What Photos to Send When Requesting a Welding Quote

Getting a welding quote should be simple and fast — and with the right photos, it can be. Whether you need a gate repaired, a trailer fixed, or a structural steel job on a commercial property, the clearest path to an accurate estimate starts before anyone picks up the phone. At MobiWeld, we offer mobile welding services across Reykjavík and the surrounding areas of Iceland, and one of the most common reasons quotes get delayed is that we simply don't have enough visual information to work with. This guide will show you exactly what to photograph so we can give you a fast, fair, and accurate estimate.

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1. Show the Full Area, Not Just the Problem Spot

The first photo you send should always be a wide shot that shows the full context of the job. Step back and capture the entire structure, object, or area where the welding is needed. For example:

• If a fence section has broken welds, photograph the entire fence panel, not just the crack.
• If a trailer hitch is damaged, show the whole rear of the trailer.
• If you need new steel supports fitted to a building or structure, photograph the full wall or floor area where the work will happen.

This wide shot helps us understand scale, access, and whether any preparation work might be needed before welding can begin. In Iceland, where structures often need to withstand wind, cold, and heavy loads, understanding the full environment matters — a job that looks small up close can involve more complexity than expected.

A good rule of thumb: imagine you're showing the area to a friend over the phone. Take the photo that would make them say, "Okay, I get the picture."

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2. Get Close — Detail Photos Matter

Once you've taken your wide shot, move in and take close-up photos of the damaged or problem area. These detail shots are just as important as the overview. Try to capture:

• The exact location of the crack, break, or worn weld — get within 30–50 cm if you can
• Any rust, corrosion, or paint around the area, since this affects how the surface needs to be prepared
• Both sides of a joint or seam, if accessible
• Any deformation or bending in the metal

Good lighting makes a big difference here. Take these photos in daylight if possible, or use your phone's flashlight. Avoid taking photos in shadow or at night without proper lighting — dark, blurry images make it very difficult to assess what's needed accurately.

If there are multiple damaged spots on the same item — say, three broken welds on a railing — photograph each one individually. It only takes a minute and gives us a complete picture of the workload.

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3. Include Something for Scale and Material Reference

Two things that are surprisingly easy to overlook but make a real difference when quoting a welding job:

Scale reference: Place something familiar next to the damaged area in at least one of your photos. A hand, a coin, a ruler, or even a standard water bottle works well. This helps us understand the actual size of the problem. A crack that looks large in a close-up photo might be 5 cm long — or it might be 50 cm. Without a reference, it's genuinely hard to tell.

Material information: If you know what type of metal you're dealing with — steel, stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron — mention this in your message. If you're not sure, that's completely fine. In that case, take a photo that shows the texture and colour of the metal surface clearly. We can often identify common materials from a good photo, and if there's any doubt, we'll follow up before visiting.

This is especially relevant for work on older structures and equipment in Iceland, where materials can vary widely — everything from modern galvanised steel to vintage wrought iron shows up in our work here in Reykjavík.

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4. Describe Access and Location Conditions

Photos are powerful, but a few extra details in your message can save a lot of back-and-forth. Along with your images, briefly describe:

• Where the job is located — indoors or outdoors, ground level or elevated, in a tight space or open area
• Whether the item can be moved — some jobs are easier if the object can be brought to a single location; others require us to come to you (which is exactly what our mobile welding service is designed for)
• Any urgency — if something is structurally unsafe or a business is affected, let us know
• What you've already tried, if anything — previous repair attempts can affect how the weld needs to be approached

If the location involves difficult access — an underground car park, a confined roof space, a steep hillside property — a photo showing that access point is genuinely useful. Iceland's terrain and weather conditions can sometimes add complexity to outdoor jobs, and the more we know in advance, the better prepared we'll be when we arrive.

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A Quick Checklist Before You Send

Before hitting send, run through this quick list:

• ✅ One wide shot showing the full area or object
• ✅ Two or three close-up shots of the damaged area
• ✅ At least one photo with a scale reference
• ✅ Photos taken in good light, in focus
• ✅ A short note about the material (if known), location, and access

That's it. You don't need professional photography skills or special equipment — a modern smartphone camera is more than enough. The goal is simply to give us enough to understand what's needed so we can respond with a meaningful quote, not just a vague estimate or a request for more information.

Sending clear photos from the start is the single fastest way to move your welding project forward, and it costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time.

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Need welding work in Reykjavík? Contact MobiWeld for a free estimate — call Vilius at +354 686 3144 or visit mobiweld.is.