How Much Does Welding Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Most homeowners spend $301 on welding projects, with a typical range of $123 to $485. Your price can dip to $50 for a quick fix or climb to $1,200 for complex custom work. Factors such as the metal you choose, the filler rod or wire, and the welding method all shape the final bill.

Welding Cost Factors

The price of a welding project depends on more than just the finished product—it’s shaped by the materials you select, the complexity of the design, and the amount of labor required to complete the job.

Materials

Plan on $140 to $230 for welding materials, which covers the base metal, flux or gas, wire, and sandpaper. Even for a small repair, you’ll still buy materials in full packages, so leftover supplies often drive up the bill.

Most professional welders come with the supplies needed for a particular project. They may include this in the total price quote or the hourly rate, or they could charge you separately for the materials.

Labor

The national average to hire a local welder is $60 to $125 per hour. Most professionals have a minimum service charge to cover overheads and transport, usually equivalent to an hour or two of labor. For instance, you’ll still pay the minimum fee if patching a broken garden chair or other minor tasks take less than an hour. Some welders charge flat rates for specific or standardized projects, such as minor repairs or fabrications.

Cut costs on small fixes by bringing the item to a shop instead of paying a mobile service fee. Shop rates are usually lower than on-site visits.

Project Type

Bigger projects demand more material and shop time, so you’ll pay more than you would for a quick repair.

Metal Furniture Repair

Expect to spend $250 to $800 to repair metal furniture. Patching a garden-chair brace sits at the low end, while restoring a large bench or dining table runs closer to $800 or more if the piece needs extensive work.

Pipe Repair

The cost to repair a pipe ranges between $200 and $1,000. Your final price hinges on the pipe material, where the break sits, and how extensive the damage is.

Small Gate

Budget $550 to $750 for a narrow garden or baby gate, which covers metal, fabrication, and installation. Ornate or custom designs can climb to $6,000.

Fencing

Welding fences typically cost $1,200 to $1,800, which includes base materials plus fabrication and installation. Total price varies with the metal you choose, fence height and length, and any decorative details. Repairs for holes, broken posts, and other damage to metal fences cost considerably less, about $150 to $350.

Fabricated Sheet Metal Welding

Full sheet-metal fabrication runs $750 to $2,500, while a quick patch or seam repair can be as little as $100. Complex builds push costs higher. For example, the cost of creating a custom metal structure or object can reach $7,500. The average cost range includes the fabricated sheet metal and the structure's construction alongside the welding. Sheet metal fabrication uses welding to join metal panels, reinforce joists, and stabilize frames.

Type of Metal

With metal prices running $1 to $20 per pound, the alloy you pick plays a major role in your final welding bill. Welders most commonly use affordable mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, while titanium, cast iron, and copper-based alloys generally fall into higher pricing under specialty metals.

Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium alloy costs between $7 and $16 per pound and is suitable for alternating current (AC) Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. It’s lightweight, easy to cast, and soaks up vibration.

Low-Carbon Steel

Low-carbon or mild steel costs between $10.50 and $11.50 per pound. Beyond its low cost, mild steel stays popular because it’s easy to work with. This versatile metal alloy is highly cost-effective, experiences minimal shrinking, and is suitable for all types of welding apart from AC TIG.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel ranges between $13 and $15 per pound. Welders prefer stainless steel for its ease of use and corrosion resistance. However, it's important to know what you're working with. Martensitic-grade stainless steel is prone to cracks, so it may not be the most reliable choice for welding. Instead, stick with ferritic and austenitic grades. Stainless steel works well with all types of welding, apart from AC TIG.

Aluminum

Aluminum costs between $14 and $22 per pound. It’s more challenging to work with than steel but still versatile, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight. Aluminum is best for stick, Metal Inert Gas (MIG), and AC TIG welding.

Copper/Brass

Copper and brass alloys cost between $24 and $29 per pound. They’re popular because of their thermal and electrical conductivity and high wear and corrosion resistance. While high-quality copper and brass are reasonably easy to work with, some alloy mixes, including cheaper alloys with impurities, can easily crack, form craters, oxidize, or corrode. Lower-grade alloys also have weaker electrical and thermal conductivity. Copper and brass are best suited to direct current(DC) TIG welding.

