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Building deconstruction and demolition can be profitable...and definitely a greener use of natural resources...even if they are used!  (Especially when those materials are used!)

There are some pathways to explore if you want to deconstruct buildings...or use the materials.  Here are some tips:

Prices for deconstruction vary from $3 to $14/sq ft. depending on location and market timing.  Labor is usually priced per square foot.  The value of materials vary. 

• Mundane materials can run $2-4 per sq ft of materials. 
• Other valuable materials vary greatly -- the sky's the limit.

There are other reasons beyond value of materials to consider responsible deconstruction of old buildings.

• Cost avoidance -- avoid disposal costs, 
• Avoid taxes -- tax benefits to property owners,
• Value of antique and reusable materials
• Babysitting disposed materials. 
• Saved labor rates. 
• Saved landfill tipping fees/disposal 
• Donation of materials for tax deductions
  

Clever contractors can deconstruct and salvage a building in smart ways that saves costs.  Experience, creativity and efficiency make a difference. 

Owners benefit financially because they get tax deductions for the value of materials they donate to nonprofit organzations vs. landfilling.  Habitat for Humanity ReStores is an example.  Local historical societies sometimes have antique parts shops to help restore old properties.

A general list of materials that can be salvaged from deconstructed buildings include:

• Antiques, artifacts, ornaments, mundane building materials.
• Fixtures (the older the better for high end design -- antique salvage is a strong market) 
• Appliances: antique water heaters, stoves, etc. can be sold for @$20.
• Fixtures: toilets and sinks can be valued in restoring old buildings
• Doors and windows -- There are a thousand and one uses for doors
• Flooring is easy to extract and marketable.  Very valuable.   Oak or fir go for $14 sq ft. 
• Roofing - slate and tile are popular and valuable
• Siding - common used building materials include aluminum.  Wood siding can also be used for millwork.
• Heavy timbers - very active.
• Dimensional timbers have less market, but old growth, heart pine, Douglas fir, etc. can be milled and converted to other products.

Reuse isn't the only market for salvaged materials.  They also have "recycled content"  potential:  lumber can be ground into use for fuels, mulches, etc. Gypsum drywall can be used as soil amendment or returned to factory, or used for other agricultural purposes.

New construction can also use recycled materials and reuse materials:  High end use of these salvaged materials can create a distinct green statement and brand a design or construction firm as a "green building" company when they excel at the practical and aesthetic use of recycled content.

For more resources about green building and salvaging, check out  GreenBuildingTalk.com

Finding local salvage or used building materials is one thing...finding enough materials for a large project like a room addition or even a new building or new house is a challenge on a whole different scale.

That's when you need to check out resouces such as:

Habitat ReStores:  Shops that sell used building supplies and other used building materials.  Proceeds from ReStores help build Habitat houses in the community -- an additional sustainable benefit!

Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) is a nonprofit educational resource for those interested or involved in deconstruction and reuse, recycyling and recovery of building materials.  They have a directory of reuse stores at:  Directory of BuildingReuse.org

Reclaimed Wood Council gives you all the basics about reclaimed wood and can connect you with reclaimed wood specialty companies.  Reclaimed wood in increasingly being used for furniture manufacturing as well as construction projects to help qualify for USGBC LEED projects.

Online commerce sites such as Craigslist and Freecycle help connect you with people with stuff.  Concerns are that you really need to know what you're doing and have to watch for stolen property.  Safety for your own well-being if you carry cash to off the beaten path locations can also be a concern.  Don't go alone!

Dumpster diving, looking around landfills and junk yards are also sources for unique materials -- but usually not in sufficient quantity, not to mention that you really need to know your stuff to separate quality from junk.