If you have old radiators stacked in the garage, copper piping left over from a bathroom refit, or a pile of scrap metal lurking at the bottom of the garden, you might be wondering what to do with it. The good news is that quite a lot of metal has genuine resale value, which means collection can sometimes cost you nothing at all. Here is a clear, practical guide to how it all works.
Which Metals Actually Have Value?
Not all metal is equal when it comes to scrap value. There are two broad categories to understand: non-ferrous metals and ferrous metals.
Non-ferrous metals are the ones that attract real money at the scrap yard. These include:
– Copper: Old pipes, electrical cable and plumbing fittings. One of the most valuable scrap metals by weight.
– Brass: Taps, valves, fittings and ornamental items.
– Aluminium: Window frames, guttering, old pots and pans, and vehicle parts.
– Lead: Old flashing from roofs, pipes from older properties.
– Stainless steel: Catering equipment, sinks and some appliances.
Ferrous metals, meaning anything that contains iron or steel, have a much lower value per kilogram. Old garden gates, steel shelving, cast iron radiators and general structural steel all fall into this category. They are still recyclable and worth collecting, but the return is considerably lower.
Why does this matter to you? Because the value of the metal in your clearance directly affects whether collection can be offered free of charge.
Why Is Scrap Metal Collection Sometimes Free?
When there is a reasonable quantity of valuable non-ferrous metal involved, a reputable collector can offset their time and transport costs against the return they will receive at the scrap yard. If your house clearance or garden clearance turns up a decent amount of copper, brass or aluminium, that material has a cash value in the recycling chain.
That said, free collection is not always possible. If the load is predominantly low-grade ferrous scrap, or there is very little metal overall, there may be a cost involved. Any honest collector will tell you that upfront rather than make promises they cannot keep.
At Clear 365, when we carry out a house clearance or garden clearance, we take a straightforward approach. We will let you know what we can take, what the likely cost is, and why. No vague estimates and no surprises on the day.
What Will We and Will Not Take?
As a general guide, we can collect items such as copper pipework, brass fittings, aluminium window frames, stainless steel kitchen equipment, lead flashing, old boilers, cast iron radiators, steel shelving and most general metal objects from homes and gardens.
There are some things we cannot take. Aerosol cans, gas cylinders, items containing asbestos, and anything that presents a safety or hazardous materials risk fall outside what a standard waste clearance covers. If you are unsure, just ask us before the job.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act: Why Licensing Matters
This is an important point that many people overlook. Anyone who buys or collects scrap metal in England is legally required to hold a licence under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. This applies to mobile collectors as well as fixed-site dealers.
If someone turns up at your door offering to take your metal with no paperwork, no licence details and no identification, walk away. Using an unlicensed collector can cause you problems, and it fuels metal theft by making it easier for stolen material to disappear into the chain untraced.
Always ask to see a licence, or check with your local authority that the collector is registered.
Why Cash Payment for Scrap Is Illegal
Since the Scrap Metal Dealers Act came into force, it has been illegal for scrap metal dealers in England to pay for metal in cash. Payment must be made by cheque or bank transfer, and dealers are required to keep records of what they collect and from whom.
This law exists to crack down on metal theft. If anyone offers you cash on the doorstep for your old copper or lead, that is a red flag. A licensed, reputable collector will always pay through legitimate means and keep proper records.
Scrap Metal as Part of a Wider Clearance
Most people do not just have scrap metal to deal with. A typical house or garden clearance will include furniture, garden waste, general rubbish and a mixture of materials. Rather than making multiple calls to different contractors, it often makes more sense to use a single service that can handle everything in one visit.
Clear 365 covers house and garden clearances across Kent and the surrounding area. Whether you are clearing a property after a bereavement, preparing a home for sale, or simply getting on top of years of accumulated clutter, we handle the lot. You can find out more about the areas we serve on our Areas We Cover page.
Get in Touch Today
If you have scrap metal to shift, or a full property clearance to organise, we are ready to help. Clear 365 operates transparently, holds all relevant licensing and will give you a straight answer on costs before any work begins.
Contact us today to discuss your clearance and find out what we can take off your hands.
