Should I allow my son to start TIG welding from home?

[Midlandsmum23]

My young adult DS has two years of full-time professional welding experience (not TIG welding). He has asked me permission to set up a TIG welding business on the side, operating from our integral single garage at home. I have many reservations about this. What are your thoughts?

Just do it. He'll earn some ca$h.

House insurance ?
Fume extraction ?

Do you have issues with TIG welding specifically or welding in general?

If it is a business won’t he you have to pay business insurance and business council tax?

My son has told me that TIG welding is less noisy and produces less fumes than conventional welding, but I am still worried about the carcinogenic fumes and the fire risk.

Most probably. Another difference of opinion we have is that he intends not to inform all of the agencies / authorities that would need informing, whereas I would insist on doing everything "by the book".

So he knows there'd be rules and regs and is willing to flout them whilst using your house as a base.
Just a flat no not happening.

Another difference of opinion we have is that he intends not to inform all of the agencies / authorities that would need informing, whereas I would insist on doing everything "by the book".

I'd just tell him no. It's not suitable for a residential property. If it's a viable business, he can rent a workshop.

ETA: is he proposing to pay you market rent for use of the premises, which would include a contribution to utilities and insurance?

What about extra traffic and parking, if he has customers calling or things being delivered? What about on-site safety?

I wouldn't be happy if I was a neighbour.

There’s nothing wrong with TIG welding. You obviously will inform all the appropriate folks because it’s happening in your premises and you will insist on the safety measures. Of course you will. On that basis you are free to agree or not as you see fit.

Well that’s an easy no surely?

its your home, he can accept the terms of use for his business or he can go elsewhere. It’s not like he has any negotiating point over you.

Ive no idea what TIG welding is but if someone wanted to do it from my garage then I’d sure as hell so my own research into it and how noisy / dangerous or poisonous it was. I’d also consider how this would impact your neighbours who may well report him to the council anyway and complain.

In your attached garage, no. From a home insurance and his own public liability perspectives. As he is just starting out, he also simply won’t have the experience to assess risks the way he would working under someone else.

But there are lots of units for let. Ask around to local farmers. They may even be willing to let him use a space at a reduced rate for work around the farm. Dh is not a ‘welder’ but he does a lot of welding in his work. He started out renting a barn from a local farmer for £200 a month. That business now, 12 years later, has an annual turnover of about £1 mil. It’s worth investing in starting out properly if it’s what he wants to do and also to get some business experience. The welding bit is the easy bit. But knowing how to market yourself and manage accounts and make a reel to advertise and how to deal with suppliers is what will set him apart.

Tungsten Inert Gas

As per previous posts, there are implications to home insurance, and the ability to run a business from home, but neither of these are arduous.

Welding isn't a significant risk, I do it all the time from home and have done for years, although admittedly for my own purposes and not for a business. He will most likely need 3 phase electricity for anything commercial, so that will be he limiting factor. If he earns enough to get 3 phase installed, that would be a benefit to you if you want an electric car ever @Midlandsmum23

I wouldn't discourage it, there is money in the manual trades, he could earn a pretty penny if he's any good.

there is money in the manual trades, he could earn a pretty penny if he's any good.

Then he can fix himself up with proper premises.

Please have a look at the HSE web advice re welding fumes. It definitely is dangerous to health and he will need a decent fine extraction system.

the suggestion above of a unit is a good idea

i would refuse. he needs to do it by the book.

pa i cannot run a business from home according to my title deeds. yours may be the same?

Aside from the shit that will hit the fan when (nb NOT "if") he gets found out, you will almost certainly have invalidated your household and buildings insurance cover.

It's a disaster waiting to happen. It's not the welding. Our neighbour does it when he's making or repairing things as a hobby. It's the fact that he'll be doing it as a business.

Say "No".

carcinogenic fumes to me would be the worry, unless there is suitable ventilation it's a no no from me.

Fire hazard and your home insurance won't cover your home at all.

Not viable in a residential property. Think of your neighbours, as well as all other practical points.