Contractor scrap across the Metroplex
From a Frisco rough-in to a Garland plant cleanout. Photo first, price second.
DFW crews lose money when a mixed container from a retail teardown gets billed as copper. This lane is for job-site metal: wire, pipe, studs, racking, and demo steel. Say which suburb and whether the pile is still behind a construction fence.
Summer schedules run long, so pickup windows matter. Note gate codes, whether the superintendent leaves at 3:30, and if the load is on an upper deck. We do not publish a yard address.
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.
Dallas–Fort Worth Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Sorting contractor scrap in Dallas–Fort Worth
A magnet is a quick first check, not a grading tool. If it sticks, the piece is generally ferrous steel or iron; if it does not, it may be copper, aluminum, brass, or another material. Stainless steel can behave differently from ordinary steel. Keep obvious non-ferrous metal separate from demo steel, and ask the partner yard if an uncertain item could change how the load is sorted.
Copper is not one single grade. Clean, uncoated bare bright wire is distinct from insulated wire, while #1 and #2 copper have different condition requirements. Solder, paint, heavy oxidation, and attached fittings can affect how a yard classifies pipe or cutoffs. Keep wire types and clean pipe apart where practical, and do not label a pile by grade unless the yard confirms it.
Brass fittings and valves are worth separating from copper and steel. Aluminum also comes in different forms, such as clean sheet, extrusion, and cast pieces, and attachments or contamination may affect acceptance. Dirt, concrete, insulation, and other debris add weight without adding recoverable metal. A clean, visible sample in the photo can help the yard understand what is in a mixed contractor load.
Preparing a DFW job-site load for pickup
Stripping insulation from wire can expose a cleaner copper product, but the labor and time may outweigh the benefit on a busy job. Do not burn insulation; it creates hazardous smoke and can damage the metal. Ask the partner yard how it handles insulated wire before spending crew hours processing it. Keep different wire types separate rather than cutting everything into one tangled bundle.
Plan the pile so a pickup crew can reach it without climbing over debris or working beneath suspended material. Keep sharp sheet edges, loose nails, and heavy pieces stable, and use gloves and eye protection when sorting. Do not enter a dumpster or move a load with equipment unless the site lead has cleared the work and the equipment is appropriate. A clear access route helps avoid a delayed or unsafe pickup.
Before arranging removal, identify the material, approximate amount, loading method, and any access limits for the site. Send clear photos that show both the whole pile and close views of representative pieces. The site connects sellers with independent partner yards; the yard confirms acceptance and handles its scale ticket, payment, and any required identification or paperwork. Confirm those details directly with the yard before loading.
Questions
Should we strip insulation from contractor wire before pickup?
Not automatically. Stripping can make sense for some clean, recoverable copper, but it takes labor and may not improve the return enough to justify the time. Burning insulation is unsafe and can contaminate the metal. Ask the partner yard how it grades the wire you have, then compare that guidance with the crew time required.
Can a partner yard take an old refrigerator or air conditioner with our scrap?
Ask before adding appliances to the pile. Refrigerators and air conditioners can contain refrigerant that must be handled through proper recovery, rather than released during dismantling. The yard may have specific acceptance and preparation requirements. Keep appliances intact unless the yard or a qualified handler has directed otherwise.
What should we know before selling a catalytic converter?
Do not assume a converter will be accepted with ordinary job-site scrap. Buyers may require identification, proof of ownership, or other paperwork, and requirements can vary by yard and item. Contact the partner yard first and ask what documentation it needs. Do not remove or sell a converter unless you have authority to do so.
Does a junk car need a title for pickup?
Title and paperwork requirements depend on the vehicle and the buyer’s process. Before arranging removal, tell the partner yard whether you have the title and ask what documents it will accept. Do not assume that a bill of sale or registration is enough. The yard can explain its requirements and handle its own transaction paperwork.
What should I have ready when a pickup is scheduled?
Have the material separated as agreed, the pile accessible, and a person available who can identify the load and answer questions. Confirm the loading plan, site access, and any paperwork directly with the partner yard. Keep valuable tools and unrelated materials out of the pile, and do not load additional items without confirming they are accepted.