A welder can’t quote what they can’t see. When a request says “I have a broken bracket, how much to weld it?”, the honest answer is a range so wide it’s not useful. When the request includes the right photos and a few details, the answer is a real number and a plan. Here’s what to send.
The photo checklist
- Close-up of the damage. In focus, in good light. If it’s a crack, show where it starts and ends.
- A wider shot. Show the whole part and what’s around it. It tells us about access and how the part is loaded.
- A photo with a tape measure. Lay the tape along the crack or part so we can judge size and thickness.
- The back side. Cracks often look different from behind, and some welds need access from both sides.
- The old repair, if any. Previous welds change the job, sometimes a lot.
Details that change the price
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material (steel, stainless, aluminum, cast) | Changes the process, filler and prep time |
| Thickness | Thin parts need care; thick parts need more passes |
| What the part does | A decorative trim piece and a trailer hitch get different treatment |
| Where it is | Shop drop-off vs. on site, and how hard it is to reach |
| Finish needed | Raw, ground smooth, brushed, painted or polished |
| Deadline | Rush work and after-hours visits cost more |
For custom parts
- A drawing or sketch with key dimensions. Hand-drawn is fine.
- How many you need (one, or a batch).
- What it attaches to and how (bolts, welds, hole sizes).
- Any load or use details: what it holds, whether it lives outdoors, if it gets wet or hot.
- A photo of the space it has to fit into.
Not sure what metal it is?
Try a magnet. Carbon steel sticks firmly. Aluminum doesn’t stick at all and is light for its size. Most stainless doesn’t stick or sticks only weakly. Cast iron sticks and usually has a rough, grainy surface. A photo plus the magnet result is usually enough for us to tell.
The best quote requests read like a good repair note: what broke, when, what it’s made of, and a photo with a tape measure in it.
What happens after you send it
We review the photos, ask about anything unclear and reply with a quote or a short list of options: repair, reinforce or replace, shop or mobile. If something turns out different once the part is in front of us, we stop and talk before doing more.
Ready to send yours?
Use our quote request form; you can attach photos and drawings directly. For on-site jobs, also read what affects the cost of mobile welding.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t a welder give me a price over the phone?
Because the same crack can be a 20-minute weld or a half-day repair depending on material, thickness, access and condition. Photos remove most of that guesswork.
Should I send a drawing or the old part?
Either works for custom parts. A drawing with dimensions is best; the old part, even broken, is the next best thing.
Do I need to know what metal my part is?
It helps but isn’t required. A magnet test (steel sticks, aluminum and most stainless don’t) and a photo are usually enough for us to tell.
