Welding cost

[brain55]

I think what some are failing to think about here is that, sure to lay down a 160" of weld is no big deal and shouldn't take any time at all. I've done bucket repair, you have to make sure the parts aren't going to move around even on a 15" bucket. I've cut off cutting edges and just threw the bucket up on the bench and welded it back together and the cutting edge looks like a taco. So there has to be some planning. The bucket has to be secure, if you want the pins to line up you are going to have to make some jigs, you can't just pull the trigger and stop 160" later and expect everything to be the same shape it was when you started. I'm sure JJ's friend knew he expected a certain level of skill and competence and that's what he got, and also got a bill that reflected that.

 

[5030]

I think what some are failing to think about here is that, sure to lay down a 160" of weld is no big deal and shouldn't take any time at all. I've don bucket repair, you have to make sure the parts aren't going to move around even on a 15" bucket. I've cut off cutting edges and just threw the bucket up on the bench and welded it back together and the cutting edge looks like a taco. So there has to be some planning. The bucket has to be secure, if you want the pins to line up you are going to have to make some jigs, you can't just pull the trigger and stop 160" later and expect everything to be the same shape it was when you started. I'm sure JJ's friend knew he expected a certain level of skill and competence and that's what he got, and also got a bill that reflected that.

Touche'

 

[J_J]

I am realizing that some of you charge really high prices for your work. Maybe your part of the country can handle it.

He was not kind of a friend that would give discounts, I didn't ask for one either. I just knew him from previous jobs and what he charged for those other jobs.

The bucket welding price was a really big shock.

I think some of you have a really sad outlook on what is fair. I usually pay the going rate , but I usually know a rip off.

Some of you don't read well either, I said I could weld but wanted a good job done. He had done welding for me before.

I did not take the bucket to him because I could not weld, I wanted a good job done mainly because it is difficult for me to see very good even with magnifier inserts in the helmet.

Some of you made excuses for him for various reasons. Perhaps because some of you operate that way.

Most of you should know when you are taken advantage of. If you cruise the internet, you can see what welders are charging in different parts of the country.

How can any of you blame me for what happened. I know I was over charged.

This was long ago, but was just an example what could happen. I was wanting to get an idea of the prices some of you charge.

I am finding out it is very subjective, mostly just charge what you want.

There is a good bit of difference in friends and customers, they just are not treated the same.

I don't believe I have ever seen a welding price list anywhere.

Always get an estimate, I must always remember that is what I usually tell everybody.

Lastly, I treat good friends with respect, they make life better in all things.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Certainly not to be taken as a criticism of JJ because his posts are usually balanced, but merely an observation of fact. What is missing from this discussion is the point of view of the welder - why did he charge that much? I don't doubt JJ believes he was overcharged, and maybe he was. But maybe, just maybe, he wasn't. Till you hear the other side it is difficult to judge. The good lesson is: get an estimate.

I have had the opposite experience with a welder that does commercial fabrication (that is, doesn't normally do odd jobs). I took an alloy telescope base to him to fix a large crack. He told me it was really difficult to weld that alloy without causing another crack. I told him I understood and asked him to try. I was shocked when he charged me only $20.00 for the repair.

 

[Shield Arc]

Welding the eyes for the pins would be the last step for me. I can't ever think of a time I welded up something by starting at one end and welding to the other. I'm a big believer in back stepping, skipping around, and monitoring the object with a square and tape measure. Even tho the odds are hugely stacked in my favor I can bring an object back in line by heat shrinking. But that is time consuming, and I just soon avoid having to do it.

 

[MMagis]

I am realizing that some of you charge really high prices for your work. Maybe your part of the country can handle it.

He was not kind of a friend that would give discounts, I didn't ask for one either. I just knew him from previous jobs and what he charged for those other jobs.

The bucket welding price was a really big shock.

I think some of you have a really sad outlook on what is fair. I usually pay the going rate , but I usually know a rip off.

