4 Reason You SHOULDN’T Start a Welding Business! | Biggest Problems In the Welding Industry | 

Great welders are necessarily great weld business owners. Just like great mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc will not be great business owners. IMO you need to make money from employees’ labor to make it worth while, and that’s another set of headaches. I personally enjoy the security, benefits, and structure of working for a company. Well said on learning the business on someone else’s dime. I’d support anyone striking out on their own, but it has to be ran like a business and not a hobby.

Do EVERYTHING you can to make your truck "theft proof", as welding trucks are a VERY big black market item !! I had LO JACK with early warning on mine. Plus an alarm, plus hidden cutoff switch, and a hood lock, Very good advice, Great Video Thanks

About 15 years ago - I heard that a contractor was dropping a snow removal job. They had done it for 20+ yrs. Anyway - I started to work up the first year costs of leasing loaders and building a salt wagon. I spent a lot of time researching Maine And NJ DOT as they were using new tech. I thought the job would pocket some serious change. I met with the GM's of 3 equipment shops and got a handle on monthly costs. All new rigs. I placed a cover letter - and the first sentence was - "You will inform Me - no later than August 1 ---- after which this document expires." Oct 1 --- the place calls me - and asks when I can start. I asked them if they were blind. They - say no - why? I told them - they never read the first sentence and I don't work with people who cannot read. Business has a lot of parts that you don't see till you start. Love your perspective! Great work! Cheers

This man is speaking straight facts. Opened up my business 6 months ago and I probably weld 15% of the time. The rest of it is paper work, material prep and design work. This business is a hell of a lot of work.

Hello Anthony, I've been in business business 26 years. My first 10, I fallowed the contractor protocol of free estimates. 16 years now I charge for field/job site estimates. I credit the client the cost of the quote, if they accept our bid. It was a difficult decision, and financially hurt at first, but it sure culled out the bad clients. 95% of my current clients now know? When they call us out to a job site, we are on the clock! No charge for quotes for customers that have plans or drawings, but if design or engineering is needed? We are on the clock, credit card, check or cash deposit before anything starts or before we leave the shop. Hope this helps someone out there... Greetings From The Grand Canyon, AZ

Possibly the most educational video you’ve done! Did this stuff for 45 years, and you’re spot on! Thanks, and a huge THANKS! for cleaning up the language! It made this episode even more credible!

my shop started as mainly a welding and fabrication shop and I still do that work but when I started doing carbon fiber kevlar and other composite work it took off way more than I thought it would..I just wanted to do it because I like it and thought it was interesting but I could almost sell the welders and mill lathe ect and just do carbon work but the more options I have the better I believe but I must say that you are absolutely right about well everything you said here and my first shop failed even with it being an extremely popular shop when i started it did really well and i was young...in my early 20's so I was dumb but didnt know it I went and got into a bunch of debt for a bigger place and a bunch of new extremely nice and expensive equipment and everything was new and I thought I was living the dream...working with high end and exotic cars full blown racecars ect... then 2008 came around and people lost their jobs or their retirement accounts or investments ect... and just like someone flipped a switch my phone stopped ringing...but I had work figured it would pass and kept saying it will get better for way longer than I should have and with all the debts I couldn't afford to put much if anything back for that sort of situation and had to close the doors...from 3.5mill gross to 1.4M debt and a bankruptcy within 24 months.... 20 years later I'm started another shop but I learned ..I got everything I could used for cheap or even broken if I thought I could fix it 0 debt and its growing slower than the other one ya but I'm happy and so much less stressful

1:38 I’ve been around this for a few months, idk if I’ve been lucky but with the small jobs I get and a few bigger ones, every estimate I’ve done has been fulfilled.

7:12 I started a few months ago and I’m 19, I just weld with the bare minimum to start with and run off of a small generator ( not a welding generator ) the problem is, like with Tom is he jumped head-first into this business, when he should of just slowly got his gear, hell, I work part-time at a warehouse as a result, because if I stop getting work then I’ll be screwed if I don’t have that kickback, baby steps are important and more importantly is networking, I have ads on google, but 50% of my customers are as a result of prior customers.

