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Why caravan breakers Northern Ireland work on site instead of sending your caravan across the Irish Sea
An old caravan in Northern Ireland cannot simply be dragged to a mainland yard and forgotten about. The Irish Sea adds a ferry crossing, extra handling and more risk, while a damp or weakened caravan may not survive the first few miles. Scrap My Caravan therefore deals with many non-towable tourers and static caravans where they stand, then removes the resulting waste in planned loads.
Get a quote using the enquiry form on this page.
Caravan breakers Lisburn for touring caravans that can no longer be moved safely
Lisburn sits 8 miles south-west of Belfast on the River Lagan. The river marks the boundary between County Antrim and County Down, so the city sits across both counties.
The M1 runs west towards Moira, Craigavon and Lough Neagh, while the A1 heads south towards Hillsborough, Dromore, Banbridge and Newry. Both suit a tow-bed lorry, but the final 400 yards up a farm lane near Glenavy or Aghalee can decide how the job must be done and what it will cost.
On-site dismantling for damp, damaged and non-towable caravans
A touring caravan can stop being towable long before it looks like a wreck. Damp can weaken the walls, the floor can sag, the body can pull away from the chassis and the running gear can fail.
Please tell us exactly what is wrong. We are often told a caravan is "towable", then arrive to find the wheels missing, the walls coming apart or the base floor dropping out. It is then impossible to complete the work at a price based on normal towing.
On-site breaking of a touring caravan that cannot be towed starts from £700. The confirmed quote depends on its condition, the amount of waste and the access available.
A sound, complete and genuinely towable tourer belongs under our separate towable caravan collection service. That service is assessed differently, so no towing price is given on this breaking page.
Collection across Lisburn, Belfast, Hillsborough, Moira and nearby towns
We cover Lisburn, Belfast, Hillsborough, Moira, Dromore, Maghaberry, Glenavy, Ravernet, Ballynahinch, Carryduff, Dundonald, Crumlin, Aghalee and Banbridge.
Why on-site caravan disposal Northern Ireland is often the practical option
Old caravans contain far more than metal. Timber, insulation, glass, plastics and damaged fittings take time to separate and remove, so the scrap value may not cover the work.
That is why people end up asking neighbours in local Facebook groups whether anybody knows someone who will take an old caravan away. The one visible caravan breaker in the province sells parts; it does not remove unwanted caravans for owners.
Scrap My Caravan still takes them because the quote reflects the work, not the scrap value.
Avoiding the cost and risk of transporting an unsafe caravan to a mainland yard
Moving a weak caravan to Great Britain means taking it to a port, loading it onto a ferry and handling it again at the other side. Each stage adds cost and risk.
Breaking it where it stands avoids an unnecessary Irish Sea crossing. Our Scotland caravan breakers page covers the other side of the Cairnryan to Belfast route, but a Northern Ireland caravan usually makes more sense dealt with locally.
Breaking the caravan where it stands when towing is no longer possible
Fittings are removed first, reusable items are separated where practical, the body is reduced into manageable sections and the chassis is dealt with last. That is safer than hoping a rotten shell survives a road journey.
Static caravan breakers and static caravan removal in Northern Ireland
Static caravans are larger, heavier and contain far more timber and mixed material than tourers. Decking, sheds and fences can add to the work.
Our static caravan breakers usually work on site because moving the unit whole is often unrealistic. Static caravan removal means dismantling the structure, sorting the materials and taking the waste away in suitable loads.
When a static caravan needs dismantling rather than towing
A static may need to be broken where it stands if the frame has failed, the structure has sunk, the route out is blocked or the unit is unsafe to lift.
Derelict tourers and statics stand around Lough Aghery and Hillsborough, near Ballynahinch and on farm ground towards Glenavy and Aghalee. Careful dismantling is often less disruptive than dragging a whole unit across soft ground.
How static caravan dismantlers plan access, labour and waste removal
We need its size, condition, surroundings and distance from the loading point.
Breaking a static caravan on site and taking the waste away usually costs £2,000 to £4,500. The price may fall by a few hundred pounds where timber can lawfully and safely be burned on site. That is assessed for each location rather than assumed.
All static prices depend on condition and access and are confirmed at quote stage.
Non-towable caravan removal from tight or difficult locations
The M1 and A1 make Lisburn easy to reach, but gates, branches, soft verges and sharp bends can still change the job.
Farm lanes, long driveways and restricted access near Glenavy and Aghalee
A lorry may reach the property but not the caravan. Waste may then need to be moved in smaller loads, adding time and labour.
What happens when a tow-bed lorry cannot reach the caravan
The caravan is broken into smaller sections and the waste is moved to an accessible area.
A large rotten tourer beside a wide hardstanding can be simpler than a smaller caravan behind a narrow gate and 200 metres of soft lane. Size matters, but access often matters more.
What caravan breakers NI can salvage, recycle and remove
Some fittings may be reusable and metals can be separated, but damp, rust and missing parts often leave little worth saving. The quote covers the job even when recovery value is low.
Why some caravans have little scrap value but still cost money to dismantle
That is why many scrap collectors turn these jobs down. Our rates are the cheapest in the UK, but the work still needs to be priced honestly around labour, access and disposal.
Northern Ireland waste carrier licensing with NIEA and DAERA
Waste carrier registration in Northern Ireland sits with NIEA and DAERA, not the Environment Agency.
A Great Britain waste carrier registration does not cover Northern Ireland. Owners are right to ask because waste taken by the wrong person can end up fly-tipped.