Cast Iron

Iron averages $38 to $79 per pound. While expensive, skilled fabrication with iron results in strong, durable welds. Since it requires a high level of skill to handle the high carbon and silicon content properly, using iron may also require hiring a more advanced welder with correspondingly higher rates. Improper fabrication can cause cracks or craters, limiting the strength and durability of the item. Cast iron is suitable for stick welding.

Titanium

Titanium is one of the most expensive options, costing $60 to $85 per pound. Working with this type of metal requires the skills of a master welder. It's a strong and durable option but requires extra equipment and full coverage with shielding gas to prevent oxidation. Titanium is suitable for DC TIG welding.

Welding Cost by Type

There are numerous methods of welding available, including:

• Stick welding

• Metal inert gas (MIG) welding

• Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding

• Gas welding

• Forge welding

Typically, the nature of the project and the type of metal determine the welding method—not all methods are compatible with all metals and projects. A qualified welder can determine which welding methods are appropriate for your project.

Stick Welding

Costing approximately $50 to $75 per hour, stick welding projects start around $100 and can climb to $1,000. Also known as shielded metal arc welding, stick welding uses extreme heat to melt two pieces of metal together. The heat comes from an electric arc created between a base metal workpiece and the tip of a filler metal electrode.

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

Hiring an MIG welder averages $65 to $95 per hour. Also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), this welding method uses a solid wire electrode to produce a weld. The electrode is heated and continuously fed into a weld pool from a welding gun.

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding

TIG welding costs between $75 and $125 per hour. TIG welding uses a tungsten non-consumable electrode to weld two pieces of metal together, with a foot pedal controlling the arc’s heat.

Gas Welding

One of the oldest methods, gas welding costs start at around $150. This method uses super-heated flammable gas, such as acetylene and oxygen, to weld two pieces of metal together.

Forge Welding

Non-mobile forge welders charge about $50 per hour, plus materials. Forge welding involves heating two pieces of metal and hammering them together to form a solid joint.

Budgeting for Welding

Welding projects can range widely in price depending on the type of metal, the design, and the welder’s labor rates. Careful planning at the start can help you avoid overspending while still achieving the strength, durability, and finish you want.

• Choose cost-effective materials: Not every project requires the most expensive metal. Opting for lower-priced but durable options, such as mild steel instead of stainless or aluminum, can significantly reduce costs while still meeting strength and aesthetic needs.

• Simplify your design: Complex shapes, decorative details, or multiple weld points drive up both material and labor expenses. A streamlined design not only saves money but also speeds up the fabrication process.

• Collect detailed bids: Ask several welders for itemized quotes that break down materials, labor, and any finishing costs. Comparing these side by side ensures you’re getting fair pricing and allows you to weigh the value of different service offerings.

• Look for seasonal or promotional discounts: Some welding shops offer lower rates during off-peak times, or discounts if you bring in multiple projects at once. It never hurts to ask about specials that could help stretch your budget.

• Plan for contingencies: Build a small buffer into your budget to account for unexpected costs, such as material shortages or last-minute design changes.

By balancing material choices, design efficiency, and smart shopping, you can manage welding costs effectively and still end up with a strong, high-quality finished product.

DIY Welding vs. Hiring a Professional

Taking on welding yourself can cut labor costs, but there are significant expenses and risks to weigh first.

A starter MIG or stick welder typically runs $300 to $800, while consumables like rods, wire, or shielding gas add another $30 to $100 per project. Essential safety equipment—such as a helmet, gloves, and protective jacket—costs around $75 to $200, and renting a welder generally runs $40 to $70 per day.

Although you’ll save on hourly labor, welding is a skill-intensive trade that requires practice and careful attention to safety. Even small projects can take several hours, and larger or more technical builds demand far more time. Mistakes may result in weak joints, safety hazards, or problems during inspections.

For any structural work, or projects that must meet building codes, hiring a certified welder is the safer route. A professional brings experience, insurance, and proper equipment, ensuring the work is both reliable and compliant.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.