Thanks for always showing all sides of our business . alot of ppl think it's magic what we do and the sad part is we don't get paid enough for all the bs that happens . much luck and love to every welder out there doing their own thing !!!

One thing I absolutely love about your contact is that when you talk about the business side of welding you actually talk about the business side of welding. Not the project you're working on not showing off your welds you actually talk about the business.

I have been self employed for around 30 years. Everything you said applies to all businesses to some extent.

I don't doubt what you say is reality. However after working knee-deep in welders on big steel projects (all trades and engineering involved) I believe that some regions (and times) have a different kind of welding work than others. And the payoff for good work over many long hours there can be resoundingly different than chasing corrosion piecework repair in a heavily urbanized environment. Of course you also have to be able to work productively in freezing weather, way up on dangerous half-built structures, and have something to go to when projects wind down, but the time put in seems to pay off much better.

I like you don't just speak on the tool and skill end you always put the business side out there and the positives but them negatives are were it's at because alot of people don't want to hear that or speak on it love your content bro keep it rollen

The thing about the bids also applies to all other jobs. There is nothing worse than having your time wasted. I actually went in for an interview on a personal referral. Slam dunk right? I got up and half way through and said "thanks for the waste of time". The guy asked Mr what I was talking about. I told him that he already promised someone else the job. As I was walking out he was asking how did I know. Lol Great advice Anthony 👍. Everything said was dead on. There are many things that only more experience will teach, but you ownership instincts are fully developed. You will go far.

Ha having a years expenses saved up! I sometimes don’t have enough to get to tomorrow, but somehow I managed to get through. Most people are never gonna have that much saved and they just have to take a risk and go for it.

Holy smokes! you nailed it on the head! I do exactly what you're talking about: drafting on the computer, estimating, worrying about law suits, paying for rig/tool maintenance, prepping material, buying material, and spending gas on "free" estimates... I weld for 10 minutes and the customers check bounces... (sigh). Thank you for your truthful videos!

In a few years I'm going to see if the feeling is still as strong for me as it is now. I've been doing it on the side for the past 2 years and i just cant help but want to. The problem is, my day job is also my dream job in welding jet engine parts. I make great money at it but I also make good money doing it as side business. My plan is to take 6 months leave from work, maybe lease a shop to be at a larger potential for the work I take in(only 10% of my work is mobile) and just try it out. I'm also saving 1.5 years worth of my mortgage and it is my only debt right now.

this man is pure knowledge and skill! amazing advice in this video thanks man! keep it coming!

I took your advice and purchased a metabo we15-125quick And I must say it's the best grinder I've used thanks for your time making these videos

Outstanding video. A real kick in the teeth of reality to anyone who thinks welding is just that, welding. Thanks for sharing!!!

Good work ain't cheap and Cheap work ain't good..

Thanks, Anthony. Been watching your videos for a few weeks now. Been welding for about 10 years now and would really like to start a side business and have the equipment to help out my church and any surrounding churches that may need some help. Thanks for all the tips and advice.

Thanks MMA for telling us the less than glorious parts of this business, if we go in uninformed we will pay for it in the end.

@Meltin Metal Anthony the kind of respirator you are using does not protect from poisonous gases. It only protects from dirt and dust. Strongly recommend you get a PAPR. Specifically the e3000x . Ideally you need to be pulling air in from further away but that's a less than ideal solution when you're in the field. You are being heavily gassed with the respirator you are using now.

Thank you man! Just started following and been wanting to further myself in the field makes big difference with someone out there given good advice

Good shit bro stuff like this that most guys don’t think about is actually invaluable information that most people don’t ever talk about

Cutting my teeth as a welder working for a plumbing company. Definitely want to get out on my own but i still feel there's a lot I need to learn.

