Business welding work. Opening a welding business

Tired of working for "uncle". Give me a business idea. I did a little welding, maybe something in that direction? Maybe a welding shop or something related? Where to begin? What equipment needs to be purchased?

The first thing you need to pay attention to is your experience as a welder, preferably in this business yourself, so as not to rely on more experienced employees. You should not assume that investments will decide everything; you will lose money very quickly if you do not understand the business you are doing.

The welding shop may be too loud. It is advisable to start with smaller-scale enterprises: open a site that will provide certain welding services. You can also expand your customer base by providing welding services such as cutting, coating, bending, but more on that later.

If it’s still a workshop, start with market research. Too much competition can negatively affect the development of your business, although you can combat this with low prices for services and a higher quality of work performed. You will have to endure the need for a long time, tightening your belt tighter and rolling up your sleeves higher. But after a while you will have regular customers and a positive reputation. Add additional nice services like free shipping, warranty service, etc. and your success is guaranteed.

Find an activity, which is in demand, but not fully satisfied by existing firms, it should be in demand all year round and around the clock, and not a random single order. If you have a creative streak, you can offer a completely new service/product that is popular with consumers. An exclusive product that no one else produces will provide you with quick profits.

Decide whether you will work at a stationary post or practice traveling.

What specific types of activities can there be?:

  • Repair of metal products and production from scratch from own or client’s metal of various household products: boiler equipment, various buleryans, potbelly stoves, barbecues, etc.;
  • Large municipal order for the installation of water supply systems;
  • “at home”, when the service station is far away, and the customers, as a rule, are people they know well;
  • On-site work, assistance in country house construction: connecting fittings, stairs, etc.

Once you decide on the type of activity, you will need purchase equipment:

  • Gas cutting (stationary or mobile station) will be required for rough cutting of metal, for example, scrap;
  • Plasma cutting will be needed when performing more delicate work.
  • Certain specific activities may require the apparatus;
  • For work, for example, body repair, you will also need a spotter for straightening metal;
  • For simpler services, such as welding a fence, canopy, gate hinges, etc., you will need an inverter for manual arc welding. You can purchase a machine for household welding; it is cheap, but for large volumes of work it is not suitable due to its low and short service life (since the assembly is very economical). For more effective work, it is better to purchase a device of the mid-price category such as Svarog or Aurora (check out the assortment in), they have improved technical characteristics and the function of operating in argon arc welding mode.
  • As related services, you can practice using special services. burners with a hopper even in a garage, pipe bending operations and other rolled metal (for the production of children's swings or exercise equipment, for example), as an aid to specialists who are engaged in apartment renovation, etc. and so on.

Explore features of taxation in Russia, without understanding all the nuances, problems with further development may arise. Be also careful with loans; instead of profit, you can end up with serious debts with all the ensuing circumstances. It’s better to collect the required amount from your main job (logically, you should work as a welder), from your gigs, or borrow money from your place of employment.

On the basis of the above draw up a business plan. Take into account what is not taken into account in the article, as well as some unforeseen circumstances (for example, the likelihood of natural disasters or long-term repairs to the only road leading to your car service, etc.). This is one of the most difficult points in the “program” for creating any enterprise, since everything needs to be calculated, future potential customers, and estimated volumes of work must be determined.

Try to think objectively, so as not to overestimate your strengths, think very carefully before you begin to implement your plan. Owning your own business is like playing a game of chance: you hit the jackpot, the biggest win, or you get into debt.

Many things surprise some people because they seem inexplicable. And above all else on this ladder of amazingness is welding. The idea of ​​connecting two parts into a monolith, into one whole, with one touch seems truly magical. When moving along the path of life, more than once you have to start mastering different skills and abilities: first, usually, soldering with “soft” solder is conquered, then ideas for jewelry soldering with “hard” silver solder come, but at the same time, the ideas of welding remain at their unattainable shining peak !
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Just recently...

