Mobile scrap metal collector

You pay householders and trades for their metal, and processors and scrap yards pay you for sorted loads. Some customers, such as house clearers or landlords, may pay you to take bulky items away.

You earn the difference between what you pay for metal and what you sell it for. Prices move with the market, so sorting well and keeping costs down matter.

• Knowing common metals and how to sort them
• Careful record keeping
• Safe lifting and handling
• Fair and clear dealing with the public

• A collector's licence is issued by a council, so check whether you need one for each council area you collect in
• Check the rules on paying sellers: cash payments are not allowed, so you will need to pay by bank transfer or cheque
• You must check and record the seller's identity and keep records of what you buy, so check what your council expects
• Check whether you need to register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency (or the equivalent body in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Check your insurance covers carrying scrap and public liability, and that your van insurance allows business use
• Metal prices can fall, so avoid holding large stocks for long
• Be careful with items that may be stolen, such as cable, drain covers or catalytic converters, and walk away if unsure

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your van and equipment. Metal prices can fall, so avoid holding large stocks for long, and check your insurance costs too.

A collector's licence is issued by a council, so check whether you need one for each council area you collect in. Also check the rules on paying sellers, including that cash payments are not allowed, identity and record checks, and waste carrier registration.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000 as an estimate, depending on how much metal you collect and current metal prices. It can start at around 12 hours a week, and care is needed with items that may be stolen.