Everything he's saying is true people don't understand how expensive it is to start a welding business. Welding tools are the most expensive out of any trade. And the truth is that if you want to do real business you need real tools. The more legit you go the more hectic admin and liabilities get, Outsourcing is an option but expensive as f***. The usary/ Fuckery that's part of bidding sometimes makes you not want to give bids anymore. As a licensed contractor in California I can attest that s*** ain't easy

Good advice, start in the union or a shop, save up then go on your own…or just save up

I know of a couple companies that do the “kick back” thing, that’s embezzlement. Hell of a way to end up behind bars 😂

Thanks Jerkoff :)

Again another great video! Honest and brutal truth. I've been trying to break into the trade but not having any luck. Keep up the good work! Also maybe I haven't had enough coffee yet, but sounded like you said pishing mig. Lol

Great video and some great information Thankyou. I’ve just started my own business and I’m just finding all this out I was expecting some of this but like you’ve said there’s a hole load more and I’m learning that. i love doing it and I will do what ever it takes to make the best go of it I can and greatfull for all the advice you give respect 👍👍

Thank you for the honest TRUTH

Not only Billybob Does Welding Inc. , but also minority and women owned businesses have priority over your bid in government spending

All small business had a hard going these days. I can't think of any who don't? My equipment is all paid for so I pick and choose what I want to get involved in. I usually only repair heavy equipment and heavy haul trucks/trailers.. commercial only.

I just bought my first welder 2 days ago. Its a 270 amp mig/ tig/ stick combo welder for $260. Im going to learn to weld and get myself out of the dirt work and out of my parents house

Can't take the heat stay well away From the kitchen.keep up your beast mode anthony.

A good buddy of mine got rolled on 150k job he did. He did all this work, gave the invoice, guy told him to go F himself, they went to court, 4 years later and 10's of thousands in fees (lawyer) He got back about 40k. So...at least he had the cover and other projects. Now my bud has expanded, also running an AWS certified school with government backing/funding. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him and fellas like you that have not only started a Welding Co. Of your own but are seeing success. I'm in Las Vegas and The quality of welders here are not great. I feel, if somehow, I could get rolling on doing my own thing, It could be life changing all for the better.

You convinced me I'm gonna get out of the septic business and get into the welding business

Good advice and most certainly NEVER set up any business on an overdraft on a bank account because the bank can call in an overdraft at any point and without any warning.

I've been screwed out of lots of work as a mechanic. Customer brings in car ask to find what's wrong then takes the car to their dad or neighbor for repairs instead of having a shop do the repairs

NGL after saying protect yourself from the IRS, I was hoping to hear you whisper F*** The IRS 😂 Great Video brother! Thank you for everything you share with us!

I like doing fabrication on cars for race car stuff it's my best. Love my job. A lot of ups and downs but good money.

Brah, throw a MoFo under da bus! City of North Port did this shit to me. I called them out and the secretary said Marc is the best... How in the hell does she know he's "the best". How many welders does she even know? Its the "good ole boy network". your ether in or your not.

Honestly great advice AND not just in welding but in the hola aspect of staring Any buisness saludos from Querétaro México like your videos

Best cpa i ever had is Biran Herndon from Elite Tax Service in Vero Beach FL

There isn’t a statewide certification or license that’s needed to work as a welder in the state of Florida and if your going to work for a contractor anywhere in the u.s. any certification you get from a trades school is basically pointless because they are going to test your for a certification before you hire in it doesn’t matter if it’s a asme certification and if you bust there’s no try agains lol least not for your big pipe and tube jobs that are 100 percent X-ray. Giving Quotes is just part of it & the kick back deal is always going to be like that it ain’t what you know it’s who you know and it’s always been that way in the industry even if you just want to get on a shut down and work for a contractor.

Watching this video makes me feel even more lucky for what I got going

100% agree. Very expensive tools. If you're not a "car guy" or "engine buff" STAY AWAY from Mobile Welding.

I really enjoy your videos; the honesty is refreshing. I guess I missed the video where you talked about moving. Why are you moving to Montana?

GOOD ADVICE..

Good topic,,thanks for the information. Enjoy your shows

needful info..keeping it real

Do a good job and you have nothing to worry about son.

Thank You Anthony good advice .

great content Anthony. Keep it up!