There were several reasons for this. Firstly, until recently, the welding business (despite all its magic) was a rather unsightly sight: huge, heavy transformers that absorbed so much current that the electrical networks of our garages and apartments could not stand it and burned. And if the networks could stand it, then the neighbors could not stand it - very few people might like a strongly flashing light and a roaring refrigerator. This entailed the need to strengthen electrical networks, lay powerful cables to the place where the business was supposed to start, or this place itself had to be located in industrial premises. Secondly, there was not much welding equipment on the market, and the prices for it were, as they say, “biting.” And finally, thirdly, any person on the street could not just pick up a welding mask, an electrode, and start cooking. It took quite a long time to master the techniques of this “magic” under the guidance of an experienced “magician”.

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Current situation

In all the above aspects, our dynamic times have brought improvement, simplification and cost reduction. Modern inverter welding machines (inverters) can weigh less than 4 kg (previously, a welding transformer weighed 30 kg or more). A welding inverter is much more loyal to electrical networks - it doesn’t “waste” them so much and may well be satisfied with the household networks of apartments and holiday villages (neighbors can only scold, but are unlikely to “climb the barricades” due to minor fluctuations in illumination, or even not at all). will notice). This is achieved due to the fact that the welding inverter implements the idea of ​​converting current through high frequencies, which, in turn, minimizes losses and increases efficiency to 93-98%. And high-capacity capacitors allow the welding inverter to accumulate energy and smooth out pulses of current consumption from the network.

Our friends from China, and local manufacturers (albeit to a lesser extent), in the competition for the buyer, have brought the cost of a welding inverter (together with a simple mask, electrode holder and ground terminal) to an incredible 85-100 US dollars. Moreover, some online stores manage to include delivery to another locality in this price using courier delivery companies (tested from personal experience!). It should be noted that if at first, when welding inverters first appeared on the market, they were significantly more expensive than welding transformers, now the prices are almost equal.

And finally, you don’t have to worry as much about acquiring skills as you used to. According to reviews from welders (both experienced and newbies), it is much easier to start welding with a welding inverter: the welding electrode does not stick as well, and the liquid metal from the “bath” does not splash as much. (“Bath” is the area of ​​the part being welded under the electrode, in which the metal melted and became liquid under the action of an electric arc.) As a result: to obtain a weld of a certain quality using a welding inverter, you need to spend much less skill and perseverance.

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Welding inverter: now a little about the disadvantages

For the sake of fairness, it is necessary, of course, to note the shortcomings of modern equipment. They, as often happens, are an organic continuation of its advantages. Since the welding inverter is a complex electronic device, its reliability is lower compared to a conventional welding transformer. This is understandable: there is nothing special to break in the transformer - it can only be “burnt” with high current. While the welding inverter contains several electronic switches that operate with high currents and voltages, high-voltage electrolytic capacitors of large capacity. All these elements have limited reliability (H<1), которая к тому же имеет тенденцию к спаду с течением времени. А общая надежность системы, как известно, является произведением надежностей входящих в нее элементов…

But this fly in the ointment cannot greatly spoil our impressions of the tremendous leap that welding has made recently, and will not obscure the truly impressive prospects for welding’s entry into the industry. You just need to comply with certain conditions: carry out technical regulations on the equipment more often - simply clean the insides of the welding inverter from dust (dust inside the case is the main “enemy” of the welding inverter, since it contributes to the formation of an electric arc between high-voltage components). In terms of a business plan, this, of course, imposes restrictions in the form of the need to take into account increased depreciation charges and equipment repair costs. But there is no business without expenses: the main thing is that they are justified.

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Where to begin?

If the idea of ​​bringing welding services to the masses has already taken hold of you, and you are moving on to the stage of directly selecting the material part, then the following considerations about the selection criteria will be of interest to you. Firstly, the main parameter of a welding inverter is the maximum welding arc current. If you are focused on using it with a connection to household networks, then the optimal choice would be a device with 165 A from more honest manufacturers and 200 A from less honest manufacturers. In real conditions, these devices will be able to deliver 160 A to the load (arc), which will allow you to confidently weld with an electrode with a diameter of 3 mm (3.2 mm). With this you can cover 90% of the tasks facing welding equipment as such.

