Things to know
On-site welding and workshop fabrication are different jobs with different cost structures. A mobile callout means transporting equipment and working around a site's constraints. Workshop fabrication benefits from proper tools and a controlled environment. State which one applies, since a customer comparing a workshop quote against a mobile one is not comparing equivalent work.
Steel and aluminium prices move, sometimes significantly within weeks. A quote that's silent on this can leave you underquoting a job that gets delayed, or defending a price increase to a customer who thought the number was fixed. A line in the notes, such as "material priced as of [date], subject to change if the order isn't placed within [X] days," is standard practice and avoids both problems.
A one-off bespoke piece and a repeat run of the same item have very different cost structures. Bespoke work carries design and setup time that a repeat run doesn't need to pay for twice. If a customer is ordering multiples, price the first unit and subsequent units separately, since the per-unit cost genuinely drops once the design work is done.
On-site welding in an occupied building carries real fire-safety obligations, whether that's a hot-works permit or at minimum a documented fire-watch procedure, particularly near flammable materials. Note this on the quote where it applies. It's a genuine safety and liability matter, not extra paperwork for its own sake.
Typical welder / fabricator line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop fabrication rate | per hour | £45–£75 |
| Site welding (mobile) | per hour | £55–£90 |
| Steel balustrade, supplied + fitted | per linear metre | £250–£500 |
| Steel driveway gates (pair, made to measure) | per pair | £1,200–£3,000 |
| Galvanising (outsourced)Galvanisers usually have a minimum charge per batch, so small jobs cost more per tonne. | per tonne | £600–£1,200 |
| Powder coating | per item | £80–£300 |
| Structural steel beam (fabricate + plates) | per beam | £300–£800 |
Common welder / fabricator jobs and how to price them
- Gates and railings
- Fixed price per gate or metre, including design drawings, finish and fitting.
- Balustrades and handrails
- Per linear metre with Part K compliance noted.
- Structural steelwork
- Fixed price per beam or frame, with execution class and certification stated.
- Repairs and mobile welding
- Hourly with a minimum call-out charge.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- BS EN 1090 (structural steel) — structural steel components placed on the market need Factory Production Control certification and UKCA/CE marking under BS EN 1090. State the execution class where it applies; garden gates and decorative work generally do not need it.
- Welder qualification (BS EN ISO 9606-1) — coded welder certificates are expected on structural and pressure work. Name the qualification on the quote.
- Building Regulations Part K (guarding) — balustrades and handrails must meet height and gap rules (a 100mm sphere must not pass through). Reference compliance for any stair or balcony work.
- Hot works — site welding often needs a hot works permit and fire watch. Price the time it adds.
Payment terms welder / fabricators commonly use
- Made-to-measure work: deposit on drawing sign-off (often 40–50%) to cover steel, balance on installation.
- Trade and contractor work: 30 days with CIS on site labour.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for welder / fabricators
VAT
Fabrication and installation are standard-rated at 20% once you are VAT-registered.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Fabricating components off-site is manufacturing, which HMRC excludes from CIS, but installing steelwork on site is construction.
On a mixed invoice to a contractor, show the workshop fabrication and the on-site installation labour as separate lines, so CIS is only deducted from the site labour.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- On-site callout priced separately from workshop fabrication
- Material cost noted as subject to change
- Bespoke design vs repeat-run pricing distinguished
- Fire-safety/hot-works consideration flagged where relevant
- PDF download or shareable tracked link
Full guide
How to Start a Welding & Fabrication Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Structural steel components placed on the market do, under BS EN 1090, which needs Factory Production Control certification. Gates, railings and decorative work generally do not.
As separate lines. They are usually outsourced, have minimum charges, and add lead time. Customers comparing quotes need to see whether the finish is included.
Part K covers guarding heights and openings: a 100mm sphere must not pass through. State that the design complies.
Include drawings for standard work and charge for repeated revisions after sign-off. Changes after steel is cut are expensive.
Mobile callouts involve transporting equipment and working around site constraints, while workshop fabrication uses proper tools in a controlled environment — genuinely different cost structures.
Steel and aluminium prices move, sometimes within weeks. A note stating the price is valid for a limited period protects both sides from a stale material cost.
Often yes — bespoke design and setup time is a one-off cost, so repeat units of the same design typically cost less per unit than the first.
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