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J&J Welding Service
5.0(
3
)

Serving Opelousas, LA and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"He's a very competent and skilled welder, hes conscientious about the work and the product he delivers, he will make sure the customer is satisfied"
Response time1 day
Response rate94%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Welding questions, answered by experts

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.

Professional metal fabricators typically charge around $70 per hour, but the total cost of your project will depend on several factors. The largest cost drivers are the size, complexity, and design of the project, as well as the price and type of metal used. A good way to estimate the total cost is to multiply the cost of raw materials by four; typically, one-quarter of the total goes toward materials and three-quarters toward labor. Your geographic location can also influence costs, as labor and material prices vary by region.

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.

The cost to weld aluminum averages about $14 to $22 per pound. The type of metal factors into the overall cost of any welding project due to the cost of the materials and the expertise required to work with it. Some of the most common metals used by welders include:

  • Magnesium alloy: $7–$16 per pound

  • Low-carbon steel: $11–$12 per pound

  • Stainless steel: $13–$15 per pound

  • Copper/brass: $24–$29 per pound

  • Cast iron: $38–$79 per pound

  • Titanium: $60–$85 per pound

This all depends on the tools you have on hand and whether you’re trying to cut a straight line or shapes. 

The best tool to use for straight lines is either a circular saw or table saw. When cutting shapes, a jigsaw will be the easiest and most precise tool to use. 

The Opelousas, LA homeowners’ guide to welding services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.