Thompson Welding Services pricing should be confirmed through a current written quote rather than an undated online rate list. Several businesses use similar names, and publicly available descriptions do not verify the exact charges previously attributed to the company. To budget accurately, separate labor, setup, travel, materials, consumables, finishing, inspection, and any after-hours premium.
Quick Answer
A current public Thompson Welding Services rate sheet could not be verified. Earlier figures—such as $75 minimums, $60 setup or callout fees, and $150–$180 mobile rates—should be treated only as examples. Your actual cost depends on labor, travel, materials, welding process, access, qualifications, safety requirements, and the written quote.
Key Takeaways
- Do not treat an online price as an official Thompson Welding Services rate unless it appears on a dated company estimate or price sheet.
- Ask whether the minimum charge includes travel, setup, equipment use, cleanup, and the first block of labor.
- Material grade, thickness, preparation, access, finish, inspection, and code requirements can matter as much as welding time.
- Compare the complete scope and exclusions—not just the hourly rate—when reviewing quotes.
- Structural, pressure-containing, load-bearing, or previously fuel-filled items need extra qualification and safety checks.
Welder Hourly Rates and Minimum Charges
The first step is confirming which business you are contacting. The Hamilton, Mississippi company publicly identified as Thompson’s Welding Services, Inc. is described as performing pressure-vessel, process-piping, structural, shop, and field fabrication. That service mix is different from a small residential repair shop, so a consumer-style minimum cannot safely be assigned to it without a company quote.
The earlier version of this article listed several exact amounts. None should be presented as a guaranteed current charge until the contractor confirms them in writing.
| Previously Published Figure | How to Treat It |
| $75 first-hour mobile minimum | Unverified example. Ask what portion of labor, setup, or travel the minimum includes. |
| $40 small MIG minimum or $75 TIG minimum | Unverified process-based examples. A quote should also consider preparation, metal, joint design, position, and finish. |
| $60 equipment startup and $60 per hour of machine time | Unverified. Confirm whether equipment time is already included in the labor rate. |
| $60 callout within 25 miles and $2.30 per extra mile | Unverified travel formula. Ask where mileage starts, whether both directions are charged, and whether drive time is separate. |
| $150 regular mobile rate or $180 after-hours rate | Possible market-style examples, not verified Thompson rates. Request the effective date and billing increment. |
| Fabrication quotes differ by at least $200 | There is no universal minimum difference. Competing quotes may be close together or far apart. |
Note: Some of these amounts resemble examples found in general welding-cost guides. Such guides can show possible fee types, but they are not an official price sheet for a specific contractor.
An employee’s wage is also different from a welding contractor’s billing rate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employee compensation, while a contractor’s invoice may also need to cover a service vehicle, equipment, shielding gas, insurance, administration, nonbillable travel, and business overhead.
Products Worth Considering
READY OUT OF THE BOX: Start welding immediately! It masterfully handles Gasless Flux Core MIG, Stick, and Lift TIG (Extra Lift TIG torch required). This budget-friendly 3-in-1 machine includes extra E71T-GS .030''&.035'' flux core wires, known for its smooth arc and high feedability. Say goodbye to heavy shielding gas cylinders—perfect for outdoor, windy, or all-position welding.
Comes with lift TIG torch, welding gloves and E6013 welding rods, 2-in-1 welder, can stick or lift TIG as you need. (more convenient and cost-effective than buying separately)
HIGH FREQUENCY ARC STARTING: The TIG welder features non-contact arc initiation that help start arc easily and reduces tungsten and material consumption. Advanced MCU and IGBT Inverter technology digital control system to deliver a flawless weld, making spatter and post-weld cleanup almost non-existent.
Factors That Influence Welding Costs
A reliable estimate starts with the work itself, not a single hourly number. These factors commonly change the final price:
- Repair versus new fabrication: Repair work may require diagnosis, removal of damaged metal, alignment, reinforcement, and testing before the new weld is made.
- Welding process: MIG and TIG are common shop terms for gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding. The process must suit the metal, joint, position, finish, and required procedure.
