Metal Fabricators & Welders Otago

Your guide to hiring metal fabricators and welders in Otago

Metal work underpins everything from architectural staircases to earthquake-rated structural frames. Choosing the right metal fabricators and welders Otago has to offer will influence project timelines, safety and long-term durability. The advice below will help you shortlist, evaluate and contract the best professionals for both residential and commercial builds.

Core services you can expect

• Structural steel fabrication – beams, columns and seismic connections pre-cut, drilled and welded for on-site assembly.
• Light-gauge steel and aluminium – balustrades, façade fins, pergolas and bespoke furniture.
• Sheet-metal work – ducting, flashings and cladding profiles formed to precise tolerances.
• On-site welding & repairs – TIG, MIG, stick and orbital welding for stainless, carbon steel and exotic alloys.
• Surface treatment – galvanising, powder-coating and industrial painting for corrosion protection.
• CNC cutting & bending – laser, water-jet and press-brake services for intricate patterns or repetitive production runs.

Compliance matters

All structural steel in New Zealand must be fabricated to NZS 3404 and welded to AS/NZS 1554. Reputable Otago workshops hold ISO 9606 welder qualifications and provide welding procedure specifications (WPS) plus inspection reports. For safety guidance, Worksafe NZ offers clear advice on fume extraction and site protocols (WorkSafe welding safety).

Five steps to selecting the right partner

1. Define scope early – supply shop drawings or, better yet, invite the fabricator to collaborate with your architect or engineer. Early input often trims weeks off the schedule.
2. Verify certifications – request a copy of ISO, AS/NZS or Site Safe credentials and recent inspection records.
3. Inspect past projects – site visits in Dunedin, Wanaka or Cromwell reveal build quality that photos can’t capture.
4. Compare quotes apples-to-apples – ensure material grade, surface finish and installation hours are itemised.
5. Plan logistics – large beams may need night transport on SH8 or special cranes on steep Queenstown sections.

Budget signals

Indicative rates for mild-steel fabrication in Otago start around $85–$120 per hour, rising to $140+ for certified stainless welding. Complex staircases typically fall between $12,000 and $25,000 installed, while full commercial structural packages are costed per tonne. Accurate pricing requires detailed drawings and a site visit.

Related trades to coordinate

Most fabrication packages intersect with other building disciplines. For smooth scheduling, line up the following professionals early:

• commercial & specialist contractors
• electricians
• plumbers & gas fitters
• painters
• roofing contractors
• plasterers & renderers
• insulation installers
• waterproofers
• garage door professionals
• scaffolders & shrink wrap installers
• stonemasons
• bricklayers
• plasterboard installers
• tilers
• building material suppliers
• building waste removal
• cladding professionals
• construction equipment suppliers
• lift suppliers & contractors
• parking designers & installers
• solar power installers & suppliers
• staircase builders
• balustrade contractors
• windows & door professionals
• prefabricated building suppliers & installers
• demolition contractors
• excavating contractors
• joiners

For a full overview of connected trades, visit the Building & Construction hub.

Next steps

Ready to move forward? Create a project brief, upload any drawings and invite multiple Otago metal fabricators and welders to respond through ArchiPro. Transparent profiles, verified reviews and direct messaging make it easy to shortlist and secure the right partner—saving time while protecting quality.