Claim or create listings for your welding business on sites like Google My Business, Bing Places for Business, and Yelp.
Provide details like your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and services.
These listings will help your business appear in local search results and maps, making you easier to find.
Respond to any reviews on these sites to build trust and manage your business's online reputation.
Run Targeted Digital Ads
Once you have an online presence established, consider boosting your visibility through digital ads on Google, Facebook, and Instagram.
These platforms allow you to create ads targeted to people in your area who may be interested in welding services.
Digital ads are an affordable way to increase traffic to your website and drive new customers to your business.
With a comprehensive online presence and strategic use of digital marketing, you can attract new welding clients and turn your side hustle into a thriving full-time business.
An online presence will serve as a pivotal tool for establishing your new venture and achieving long-term success.
Set Up Your Garage for Efficient Welding Work
To weld efficiently in your garage, you’ll need to set up a proper workstation with the necessary safety gear and equipment.
Follow these steps to create an ideal space for your new side hustle:
Ventilation
Welding produces toxic fumes, so ensure your garage has adequate ventilation and airflow.
Open windows and use fans to pull fumes away from the work area.
Consider installing an exhaust fan to vent fumes outside.
Proper ventilation will make your work environment safer and prevent health issues from long-term exposure.
Fire Safety
Take precautions to avoid fire hazards.
Clear the area of flammable objects like rags, paper, and gasoline.
Have a fire extinguisher rated for electrical and grease fires easily accessible.
Never weld near flammable gasses like propane or oxygen tanks.
Protective Gear
Invest in a welding helmet, heat-resistant gloves, heavy work clothes, and safety glasses.
A welding helmet with a 10 shade lens protects your eyes and face from the intense heat and bright light of the welding arc.
Gloves and work clothes prevent burns, while safety glasses shield from sparks under the helmet.
Welding Equipment
For basic welding projects, you'll need a welding machine, welding rods or wire, clamps, and a grinder.
A multi-process welder allows you to perform MIG, TIG, and stick welding from a single machine.
Welding rods/wire, clamps, and a grinder are used to join and prepare metal surfaces.
Workbench
A sturdy workbench provides a place to secure your welding project.
Look for a fire-resistant table with a metal surface.
Clamp your workpiece to the table to keep it stationary while welding.
By following proper safety protocols and setting up an efficient workspace, you'll be welding successfully in your own garage in no time.
Take it slow, focus on quality, and build up your skills to start making money with your new side hustle.
With some practice, you'll be welding like a pro in your home workshop.
Establish Safety Protocols for Working in Your Home Garage
To work safely in your home garage, establish proper protocols to mitigate risks.
As a welding business owner, it is critical to prioritize safety for yourself, employees, customers, and property.
Ventilation
Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of toxic fumes.
Install an exhaust fan to pull air from the workspace and vent it outside.
Open windows and doors for cross-ventilation.
Consider wearing a welding respirator or mask, especially for prolonged welding.
Fire Safety
Take precautions to avoid fire hazards.
Clear the workspace of flammable materials.
Have a fire extinguisher rated for electrical and metal fires readily available.
Never weld near flammable gasses or liquids.
Proper Equipment
Invest in high-quality safety gear like a welding helmet, heat-resistant gloves, protective clothing, safety glasses, and steel-toe work boots.
A welding helmet with a flip-up visor allows you to easily switch between welding and grinding.
Auto-darkening lenses quickly transition between clear and darkened states upon arc-striking and extinction.
Designated Workspace
Create a designated welding area away from wood, fabrics, and other flammables.
Use a welding curtain or partition to shield the rest of the garage.
The floor of the workspace should be concrete or another nonflammable surface.
Electrical Safety
Ground all equipment to prevent electric shock.
Ensure proper wire gage for the amperage used.
Turn off the main power switch when equipment is not in use.
Inspect all cables, hoses, and connections regularly for damage before use.
Fume Extraction
Use a portable fume extractor or welding fume control system to remove airborne contaminants from the welding environment.
Place the extractor arm near the welding arc to capture fumes at the source.
Proper ventilation and extraction are essential for health and safety.
Following these best practices for working in a home garage will minimize risks and help establish a professional welding operation.
Be sure to also follow all local regulations regarding home businesses and welding operations.
Safety should be the top priority for any welding endeavor.
Manage Your Welding Side Hustle Finances and Growth
To effectively manage the finances and growth of your welding side hustle, you'll need to establish some best practices.
Track Your Revenue and Expenses
Keep records of all income from welding jobs and material or equipment costs to accurately determine your profits and losses.
Track things like:
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The number and types of welding jobs completed each week/month
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The revenue from each welding service offered
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Costs of welding equipment, safety gear, metal materials, electricity, etc.
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Time spent on administrative tasks like billing, marketing, and scheduling
By monitoring these metrics over time, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your financial performance.
For example, you may determine that you need to increase your rates, reduce costs, or streamline certain processes.
Set Financial Goals and Budget Accordingly
Establish short- and long-term financial objectives for your side hustle like saving for new equipment, paying off debt, or generating a part-time income.
Then, create a budget that allocates your revenue and available funds to essential priorities.
Try to keep your expenses below 70% of your income.
Review and revise your goals and budget regularly based on your financial records.
Reinvest in Your Business
Use a portion of your profits to reinvest in your welding venture.
Things like upgrading your welding equipment, expanding your metal shop, improving your website, or taking additional welding certifications can help increase your capacity, skills, and credibility.
But only reinvest what you can afford based on your budget and financial goals.
Consider Raising Your Rates
If you have a steady flow of new clients and strong reviews, you may want to increase your welding rates, especially if you haven't done so in a while.
But do so cautiously and strategically.
You may start by raising rates for your more specialized welding services first before increasing your base rates.
Be sure to also revisit your financial goals and budget to account for the additional revenue.
By diligently managing the financial aspects of your welding side hustle and making prudent investments in its growth, you can turn your passion into a profitable part-time or full-time endeavor.
But take it slowly and sustainably based on what works for your own personal situation and needs.
Conclusion
You have the skills, the tools, and the garage space to turn welding into a lucrative side business.
All it takes is initiative and dedication to get started.
Promote your services, build a portfolio of work, charge competitive rates, and provide high quality results for your customers.
Stay up to date with the latest welding techniques and safety standards.
With time and practice, you'll gain more experience, increase your rates, and bring in additional clients through word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
While it may seem daunting to start a side business on top of your day job, the rewards of being your own boss and increasing your income can make the extra effort worthwhile.
Take that first step and open the garage door.
Your welding side hustle awaits, and with the right motivation it could grow into a full-time and highly successful small business.
The opportunities are as endless as your ambition and creativity.
So fire up that torch and get to work—the next great welding entrepreneur could be you!
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