How Much Does Welding Cost in the UK?

Quick Cost Breakdown:

• MIG welding is the most common and affordable technique at £60-£120 per hour
• Small repairs such as garden furniture or bracket fixes cost £100-£300 in total
• Most welders quote a day rate of £400-£700 for larger jobs
• Structural and pressure-related welding requires a certified welder

Welding Cost Guide Contents

1. Welding Cost Overview
2. Welding Cost Per Hour: Rates by Welder Type
3. Welding Costs by Technique
4. Welding Costs by Material
5. How Much Does Welding Cost on a Car?
6. Welding Project Costs: Small, Medium and Large Jobs
7. Cost of Welding Machine Hire and Purchase
8. How to Find a Welder on MyBuilder
9. FAQ: Common Questions about Welding Costs

Welding Cost Overview

Welding is one of those trades where the headline hourly rate tells you relatively little about the actual project cost.

A welder charging £100 per hour who completes a job in 45 minutes costs less than one charging £60 per hour who takes two hours and includes a lengthy setup.

Understanding what drives total cost, and what to ask when comparing quotes, is more useful than focusing on the hourly rate alone.

Welding costs for different projects:

Job Type	Typical Cost
Small repair (patch, crack, bracket)	£100 - £300
Automotive welding (MOT repair)	£125 - £1,000
Gate fabrication and installation	£500 - £1,000
Railing installation	£700 - £2,000
Vehicle chassis repair	£800 - £2,500
Structural steel (commercial)	£3,000 - £10,000+

The factors that most significantly affect the total cost are: the material being welded, the technique required, the welder's experience, access to the work, and whether the job is workshop-based or mobile.

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Welding Cost Per Hour: Rates by Welder Type

The average welding hourly rate in the UK depends heavily on the welder's level, the technique involved, and the region. For most domestic jobs, gate repairs, automotive work, garden furniture, or straightforward fabrication, a journeyman welder at the mid-range rate is the most cost-effective choice.

Welder hourly rate costs:

Welder Type	Hourly Rate
Apprentice welder	£50 – £75
Journeyman welder	£75 – £100
Master welder / specialist	£100 – £150

Apprentice welders (£50–£75 per hour)

Apprentices are still developing their skills and typically work under supervision. They are suited to straightforward tasks such as basic repairs, simple joints, and low-risk fabrication.

For uncomplicated jobs, an apprentice welder can deliver good results at a lower rate, though they are not appropriate for structural, automotive, or precision work.

Journeyman welders (£75–£100 per hour)

The most common choice for domestic and commercial welding jobs. Journeyman welders have several years of practical experience across multiple techniques and can handle the majority of residential and small commercial projects, from gate fabrication to automotive repairs and structural steelwork.

Master welders and specialists (£100–£150 per hour)

Master welders hold advanced certifications (such as CSWIP or AWS) and are required for high-stakes work - structural projects, pressure vessel welding, aerospace fabrication, or any job where weld quality must be verified to a specific standard.

Whatever the scope of your welding job, getting quotes from at least two or three welders before committing makes it much easier to assess whether a rate is competitive for your area and project type.

Post your job on MyBuilder and local welders will get in touch, you can review their profiles, check photos of previous work, and compare quotes before making a decision.

Find local welders on MyBuilder

Welding Costs by Technique

Different welding methods carry different cost implications depending on the skill required and the equipment involved.

Some techniques are faster and more forgiving; others are slower, require more precise control, and command a higher hourly rate as a result.

Welding Method	Hourly Rate
Arc / stick welding	£50 – £100
MIG welding	£60 – £120
TIG welding	£70 – £150
Laser welding	£100 – £200

Arc welding (£50-£100 per hour)

Arc welding, also called stick welding, is one of the oldest and most widely used techniques, valued for its versatility across material thicknesses and its ability to work outdoors in most weather conditions.

It is one of the more affordable options, typically running £50-£100 per hour, and it is best suited to structural work, heavy-duty repairs, and outdoor projects where surface appearance is not a priority.

