If you have a broken gate hinge, a cracked trailer chassis or railings that need repairing, hauling the item to a workshop is often impractical or impossible. The good news is that mobile welding is a well established service, and for many jobs it is the sensible option. Here is how it works, what it typically costs around Gravesend and the rest of Kent, and how to get an accurate quote quickly.
Most welding businesses, including ours, run a van equipped with a portable welder, a generator, angle grinders, clamps and consumables. That means we can carry out repairs at your home, farm, yard or commercial premises without you moving anything. MMA (stick) welding in particular is well suited to outdoor work because it copes with wind and less than perfect surfaces far better than gas shielded processes do.
Typical call outs include garden gates and railings, trailer and horsebox repairs, farm machinery, security grilles, staircases and balustrades, skip and container repairs, and structural steel that is fixed in place. If the item is bolted down, built in or simply too heavy to transport, on site work is usually the right call.
A mobile welder will usually ask for photos and rough measurements before quoting, then confirm a price or an hourly rate before travelling. On arrival they will assess the metal, clean back paint and rust around the repair area, complete the weld, then grind and dress it. Many will apply a coat of primer to bare steel, though final painting is normally down to you.
Access matters more than most customers expect. The welder needs to get equipment within reach of the job, and welding produces sparks and intense light, so the area around the repair needs to be clear of anything flammable. If there is no power on site, that is rarely a problem, as most mobile setups carry a generator, but it is worth mentioning when you enquire.
Mobile welding is usually charged either as a fixed price for the job or at an hourly rate with a minimum charge. In Kent, hourly rates for mobile work commonly sit somewhere between 50 and 90 pounds, and most firms apply a minimum call out of one to two hours to cover travel and setup. A straightforward repair, such as rewelding a gate hinge, often falls within that minimum.
Bigger factors than the welding itself are often access, preparation and material. Badly corroded steel may need plates letting in rather than a simple weld, and cast iron or aluminium repairs need different techniques and can cost more. Distance matters too. A job in Gravesend, Northfleet or Meopham will usually carry little or no travel charge, while sites further out across Kent may add a modest travel fee. Any honest welder will tell you before booking, not after.
On site work is convenient, but it is not always the best result for the money. Small items that fit in a car boot, such as a broken chair frame, a bracket or a portable barbecue, are usually cheaper to have repaired at a workshop because there is no travel time and the welder has full equipment to hand. Precision work on thin stainless steel or aluminium is also often better done indoors, where TIG welding can be used away from wind.
A reasonable rule of thumb: if you can transport it easily, ask for a workshop price as well as a mobile one and compare. If it is fixed in place, heavy or awkward, mobile is almost certainly the way to go.
The quickest route to a firm price is a couple of clear photos on your phone: one close up of the damage and one wider shot showing the surroundings and access. Add rough dimensions, what the metal is if you know, and your postcode. With that, most welders can give you a realistic figure or a tight range the same day, and you avoid paying for a survey visit.
Be upfront about anything unusual, such as galvanised coatings, previous repairs, painted lead era railings on older properties, or limited access. Surprises on the day are the main reason quotes change, so the more the welder knows in advance, the more reliable the price.
No. Most mobile welders carry a generator, so they can work anywhere the van can get reasonably close. If you do have a suitable supply, mention it, as it can occasionally simplify the setup.
Light wind is fine for stick welding, but rain is a genuine problem because moisture causes weld defects and electrical hazards. Heavy rain usually means rescheduling or rigging temporary cover over the work area.
A properly executed weld on sound steel is typically as strong as, or stronger than, the surrounding material. If the metal around the break is heavily corroded, the welder may recommend letting in new steel so the repair lasts.
Tell Michael about your job. Drop a quick message with what needs welding, where it is and a photo if you have one. He will come back the same day.