I like it because you (usually) get paid right for the hard work you do. I had stopped scrapping cause I had 2 slow weeks and was starting to lose it. Worked framing for 6 mo getting paid 10 an hour, working my butt off for maybe 300 bucks a week, granted, it was fun sometimes, I learned things, and obviously it was a good workout. We used no safety, and one day, while 20 ft up close to the edge of a gable, I thought, yknow, I can make at least this much easy scrapping, and i'd be on the ground. So, I quit, and got back into scrapping.
And obviously the freedom aspect is nice, for example: i'm home now, just rode my bike around a little, it's 2 in the afternoon, got some stupid scrap to break down thats been kicking my butt so it can wait, already got my main stuff/calls done earlier, i've been tired all day so i'm probably about to take a nap. Also i'ts Wed. and i've already made more than a week of framing.
Originally Posted by
recyclersteve
The money part is a mixed bag for me. I feel like if I can make $50 or a bit more in a trip to the scrap yard that I've done pretty well. I have no idea how someone can actually make a living scrapping. I know there can be a fairly steep learning curve (for instance, knowing what types of wire are worthwhile stripping), but I feel like I am way behind anyone making decent money. If I get a total of $1,000-2,000 for the entire year, I will feel I've done reasonably well.
I'll tell you as a 20-something doing it for a living, I'ts really possible just from having a few ads up, getting connections, and just driving around the neighborhood sometimes. I've had shred loads that were close to $200, not counting non ferr. And between scrap and selling things, i've had (not many) weeks over 1,000. But that's a good week, not normal (yet).
Bookmarks