What questions should I ask a welder before hiring?

<div>There are a few things you can ask welders before you hire them to get an idea of their experience and ability levels:<ul><li>Are you licensed and certified?</li><li>How long have you been in the welding business?</li><li>Do you commonly do the type of welding I need?</li><li>Do you offer any kind of warranty for your work?</li><li>Do you charge by the hour or by the project?</li><li>How long do you expect my welding project to take?</li><li>What steps do you take to minimize errors in your work?</li></ul></div>

Top 10 Best Welders in Portland, OR

Handyman for Multiple Small Project Service

Verified Reviews for Welding pros in Portland, OR

*The Angi rating for Welding companies in Portland, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Welding needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Welding companies in Portland, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Welding needs.

Last update on August 08, 2025

Reviewed in October 2024
The best welder hands down! He even taught me some basics while he was welding! He prefabricated some of the best modern hand railings ever!
JBM Plumbing & Mechanical
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Reviewed in August 2024
It went great. Alex Knows what he is doing and is very professional. I will hire again when I need Mobil welding services. He had a challenging task of fixing a previous" bad hires" work.
Fabulous Fabrication and Welding
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Reviewed in November 2023
I contacted Nathan and he was quick to respond and we set up a time to measure. Within a week he had the rack done and sent off for powder coating. I am really happy with the job and it looks great. He has plenty of options to accord to your needs and will put together some solid stuff for you.
HartFab LLC
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Reviewed in November 2015
Contacted Chip & Dales via Angies List based on ratings. The owner responded very quickly with a rough estimate that was very competitive. They came out the next day to make measurements. The railing was installed about a week and a half later, and looks awesome. Thanks!
Chip and Dale's Iron Works
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Reviewed in October 2022
They are perfect! Tony Ellis is very professional and his attention to detail and perfection is exemplary!
Ellis Metalworks LLC
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Reviewed in September 2021
I tried to have another business do the work. After waiting a month for them to find the materials I tried Hunter. (MWFR) He responded quickly. He looked up the specs online for my job and gave me a quote all in one day. Did the work the next day exactly how I wanted. I highly recommend and...
Mobile Welding Fab & Repair
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Welders in Portland

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

286 local quotes requested

Mr. Fence is a local family-owned business that provides customer service first and build fences second. We love our customers and we work hard to get the job done right. One fence at a time. We build all types of fences, with different materials and different styles. Let us schedule a home visit and give you a quote.

"They did a great job. They even finished early. Beautiful results. Friendly guys. I love my new fence!"

Jennifer W on June 2025

"They did a great job. They even finished early. Beautiful results. Friendly guys. I love my new fence!"

Jennifer W on June 2025

Timber Deck And Fencing LLC

Timber Deck And Fencing LLC

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 95% of Angi customers

36 local quotes requested

Our business is our livelihood but it is also so much more. Timber Deck And Fencing LLC was started to fill in a void in the current market and to make a business that people can place their trust in. Over the years we have never lost our commitment to our clients and that is what has allowed us to succeed in a very competitive industry. The employees of Timber Deck And Fencing LLC stand committed to our purpose and will provide the best service! Additional Hours: Hours By Appointment Only

"Always excellent. We have used Timber Deck and fencing for several projects over the last several years. Todd the owner is very skilled at what he and his company provides. Over the last 8 years we have had our cedar fence replaced, an IPE deck installed, new side fence and fence gate installed and new vertical skirting installed around our deck. We don't call anyone else. Besides the wonderful project outcome, Todd is one of the nicest , honest and hard working person you will ever have the pleasure of working with."

Sharon J on August 2024

Chip and Dale's Iron Works

Chip and Dale's Iron Works

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 96% of Angi customers

30 local quotes requested

We are a full service metal fabrication shop. We do small repairs on steel projects and large metal fabrications. We can duplicate old work, upgrade old work (bring it up to current codes), and pretty much fix anything a magnet will stick to. We offer IN HOUSE sandblasting and powder coating. We are a small shop that takes every job seriously, and each customer gets our best treatment

"They were professional and responded to what we expressed we would like our stair rail to look like. They did a custom creation for us, and our new stair railing is beautiful."

Judith D on January 2021

"They were professional and responded to what we expressed we would like our stair rail to look like. They did a custom creation for us, and our new stair railing is beautiful."

