Welding: gates, burglar bars and steel work
Make and fit security gates, burglar bars, carports and repairs from a small workshop, quoting per job.
Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026
- Startup costR5 000 to R30 000
- First incomeabout 30 days
- Price evidenceR3 800 to R6 300 / security gate (fitted)
- Commercial viability53 / 100
Who it suits
Trained welders with a workshop space and transport for installation.
The customer and the problem
Typical customer: Home owners, landlords building rooms, small businesses.
Security and repairs made to fit.
Is there demand?
Published 2026 guides: fixed burglar bars about R500 to R1,500 a square metre; a standard 1 x 2 m security gate R3,800 to R6,300 supplied and fitted (LocalPros, Procompare).
- Home workshop
- Work for builders
- Repairs and call-outs
Getting customers
Photos of finished work and referrals from builders.
Relies on: Word of mouth and referrals, Partnerships with other businesses, Responding to enquiries.
Money
- Revenue model: Quote per job with a deposit for steel.
- Price evidence: Published 2026 guides: security gate R3,800 to R6,300 fitted; fixed burglar bars about R500 to R1,500 a square metre. Material is a large share, so we do not model monthly income.
- Gross margin: Good on labour once steel is covered by the deposit.
- Payment costs: Deposit and balance on installation.
- Operating costs: Steel, consumables, electricity, transport.
- Recurring costs: Steel, rods, discs, gas, paint, transport.
Time to first income
Experienced welders get work quickly by referral.
Competition, risks and scale
Moderate.
- Burns, eye damage and fumes: proper PPE every time
- Noise and zoning complaints in residential areas
- Quoting too low on steel: re-check steel prices for every quote
Room to grow: Grows with a helper and builder contracts.
Legal and tax in South Africa
- Work carries a three-month warranty (Consumer Protection Act).
- Check zoning for a workshop at home.
- Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
How it fits South Africa: Strong everywhere.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start welding: gates, burglar bars and steel work in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R5 000 to R30 000. Recurring costs: Steel, rods, discs, gas, paint, transport.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Experienced welders get work quickly by referral.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.
What about tax and legal rules?
Work carries a three-month warranty (Consumer Protection Act). Check zoning for a workshop at home. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy