When a gate hinge snaps or a trailer chassis cracks, taking the job to a workshop is not always practical, which is why mobile welding exists. Prices vary more than most trades because the welder brings the workshop to you. Here is an honest look at what mobile welding typically costs in the UK and what actually drives the price.
Most mobile welders in the UK charge a call-out fee plus either an hourly rate or a fixed price for the job. Call-out fees commonly sit between £40 and £90 depending on distance, and this usually covers travel and setting up equipment at your property. Hourly rates for the welding itself tend to range from £40 to £80 per hour, with a minimum charge of one hour being standard practice even for a five-minute repair.
Some welders roll everything into a single minimum charge, often £80 to £150, which covers the visit and the first hour on site. In Kent and the wider South East, expect prices towards the middle or upper end of these ranges, though still noticeably cheaper than London postcodes where minimum charges of £150 or more are common.
Fixed quotes are usual for straightforward, well-defined repairs. The figures below are realistic ballparks rather than guarantees, because access, metal condition and preparation time all affect the final price.
Rusted or painted steel takes longer because the welder has to grind back to clean metal before starting. A repair that looks small can double in time if the surrounding steel is corroded, which is common on older gates and trailers near the coast.
The biggest factors are travel distance, the type of metal, and how much preparation the job needs. Mild steel is the cheapest and quickest to weld on site. Stainless steel costs more because it needs different consumables and more care, and aluminium usually costs the most because it requires specialist equipment that not every mobile welder carries.
Access matters too. A gate at the front of a house in Gravesend is a quick set-up. A repair in a rear garden with no side access, or work at height, adds time and sometimes extra kit. Jobs needing a generator because there is no power supply nearby, or welding outdoors in wind or rain that needs sheltering, will also add to the bill.
Photos are your best friend. Sending a couple of clear pictures, including one close-up of the damage and one showing the wider setting, lets a welder quote far more accurately over the phone and avoids surprises on the day. Mention the metal type if you know it, and whether there is a power socket within reach.
You can also reduce cost by preparing the area: clear access to the repair, remove anything flammable nearby, and if the item is portable, ask whether bringing it out to the driveway would speed things up. Grouping small jobs together into one visit is one of the best ways to get value, since you pay the call-out once and the welder can work through several repairs in a single booking.
The welder has to load equipment, travel to you, set up and pack away regardless of how small the weld is. A minimum charge of around one hour plus call-out simply covers that fixed time and fuel cost.
Per hour it can be slightly dearer because of travel and set-up, but for anything fixed in place, like gates, railings or machinery, it is usually the only sensible option. For portable items, it often still works out cheaper than arranging transport for something heavy or awkward.
Yes, most carry generators or battery-powered equipment, though running a generator may add a small amount to the price. Mention the lack of power when you enquire so the welder brings the right kit first time.
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.