It is clear that on a more powerful device you can set the power below the maximum, but the idea of ​​​​taking a device with a power reserve in this case is hardly justified, since a device with 250-300 A will cost more, and using it at maximum power when connecting to a household network will be problematic. In most cases, industrial facilities use 25 A emergency shutdown circuit breakers, and for a 250-300 A welding inverter, the input current will already exceed this value.

The second most important indicator is the “Operating mode” or “OF” - it is calculated as a percentage and shows how long the device can continuously operate within a 10-minute cycle (for example, “60%” means 6 minutes of operation and 4 minutes of operation). break). This indicator depends even more on the honesty of the manufacturers, since it is less obvious than the output current.

Of course, the completeness of the delivery is also important. Although professional welders rarely use the welding helmets supplied with inverters, it is still better than nothing.

Of course, if your idea is to use the welding machine not as a home welding machine, but at a service station or workshop where there is 380 V or a powerful 220 V network, then you need to use other selection criteria.

In any economic reality, the provision of services such as welding of pipes or any other metal structures will be a relevant and profitable business.

Not everyone can do professional welding., and many people have a need for this. In order to properly set up a business organizing welding services, you need to carefully develop a business plan. This document will allow you to determine the range of work carried out and services associated with this type of activity.

1. Company organization.
For successful and long-term business development, it is most profitable to organize a company with a diversified base. It would be ideal to provide branded services not only for welding metal and polypropylene pipes, but also services for gas welding, electric welding, argon-arc welding, air-flame cutting, etc.

2. Purchase of equipment.
Naturally, to carry out such technologically complex processes, appropriate special equipment is required. There must be such electric welding equipment as transformers, welding inverters, plasma cutting sources and installations, argon-arc welding installations, their components, torches for semi-automatic welding machines, and welding cables.
Gas welding equipment must include gas cylinders, blowtorches, gas reducers, cutters, torches, and acetylene welding generators. Don't forget about welding tables and plasma cutting tables. Fan heaters, compressors, thermal curtains, and units will also be needed. In the place where welding work takes place, there must be power cables and fire extinguishers.

3. Financial costs
The required set of welding equipment can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. It is also important to connect a store to conclude profitable contracts for the supply of necessary welding materials; you will also need contracts for repairs and regular maintenance of equipment. To protect workers, you will need masks and special glasses, safety glasses, suits, mittens, gloves, etc. Financial costs will also be required when purchasing premises, the area of ​​which must be quite large, since welding equipment, as well as warehouse and technical premises require a certain space.

4. Staff.
Only good professionals can carry out high-quality welding work. Therefore, it is very important to find just such specialists, whose qualifications will glorify the welding business that has been started. At the same time, you should not save on wages, since such services are highly valued.

A high level of customer service will serve as the best advertisement for this business. You can also post information on the Internet, where you can view and download all the necessary welding data. If the business plan is correctly implemented, then further advertising costs will most likely not be needed.




A welding business can be organized to carry out custom welding work or to produce welded structures. This is a profitable business, but difficult to organize. In addition, it has high requirements for personnel qualifications. But you don’t need to obtain any licenses to organize it. There are enough certificates for metals used in production.

First steps in organization

A plan for organizing a welding business begins with assessing the sales market. Let's say, if your business is aimed at individuals, then your form of organization is not important to them. Quality work is more important to them. If you target your business to legal entities, it is easier for them to work with an officially registered business. But even if your plan does not initially reach an industrial scale, you should focus on its further expansion. Therefore, it is better to register an LLC or individual entrepreneur. Moreover, for working with legal entities, LLC is better.

When registering, you should select OKVED No. 28.52 “Processing of metal products using basic technological processes of mechanical engineering” and a simplified taxation system. At the same time, you can start looking for premises for a welding shop.

For a business to be profitable, it is logical to look for premises with low rent. But there are certain requirements for the premises for such a workshop. First of all, it must accommodate the necessary equipment and leave enough space for staff to work. In addition, the electrical network must withstand high loads. For business profitability, rent should not exceed 700 rubles. per square meter.