I love you and your videos but a years expenses? That’s crazy. There would be no independent welders if we all had to save $30k+ before starting. I started with a lot less than that and I’m doing ok.

EXACTLY !!!

Thank you.

I would really like to hear what critical first steps you had to take in order to take your business from a concept/desire to a legitimate reality. I'm a skilled fabricator/welder, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical, ect. I've always had the goal to own a custom fabrication business but don't know how to make it a reality as far as the business and paperwork side of it goes. Some insight would be greatly appreciated. Is taking out a huge loan necessary? I've scrimped and saved and salvaged enough equipment to do just about any side job that I can find. (With high quality too, I'm quality oriented almost to a fault). I could use some advise on how someone in this trade gets started tho. I sometimes think I just need to partner with someone that has a businesses background. How did you do it?

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼……………………You know I’ve been watching you for a while now, and MY opinion is you got a pretty good head on your shoulders. I think you have given pretty good advice. Keep up the good work!

This true for any service business 🤙

I'm starting to see welding classes may not be the best option. People glorify the idea that welders make so much money and say it's easy just go do this welding I know someone who does it. You never hear about the downsides only the positives in this industry until you get into it. Then you realize just how much money you have to invest to get your own business running, how most employers require a good year or two of experience in multiple welding types which can be hard to get started on. I remember someone saying that they're a dime a dozen in this industry and no matter how good you are at welding or all the job entails there's someone who can do it better at a better price.

Great advice ant

I would install a disconnect on that water heater.

witch type of welding do you think is the easiest & what do you prefer? I am a 64 year old retired electrician that never really learned to weld until a couple of months ago I got a wild hair up my ass & bought a gasless mig I live on 11 acers in the country & now I run the fuck around my place welding the shit out of everything. I kick myself in the ass for not learning years ago! The little wire welder is so handy.

Sound advice

Everything you say is true

Great information

Great video. BTW this is good advice for many businesses. Anthony will your business be called " Meltin Metal Anthony " in MT? I need to know how to contact you when you get to Montana.

How about long term effects, will I have eye damage from arch ? Even with the proper PPE ?

💯

some good shit right there, very true

Thank you👍✌️

Great Video Buddy......

🤔🤔🤔

Good Shit bro-ham!!!

How often can you talk them into giving you a deposit does that happen?

In the end, the only risk a business owner takes is becoming an employee. Never have empathy for a business owner looking to exploit your labor for profit.

Have you done a video on the positive side of doing your own welding business?

Do you do any arc gouging? If not how come?

What do you think of AWS/ASME certs? I’m planning on getting a couple at least for D1.1 multi-process. Do you have any certs that you retain? I know you can jump in this business without em, I think companies would be more comfortable awarding a job to someone certified to code rather than someone who’s not.

Should have also mentioned that you work 7 days a week one way or the other. Its more of a lifestyle than a business.

That's why I don't give free estimates on a job. Because if they want me to let them know how much it's gonna cost. Then they are gonna pay me for that information

Rea shit bro!!! Thanks for keeping it real for the boyz! ✊✊✊it can be rough

Thank you for all your videos! I have a small fab shop and was looking for an engine drive for fences, gates, some repairs in the field. I am not going to run a pipeline! So I was thinking a miller bobcat 250 or Lincoln ranger 250 what are your thoughts?

Is great hair mandatory for starting a welding business LOL!

Anyone link me the million dollar bid video, I cant find it

Anthony, i sent you an e-mail a few days ago...

😎👍

You’re the gd truth

100%

Ziggy?

jeez, Nancy pelosi popped up in an add before this started, had to go and take a break, as my stomach felt ill....but on with the video, I am better know after a beer......Paul

MMA keep it real😉

But you’re don’t taking any risk you can’t make no good money

Hey tony Bologna, Wally’s welding world said he can break dance better than u

42 years machining and welding. Kickbacks and dirty playa's. Took me about 5 years to figure it out. Now I spot them right away. You have to have a cynical attitude or you will get eaten alive. Sad truth.