Scrap pickup for central Iowa crews
Electricians, plumbers, and remodelers from the south side to Ankeny. Send the pile, not a price guess.
Des Moines crews lose the copper margin when a helper throws insulated wire in with steel studs and then spends the afternoon at a scale. This page is for the opposite: a photo from the job, a town, and a note if the load still needs sorting.
Data-center and office refreshes along the west mix and in Urbandale produce cable and grounding that has to leave with permission. Flag that. Stolen material is refused. We do not publish a street address because the yard, not this page, decides where a load is received.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. Sorted copper and brass usually beat a mixed pile, but the yard sets the grade.
Des Moines Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Sort contractor scrap by metal before pickup
A magnet is a quick first check: steel and iron usually attract one, while copper, brass, and aluminum do not. It is not a complete identification test, and some stainless steel may not attract a magnet. Use it to separate likely ferrous material, then keep uncertain pieces aside rather than mixing them into a clean non-ferrous pile.
Copper wire and pipe can fall into different grades. Bare bright is clean, uncoated copper wire; #1 copper is generally clean copper pipe or solid pieces without significant solder or attachments. #2 may include solder, oxidation, or other less-clean copper. Insulated wire is graded separately. The receiving yard makes the final grade call, so keep types apart when practical.
Keep brass and aluminum separate from copper and steel. Brass fittings may contain steel screws or other attachments that affect how a yard grades them. Aluminum with steel brackets, heavy dirt, or other material is not the same as clean aluminum. Separate obvious sheet, cast, and attached-material piles if you can; ask the yard how it wants uncertain pieces sorted.
Prepare a Des Moines contractor load for yard review
Stripping insulated wire can take labor and time, and the insulation may leave a separate disposal issue. Compare that effort with the yard’s current grading for stripped and insulated wire before deciding. Do not burn insulation to remove it. If you cannot confirm how a particular cable is classified, photograph it intact and ask the partner yard what it accepts.
Do not cut into appliances or equipment that may contain refrigerant. Refrigerant needs proper recovery by qualified handlers; ask the receiving yard how it accepts those items. Catalytic converters also need a clear source and may require identification or paperwork. Do not assume a converter will be accepted or that a photo alone is enough; confirm requirements with the yard before arranging transport.
Before requesting pickup, note the job-site town, material types, approximate amount, and whether the load is sorted or still mixed. Keep the pile accessible and stable, with sharp edges and heavy pieces handled safely. This site connects sellers with independent partner yards; it does not buy scrap. The yard confirms whether it can receive or collect the material and handles weighing, payment, and any ID requirements.
Questions
Does a magnet tell me exactly what metal I have?
No. It can help separate likely steel or iron from non-magnetic metals, but it does not identify an exact alloy or grade. Some stainless steel may not attract a magnet. Keep uncertain pieces separate and describe them or send a clear photo so the receiving yard can advise.
Should I strip insulated wire before asking for a quote?
Not automatically. Stripping takes time, and yards grade insulated wire separately from clean copper. Ask how the specific wire types are handled before putting in the labor. Keep the wire unburned; burning insulation is unsafe and can leave material the yard will not accept.
What should I photograph for a contractor scrap inquiry?
Take a clear, well-lit picture of the whole pile and a closer view of materials that are hard to identify, such as wire, fittings, or attached metal. Include a rough quantity and job-site town with the photos. Avoid covering the material with tools or other debris.
Can a partner yard pick up a mixed construction load?
Possibly, but pickup availability and acceptable materials depend on the independent yard and the load. Describe what is mixed, whether it is accessible, and if appliances or unusual items are included. Confirm pickup details and any sorting expectations with the yard before moving material.
What happens when the scrap reaches the scale?
The receiving partner yard determines the material grades and weight. Ask for the weigh ticket and review its details with the yard, since the grade and final amount can differ from an estimate based on a photo. The yard handles payment and any identification requirements; this site does not pay for scrap.