Search for qualified workers

At the same stage, your plan for opening a workshop should include finding competent welders, which is not such an easy task. You need not just an experienced worker, but a qualified universal welder of at least the fifth category. This means that he carries out welding work on structures, steam pipelines, high-pressure pipelines, and critical metal structures. It is advisable that he have experience in welding pipelines, installing hot water supply systems, and car repairs.

The work can be carried out by less qualified employees, but certain requirements are also imposed on them. They must be dexterous, resilient and strong, otherwise they simply will not be able to perform a number of jobs. Please note that welding work is harmful to the eyes and lungs, so high salaries for welders and additional social security must be included in the business opening plan. Of course, labor safety and worker protection must come to the fore. For safe work you need to purchase:

  • protective clothing;
  • shields or masks;
  • canvas mittens;
  • leggings;
  • balaclavas.

But these costs will pay off, since qualified personnel will help retain clients, find new ones through recommendations and create a good image for the company.

Investments in business

To open a welding shop in a garage of approximately 25 square meters. m., you will have to invest at least 500 thousand rubles. First of all, this money will be spent on organizing working conditions for welders in accordance with the requirements of the fire inspection and SES. In accordance with them, the workshop must be equipped with a common hood and separate ones for each workplace. Each such place must be fenced off with special screens so that light rays do not fall on other workshop employees. As already mentioned, the workshop must be equipped with powerful and working electrical wiring. In winter it must be heated.

Equipment costs depend on the type of welding and the scale of production. If your plan includes industrial volumes, you cannot do without a professional inverter. Its cost starts from 15 thousand rubles. At low speeds you can get by with a household one. Resistance welding equipment will cost approximately the same price. Such equipment consists of a number of units connected in series to each other. Thus, equipment for manual arc welding consists of a welding converter - a device that converts three-phase mains current into a current of 25-40 V. Then it passes to the electrode holder, which supplies current to the electrode, and the product being welded. The latter should be on a metal welding table.

In addition to special equipment, the business plan must include the purchase of materials for welding:

  • electrodes;
  • gases;
  • fluxes;
  • welding wire;
  • ceramic gaskets.

At a minimum, welders will need metal stamps, a steel brush, a special hammer and chisel, and a bag or box for tools and electrodes. Other additional equipment includes an angle grinder, gas hoses, oxygen cylinders, a propane cutter, and grounding terminals. To purchase and transport equipment, include the purchase of a delivery van in your plan.

Income amounts

In order for your business to generate income all year round, it is important to choose the right direction of activity. Barbecues, metal structures, fences, decorative grilles, and household metal objects are very popular. Another equally popular area is car body repair work. In this direction, it is enough to develop a small client base, and word of mouth will ensure your success. Of course, with a conscientious attitude towards the matter. The third option is focused on a large-scale plan of work to provide welding services to construction companies, municipalities, etc. This is the most profitable area, but it can only be mastered with good authority.

The price for the work varies depending on the complexity and type of welding. For example, when welding with stick electrodes, each centimeter of a seam will cost the client 15 rubles. When using argon arc welding - from 25 rubles. If we are talking about spot welding - already 40 rubles. The most profitable business is pipe welding. The cost of one joint starts from 150 rubles.

But other areas of business can bring more income. For example, it is worth including welding of gratings and fences in the plan. If you make designs without frills, the price for them varies between 1.5-2.5 thousand rubles. per linear meter. Decorative items cost from 3 thousand rubles. You can get a little more for swing bars - 4 thousand rubles. Forged decorative grilles are the most expensive. They cost from 8 thousand rubles. per linear meter.

conclusions

According to practical experience, the profitability of this business can reach

80%. This is a very high indicator for entrepreneurial activity. Payback depends on the scale of organized production, but on average it is 1.5-2 years. This period is significantly influenced by the quality of the services provided. And it, in turn, depends on the materials used, raw materials, and welding techniques. Not to mention the highly qualified staff. But if you take into account all these nuances, then there is every chance to take your business to a high level.

Welding specialists who decide to start a business receive a decent income. Welding work by verbal agreement is not an option. A welding business with an official status is more reliable. Sometimes, to open an LLC or individual entrepreneur, it is enough to find out how others earn money from welding work. Where did they start, what underwater reefs did they have to overcome?