Judith D on January 2021

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

40 local quotes requested

Can do most anything steel fabrication/repair. I do gates, fences, doors, structural steel, truck accessories, such as headache racks and bumpers, and a lot more. Let me know what you need!

"I contacted Nathan and he was quick to respond and we set up a time to measure. Within a week he had the rack done and sent off for powder coating. I am really happy with the job and it looks great. He has plenty of options to accord to your needs and will put together some solid stuff for you."

Tim W on December 2023

Can do most anything steel fabrication/repair. I do gates, fences, doors, structural steel, truck accessories, such as headache racks and bumpers, and a lot more. Let me know what you need!

Tim W on December 2023

Fabulous Fabrication and Welding

Fabulous Fabrication and Welding

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

66 local quotes requested

Fab Fab offers skilled metal fabrication and repair, and specializes in creative solutions with modern techniques. We are a one stop shop for all your small and medium custom metal fabrication projects. With a focus on detail, durability, and aesthetics, our work will provide beauty and function for decades to come. From concept to completion, we can guide your project to success. Licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington and Oregon. OR CCB: 251172 WA L&I: FABULFW765LC

"Working with Alex was a fantastic experience from start to finish. He was responsive in communication, understood our modification needs, and delivered precise measurements and a high-quality finished product. We would definitely turn to him again for any future fabrications or welding. Highly recommended! Thank you, Alex!"

Tiffani S on October 2024

Taylor's Portable Welding

Taylor's Portable Welding

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

27 years of experience

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

"They were very accommodating and reasonably priced. Great job!"

Julie C on August 2021

"They were very accommodating and reasonably priced. Great job!"

Julie C on August 2021

1 years of experience

Hello my name is Daniel Diaz I’m a experienced and licensed welder I do mobile welder any time any where

9 years of experience

Hop Back Fabrication is a family-owned business serving the greater Portland area. Currently a one-man operation, I manufacture a vast variety of metal fabrication projects including rails, fences, and gates. I specialize in stainless brewery, winery and commercial food equipment.

Valley Welding and fabrication

No reviews

Valley Welding and fabrication

No reviews

I have been a welder/fabricator for four years, and specialize in structural fabrication. I have my associates is pipe welding and structural welding. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to working with you!

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FAQs for welding projects in Portland, OR

Welding is the process of using extreme heat—and, sometimes, pressure—to attach two pieces of metal. In contrast, metal fabrication is a more involved process that can include welding, sheet metal work, bending, and other forms of metal manipulation. Metal fabrication is a large-scale project that may or may not involve welding, while welding is more often a step in larger fabrication projects.

The average cost to hire a welder is about $300, with an average rate ranging from $65 to $125 per hour, depending on their experience and the project type and size. Aside from labor costs, some other charges you’ll need to pay include the cost of the welding material and the cost of the shielding gas that makes welding possible and safe. When you’re interviewing welders for your work, you can ask for an estimate based on your project specifics. In some simple cases, like welding gas lines or common welding projects, local welders may charge a flat hourly rate with add-ons if necessary.

There are a few things you can ask welders before you hire them to get an idea of their experience and ability levels:

Are you licensed and certified?
How long have you been in the welding business?
Do you commonly do the type of welding I need?
Do you offer any kind of warranty for your work?
Do you charge by the hour or by the project?
How long do you expect my welding project to take?
What steps do you take to minimize errors in your work?

You should not do your own welding unless you have the proper training and experience. Most home electrical systems can only handle MIG welding, which creates weaker bonds than TIG welding and won’t work on certain metals or metal thicknesses. Both welding forms usually require the use of shielding gas, which can be dangerous to store at home. Additionally, welding machines create temperatures of over 3,000 degrees, and the sparks can blind you if you don’t have the proper equipment. As such, it’s usually better to hire a professional welder for your welding projects.

Some states require welders to be licensed and certified, while others don’t. However, it’s always a good idea to hire a licensed welder, regardless of requirements in your area, especially if you need welding for structural components of your home or gas lines. Licensed welders have gone through training and testing to prove their skills, so they’re less likely to make a mistake that could be detrimental to your home. Use Angi’s state licensing tool to determine whether your potential hire has a welding license.