What Should I charge people?

[AwesomeAlbert]

So I am currently out of a job, but I have been very busy doing Fab jobs (design and build) and repairs for people. I am making decent money but I feel like I am WAY undercharging people (compared to local shop prices). What do you guys feel is a fair price for a freelance welder these days?

(I have been charging about $20 an hour + cost of material, using ALL of my own gear/consumables)

[MMW]

If your happy with $20 an hour that's good then. How much did you make at your last job?

Are you paying your own/family health insurance? Liability insurance? Putting away money to replace or upgrade equipment as needed? Paying your income taxes & your self employment taxes? Social security &/or retirement savings?

Not trying to give you a hard time but the above items take a large percentage out of the hourly rate. If your just out for some quick cash while in between jobs I still think it's low at least for my area. The local day laborers by me get $125 to 150 per day.

[jpence38]

If you are only charging $20 an hour for your labor, consumables, and electricity/wear and tear of equipment and a whole slew of other things you haven't considered, then you are charging way too low.
Shops around this area are at a MINIMUN $40 an hour. Some go to $60 an hour.
Not sure where you are located, but $20 is way too low.
Personally, my shop rate is $50 an hour + material for basic light fab and weld repair.

[AwesomeAlbert]

I used to make $12 an hour, way underpaid... the shops around here charge a minimum in of $75/hr inhouse with a minimum of 2 hrs. The only other mobile welding service place charges $180/hr with a minimum of 2hrs. But I have all of my own gear and work out of my truck its, I'm currently not licensed but I am seeking employment.

[Sberry]

Charge just enough to give them a heart attack and not quite enough to kill them.

[BD1]

Charge just enough to give them a heart attack and not quite enough to kill them.

That is a awesome statement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Portable Welder]

you should be charging between $ 70.00 and 90.00 per hour.

[JMK WELDING]

Most guys I know are in the $80.00 h/r range around the northern New Jersey range. I'm still at $70.00. I do know a couple of guys ay $50.00.

[JMK WELDING]

P/S we are all mobile with our own equiptment. And we all don't have a shop to work out of.

[Broccoli1]

Why don't you get legit and go out on your own full time?

[Hardrock40]

Why don't you get legit and go out on your own full time?

My dream.

[AwesomeAlbert]

I want to go legit but here is my theory...I had to work my *** off to save enough money to buy equipment, a truck, and paying for living expenses while being taxed. And now the government gets to double tax me for everything that I have accomplished? To **** with that. Its Un-American and I will not Stand for it. I do not want to go into politics, this is a welding forum. And I Guaran-god****-tee you that 90% of millerwelds forums are not liberals, so you catch my drift.

[AwesomeAlbert]

I want to go legit but here is my theory...I had to work my *** off to save enough money to buy equipment, a truck, and paying for living expenses while being taxed. And now the government gets to double tax me for everything that I have accomplished? To **** with that. Its Un-American and I will not Stand for it. I do not want to go into politics, this is a welding forum. And I Guaran-god****-tee you that 90% of millerwelds forums are not liberals, so you catch my drift.

[Broccoli1]

Your theory is seriously plucked up: the prevailing rate in your area is $180/hr yet you are worried about the unamerican taxman so you charge $20/hr?.

Have you even looked into the tax breaks you actually get for having your own business?

Nothing is free and you certainly will be taxed on income/ profits but that is the whole idea behind starting a business- profit- and with a decent accountant you can legally lower your taxes.

Yup- you'll need to pay for legit sheite like insurance , business lic. Etc etc but that's part of operating costs.

[jpence38]

I used to make $12 an hour, way underpaid... the shops around here charge a minimum in of $75/hr inhouse with a minimum of 2 hrs. The only other mobile welding service place charges $180/hr with a minimum of 2hrs. But I have all of my own gear and work out of my truck its, I'm currently not licensed but I am seeking employment.

When I commented on the original post, I was under the impression that you were in a shop. If you are mobile, that changes everything.
As the other posts have stated, you should be making MINIMUM $75 an hour with a one hour minimum, plus a service call (call out) fee, plus material. Here in my area, $100 an hour, one hour minimum, and $50 call out fee(or $1.50/mile) was what I charged and never did I have one person complain about the rate. If there is only one other mobile welding service out there, you should be charging as much or almost as much as them.
As for the taxman, there are ways to play the game like the big boys do.
If it is just you and your rig (outfitted of course), start-up cost is very minimal.
And trust me when I tell you this, you can get your money back very quickly if you are business savvy.