- Metal condition: Rust, paint, powder coating, galvanizing, oil, plating, and old weld material may require cleaning or removal.
- Thickness and joint design: Thick sections, bevels, multipass welds, awkward joints, and distortion control take more time.
- Access and position: Overhead work, confined spaces, ladders, disassembly, blocked equipment, and limited electrical access may increase setup and labor.
- Qualification or code requirements: Structural steel, pressure piping, tanks, trailers, lifting points, and safety barriers may require a qualified welder, approved procedure, inspection, or engineering review.
- Finish: Grinding, blending, polishing, painting, galvanizing repair, powder coating, and corrosion protection can be separate operations.
- Schedule: Emergency, overnight, weekend, shutdown, and rush work may carry a premium.
- Location: Distance, tolls, parking, site orientation, permits, escorts, and travel time can affect mobile work.
- Quantity: Repeated identical pieces may cost less per unit because setup and fixtures are spread across the batch.
MIG is not automatically “cheap,” and TIG is not automatically “expensive.” A short precision TIG repair may cost less than a large MIG fabrication. The estimate should be based on expected hours, preparation, filler metal, equipment, risk, and acceptance requirements.
Materials, Metal Types, and Additional Supplies
Metal prices change by grade, form, thickness, quantity, supplier, and market conditions. It is therefore unsafe to assume that aluminum or stainless steel will always cost a fixed multiple of mild steel.
An itemized material section may include:
- Plate, sheet, pipe, tube, angle, channel, bar, or replacement hardware
- Filler wire, rods, electrodes, flux, tungsten, and shielding gas
- Grinding discs, flap wheels, cutoff wheels, brushes, and abrasives
- Fasteners, hinges, latches, brackets, anchors, and bearings
- Cleaning agents and coating-removal supplies
- Primer, paint, powder coating, passivation, polishing, or galvanizing repair
- Waste allowance, offcuts, freight, delivery, and supplier handling
- Testing, inspection, material certificates, or documentation when required
The earlier figures of about $40 for a 30-pound wire roll, $64 per week for sanding paper, and $44–$50 for a particular steel section should not be used as current supplier prices. Ask for the material quantity, unit price, markup or handling method, freight, and unused-material policy.
Pro Tip: When possible, provide the metal grade—not just “steel” or “aluminum.” A photo of a label, drawing, mill certificate, or equipment manual can prevent the wrong filler or process from being quoted.
Tell the contractor about paint, galvanizing, stainless steel, lead-containing coatings, chemical residue, or unknown contamination. OSHA identifies metal fumes, ultraviolet radiation, burns, eye injuries, electrical shock, and other hazards associated with welding and cutting, so surface condition affects safety as well as cost.
Products Worth Considering
Superior wire surface finish for the best feedability and arc performance
Commonly used for general shop applications with poor fit-up
SÜA ER70S-6 is the most common of the copper-coated mild steel GMAW (MIG) wires for single or multiple pass welding. Common uses include construction work, farm implement fabrications, general shop applications with poor fit-up or rusty, oily plates, tanks, steel castings or forgings.
Mobile and After-Hours Service Pricing
Mobile welding often has more line items than shop work because the contractor must transport equipment and prepare an unfamiliar work area. A mobile quote may include a service call, travel time, mileage, tolls, setup, generator use, labor, cleanup, and return travel.
The earlier $60 callout, $2.30-per-mile, $75 minimum, $150 regular rate, and $180 after-hours rate are unverified examples—not a confirmed current Thompson Welding Services price schedule.
Ask these questions before approving a mobile visit:
- Does the service-call fee include any labor?
- Is the minimum based on one hour, two hours, or another billing block?
- Does travel begin at the shop, a service-zone boundary, or your address?
- Is mileage charged one way or round trip?
- Are drive time and mileage both billed?
- When does the after-hours rate begin?
- Do setup, generator use, cutting, grinding, and cleanup use the same hourly rate?
- Will the estimate change if the welder finds hidden damage?
