"Just come get it" is where a lot of equipment deals go sideways. Removing an MRI is a rigging project, not a pickup — here's the real process and what it costs.
The steps, in order
- Controlled magnet ramp-down and cryogen recovery by certified engineers.
- Disconnection and crating of the console, gradient cabinet, and components.
- Exit path planning — mapping a safe route out of the building.
- Crane and rigging to move the multi-ton magnet safely.
- Freight and shipping to the buyer or next facility.
What drives the cost
Five variables move the number more than anything else: how accessible the room is, what floor it's on, how tight the exit path is, the magnet's size, and the distance to the loading point. A ground-floor suite with a clear path is a very different job from a tight third-floor space.
The cost you might avoid entirely
Here's the part sellers miss: when you sell the machine to a broker who also removes it, the de-install is usually folded into the deal — so the "cost" becomes part of a transaction that pays you, not a bill you pay. That's the cleanest outcome for most facilities.
Why it takes a certified crew
Between the cryogen, the magnetic field, and multi-ton rigging, MRI removal isn't a job for a general moving company. Certified riggers and cryogen-trained engineers protect both the equipment's value and everyone on site.
Need a scanner out of the building — cleanly and insured?
See de-installation →