Send photos
Photograph the material, nameplates and quantity, then send them through the quote form, by email or by phone.
COPPER SELLER GUIDE
Is It Legal to Sell Copper From a Job Site?
Found copper, leftover copper, demo copper — the rules depend on ownership, not the metal. Here is how legitimate sellers stay on the right side.
Ownership is everything.
The metal is only half the question — who owns it is the other half. Contractor offcuts belong to whoever the contract says they belong to. Material from a demolition belongs to whoever holds the scrap rights. Your employer’s scrap is your employer’s property, full stop. “Found” copper is only sellable if you have legitimate claim to it — found-property laws still apply.
What a legitimate sale looks like.
Government ID, a recorded transaction, and documentation of where the material came from — work orders, demolition contracts, receipts. Legitimate buyers require all of it, and legitimate sellers prefer it that way: the paper trail proves the sale was clean. If a buyer does not ask for ID, walk away — that is not a buyer, that is a liability.
Staying on the right side.
Keep it simple: only sell what you own or are authorized to sell, bring ID, and keep the paperwork. States keep tightening scrap metal laws — California now licenses copper sellers — and the trend rewards documented sellers at every step. When in doubt about ownership, ask before you sell, not after.
Sell it the straightforward way.
Photograph what you have — nameplates, labels, and overall condition — and send it to Ironcrest for today’s offer. We buy nationally and coordinate pickup from your site.
Sell your copper to Ironcrest → | Call or text 312-880-8174 | Send photos →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions, answered.
Can I sell copper I found?
Only if you have legitimate claim to it. Found-property laws vary by state — document where and how you found it, and when in doubt, check local rules first.
Can I sell scrap from my employer’s job site?
Only with explicit authorization. Employer scrap is employer property; selling it without permission is theft regardless of the metal’s value.
What paperwork should I bring when selling copper?
Government photo ID plus anything showing legitimate origin: work orders, demolition contracts, receipts, estate documents.
Do you require ID to buy copper?
Yes — legitimate transactions require it, and most states mandate it. It protects both sides.
What are red flags in a copper buyer?
No ID required, cash-only insistence, unwillingness to provide receipts, prices wildly above market. A real buyer documents everything.
OWNERSHIP
Own it, document it, sell it.
Legitimate copper sales come down to two things: rightful ownership and proper documentation.
New: Explore the Ironcrest Copper Resource Center — grades, markets, identification guides, and interactive tools.
HOW SELLING WORKS
Three steps to an offer.
Material review
We review what the material is, its condition and quantity, and whether it fits a direct purchase.
Receive an offer
For qualifying material, we discuss a direct purchase offer and the next steps.