If you have been laid off and have decided to start your own business, the odds are not in your favor. A down economy can drive people to do crazy things without thinking. If you decide to start a welding business plan, do the homework and increase your odds for success.
If you have welding skills that are relatively recent, make sure the paperwork is on your side. In other words , get certified. Look around for a used welder if you don’t already have one and then start hitting the pavement at the machine shops in your area. Weld a unique “calling card” like some TIG welding aluminum beer cans with a little plate that gives your name and number. Anything that sets you apart from the crowd.
You may have to to some freebies to get the business going. Maybe on free small project to get started. Many machine shops will provide the type of material they will need welded. You will be out your time but it should lead to other jobs.
While it’s not the best way to start by giving away work, in this economy it is important to develop relationships that will lead to paying work.
That being said, don’t give away too much work. Make sure you keep track and only allow maybe a couple of freebies per customer. Now you can always do some value added work, but you can’t work for free forever.
If you don’t have a welder you can buy or borrow, consider a portable welder rental. This can be especially important if you find you have a big welding job and would have to go to the site to complete it anyway. Figure the cost of the rental into your estimate or mileage depending on the situation. Ot that could be what you give as your “value added” portion of the project. While a portable welder rental may have made the difference between getting or not getting the job, hopefully a portion you made on the project you had to rent the welder for can go toward your own welder.
