Stripping Cables: When It Pays Off and When It Doesn't
Stripping Cables: When It Pays Off and When It Doesn't
Stripping cables pays off mainly with thick copper cables, where there is a lot of metal and little insulation, and where you have a machine or spare time for the work. With thin cords, short offcuts and aluminium cables it almost never pays off. The price difference per kilogram is large, but stripped copper weighs only part of the original cable and the work takes a long time.
Why stripped copper is more expensive
The buyer pays for the metal. With an insulated cable, they have to estimate how much metal is inside and derive the price from that share. Bare copper they simply weigh and grade by quality.
That is why the price per kilogram of stripped copper is several times higher than the price of cable. But that does not mean you earn several times more. After stripping, you are left with the metal only, and it makes up just part of the cable's weight.
Prices: insulated cable and stripped copper
These are the prices in the WIP price list we loaded on 7 November 2026. Prices change with metal prices, so check the current price list before you go.
| Group | What belongs in it (indicative) | Price per kg |
|---|---|---|
| Cu cables 20 % | thin multi-core cables with thick insulation | €1.00 |
| Cu cables 40 % | standard installation cables | €3.00 |
| Cu cables 50 % | thicker installation and power cables | €3.50 |
| Cu cables 60 % | thick power cables with a large cross-section | €4.00 |
| Cu wire new – Millberry | new, clean, bright copper | €10.00 |
| Cu mix | burnt and tinned copper, pieces | €9.60 |
| Al cables 40 % | aluminium cables with a lower metal share | €0.50 |
| Al conductor clean, bright | stripped aluminium | €2.00 |
The percentages are the share of metal in the cable's weight. The buyer decides during inspection which group your cable belongs to and which category the stripped copper falls into. The highest price goes to clean, bright copper without coating or dirt. Burnt or tinned copper belongs to the Cu mix group according to the price list. Oxidised or dirty copper may not make the top category.
Not sure which group your cables belong to? Check the price list and compare the cable price with the price of bare copper.
When stripping cables pays off: a worked example (illustrative)
The simplest way is to compare how much you get for the whole cable and how much after stripping. The difference is your "wage" for the work.
Stripping premium = (cable weight × copper share × copper price) − (cable weight × cable price)
Worth it if: premium ÷ hours of work > your hourly rate
Thick copper cable (group 60 %)
You have 100 kg of thick power cables.
Whole cable: 100 kg × €4.00 = €400
Stripped: 100 kg × 0.60 = 60 kg copper × €10.00 = €600
Premium: €600 − €400 = €200
If stripping 100 kg of thick cable takes you 5 hours, you earn around €40 an hour. With thick cables it can pay off, especially if you have a stripping machine.
Standard installation cable (group 40 %)
Whole cable: 100 kg × €3.00 = €300
Stripped: 100 kg × 0.40 = 40 kg copper × €10.00 = €400
Premium: €400 − €300 = €100
There are many metres of standard installation cable in 100 kg. If stripping it with a knife took you 10 hours, the premium is €10 an hour. That usually does not pay off.
Thin cords (group 20 %)
Whole cable: 100 kg × €1.00 = €100
Stripped: 100 kg × 0.20 = 20 kg copper × €10.00 = €200
Premium: €200 − €100 = €100
100 kg of thin cords is a huge number of metres, and the work would take days. On top of that, fine stranded wire may not make the top category. Here stripping does not pay off.
Aluminium cable (group Al 40 %)
Whole cable: 100 kg × €0.50 = €50
Stripped: 100 kg × 0.40 = 40 kg aluminium × €2.00 = €80
Premium: €80 − €50 = €30
With aluminium, the premium is so small that stripping almost never pays off.
The calculations are illustrative. We take the metal share from the price list group; the actual share and the grading of the copper are decided by the buyer. Prices are from the WIP price list of 7 November 2026.
What not to forget in the calculation
- Your time. An hour on site is worth more to you than an hour with a knife in the garage. Use your hourly rate.
- Tools. A knife is fine for a few metres. For larger quantities you need stripping pliers or a manual or electric stripping machine.
- The leftover insulation. After stripping, you are left with plastic insulation. It is waste that you must dispose of legally, and handing it in may cost money.
- Copper quality. If the copper is oxidised, tinned or dirty, it may not make the top category.
- Safety. Working with a knife on thick cables is a common cause of cuts. Wear gloves and use a suitable tool.
When stripping cables pays off and when it doesn't
| Situation | Worth it? |
|---|---|
| thick copper power cables, larger quantity, you have a stripping machine | often yes |
| thick copper cables, a few pieces, spare time | may pay off |
| standard installation cables from a flat | usually not |
| thin cords, telephone and data cables | no |
| short offcuts | no |
| aluminium cables | almost never |
| cables you would have to burn | never |
Burning insulation is prohibited and harmful to health. Burnt copper is also bought at a lower price than bright copper.
Don't feel like stripping your cables? We buy sorted insulated cables by group and metal content.
How to strip cables if you decide to do it
- Pick only thick copper cables. Put thin, aluminium and short pieces straight into the bag for selling with insulation.
- Straighten the cables and cut them into manageable lengths. Long pieces are harder to work with.
- Use a suitable tool. With thicker cables, first slit the outer sheath lengthwise, then remove the insulation from the individual cores.
- Put the copper into a clean container. Do not mix it with insulation, brass or cables.
- Collect the insulation separately and hand it in as waste.
- Keep the copper dry and clean so it does not oxidise.
Common mistakes when stripping
- Stripping thin cables. A lot of work for a few euros.
- Forgetting your time. A calculation without your hourly rate always looks better than it is.
- Copper mixed with insulation or brass. It lowers the category of the whole batch.
- Burning instead of stripping. It is illegal and the copper loses value.
- Stripping aluminium. The premium is too small.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I get for stripped copper?
According to the WIP price list of 7 November 2026, new, clean and bright copper (Millberry) is €10.00 per kg. Burnt and tinned copper (Cu mix) is €9.60 per kg. Prices change, so check the current price list before you go.
Is it worth stripping cables from a flat?
Usually not. Standard installation cables from a flat have thin cores and many metres per kilogram. It is better to sort them by metal and thickness and sell them with insulation.
Do I have to strip cables for the buyer to accept them?
No. The buyer accepts insulated cables too and values them by their metal share.
What do I do with the insulation after stripping?
Insulation is plastic waste. You must dispose of it legally; you must not burn it or dump it anywhere. With larger quantities, expect costs for handing it in.
Isn't burning cables faster?
It is, but it is prohibited. Burning produces toxic fumes, and burnt copper is bought at a lower price than bright copper.
Conclusion
Stripping cables pays off with thick copper cables, larger quantities and a suitable tool. With thin cords, standard cables from a flat, short offcuts and aluminium it usually does not, because you get a few euros per hour of work. Before you decide, do a quick calculation with current prices and your hourly rate. Whether collecting cables from jobs pays off at all is shown in the article Is it worth collecting cables from jobs?, and what to do with renovation leftovers in the article Leftover cables after a renovation.
Wondering whether to strip your cables or sell them whole? Compare the current price of cable and bare copper.