MIG welding (£60-£120 per hour)

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is the most widely used technique for automotive and general fabrication work. It is faster than TIG and produces clean, strong welds on mild steel and aluminium. Most domestic and trade welding jobs - gates, railings, car repairs, brackets - are completed using MIG.

TIG welding (£70-£150 per hour)

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is slower and requires more skill than MIG, but produces the highest-quality, most precise welds. It is used where appearance and structural integrity both matter, stainless steel pipework, aluminium fabrication, and any application where the weld will be visible in the finished product.

Laser welding (£100-£200 per hour)

Laser welding uses a concentrated laser beam to produce extremely precise welds with minimal distortion. It is expensive due to the specialised equipment and expertise required, and is primarily used in industrial manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace components, and electronic assemblies, rather than domestic or automotive work.

Welding Costs by Material

The material being welded is one of the most significant cost variables. Different metals require different techniques, consumables, and skill levels, all of which affect the price:

• Mild steel £0.50-£2.00 per inch: the most affordable and commonly welded material. Easy to work with across all techniques and used for everything from structural fabrication to garden furniture repairs. Most domestic welding jobs involve mild steel, making it the baseline for comparing other material costs.
• Stainless steel £1.00-£3.50 per inch: requires more precise heat control to avoid warping and discolouration, making TIG the preferred technique. It costs more per inch than mild steel, takes longer, and the higher skill requirement adds to the hourly rate. Commonly used for kitchen equipment, outdoor structures, and decorative metalwork.
• Aluminium £1.25-£4.00 per inch: lightweight and corrosion-resistant but requires specific techniques and equipment, TIG or MIG with a spool gun. Less forgiving than steel, requiring clean surfaces and careful heat management. The combination of specialist equipment and technique makes it one of the more expensive materials to weld.
• Cast iron £1.50-£3.00 per inch: brittle and prone to cracking if heated or cooled too quickly. Welding it requires preheating, controlled cooling, and often specialist rods, all of which add time and cost.

How Much Does Welding Cost on a Car?

Car welding is one of the most common domestic welding jobs in the UK, primarily driven by MOT requirements around structural integrity.

Rust, rot on sills, floor pan deterioration, and chassis damage all commonly require welding to pass or maintain an MOT.

Average car welding costs:

Car Welding Job	Typical Cost
Small hole or patch repair	£125 – £200
Sill repair (one side)	£200 – £500
Floor pan repair	£300 – £600
Chassis repair	£500 – £1,000
Full structural restoration	£1,500 – £5,000+

Things to consider when getting car welding done:

• Rust is often worse than it looks. What appears to be a small patch at the surface frequently extends further once the area is cut back to sound metal. Most welders price on what they can see, with an agreement to renegotiate if more damage is found
• MOT-standard welds are functional rather than cosmetic, if you also want the area painted or undersealed, this is typically an additional cost
• Mobile welders can complete most automotive repairs on your driveway, though workshop-based welders tend to offer better access to the underside of the vehicle via a ramp
• Labour is the main cost material costs for patches and weld wire are modest compared to the time involved in cutting out, fitting, and welding each section
• Classic or rare vehicles may require more careful work to match original construction methods, which takes longer and costs more

For cars with significant corrosion across multiple areas, it is worth getting a full assessment before committing to repairs, sometimes the cost of comprehensive welding exceeds the value of the vehicle.

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Welding Project Costs: Small, Medium and Large Jobs

Small Welding Repairs (£100-£300)

Small repairs are typically completed within a few hours and involve basic materials and straightforward access. Common examples:

• Picture frame or furniture repair: £100 - £200
• Garden tool or equipment repair: £100 - £250
• Bicycle frame weld: £150 - £300
• Bracket or bracket repair: £100 - £200

Average prices: £50-£75 per hour Best for: Quick turnaround jobs where the weld does not need to meet structural standards

Medium Welding Projects (£500-£2,500)

Medium-sized projects require more material, more time, and typically involve fabrication rather than simple repair. These often span one to several days:

