What scrap metal clearance covers
From a single old appliance to a garage or workshop full of metal.
Scrap metal clearance through houseclearance.co is a job you post the same way as any other clearance: describe what needs removing, and the request goes out to carriers in our network who quote on it. The platform itself doesn't collect or weigh anything - carriers in the network who handle metal waste do the physical work, and they confirm the actual price once they've seen your job details, not before. Scrap metal jobs on the platform typically cover old appliances no longer wanted, metal railings or gates taken down during renovation work, radiators, pipework, guttering, metal shelving and racking, old garden or workshop equipment, and general metal offcuts left over from a project. Because scrap metal is priced and handled differently from general household waste, flagging that a job is mostly or entirely metal helps carriers judge the visit and quote accurately.
Indicative price range by scope
An honest starting point, not a fixed price list - scrap metal is priced individually more often than most clearance categories.
Scrap metal doesn't have its own fixed pricing tier on houseclearance.co - there are too many variables between a single old appliance and a garage full of mixed metal offcuts for one number to be meaningful. Instead, the ranges below are drawn from the same published figures every page on this site uses: smaller, mixed-item jobs are generally priced the way a part-load clearance is priced (by van space and weight), while larger volumes of dense metal - old radiators, pipework, structural offcuts - are priced closer to the way dense/heavy waste is priced generally, by weight. It's also worth being upfront about something specific to metal: on some jobs, if the scrap has recoverable value, a carrier may factor that into the price they quote rather than charging the full rate - but this depends entirely on the individual carrier, the type and quantity of metal, and current scrap value, so it is never something houseclearance.co can promise or quote in advance.
| Volume / scope | Indicative price range | Unit | Included | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single item (e.g. one old appliance, one radiator) | £65 – £95 | per item | Collection and loading of the item | Minimum charge applies even for a single small item; access affects final price |
| 1/8 – 1/4 van load (mixed metal offcuts, small fixtures) | £95 – £195 | per load | Loading labour, standard disposal | Based on general part-load pricing - not metal-specific, see note above |
| 1/2 – 3/4 van load (railings, multiple appliances, workshop clear-out) | £275 – £495 | per load | Loading labour, standard disposal | Based on general part-load pricing - not metal-specific, see note above |
| Dense metal by weight (large volumes - structural offcuts, pipework, heavy scrap) | Priced individually, broadly in line with dense/heavy waste rates of roughly £180 – £320 per tonne for comparable dense waste categories | per tonne | Weighbridge-based pricing where applicable | No fixed metal-specific per-tonne rate published; carrier quotes against actual weight and metal type |
Ranges adapted from the general figures on houseclearance.co/prices - there's no metal-specific price tier, so the final figure for any scrap metal job is whatever the carrier quotes once they've seen the job. See prices for the full published table.
Included vs separately quoted
What's typically covered in a scrap metal clearance quote, and what usually needs confirming separately.
| Item / factor | Typically included | Typically separately quoted |
|---|---|---|
| Loading and carrying the metal to the vehicle | Yes | – |
| Standard disposal / recycling of the metal | Yes | – |
| Disassembly of large or fixed metal items (e.g. bolted racking, large structures) | – | Often quoted separately depending on complexity |
| Stairs or no-lift access | – | Yes - see surcharge table on prices |
| Congestion Charge / ULEZ / parking suspension | – | Yes, where applicable |
| Items containing refrigerant (fridges, some old appliances) | – | Yes - WEEE-regulated handling applies, see white goods removal |
| Mixed loads with non-metal waste alongside scrap | Partially - general waste priced under standard rates | Metal portion may be assessed and priced separately by the carrier |
Licensing and how metal waste is classified
The same licensing principle that applies to every clearance job applies here.
Scrap metal removed as part of a clearance job is a form of controlled waste once it leaves your property in the hands of someone collecting it as a business - the same broad classification that applies to household and commercial waste generally. That means the carrier taking it away needs to be registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier, exactly as described on our waste carrier licence page. This isn't a metal-specific requirement - it's the general rule for anyone transporting someone else's waste as part of running a business, and it applies whether the load is mostly metal, mixed household items, or builders' waste. As with any job on the platform, it's reasonable to ask a carrier for their licence number before confirming a booking and check it against the Environment Agency's public register yourself.
How it works
The same three-step process as every job on the platform.
Post your scrap metal clearance job with as much detail as you can - roughly what's being cleared, approximate volume or weight if you know it, and any access notes. The job goes out to carriers in our network who handle metal waste, and a suitable carrier contacts you directly with a price and time slot. See the full how it works page for the complete process from posting a job to a carrier arriving on site. Getting a quote creates no obligation - you only pay once you've accepted a specific carrier's price.
Frequently asked questions
What people usually want to know before booking a scrap metal clearance.
Do you take old appliances as part of scrap metal clearance?
Yes, though appliances containing refrigerant - such as fridges and freezers - are handled under WEEE regulations rather than as ordinary scrap, which can affect the price. Mention appliance types in your job post so the carrier can quote accurately; see our white goods and appliance removal page for more detail on that category specifically.
Will I be paid for valuable scrap metal?
Sometimes, depending on the carrier and the type and quantity of metal involved - some carriers factor recoverable scrap value into the price they quote. This isn't something houseclearance.co can promise or guarantee in advance, since it depends on current scrap value and the individual carrier's own arrangements. Ask the carrier directly once you've received a quote if this applies to your job.
How is scrap metal priced if there's no fixed rate?
Smaller mixed-metal jobs are generally priced the way any part-load clearance is priced, by van space and weight. Larger volumes of dense metal are priced more individually, closer to how dense or heavy waste is assessed generally. See the prices page for the published ranges this is based on, then use the job request form to get an actual quote for your specific job.
Is the carrier collecting my scrap metal properly licensed?
Carriers taking part in the network are expected to hold a valid Environment Agency waste carrier licence as a baseline requirement, since scrap metal removed as part of a clearance counts as controlled waste once it leaves your property. You can check a carrier's licence number against the Environment Agency's public register before confirming a job - see our waste carrier licence page for the full detail.
Can scrap metal clearance be combined with a builders' waste or garage clearance?
Yes - many scrap metal jobs come up alongside a renovation or a garage clear-out. Mention both in the same job post; see builders & renovation waste clearance and shed & garage clearance for what those categories cover, and a carrier can quote the combined job as one visit where it makes sense.
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