How much does a welded part cost?
There is no price per kilo or per metre of weld that holds for every part. But the price of a welded fabrication always breaks down the same way. Here is what makes it vary, and a worked example to show the mechanics.
The five price factors
In the order in which they most often weigh on a small batch.
- 01
Quantity
The fixed costs of an order (file check, preparation, set-up) are spread over the batch. It is the main factor in small batches.
- 02
Material and cutting
Steel weight, thickness, laser cut length and number of pierces. A compact part, well nested on the sheet, costs less.
- 03
Number of components
Each component is picked, positioned and tacked. Ten small parts cost more to assemble than three large ones.
- 04
Weld length
Arc time depends on the length and throat of the welds. An oversized throat costs time and causes more distortion.
- 05
Finish and transport
Raw, shot-blasted, painted or galvanised; delivery or collection. These items come on top and are priced separately.
- +
And preparation?
In a conventional workshop, reading the drawing, building a jig and programming a robot is often the real cost of a small batch. With us, the software does it from your file.
A six-component bracket, from 1 to 200 parts
Same part, same file: only the number of units changes. The fixed costs of the order (€100) are spread over the batch.
| Item | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| File check, set-up | per order | €60 |
| Laser cutting preparation | per order | €40 |
| Steel and cutting of the 6 components | per part | €18 |
| Assembly, tacking and welding (≈ 1 m) | per part | €10 |
| Inspection and packing | per part | €2 |
| Quantity | Share of fixed costs | Price per part |
|---|---|---|
| 1 part | €100 | €130 |
| 10 parts | €10 | €40 |
| 50 parts | €2 | €32 |
| 200 parts | €0.50 | €30.50 |
How to bring down the price of your part
- Order in batches rather than one at a time when you can: it is the most powerful lever.
- Reduce the number of components: one folded plate sometimes replaces two welded plates.
- Size welds to what is actually needed: no "just in case" throat if the calculation does not require it.
- Add tabs and slots: assembly is faster and more reliable. See our STEP preparation guide.
- Group part numbers that share the same plate thickness: laser cutting is then optimised.
For hourly rates charged in subcontracting and how they vary, read our article how much does welding subcontracting cost in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a welded part cost?
Why does the unit price fall so much with quantity?
Is the price shown online firm?
The price of your part, in a few minutes
Upload your assembly: instant 3D preview, indicative price, then a firm price once a technician has checked the file.