How to Make Extra Money on Scrap Metal

If you’re looking for a fairly easy way to earn extra money, and you can lift a considerable amount of weight, consider turning in scrap metal for money at your local scrap yard. You can turn someone else’s trash into cash, and you can earn a sizeable amount of extra money if you know the tricks of the trade. People with broken washers, dryers, lawn mowers, grills, tire rims, and other miscellaneous metal items will be more than happy to let you haul away their junk, and you’ll earn extra money for taking it off their hands. Turning in scrap metal for money is a fantastic way to make extra cash, and if you have a truck, you can put it to good use and cash in on the multitude of scrap metal that would otherwise end up in landfills.

My seventeen year old son was short on money a couple of months back, and my husband suggested that he haul off our scrap metal items that we no longer wanted. We had an old gas grill, a couple of outdated satellite dishes, a milk can, a sign frame, and bed springs. He was hesitant at first because he had no idea where to go or what to do, but my husband went along, and after my son realized how easy it was to earn extra money on scrap metal he was ready to search for more.

I asked my son to provide the following information on how to make money on scrap metal to help others who want to make extra money. If you’re looking for an easy way to make extra cash, consider this information on making money by turning in scrap metal for cash. Once you make a wad of extra money on junk metal others no longer want, you’ll want to continue to look for more and turn it for fast cash. It’s an addicting hobby that can be quite profitable.

Places to Find Junk Metal

The side of the road is one of the best places to find junk metal. People regularly set out washing machines, dryers, lawnmowers, grills, and many other metal items they no longer want. Trash hauling companies charge extra for taking larger items such as these, so people trying to get rid of unwanted metal appliances and other things will be thrilled to let you haul it away for free.

Although scrap metal appliances and other items near the curb are usually free for the taking, always ask the homeowner before taking anything. If you take items without asking, although it’s by the road, you can be charged with theft. More than likely they’ll tell you to take it away, and they might even have other metal items they want to get rid of if you take the time to ask.

Take advantage of free bulletin boards in town, and place ads that advertise your services. Offer to take away metal items for free and you’ll probably get calls by the dozen. No one wants to pay to have heavy metal items hauled away by the garbage man, and offering to take away junk for free is a fair trade. People are rid of junk they no longer want, and you are compensated for your efforts. It’s definitely a win-win situation!

Many towns have annual cleanup days, and residents can place items they no longer want out by the street to be hauled away for free. Find out when local towns are planning on having their annual cleanup days, and scout around for heavy metal items to turn in for cash. You can make a small fortune when hauling away dozens of washers, dryers, grills, lawn mowers, rims, broken ladders, and other metal items.

Talk to Your Local Scrap Metal Yard

Before hauling your load to the scrap yard, give them a call to make sure they can accept everything you have. For instance, if you plan on hauling in a riding lawnmower, they might accept it as-is, or you might lose money if you leave the tires in place. Scrap yards will usually take metal items from steel beams to cars, and everything in between, but it’s best to find out specifics before wasting your time hauling in items they won’t accept, or items that require preparation in advance.