Mark SkinnerFinding a reliable metal fabrication company in San Diego can be a real headache for local contractors, builders, or manufacturers.
Some shops are great with small ornamental work but struggle with heavy structural pieces, while others have the equipment but not the custom touch.
I’ve actually seen projects slow down because of poor welding, vague timelines, or parts that just did not fit right.
To make the search easier, I narrowed this list to local fabricators that balance solid workmanship, useful equipment, and practical project reliability.
How much does metal fabrication cost in San Diego?
While prices depend on the material, complexity, and quantity, basic structural steel typically starts around $400 per ton, with custom labor billed separately.
| Service Category | Estimated Rate |
| Basic Structural Steel | $400 to $600+ per ton |
| Custom Labor Rates | $20 to $35 per hour |
| Large Custom Projects | Quote-based scaling |
1. Antonio’s Metal Works, Inc
Website: https://antoniosmetalworks.com/
Address: 488 Vernon Way, El Cajon
Contact: (619) 241-2413
Hours: By Appointment Only
If you want a shop that feels comfortable with both practical and decorative metalwork, Antonio’s Metal Works, Inc. is a strong first stop.
The company has more than 25 years of experience, and its portfolio stretches from custom railings and fences to commercial bridges and historical restoration work.
I like that they can handle precision plasma cutting, as well as metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. That gives them room to take on jobs where both strength and finish matter.
The main trade-off is convenience, as their El Cajon location is not central to every San Diego client. Also, the by-appointment schedule means you need to plan ahead rather than drop in with a quick request.
Still, for custom structural or restoration work, the experience level is reassuring.
Highly recommend
We used Antonio’s to make and install powder coated metal fence rails plus an entrance gate and side alley gate for our home in Coronado. They did excellent work measuring and making the pieces, delivered them on schedule, priced them fairly, and installed them securely. Service after the installation was both prompt and top notch. Highly recommend them for any metal fabrication and finish work that is needed. I would absolutely use them again on any project.
- Art Handman | Google Review
Easy to work with
Abel was so easy to work with and constructed the perfect modern, sleek metal hand railing for our stairs in our remodel. I highly recommend Antonio’s for anyone considering adding metal work in their home or business. We are so pleased with the results; Abel is the best!!
Nancy Schroeder | Google Review
2. Palace – Custom, Fabrication & Repair
Website: https://palacemetal.com/
Address: 1025 Sigsbee St
Contact: +1 (213) 335 4461, +1 (619) 247 7057
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
I stopped by the Palace to get a feel for their workshop, and the first thing that stood out was their range. They aren’t just doing basic weld repairs; they work on bespoke furniture, architectural pieces, glass, mirrors, and custom metal details.
Given their capabilities, they’re a good fit for homeowners, designers, or businesses seeking something more polished than a standard industrial part.
I also like that installation is part of the service, because custom metalwork can get frustrating when fabrication and fitting are handled by separate teams.
The downside is that their softer design work may not suit clients who need heavy industrial throughput. Larger production jobs may be better placed with a shop built for volume, and highly customized pieces can also mean longer lead times.
Outstanding work
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the entire Palace Metals team for their outstanding work. Your professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail truly set you apart. It’s clear that you go above and beyond to deliver the highest quality service and exceed expectations every time. Without a doubt, this is a company you can fully trust. Thank you for your hard work and for providing a 5-star experience!
- Viviana Guzman | Google Review
Excellent work
I want to highlight the excellent work done on the staircase. The quality, finish, and attention to detail are truly impressive. You can clearly see the professionalism and dedication in every part of the job. In addition to being functional, the staircase looks beautiful and is solidly built. Without a doubt, a reliable and high-quality service. Highly recommended, a true 5-star experience!
- Marhta palacio | Google Review
3. Jerry’s Welding & Machine
Website: https://www.jerryswelding.com/
Address: 5305 Grant St.
Contact: (858) 565-4800
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Jerry’s Welding & Machine works best for people who care about crafted ornamental iron rather than quick, generic metalwork.
The shop has been a San Diego staple for more than 30 years, with a focus on custom gates, Corten planters, railings, and stainless cable systems.
What I like most is that they can handle in-house powder coating and marine-grade finishes. This aspect matters in a coastal city, where outdoor metalwork has to fight salt air and constant weather exposure.
They’re also fully licensed, insured, and bonded, much like the most reliable roofing companies in San Diego.
However, they close at 4 PM and don’t list weekend hours, so it may take some planning to get your project moving.
Smaller-shop capacity can also mean longer waits for detailed ironwork, but the handcrafted finish is the reason many clients keep coming back.
4. AP Precision Metals Inc.
Website: https://apprecision.com/
Address: 1215 30th Street
Contact: (619) 628-0003
Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:15 AM – 3:30 PM
I spoke with a local manufacturer who uses AP Precision Metals Inc. for high-volume runs, and efficiency came up again and again.
The company operates from a 40,000-square-foot facility and focuses on automated sheet metal fabrication rather than small one-off repairs.
Their fiber-laser cutting, robotic welding, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, and quality control systems make the shop a serious option for repeatable industrial parts.
I also like that they can move quickly when a customer needs prototypes before scaling into production.
The catch is that this isn’t the ideal place for a tiny household fix. Their industrial setup points to higher-volume production, and the early closing time can be inconvenient for people with after-work appointments.
The build quality was excellent
Logan AP Precision is amazing. I had a custom enclosure I needed designed and fabricated. Logan sat with me through the entire design process and we were able to create a very professional and polished looking product in just a couple days. The build quality was excellent, near perfect actually. I strongly recommend AP Precision.
- Jason Hernandez | Google Review
Provided great assistance
My experience with AP Percision was excellent. They worked dilligent with me to assist in fabrication of the proto type and then the follow on production units. Not only were they able to meet my needs they provided great asisstance to making my project a success. Thank You very much
- Mark Vuozzo | Google Review
5. Tandem Metal Products Inc.
Website: https://www.tandemmetal.com/
Address: 9076 Carroll Way # B
Contact: (858) 271-1067
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Tandem Metal Products Inc. is the kind of shop I would look at when the specifications are unusually strict.
For starters, they’re an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015-certified and an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-registered facility, relevant to aerospace, defense, and medical device work.
Their setup supports precision prototypes, shorter production runs, and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) workflows.
I like that combination because it helps customers move from digital files to finished parts with less back-and-forth. Much like the top masonry contractors in San Diego, they focus on meticulous documentation and project tracking.
The downside is that their process is built around technical manufacturing rather than casual consumer repairs.
Shipping terms can also be strict, especially with free on board (FOB) arrangements, so buyers should clarify responsibility before parts leave the facility.
Very happy
I had some aluminum and stainless steel brackets for a Medical Device sterilization tray. 12 sets of 15 different parts maybe?? Doing drawings of all of them would have been three day’s work, so I was very happy they could make the parts from the Solidworks models themselves, and a few discussions.
- charles griswold | Google Review
Great small business
I needed a small job done cutting metal tubes for a bed. Chris was so kind and did it quickly so I got my bed back together the same day. Great small business and highly recommend.
- T evergreen | Google Review
