Why wire remains after construction closeout
A building can be ready for turnover while unused electrical wire is still on site. Reels ordered before final routing can remain after shorter runs, equipment moves or deleted circuits. Change orders and value engineering can leave the original conductor size unused. Overbuys, canceled scopes and phased plant upgrades can also leave material that no longer has an assigned installation.
Turnover is a good time to make an inventory of leftover wire. Record each reel's type, size and estimated footage, along with the company that owns it. A construction manager coordinating several trade packages can gather the photos and contact names in one list for review.
Our seller categories include contractors and facility owners. For your closeout, record who owns each reel and who will handle the sale paperwork.
Who approves owner-furnished wire and attic stock
We confirm who is selling and record the person authorized to release company-owned wire. Purchase records, job closeout paperwork or a company letter help identify the contact.
| Material status | Contact for sale paperwork |
|---|---|
| General contractor-owned overbuy | Company owner or an authorized project manager or purchasing representative |
| Owner-furnished wire leftover | Owner's authorized representative, with the listed material noted in the paperwork |
| Electrical subcontractor-owned reels | Subcontractor's authorized representative, with the selling company's role recorded |
| Attic stock set aside at turnover | Owner's representative handling the stock and sale records |
| Material from a later phase | Project representative handling the inventory and release paperwork |
Attic stock means spare material retained for future use, not necessarily material stored in an attic. The spare-material schedule and handover inventory can help describe the stock. Include the owner's facilities contact when gathering the sale records.
We confirm the seller and keep simple paperwork with each purchase. An invoice, purchase order, job closeout record or company letter can support that step. Include the name of the person releasing the wire. The ownership verification guide explains the records to gather.
Wire found in contractor-controlled lots
We buy all types of electrical wire and cable, new, unused, leftover or used, in full reels, partial reels, boxed coils, cut lengths and mixed lots. Contractor-controlled lots can combine branch-circuit wire, feeder conductors and armored cable. Use the actual tags and print lines rather than a broad description such as “commercial wire.”
| Wire family | Identification details to record |
|---|---|
| THHN/THWN-2 building wire | Size in AWG or kcmil, copper or aluminum, color, solid or stranded construction and complete type marking |
| XHHW-2 feeders | Conductor metal, size, voltage marking, color and footage per reel |
| MC cable | Manufacturer part number, conductor size and count, grounding construction, armor type and coil or reel length |
| Control, fire alarm or data cable | Exact product code, conductor or pair count, listing and remaining length |
For example, Southwire's copper THHN/THWN-2 wire specification describes PVC insulation with a nylon sheath and a 600-volt rating. Its aluminum XHHW-2 feeder product uses cross-linked polyethylene insulation and lists 600- or 1000-volt versions. Record what your material actually says.
A Southwire 12/2 MC cable example has two insulated circuit conductors plus a separate green grounding conductor under aluminum armor. Do not count the ground as an extra circuit conductor or infer the cable type from armor alone.
Group a mixed lot without losing its records
Start with separate groups for each owner. Within those groups, sort by wire family, conductor metal, size and product code. Keep full reels apart from partial reels and loose cut lengths. Do not combine different cable types into one total footage figure.
Give each reel or coil a simple inventory ID that appears in both the photos and the list. Include its original reel number if readable. Your list should show:
- Project and phase, owning company and inventory ID.
- Manufacturer, part number, wire type, size and color.
- Reel or coil count and remaining footage for each item.
- Whether footage is measured, taken from records or estimated.
- Condition notes and the Arizona pickup location.
Include the company contact and release details with each group. If an item changes after submission, update the list before accepting the written terms. We buy mixed lots and use each item's details to prepare an offer for the material you list.
Photo examples that clarify a closeout inventory
A wide photo should show the entire proposed lot with inventory IDs visible. Follow it with close-ups that connect each item to its specification and condition. Avoid sending only a project drawing or purchase invoice, since neither shows what remains.
Useful photo examples include:
- A feeder reel photographed with its readable factory tag, followed by the conductor print line showing size and type.
- A partial coil beside its product label, with a note stating that the original packaged footage is not the remaining footage.
- An MC coil with its manufacturer label and accessible cable end, without cutting into the cable just to identify it.
- A reel with a damaged flange or exposed outer turns, shown clearly rather than hidden behind neighboring reels.
Include date codes where readable. Note outdoor storage, sun exposure, water or visible jacket damage. Keep any existing end seals intact, especially on medium-voltage cable. These condition details affect the offer. The wire photo guide helps organize a set that matches your inventory.
Arizona projects need phase-specific releases
Large Arizona projects may have one area turned over while another remains under construction. Southland Industries' Vantage AZ1 profile describes a Goodyear design-build campus with staged turnovers and completion scheduled for 2028. For a comparable West Valley construction lot, record the phase with each inventory group. Include the project contact handling its release paperwork.
In Pinal County, SRP's October 2024 announcement marked completion of the Eleven Mile Solar System near Coolidge, combining solar generation and battery storage. For a similar multi-system closeout, keep electrical lots tied to their equipment package and owner. Record solar, battery and grid-connection material in separate inventory groups for clear paperwork. These project examples do not identify wire available for sale.
What belongs in the written offer review
Readable specifications, matching reels and continuous lengths affect the offer. Full reels generally receive more favorable offers than short cut lengths. Brand, manufacture date, condition and demand for the product also matter. Send photos of your wire and cable, including used material and mixed lots, and we will make an offer.
Submit the inventory through Get an Offer. Tell us who may approve the terms and whether your accounting department needs a company check or ACH. Payment method and timing are confirmed in writing before pickup.
We pick up anywhere in Arizona. For pickup planning, identify the site contact and any access instructions. Keep the approved lot separate so the material can be checked against the written terms at pickup.