other welders opinion

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question to other structural welders. What do you think a structural welder is worth, with there own rigs? I have been welding since i was eleven, been to a school, six years of structural/shop/field welding combined, can weld with both arms. I have a vantage 300 lincoln,my own rig w/ all the tools required to do the job. we are currently building pipeline fences. The guy we contract for started everyone at 35.00 hrly, and he bought all the consumables, such as gas for welder,oxy-acc, n rod. Now he wants to bring all the welders down to 25.00 hrly, and still pay for the consumables mentioned.I would just like to know, what the opinions of the other FULLTIME SELF EMPLOYED WELDERS ARE?In a sense its worth it, in a sense not! I think my rig n I are worth at least 35.00 hrly!FEEDBACK!
Reply:I get $60.00 per hour from when I leave to when I get back.  I do not charge for consumables or mileage, just time unless its a big job.  Around here its close to the going rate.  Some get more, but there aren't many mobile weldors around here.    I did a job for a guy where I cut my rate to $45 and used all his equipment and shop.  Do you have to carry insurance?DavidLast edited by David R; 01-27-2008 at 10:15 AM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:when i had my rig i was charging 55.00 an hr and that was just for general welding i 'm not certified but it also depends on where your at in the U.S.  some places like S.W. Wyo  guys are getting 100.00 and hr and places like MT you will be lucky to get 20.00 - 30.00 hope that helps ya
Reply:Make him pay for the truck and ins. and 25/hr sounds ok. Fuel, oil, tires, payments etc. add up. Sounds like he is getting to cheap to work for. Prices are going up, not down. If you take a cut now, be prepared to take another one later and so on. I personally wouldn't do it...but then I am in the 60-75/hr bracket right now, so it really wouldn't go over very well. Would I take 50/hr for a job? Maybe.... if I didn't have anything else going at the time, probably. I can be flexible if it is my idea...some one arbitrarily lowering my rates puts me down the road fast.
Reply:Guess this just tells us that we're to low Jimmy....
Reply:I am not self employed nor do I own a truck/rig. Another thing I am not is a true expert welder with 15+ years of experience, BUT I am makin 20 an hourwelding in someone elses building with their equipment. Sure I have my tools there but that wage is not uncommon. Maybe its where I am but It seems like you should gettin at least 50 an hour for all that you show up with
Reply:Originally Posted by penetration31I would just like to know, what the opinions of the other FULLTIME SELF EMPLOYED WELDERS ARE?
Reply:Wow Blackwolf at least you werent a dick about it
Reply:Originally Posted by weldingroperGuess this just tells us that we're to low Jimmy....
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitWow Blackwolf at least you werent a dick about it
Reply:This is a simple math problem. @ $25.00 X (hours worked) = (?) less actual costs (=) net wageFigure out the answer to this and then ask your self if you want to work for (X)?In my area and my skill set with the equipment I offer I charge considerably more per hour than any mentioned thus far. I am the most expensive in my area and I am booked three months out.  I have several trucks each truck leaves with two workers [welder and apprentice] and bill at least 10 hours each day. Figuring out your real costs is the trick.insurance for: truck, workman comp., general liability, health insurance....business license, contractors license, license bond,......truck maintenance, welder maintenance, tools maintenance,....self employment tax 15.6%,   income tax paid quarterly in my case I add employee costs... taxes, health benefit retirement package When I send a truck out the door it costs me $193.68 per hour. What will it cost you to show up on this job???Jimmy
Reply:I was getting 24.50 an hour in 2001 doing structural and didn't even supply my hood, pipe had the same rate. I get 65.00 an hour for me and my rig. Mild steel consumables included, others are extra if they are very much higher. I have no idea what the going rate runing under someone else is here, but in the New Mexico oilfield, I grew up there and was there until 2 years ago, the going rate is 65 an hour. Usually it is a 50/50 split. You supply your rig and tools as well as vehicle insurance. He supplies all consumables, fuel, oil, filters, general liability (2 million minimum out there) sometimes even tires and other things, just depends on how good you are and how much business your work brings in. Personally I think he is trying to put the screws to you.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I get 70.00 hr plus consumables. 15 hr on a laborer. the smaller the job the more I try to get the bigger the job the lower you CAN go in your hourly rate. Don't do anything for free!! The person you gave a deal too is not going to be there for you, when your bankrupt!!WELD IT RIGHT OR GO HOME!!!
Reply:Here in the Aberdeen,SD. area the going rate is $ 55 - $ 75 / Hr.  Some contractors pay for the consumables.. some pay for fuel and consumables... I won't put my rig out for less than $ 60.00/ Hr..
Reply:you guys got me thinking I need my own rig and be self employed!!!!what certs do you need?
Reply:Depends on the area you live in. I have 3 and 4 g unlimited but i don't think in 2 years had to show them for a job.I am going to take my 6g pipe soon! I think your knowledge and the ability to do any job put in front of you properly and will hold up beyond the way you got the project. if you can do this and manage your money properly you will go far in this businessWELD IT RIGHT OR GO HOME!!!
Reply:I've never certified anything but 6g pipe or structural. All are long out of date. I've never been asked for one here. Most places requiring certification make you test before they will hire you. With most customers, who have no specific code requirement, the quality of your work is your certification. One of my main customers told my partner that when other supposed to be welders around here see my work they sell their rigs and take up selling beer or some such, LOL. Made me feel good. He just gave me a job totaling half of last years gross today, on top of all the other work he already had me set to do. All of this came from redesigning a set of forks for another customers allis chalmers front loader. The loader is sitting there in two pieces, but the forks took it all with no problem. I am still amazed as I felt the forks needed one more spot reinforced, but he wouldn't go for it. That's why he got no warranty on them. Stand behind your work, but don't let them make you warranty their mistakes. If I build it my way I guarantee it, if I build it their way I don't. Always give them your best work, and make it look nice as well. They will keep coming back and send their friends and sometimes their competitors to you too. I have some customers who will wait weeks to months for me to be able to get to them. Do that, manage things properly, and you should do fine.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Price depends largely on the area you work.  For me if he was starting at $35/hr then I would not settle for $25/hr.  As stated before cost are rising not going down.  In my area Field work is gonna be in the $35-$50/hr range.  I charge $50/hr.  I don't use others equipment and consumables.  I'd rather use what I am used to if I am going to do the work.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......