Alpharetta metal is new houses and campus refreshes
Alpharetta’s residential scrap is mostly young: cutoffs from houses around the north growth, plus the first remodel of a 1990s kitchen. It is not bungalow copper. Tech and office suites add cable when a floor is handed back.
HOA driveways and limited parking at the commercial end both need a note. A clean photo of volume matters because individual house piles here are often smaller than people describe.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a Alpharetta scale sheet.
Atlanta Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
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Sorting Alpharetta construction scrap before a quote
Separate steel and iron from copper, brass, and aluminum before sending photos. A magnet is a useful first check: it usually sticks to ordinary steel and iron, but not to copper, brass, or aluminum. It does not identify an alloy or guarantee a grade. Some stainless steel is magnetic and some is not, so let the receiving yard make the final classification.
Copper grade depends on condition as well as color. Bare bright is clean, uncoated copper wire with the insulation removed. #1 copper is generally clean copper pipe or solid pieces without significant solder or attachments. #2 may include soldered, painted, oxidized, or otherwise less-clean copper. These are common trade descriptions, not a promise of how a partner yard will classify a load.
Removing wire insulation can raise the material's grade, but stripping takes time and can leave small pieces behind. Compare the work involved with the likely difference in yard pricing before stripping a large batch. Do not burn insulation; that creates hazardous fumes and contaminates the copper. A clear photo of intact wire can help a partner yard advise whether to keep it separate.
Aluminum, brass, and pickup details in Alpharetta
Keep aluminum separate from steel, copper, and brass. Clean aluminum sheet, cast pieces, and extrusions may be sorted into different grades, and attached steel screws, plastic, or other metals can affect classification. Brass from fittings or valves is also worth separating, but remove obvious non-brass attachments when it is safe and practical. The yard determines the accepted grades and final value after inspection.
Dirt, concrete, wet insulation, and mixed demolition debris add weight without adding recoverable metal. Keep clean metal in a distinct pile and photograph it from close enough to show the material, with a second wider view for scale and access. Do not hide contamination or estimate a grade from color alone. A partner yard sets its own terms; the site connects sellers with yards and does not publish a local price sheet.
Before arranging a pickup, ask what vehicle access and loading help the yard can provide. Set aside small sharp pieces, secure loose wire, and keep heavy items stable rather than stacked where they can fall. Refrigerators, air conditioners, and other equipment with refrigerant need proper evacuation; do not cut refrigerant lines or release gas. Ask the yard how it handles these units before moving or dismantling them.
Questions
Should I remove insulation from copper wire before requesting a quote?
Not necessarily. Stripping may improve the grade, but it takes labor and can damage or lose fine wire. Photograph the wire as it is and ask whether the yard wants it intact or stripped. Never burn insulation to expose copper; the fumes are hazardous and the residue can make the material less acceptable.
Can I put brass fittings and copper pipe in the same container?
It is better to keep them in separate containers when possible. Brass and copper are different materials, and mixed pieces can take longer to sort or may be classified differently at the yard. Remove attached plastic or steel only when it is safe and practical, then let the yard confirm how it grades each item.
What should I do with a refrigerator or air conditioner in a scrap load?
Do not cut refrigerant lines or try to vent the system. Refrigerant needs proper evacuation by an appropriate service provider before the equipment is processed. Ask the partner yard whether it accepts the unit and what preparation or documentation it requires. Keep the appliance intact until you have clear instructions.
Can a catalytic converter be included with ordinary metal scrap?
Ask the yard before bringing or shipping a catalytic converter. Yards may have specific identification and paperwork requirements for these parts, and acceptance can differ from ordinary scrap. Keep the converter separate and be prepared to explain where it came from. Do not remove identification markings or assume a photo alone is enough.
What should I have ready before arranging a junk car pickup?
Ask the receiving yard what title or ownership paperwork it requires before scheduling. Requirements can depend on the vehicle and circumstances, so do not assume that keys alone are enough. Share the vehicle's location, whether it can roll, and any access limits, then confirm who handles loading and what documents must be available at pickup.