To ensure a constant income, all types of welding of metals and synthetic materials are provided. LLCs that unite groups of specialists are successfully developing. Employees of large enterprises with permits for various types of welding work are involved in the execution of orders. There are examples of successful individual entrepreneurs where only one or two people are registered.

Experience alone is not enough to organize independent production. Need capital. At the federal level, grants are provided and quotas are allocated for convenient lending. In municipal organizations and at the regional level, structures have been created to help start-up entrepreneurs, providing advice on economic and legal issues. Specialists constantly monitor. They will help determine the direction of development of the welding business so that it is needed in the territory and turns out to be competitive. It will be easier to draw up a business plan with such support. Where to begin:

  • find like-minded people, at least one, but preferably a small team;
  • take into account expected costs;
  • calculate expected profit;
  • think over informing possible clients, possible communication channels: media (newspapers, radio, Internet), business cards, flyers with discounts per bearer;
  • determine the scope of coverage; clients include individuals, management organizations, construction companies, industrial and municipal enterprises.

Before carrying out work, the welding business must be officially registered. To work with individuals, an individual entrepreneur is sufficient. Many people start with individual entrepreneurship; taxation in this case will be minimal. If enterprises appear among the clients, you need to register an LLC. A simplified taxation scheme is provided for them. According to OKVED (list of types of economic activities), up to 10 positions are selected, all directions are indicated in the application. The OKVED register is easy to find on the Internet; it is publicly available.

Welding equipment

  • welding, cutting of metal pipes (installation/dismantling);
  • installation, replacement of heating system;
  • welding of steel alloys, non-ferrous metals, polymers.

Equipment is selected based on the type of welding work:

  • 220 V devices of various modifications, simple, with a set of additional functions (transformer, inverter, manual devices and semi-automatic devices);
  • or semi-automatic for spot welding;
  • power cable in the required volume;
  • apparatus for gas welding, cutting (torches, cylinders, trolley for their transportation, hoses for gas supply, apparatus, gas reducer);
  • a set of soldering irons for welding polypropylene and linoleum;
  • work tables;
  • fastening devices.

Fire extinguishers are included in the equipment. This is regulated by the Fire Regulations in the Russian Federation (Federal Law No. 390 of April 25, 2012).

Search for colleagues

To fulfill large orders, it is necessary to resolve personnel issues. The success of the welding business depends on the qualifications of specialists and the quality of welds. The generalist has welding skills on various equipment and is well versed in technical disciplines:

  • electrical engineering - must be able to set up equipment, eliminate minor damage - correctly connect to the power supply;
  • metallurgy - know the melting point temperature of metals, changes in the structure of alloys under the influence of a flame or electric arc;
  • technology - non-ferrous metal requires the use of protective fluxes and adherence to temperature conditions;
  • technical drawing (the ability to read drawings, all symbols, tolerances is valued).

When selecting personnel, they are guided by welders of at least 5th category, proficient in argon, electric arc, and gas welding techniques, with experience in:

  • pipe installation;
  • welding work with high pressure vessels;
  • auto repair.

We need physically fit, strong, resilient people; the work of a welder is not complete without stress: transporting metal, welding equipment, shielding gas cylinders.

When there are qualified personnel, you can begin to fulfill orders; when fulfilling small ones, you can dictate your terms. An individual entrepreneur or LLC, with competent specialists, is quickly gaining popularity. In small business, reputation is good advertising. Office work and accounting matters should be handled by a knowledgeable person. Business management is entrusted to companies or a part-time accountant is hired. Bank transactions and reports are made and sent electronically. The accountant will not need an office or workplace organization.

Selecting a room

A small room is needed for meetings and negotiations; this is one of the components of a company’s success. Telephone work is allowed for small volumes and one-time orders. It will take time to build a contact database.

First, they set up a welding business in the garage, but it is better to immediately choose a separate site for organizing a welding shop. The decoration of the room must meet the following criteria:

  • Combustible and flammable materials are not allowed on the ceiling, walls, the floor must be concrete;
  • the height of welding booths is regulated, 2 m, there must be space above the partitions, the recommended ceiling height is at least 3 meters;
  • A ventilation system is required, forced is desirable.

