Mobile Welding Service
A truck, a rig, and very expensive problems that clients need fixed today
Bottom line
Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.
Mobile welding services travel to farms, construction sites, manufacturers, fleets, and property owners to handle on-site fabrication and repair. The surprising angle is urgency: a cracked trailer, broken gate, or damaged piece of equipment can stop a job instantly, so customers pay premium field-service rates for someone who can show up fast. The business behaves like a blend of skilled trade and emergency dispatch, which supports strong pricing despite a small crew.
Avg Revenue
$320K
Profit Margin
28%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$30K - $150K
How It Works
A service truck carries welders, generators, torches, steel inventory, and fabrication tools to customer sites. Revenue comes from hourly field repair, emergency callouts, fabricated metal installs, maintenance contracts for fleets or industrial clients, and shop work completed during slower periods.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811310 · Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | NY | $3.3M | $3.8M |
| Mar 2026 | FL | $2.8M | $3.2M |
| Feb 2026 | WA | $900K | $1.1M |
| Feb 2026 | AZ | $1.4M | $1.7M |
| Feb 2026 | TX | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Feb 2026 | TX | $250K | $294K |
| Jan 2026 | TX | $200K | $235K |
| Jan 2026 | NY | $500K | $588K |
| Jan 2026 | TX | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| Jan 2026 | MD | $965K | $1.1M |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Emergency jobs support premium hourly pricing
- +High trust and repeat work once you become the go-to welder for local fleets or contractors
- +Can scale from solo owner-operator to multiple trucks
- +Low marketing complexity compared with trendier consumer services
Cons
- -Skill-dependent and harder to hire than generic labor services
- -Safety, insurance, and burnout risks are real
- -Revenue can dip fast if the owner is the main technician
Best For
Skilled trade operators or buyers with access to strong lead welders who want urgent, high-value service work
Operating Costs
Major costs include truck payments, welders/generators, shielding gas, steel inventory, fuel, consumables, insurance, and certified labor. Margins rise when emergency callouts and maintenance accounts smooth out pure project work.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Industry publication covering field welding economics, equipment, and shop-to-mobile service models
Welding equipment provider with practical guidance on truck setup, pricing, and service mix
Marketplace where fabrication and welding-related service businesses are regularly listed for sale
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $640K–$1.1M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
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