A useful total-cost formula is:
Estimated total = service call or minimum + labor + equipment + travel + materials and consumables + finishing + inspection or permit costs + applicable tax.
Warning: Mobile welding is hot work. OSHA requires fire-prevention precautions, protection or removal of nearby combustibles, suitable extinguishing equipment, and a fire watch under specified conditions. Do not permit hot work on a used drum, tank, fuel container, or similar vessel until it has been properly cleaned, evaluated, vented, and prepared by qualified personnel. Review OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 and applicable local requirements.
Products Worth Considering
These Service Caster Series #20 Semi Steel Cast Iron casters offer various wheel sizes and mounting heights: 3” Wheel: 4-1/8” mounting height; 4” Wheel: 5-1/8” mounting height; 5” Wheel: 6-1/8” mounting height.
These Service Caster Series #20 Stainless Steel Polyurethane casters offer various wheel sizes and mounting heights: 3” Wheel: 4-1/8” mounting height; 3-1/2” wheel: 4-5/8” mounting height; 4” wheel: 5-1/8” mounting height; 5” wheel: 6-1/8” mounting height. Wheels are offered in five different colors – Gray, Blue, Black, Maroon, and Red.
These Service Caster Series #20 Hard Rubber casters offer various wheel sizes and mounting heights: 3” Wheel: 4-1/8” mounting height; 3-1/2” wheel: 4-5/8” mounting height; 4” wheel: 5-1/8” mounting height; 5” wheel: 6-1/8” mounting height.
What an Itemized Welding Quote Should Include
A complete quote should make it possible to understand what you are buying and what could change the price. Look for the following:
| Quote Item | Details to Confirm |
| Scope | Exact repair, fabrication, dimensions, quantity, and intended use |
| Labor | Estimated hours, crew size, hourly or fixed price, minimum, and billing increment |
| Preparation | Disassembly, cutting, rust removal, coating removal, beveling, fit-up, and alignment |
| Materials | Metal grade, quantity, filler, consumables, hardware, freight, and markup |
| Mobile charges | Callout, mileage, drive time, tolls, parking, setup, and generator use |
| Finish | Grinding level, appearance standard, primer, paint, polishing, or coating |
| Quality requirements | Applicable code, welder qualification, inspection, testing, documents, and acceptance criteria |
| Commercial terms | Deposit, payment method, tax, quote expiration, cancellation, warranty, and change orders |
| Schedule | Start date, estimated duration, curing or coating time, and delivery date |
| Exclusions | Work, parts, permits, engineering, disposal, shipping, or site preparation not included |
A lower hourly rate does not always produce a lower total. One quote may include preparation, materials, and finishing, while another may list only arc time. Compare both estimates against the same written scope.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 10–30 minutes to measure, photograph, and describe a straightforward job |
| Difficulty | Easy for basic documentation; professional evaluation may be required for structural or concealed damage |
| Tools Needed | Tape measure, camera or phone, notes, drawings, equipment information, and material details |
| Cost | A photo estimate may be free, but a site visit, diagnosis, or callout fee may apply—confirm first |
- Describe the item and its use. State whether it is a gate, railing, trailer, machine, pipe, tank, bracket, frame, pressure component, or decorative piece.
- Provide measurements. Include overall dimensions, metal thickness if known, crack length, quantity, and the size of any missing or replacement section.
- Send clear photographs. Include close-ups, wider views, the back side, connection points, surrounding surfaces, and a ruler or tape for scale.
- Identify the material. Share the grade, equipment manual, drawing, label, or previous fabrication record when available. Say that the metal is unknown rather than guessing.
- Explain access and site conditions. Note stairs, ladders, tight spaces, nearby combustibles, power availability, operating equipment, weather exposure, parking, and working-hour limits.
- State the required result. Explain whether appearance, strength, alignment, corrosion resistance, code compliance, inspection, or quick return to service matters most.
- Request an itemized written estimate. Ask for labor, materials, travel, preparation, finishing, tax, exclusions, warranty terms, and the process for approving changes.
Pro Tip: Send the same photos, dimensions, scope, finish requirement, and deadline to every contractor. Quotes are much easier to compare when each welder is pricing the same work.
