2 answers
2 answers
Updated
Dallas’s Answer
One of my best friends was a self employed welder for many years. The startup cost is very high, building the clientele is challenging and cost of consumables. Once you have the gear and a few repeat customers it’s sustainable. Do good work, warranty it and build your name you can ask a more premium price. There’s a ton of money to be made in this industry. I work hourly and enjoy the healthcare and 401k benefits in welding hourly where I’m at.
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Im not fully on my own yet i still work a 40hr week at my full time gig. But ill tell you this start up cost is the killer for most people. Ive been gathering all the gear for my side business for years. started out buying welders so i could practice at home for school witch turned into small jobs for friends then word of mouth got out, and here i am 9 years later with thousands of dollars in equipment and a service truck. My normal weekend i drive out to customers places string the leads out and fix there equipment or fabricate odd and end things for them. The biggest pro of being self employed is also its biggest down fall YOUR THE BOSS. Cash flow depends on you, your work ethic and drive will decide how much your putting in your pocket. Its not a career that you can set and wait for the big bucks to roll in. you have to get out there and get your hands dirty. build a reputation for being that guy, the one that farmer brown tells all his friends about you comeing out and getting his planter fixed right so he could get his crops in before this weekend rain. the guy that knows how to get things done in a timely manner and has the right equipment. most of my customers are word of mouth, people talk every one wants to tell there friends how nice you was to work with or how well equiped you were for the job. But people will also talk about the bad too. Its pretty much up to you just like most things in life your effort will decide what the out come is. Hope this helps you out in some way.