• Gate fabrication and installation: £500 - £1,000
• Railing installation: £700 - £2,000
• Vehicle chassis repair: £800 - £2,500
• Balcony or staircase metalwork: £1,000 - £2,500

Average prices: £400-£700 per day (day rate) Best for: Domestic fabrication, automotive structural work, and decorative metalwork

Large Welding Projects (£3,000-£20,000+)

Large-scale welding projects are typically commercial or industrial in nature, requiring specialist welders, certified procedures, and often multiple operatives:

• Structural beams and columns: £3,000 - £10,000
• Industrial fabrication: £5,000 - £20,000+
• Large machinery construction: £7,000 - £20,000+

Average prices: £100-£150 per hour for specialist welders; day rates at the upper end Best for: Commercial construction, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure projects

Cost of Welding Machine Hire and Purchase

For those considering DIY welding or a one-off project, hiring or buying a welding machine may be more cost-effective than bringing in a professional for straightforward work. For anyone welding regularly, buying outright makes more sense. Here is what to expect at each level:

• Entry level (£50-£300): basic arc and MIG welders suited to occasional light use on mild steel; fine for simple repairs and low-stakes fabrication
• Mid-range (£150-£800): handles a wider range of material thicknesses and produces more consistent results; the right choice for regular domestic use
• Professional (£350–£3,000+): workshop-grade equipment for frequent, structural, or specialist work

For structural, automotive, or load-bearing work, DIY welding carries real risk. The cost of a failed weld on something structural almost always exceeds the saving made by not hiring a professional.

How to Find a Welder on MyBuilder

There is no need to spend time searching for local welders individually. It only takes a couple of minutes to post your welding job on MyBuilder, local welders with availability will register their interest, and you can review their profiles, read customer feedback, and compare quotes before deciding who to hire.

You can also browse photos of completed welding and fabrication projects on MyBuilder to see the standard of work from local welders before making a decision.

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FAQ: Common Questions about Welding Costs

How Much Does Car Welding Cost for an MOT Failure?

For a small rust patch or hole, a common MOT failure point, expect to pay around £125–£200 at a garage.

A sill repair on one side of the car typically runs to £200-£500 depending on how much of the sill is affected.

Chassis repairs are more involved, with costs from £500 to £1,000 depending on the extent of the damage.

The key thing to know about car welding is that quoted prices are often based on what is visible, once an area is cut back to sound metal, additional damage is frequently found, which can increase the final cost. A good welder will agree the basis for any additional charges before work starts.

What Welding Technique Is Best for My Project?

The right technique depends on the material and the quality of finish required:

• MIG welding - the most practical choice for most domestic jobs, automotive work, and general fabrication in mild steel or aluminium
• TIG welding - necessary where appearance matters or where stainless steel or thin aluminium is involved; also required for food-grade or sanitary applications
• Arc welding - best for thick materials, outdoor conditions, or heavy-duty structural work
• Laser welding - only relevant for industrial or precision manufacturing; not a domestic service

If you are unsure which technique your job requires, a welder will advise once they have seen the work.

How Long Does a Welding Job Take?

Time varies considerably by job type:

• Small repair (patch, crack, bracket): 1-2 hours
• Automotive sill or floor pan repair: 2-5 hours
• Gate fabrication and installation: 1-2 days
• Railing or balcony metalwork: 1-3 days
• Structural or commercial fabrication: Several days to weeks

Mobile welders typically quote by the job rather than by the hour for most automotive and domestic repairs, which makes budgeting more straightforward.

What Certifications Should a Welder Have?

For most domestic welding jobs, formal certification is not legally required but is a useful indicator of skill. For structural or pressure-related work, certification is important:

• CSWIP (Certification Scheme for Welding and Inspection Personnel) - the main UK welding certification body; recognised across construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing
• AWS (American Welding Society) - internationally recognised; relevant for welders working on imported equipment or US-specification projects
• BGAS-CSWIP - specifically for welders working on gas pipelines
• EN ISO 9606 - European standard for welder qualification; required for structural steel and pressure vessel work