Safety, Qualifications, and Permits That Can Change the Price
Not every welding job should be priced as a simple cosmetic repair. Ask about additional requirements when the item supports people, carries a load, contains pressure, connects to a vehicle, handles hazardous material, or forms part of a regulated structure.
The AWS Certified Welder program is performance-based, and qualifications relate to particular processes, materials, positions, and test requirements. A general statement that someone is “certified” does not by itself show that the qualification matches your job.
Depending on the work and location, the project may also need:
- A welding procedure or specified code
- Welder-performance qualification for the required process and position
- Material traceability or mill certificates
- Visual or nondestructive inspection
- An engineer’s repair detail or approval
- A building, fire, hot-work, or other local permit
- A documented fire watch and site authorization
- Special ventilation, containment, or coating-removal controls
Note: This pricing guide does not determine whether a repair is structurally adequate or safe. For load-bearing, pressure-containing, vehicle, lifting, or life-safety work, obtain the appropriate professional evaluation and acceptance requirements before welding begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Thompson Welding Services offer repeat-customer or bulk discounts?
No publicly verified discount program was found. Ask whether repeated parts, scheduled maintenance, larger quantities, or combined jobs qualify for volume pricing. Any discount, threshold, or rebate should appear on the written quote.
Is there a warranty on welding repairs and fabrication?
Do not assume that every job has the same warranty. Request written terms covering the workmanship period, included remedies, inspection process, maintenance duties, corrosion, misuse, overloading, movement, base-metal failure, and other exclusions.
Can I request references or photos of past projects?
Yes, you can ask for examples of comparable work and references the contractor is permitted to share. Look for projects involving a similar metal, process, joint, finish, scale, and service environment rather than relying only on general portfolio photos.
Does Thompson Welding Services accept credit cards or digital payments?
The available payment methods could not be verified from a current official policy. Confirm accepted methods, deposits, card-processing charges, payment milestones, final-payment timing, and receipt details before authorizing the work.
Are parts, materials, freight, and shipping included in the quote?
They may be included, excluded, marked up, or billed after purchase. The estimate should separately identify supplied metal, replacement parts, consumables, freight, delivery, tax, and any handling charge. Never rely on an unstated assumption.
Are the Thompson Welding Services prices published online official?
Not unless the specific business confirms them through its own current price sheet or a dated written estimate. Third-party guides and older articles may contain useful examples, but they do not establish what the contractor will charge for your job.
Why can two welding quotes be very different?
The contractors may be pricing different preparation, materials, crew sizes, welding procedures, finishes, inspections, travel terms, or warranty obligations. Review each scope and exclusion line by line before deciding that one price is higher for the same work.
Can a welder give a final estimate from photographs?
Photos may support a preliminary estimate for a straightforward job. Concealed cracks, corrosion, misalignment, unknown metal, coating hazards, or structural damage may require an on-site inspection before the contractor can provide a firm price.
Conclusion
Do not rely on the previously published $40, $60, $75, $150, $180, or $2.30-per-mile figures as confirmed Thompson Welding Services prices. Use them only to recognize the kinds of charges that might appear. The dependable figure is the contractor’s current written estimate for your exact project.
Document the item, measurements, metal, damage, access, finish, deadline, and safety concerns. Then request a quote that separates labor, minimums, setup, equipment, materials, travel, after-hours premiums, inspection, permits, tax, exclusions, warranty terms, and change orders. Clear scope up front reduces disputes and makes competing estimates easier to compare.
Sources
- Thompson’s Welding Services, Inc. — official company website and contact point for current service and quote information
- Go Monroe Existing Industry Directory — public description of Thompson’s pressure-vessel, process-piping, structural, shop, and field fabrication services
- Thumbtack Welding Cost Guide — general marketplace cost examples; not an official Thompson rate sheet
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — employee wage and occupation context
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 — welding fire prevention, fire watch, combustible-material, and used-container precautions
- American Welding Society Certified Welder Program — performance-based welder qualification information