Why an Environment Agency registration from Great Britain does not cover Northern Ireland
A registration used in England or Wales does not automatically apply in Lisburn or elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
NetRegs provides Northern Ireland guidance. NIEA registration details can also be checked by calling 028 9056 9360.
Protecting yourself from fly-tipping and unlicensed disposal
Ask who will carry the waste, which registration covers the work and where the material will go.
A suspiciously cheap cash job may become expensive if the remains appear in a field or lay-by. Scrap My Caravan plans for lawful removal rather than relying on somebody with a van, a rope and a sudden urge to stop answering the phone.
Why the council recycling centre cannot take your caravan
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council recycling centres at Blaris and Carryduff are residents-only. Users must provide photo ID and proof of address.
A whole caravan, or mixed waste from a dismantled static, is outside the normal household route.
Why a caravan is not covered by the council bulky-item collection service
The council bulky-item service covers furniture and large domestic appliances. It does not provide collection for caravans.
There is no council route for an unwanted tourer or static.
Caravan breaking and removal prices in Northern Ireland
On-site breaking of a touring caravan from £700
On-site breaking for a non-towable touring caravan starts from £700. Missing running gear, severe collapse, difficult access or a long carry to the loading point can increase the cost.
Static caravan removal and dismantling from £2,000 to £4,500
Static caravan removal usually costs £2,000 to £4,500, including on-site breaking and taking the waste away.
Smaller units with firm access sit nearer the lower end. Large, collapsed or awkwardly placed statics cost more. Where timber can lawfully and safely be burned on site, the total may fall by a few hundred pounds.
What can increase the price of caravan disposal
Hidden damage, poor access and inaccurate information cause the biggest changes.
A quote based on a complete, towable caravan cannot stand if we arrive and find no wheels, a failed floor and walls separating from the frame. Honest details at the start protect both sides from an unpleasant conversation on collection day.
Clear photos are required before your quote is confirmed
Clear photos are required before any quote is confirmed, including close views of all damage. A distant garden-gate photo is not enough.
Photos of the caravan exterior, interior and chassis
Send photos of every side, the interior, floor, wheels, hitch, chassis and any collapsed areas.
For a static, include its full length, both ends, the underside where visible and any decking, sheds, fences or other structures attached to it.
Photos showing gates, driveways, farm lanes and turning space
Photograph the entrance, gates, bends, lane width, low branches, soft ground and the nearest safe loading or turning area.
Clear photos help us quote the real job rather than guess.
How caravan removal works from first enquiry to final clearance
Send the caravan details, location and access photos
Tell us whether it is a touring or static caravan, where it stands, what damage it has and whether it has moved recently. Include clear photographs of the caravan, damage and access.
Receive a quote based on the condition and removal method
We assess whether the caravan can be collected whole or needs to be broken on site. The quote reflects the labour, equipment, access and waste route required. All prices are confirmed at quote stage.
Agree a collection or dismantling date
We are always busy and heavily booked. Accept and book within 24 hours of receiving the quote, or the next available date may be several weeks away.
Remove the caravan and clear the resulting waste
On the agreed date, the caravan is collected or dismantled using the planned method. The resulting material is loaded and removed from the site.
Areas covered by caravan breakers Northern Ireland
Lisburn, Belfast, Hillsborough, Moira and Dromore
These areas connect well with the M1, A1 and local roads.
Ballynahinch, Carryduff, Dundonald and Banbridge
We cover homes, farms, yards and caravan sites south and east of Lisburn.
Glenavy, Aghalee, Maghaberry, Ravernet and Crumlin
Rural access is judged from photographs. The postcode gets us near the caravan; the lane, gate and ground decide how the removal will actually work.
Frequently asked questions about caravan disposal in Northern Ireland
How do I get rid of a static caravan?
Send clear photos of the unit, its damage and the access route. It will usually be dismantled where it stands. Static caravan removal normally costs £2,000 to £4,500.
Do scrap yards take old caravans?
Most do not. Old caravans contain large amounts of mixed material and often have too little metal value to cover the work.
How much does it cost to scrap a caravan?
On-site breaking for a non-towable tourer starts from £700. Static breaking and removal usually costs £2,000 to £4,500. The confirmed price depends on condition and access.
Will anyone take a caravan that has no scrap value left in it?
Yes. Scrap My Caravan prices the job around labour, dismantling and waste removal, not the caravan's scrap value.
How do I check the person taking my caravan away is properly licensed in Northern Ireland?
Ask for their Northern Ireland waste carrier details. Check the NIEA and DAERA guidance through NetRegs, or call NIEA on 028 9056 9360. A Great Britain registration does not cover Northern Ireland.
Does the council take caravans at the recycling centre?
No. Blaris and Carryduff are residents-only, but they do not provide a disposal route for a whole caravan. The bulky-item service covers furniture and large appliances, not tourers or statics.
Does a caravan have to leave Northern Ireland to be scrapped?
No. A non-towable caravan can be broken where it stands, which avoids an unsafe journey and an unnecessary ferry crossing.
Can a lorry reach a caravan up a farm lane near Glenavy?
Sometimes. We need photos of the entrance, surface, width, bends, branches and turning space before confirming the removal method.
What photos do you need before giving a firm price?
Send every side of the caravan, the interior, wheels, chassis, floor, visible damage, gates, driveways, lanes and loading space.
How quickly can you collect after I accept the quote?
Collection dates depend on the booking diary. Accept and book within 24 hours because we are heavily booked; waiting may move the job back by several weeks.
For national service details and breaking price tiers, visit the caravan breakers parent page.