Regardless of your custom metal fabrication needs, it’s essential to hire a certified welder who has the experience and skill required for the job. As you iron out the details of your specific mechanical needs, here are some things to consider when preparing to hire a welder near you.
Certified vs. Uncertified Welder
The most important thing to look for when hiring a welder is certification! A welder who is certified is demonstrably more reliable and presents a much lower risk for your business than one who is not certified, as they have gone through extensive training and have a wealth of experience behind them. Certifications are a quick and easy way to filter your options down to only the best welders available in your area.
When to Hire a Certified Welder
Industries that commonly need to hire welders include aviation, infrastructure, automotive, construction, and manufacturing, but a welder is essential anytime you need metal fabrication, regardless of your specific industry. If you know you need some mechanical engineering support but aren’t certain a welder is who you’re looking for, take a look at the scope of your job and what it entails. Certified welders are typically hired for custom metal fabrication jobs, which may include fabrication for the following:
- Parts
- Railings, stairs, and ladders
- Dollies and carts
- Steel support structures and framing
- Heat exchanger packages
- Process equipment skids
- Platforms and mezzanines
- Custom machinery
If your mechanical engineering needs don’t fit any of these categories, but you still think you may need a certified welder, the best place to start is with a full-service mechanical engineering company that will have highly experienced welders on their team and can examine your job to determine if they’re the best fit.
Four Tips for Finding the Right Certified Welder
Now that you’re confident a certified welder is the right fit, you must ensure you hire the perfect welder for the job! Here are four tips to help you navigate through the many certified welders near you:
1. Determine Your Needs
Start by outlining a clear understanding of what your specific project is and how a welder can help. When you know exactly what you’re hiring for, you’ll be better prepared to compare the skills and experience of various welders against that backdrop to find the exact right person to do the job. Typically, welding is only one piece of the puzzle, so you should consider how the certified welder’s work will fit into the grand scheme of the job.
2. Check Their Experience
Certifications are an excellent first sign of a good, reliable welder, but they aren’t the end all be all. For any welding job, you should look for a certified welder who has years of industry experience and excellent references to back them up. Certification without experience will only tell you so much, just as experience without certification may make you wonder why the welder never took that step to get certified.
General experience is good, but it’s even more important to determine if the welder in question has the right welding skills for your unique job. They may have years of experience welding large structural elements, but if your job requires more meticulous parts welding then they may not be as well equipped to help you as someone who specializes in parts welding.
3. Learn Their Process
If you think you’ve found the right certified welder for your job, invite them to inspect your plans and get their insights on what you need versus what they provide. Ask the welder about his or her process as well as what they recommend for your project. You don’t need to be a welding expert yourself, but learning about their process can help you feel more comfortable and confident in the work they will do for you.
4. Choose a Metal Fabrication Company
We know from experience: The outcomes are much better when you work with a full-service metal fabrication company versus contracting multiple individuals to complete your job. A company that specializes in custom fabrications will have a team full of highly trained expert welders already vetted and ready to serve you. In addition, they will also have mechanical engineers who can complete all aspects of your custom fabrication so you can get all your needs met in one place.
Mathews Mechanical Has Certified Welders for You!
Our team of mechanical engineers and certified welders have a plethora of licenses and training, plus years of experience in custom fabrications for everything from reliable rollercoasters to material handling solutions for the food and beverage industry. Our metal fabrication shop is your one-stop shop for all fabrication needs, offering you countless advantages. Give us a call for a free quote!
