Scrap metal
Copper, Brass & MetalType CollectionAcross Surrey
Different metals are worth different amounts. Here's what we collect and roughly why the price varies.
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Why the Type of Metal Matters
Not all scrap is priced the same. Metal is generally split into two broad categories, ferrous and non-ferrous, and the difference has a direct effect on what it's worth. Foremost Metal Recycling collects both types across Surrey, and we weigh and price each material separately so you get a fair, transparent total rather than a single guessed figure for a mixed load.
Ferrous Metal Collection
Ferrous metals contain iron and are magnetic, which is generally the easiest way to tell them apart from non-ferrous material. This includes steel, cast iron, and most structural or heavy metal items such as radiators, guttering, fencing, machine frames, and vehicle bodywork. Ferrous metal is generally lower value per kilo than non-ferrous metal, but it's often collected in much larger volumes, from building sites, factories, and garden clearances.
Non-Ferrous Metal Collection
Non-ferrous metals don't contain iron and aren't magnetic, and they're generally worth considerably more per kilo. This category covers copper, brass, aluminium, stainless steel, and lead, along with alloys made from combinations of these. Even small amounts of non-ferrous metal can be worth collecting on their own, separately from a larger ferrous load.
Copper Collection
Copper is one of the most valuable common metals we collect, found in pipework, electrical cabling, tanks, and older plumbing fittings. Clean, bare copper commands the best price, while copper still attached to fittings or insulation is worth a little less due to the extra processing involved. We collect copper from homes, building sites, and businesses across Surrey in any quantity, from a handful of offcuts to a full load.
Brass Collection
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is commonly found in taps, fittings, valves, door furniture, and some older plumbing and electrical components. It has good scrap value and is often removed in quantity during bathroom or kitchen refurbishments and building strip-outs.
Aluminium Collection
Aluminium turns up in window and door frames, guttering, cladding, wheels, and various lightweight fittings. It's lighter than most other metals but still holds solid scrap value, particularly in cleaner, unpainted form. We regularly collect aluminium from construction sites and shopfitting projects across Surrey.
Stainless Steel Collection
Stainless steel is common in catering equipment, worktops, sinks, balustrades, and some architectural fittings. It's a valuable non-ferrous material, and we regularly collect it from commercial kitchens, retail fit-outs, and catering equipment clearances.
Lead Collection
Lead is most often found in old roofing flashing, pipework, and some older cabling. It should be handled carefully due to its weight and health considerations, and our team is experienced in collecting it safely from both domestic and commercial properties.
Cable Collection
Electrical cable, whether insulated or bare copper, is collected regularly from rewiring jobs, demolitions, and factory or warehouse line changes. Bare, stripped cable is worth more per kilo than insulated cable, though we're happy to collect either and price accordingly.
Sorting Mixed Loads on Site
Many jobs, particularly clearances and strip-outs, arrive as a mix of ferrous and non-ferrous material together. Where it's practical, our team will sort obvious types on site before weighing, splitting out copper, brass, or aluminium from the bulk of the ferrous load. This tends to work in your favour, since it avoids valuable non-ferrous metal being averaged in at a lower blended rate.
How Metal Prices Are Set
Scrap metal prices track global commodity markets, which move with demand from manufacturing, construction, and industry generally. This means the price for the same kilo of copper can be noticeably different from one month to the next. We always quote against the current rate on the day of collection rather than an outdated price list, so what you're told on the phone reflects what you'll actually be paid.
Why Foremost
Why Choose Foremost for Mixed Metal Loads
15 years of experience accurately identifying and pricing every type of metal we collect
Top prices paid, based on current market rates for each material, not a blanket rate
Reliable and punctual collections across Surrey, Berkshire, and Greater London
Fully insured for complete peace of mind, whatever the load
The service
Collecting Metal from Different Sources
The mix of metal we collect varies a lot depending on where it's come from. Building sites tend to produce more ferrous steel and reinforcement, plumbing and electrical work generates copper and brass, shopfitting and retail strip-outs often bring stainless steel and aluminium, and household clearances can involve almost any combination. Whatever the source, our approach stays the same: identify what's there, weigh it properly, and price it against current rates.
The service
A Local Point of Contact for Metal Recycling
Rather than dealing with a call centre that has no real knowledge of your area, our Egham base means we know Surrey's roads, sites, and access points well. That local knowledge helps when planning a collection from a tricky town centre location or a rural property down a farm track, and it means the same team is likely to be handling your job from quote to collection.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to separate different metals before collection?
It's not essential, but separating obvious types such as copper cable from steel can help us weigh and price your load more accurately, which sometimes works in your favour.
Which metal is worth the most per kilo?
Generally copper and brass command the highest prices, followed by aluminium and stainless steel, with lead and ferrous metals typically lower, though prices move with the wider commodity market.
Do you collect small quantities of a single metal type?
Yes, even a small bag of copper offcuts or a single brass fitting is worth calling about, particularly if you're already having other items collected.
How do you weigh mixed loads accurately?
We sort visible metal types on site where practical and weigh each separately, so the final price reflects the actual mix rather than an estimate.
Are scrap metal prices fixed?
No, prices move with global commodity markets, so the value of a load can vary slightly week to week. We always quote against the current rate at the time of collection.
Get a Fast, Free Quote Today
Call the Foremost team now or drop us a WhatsApp message with a few details and photos, and we'll come back to you with a straight answer.
- Mon – Fri06:00 – 19:00
- Saturday07:00 – 16:00
- SundayClosed