It is important to check the power supply; the possible power load is calculated by summing the power of all equipment and lighting fixtures.

Business ideas for a welder

The company will prosper if work is carried out in several directions at once:

  • production of finished household products from purchased or customer-supplied raw materials (containers, bathhouses, heating stoves for houses, cottages, greenhouses);
  • field trips, installation of welded frames, repair of metal structures;
  • dismantling, installation of gas pipelines, pipelines, flues, ventilation systems, much more;
  • provision of services to enterprises, construction and management organizations (maintenance of residential buildings).

Manufacturing of metal structures

In the private sector, in dacha communities, welding is constantly needed:

  • fences are being erected;
  • gazebos and benches are being built;
  • sheds for storing firewood are being installed.
  • sports and gaming equipment;
  • stopping complexes;
  • advertising designs.

Welding of barbecues, stoves

In recent years, the number of orders for the production of:

  • bourgeois;
  • ovens with top, front loading;
  • stationary and collapsible portable barbecues, grill structures. Finished products are accepted for sale by retail outlets.

Pipe replacement and repair

Individual orders for replacing water pipes and heating are sought through management companies and senior house managers. Sometimes they negotiate with dispatchers who register emergency requests and give them their coordinates. Replacing steel pipes with metal-plastic and polypropylene has become popular. We try to trust these welding jobs to professionals. A good advertising move is cooperation with owners and sellers of stores selling plumbing equipment and components.

Car body repair

Owners of small auto repair shops often need welders; not everyone can afford to hire a full-time specialist. When developing a business plan, it is recommended to call the owners of car services and private workshops to discuss the possibility of cooperation.

Dismantling of structures and communications

Works costing up to 500 thousand rubles do not undergo a competitive procedure to find a contractor. Dismantling old metal structures and communication systems does not require high qualifications, you just need equipment and the ability to use it. Such services are needed by organizations, enterprises, and the private sector.

Providing welding services to construction companies

Installation of pipes and concrete reinforcement in monolithic construction involves welding work. Installation of plumbing, installation and replacement of communications, arrangement of the local area, construction of balcony railings are carried out at certain stages of house construction, welders are often put out of staff. Subcontractors are selected for the work.

Financial issue

When thinking through a business, the following are taken into account:

  • cost of equipment and personal protective equipment;
  • costs of renting premises;
  • monthly consumption of electricity, water, heat;
  • salary (average), good specialists deserve a large salary;
  • minimum social package;
  • payment of insurance, registration of a company, training to obtain the necessary permits;
  • expenses for organizing workplaces and household premises;
  • other costs (loan interest, office maintenance, services of an accountant, dispatcher, regulatory organizations that give permission to open a welding business, and so on).

Personal protective equipment costs from a thousand to 6.5 thousand rubles. There are many models of masks, the minimum cost is 300 rubles, branded ones with air supply cost 10 times more. On average, taking into account all costs, it runs up to half a million (30 m2 workshop, 2 permanent jobs).

Income depends on the volume of work performed. Approximate prices:

  • 1 cm of welding with electrodes (in rubles): a) electric arc - 15; b) argon - 25; c) spot – 40;
  • welding of pipes: one joint costs at least 150 rubles, if the steel is stainless, an increasing factor of 1.3 is applied;
  • production of gratings: from 2 to 8 thousand, depending on the decorative effect and complexity of the designs;
  • replacing steel pipes with polypropylene from 2 to 7 thousand rubles per apartment;
  • the cost of barbecues, grills, potbelly stoves from 15 to 50 thousand rubles (depending on designs, types of steel);
  • Stainless steel sauna stoves cost from 12 to 35 thousand rubles.

The payback period for a welding business is up to 2 years; with preferential lending, the profitability reaches 70%.

Conclusion

With a normal organizational approach, the welding business is profitable. It is important to take into account the seasonality of such work and provide for all kinds of welding services. Some rarely used equipment can be rented for as long as necessary. There are many ideas for a welding business. If you want to earn decent money, with the support of like-minded people it is possible to organize a profitable business.