Some of you don't read well either, I said I could weld but wanted a good job done. He had done welding for me before.

I did not take the bucket to him because I could not weld, I wanted a good job done mainly because it is difficult for me to see very good even with magnifier inserts in the helmet.

Some of you made excuses for him for various reasons. Perhaps because some of you operate that way.

Most of you should know when you are taken advantage of. If you cruise the internet, you can see what welders are charging in different parts of the country.

How can any of you blame me for what happened. I know I was over charged.

This was long ago, but was just an example what could happen. I was wanting to get an idea of the prices some of you charge.

I am finding out it is very subjective, mostly just charge what you want.

There is a good bit of difference in friends and customers, they just are not treated the same.

I don't believe I have ever seen a welding price list anywhere.

Always get an estimate, I must always remember that is what I usually tell everybody.

Lastly, I treat good friends with respect, they make life better in all things.

Obviously, we're all wrong.
There's a saying that friends and family make the worst customers. This is a prime example.
You've been given numerous reasons why you probably weren't over charged, but your mind is made up. What's worse, you expect a discount from friends. Something tells me this isn't the only example you could cite of being "ripped off" by friends in business, and this friend knew exactly what he was doing. Good for him. Some customers aren't worth the head ache.

 

[brain55]

Welding the eyes for the pins would be the last step for me. I can't ever think of a time I welded up something by starting at one end and welding to the other. I'm a big believer in back stepping, skipping around, and monitoring the object with a square and tape measure. Even tho the odds are hugely stacked in my favor I can bring an object back in line by heat shrinking. But that is time consuming, and I just soon avoid having to do it.

That was my point. There has to be some thought and preparation, and likely some jig making of some sort.

Now week before last I had a customer with a Bobcat that had worn out the tapers on the boom for the lower Bobtach pins. The only way to fix this is to cut out the old tapers and weld in new bushings from Bobcat. I quoted the customer 6 hrs., I wish it didn't take that long but from experience it does and I've done several but not the same model as my customer's machine. He thought my quote was a little high and decided he and his buddy would do it themselves. I understood, sometimes I don't get every job I estimate. So on a Sunday I get a call, hey Brian we can't find where the bushing is, we can't find a parting line, my buddy is afraid to do this. So I went to his place a couple of days later and was surprised to find that there was no bushing that was welded in, the taper was actually ground into the arm. I was even nervous about doing it now, I called my mentor who came out and basically told me not to be a wuss and to go ahead and cut a hole in the arm and weld the new bushings in. So I did, because of my apprehension, it took over 8 hrs instead of the 6 I quoted. I handed my customer a bill for 6 hrs. plus materials and he added a $100 to it because he knew it took more than I had counted on. He was impressed with my work and that I called somebody when I was stuck. He was very glad that they stopped when they did. He also appreciated that I stuck to my word.

 

[J_J]

Obviously, we're all wrong.
There's a saying that friends and family make the worst customers. This is a prime example.
You've been given numerous reasons why you probably weren't over charged, but your mind is made up. What's worse, you expect a discount from friends. Something tells me this isn't the only example you could cite of being "ripped off" by friends in business, and this friend knew exactly what he was doing. Good for him. Some customers aren't worth the head ache.

You in particular are so very wrong in your application of the facts.

 

[MMagis]

You in particular are so very wrong in your application of the facts.

Which part would you be referring to? I don't remember making any assumtions, but maybe I did.

 

[LD1]

JJ: Did he give you any reason at all why it costs so much.

I think that is what we are after here. We are only getting your side of the story. All we know is.....15" bucket, already tacked, and he tried to get $350 from you.

BUT, did he only have to weld everything?

OR..... Did he have to make jigs? Did he have to take it back appart?

You obviously questioned the $350. Thats how you got him down to $325. But if it truly was a $350 job, he should have given you a good reason for why he charged that much.

Throw us a bone here:thumbsup: