How Much Does Welding Cost in 2025?

Welding Cost Factors

Materials and labor are the main factors influencing most welding project costs.

Materials

The cost for metal welding materials ranges from $140 to $230 on average. This includes the base metal, the flux or gas, the wire, and sandpaper. This price does not account for the cost of a small project or repair, in which you would only use a fraction of the material. In such cases, you (or the pro) would still need to purchase larger quantities of the necessary supplies.

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 $65 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.

You can save on costs for minor fixes by taking them to a welder’s shop rather than having the welder come to you. Welding shop rates are typically lower than the rates of a mobile welder.

Project Type

Different welding projects require different amounts of materials and time to complete. Large projects require more time, materials, and total cost. 

Metal Furniture Repair

Metal furniture repair costs between $50 and $100, depending on the type and size of the project. For example, patching leg braces on a garden chair represents the low end of the budget, while fixing a large garden bench or dining table costs closer to $100. More extensive furniture repairs or restorations may exceed the standard cost range.

Pipe Repair

The cost to repair a pipe ranges between $200 and $1,000. The actual price depends on the type of pipe, the extent of the damage, the location of the pipework, and the type of metal.

Small Gate

Small gates, such as narrow garden gates or baby gates, cost $550 to $750. This includes the cost of the base metal as well as the fabrication and installation of the new gate. Some gates are ornate or complicated, potentially costing up to $6,000 to fabricate or repair. 

Fencing

Welding fences typically cost $1,200 to $1,800, which includes base materials plus fabrication and installation. Final costs depend on the type of metal, the height and length of the fence, and ornate detailing or other customization. Repairs for holes, broken posts, and other damage to metal fences cost considerably less, about $250 to $780.

Fabricated Sheet Metal Welding

Fabricating sheet metal costs $750 to $2,500, although simple patches or seam repairs can cost as little as $100. Larger jobs can cost more. 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 costs ranging from $11 to $72 per pound, your choice of metal affects the total cost of your welding project. Welders most commonly use affordable low-carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Titanium, cast iron, and copper are among the more expensive metals. Certain metals also require specialized processes or tools, adding to labor costs.

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 vibration-absorbing.

Low-Carbon Steel

Low-carbon or mild steel costs between $10.50 and $11.50 per pound. Apart from its relatively low cost, low-carbon steel is also a popular choice because of its workability. 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. The metals become strong as they cool. 

The equipment for stick welding is simple and inexpensive. It can work with most common metals and alloys. This welding doesn’t require flux—the gas is built into the 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. This wire is heated and continuously fed into a weld pool from a welding gun. The two base metals are melted together. Alongside the electrode, the gun feeds a shielding gas (usually argon, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of both) that protects the weld pool from airborne contaminants and prevents oxidation. 

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding costs between $75 and $125 per hour. TIG welding uses a tungsten non-consumable electrode to weld two disparate pieces of metal together. A foot pedal controls the arc’s heat. Unlike MIG, which can use a variety of shielding gases, TIG welding projects require 100% argon gas as its shielding component.

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. Gas welding has many applications and is popular in many general repair shops. 

Forge Welding

Non-mobile forge welders charge about $50 per hour, plus materials. Forge blacksmithing is another old form of welding. It involves heating two pieces of metal and hammering them together. Its use is restricted to a few metals, such as low-carbon steel and wrought iron.

Budgeting for Welding

Streamline costs for your welding project with these budgeting strategies:

• Choose affordable metals without compromising on the project’s overall quality.

• Simplify your design to minimize labor and material costs.

• Get detailed estimates from multiple welders to compare services and find the best value.

• Inquire about promotions, off-season rates, or other discounts available for welding services.

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. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project 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.