Recently in Salvaging materials Category

Remodeling efforts to recover from fire damage can be driven by insurance claims, appraisals and payments.

In researching health insurance, I ran across an "insurance evaluator" who helped homeowners after recent California fires.  The court notes prove helpful for both homeowners and service providers. 

A lot of the monies that will be available for recovery and remodeling after a disaster result from getting the paperwork right!  And it starts BEFORE the fire.  And it continues AFTER the fire...and BEFORE work begins.

This excerpt of the court documents points to some best practices for both homeowners as they gather information for risk management -- and service providers who need to provide helpful estimates and evaluations:  

In late October 2004 Allstate provided Kacha's attorney, Peter Lawrence, and Dawson with a draft form appraisal award. The form included several pages of damaged items Kacha claimed were covered under the policy, such as kitchen cabinets and flooring, garage cabinets and flooring, and carpet and interior walls. For each item, the form provided: "Damage, if any, to the [e.g., kitchen cabinets] attributable to the fire of October 26, 2003." The form included a line for the entry of a dollar amount for each item.

The appraisal was held at Kacha's home, on November 15 and 16, 2004, and January 4, 2005. Allstate presented an appraisal brief that stated, "[T]his is not your standard appraisal where value of the loss is the only issue; there are still many issues regarding the existence and scope of damage that have not been resolved between the parties. This is due in large part to the insureds' prematurely demanding appraisal without coming to an agreement upon a scope of loss or even providing Allstate with the specifics of their claim." The brief asserted that damage to numerous items was not caused by smoke or heat from the Cedar Fire.

On November 15, Allstate provided the panel members with its draft appraisal award form. The parties had not yet agreed to the form, however, and Judge Joseph instructed them to do so before the conclusion of the hearing.

On November 16, the parties stipulated in writing that the appraisal panel "should utilize replacement cost value less depreciation to determine the actual cash value of the loss." The parties also stipulated to the amount of loss for certain items, including interior light fixtures and cleaning of windows, HVAC ducts and "[o]zone." The same date, Kacha increased the value of his loss to $858,393.87, and that prompted Judge Joseph to schedule the third hearing day.

Insurance services cover a range of helpful information management opportunities to "meet in the middle" of fair settlements that help homeowners manage their risk. Professional Insurance Evaluations is just one of the companies that provides a wide range of such services to sort through the complications of insurance and recovery:

Claims Recovery

Professional Insurance Evaluations maximizes your insurance policy claims by knowing exactly what is covered in your policy, determining the extent of the damage, and aiding you in any disputed claims resolution process.

Fire Insurance Claims

Professional insurance Evaluations can help with your claims resulting from fire damage. In the event of a fire, often times the damage is severe and the claims large, we can help recover your losses for known and unknown hidden damages to real and personal property.

Business Interruption Claims

Business interruption insurance protects policy holders from losses due to the interruption of business operations. Time element losses of business income, extra expenses, loss of rents or additional living expense are measured and valued.

Expert Witness

An insurance expert witness provides support in a legal case by having knowledge about insurance, claims handling, and insurance policy coverage analysis that can be relied upon in litigation of disputed claims.

Catastrophe Expert

Professional Insurance Evaluations is an expert in insurance policy claims resulting from catastrophe property damage. General adjuster, Kevin Dawson worked on insurance claims resulting from Hurricane Katrina, the San Diego Cedar Fire, and California wild fires and many other catastrophes during his long career serving policy holders and insurance companies.

Water, Smoke, Storm, Vandalism, Vehicle, Explosion Damage Claims

Professional Insurance Evaluations can help recover insurance policy holder claims resulting from water, smoke, storm, vandalism, vehicle, and explosion damage to property and time element losses.

 

Read more at Professional Insurance Evaluations, a California service company

The Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 (CRSI) has been designed to create a new program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD) targeted toward cities and metropolitan areas experiencing large-scale property vacancy, abandonment and population losses.

 

The act's supporters say it will provide assistance to communities to start or expand land banks that establish public control over vacant and abandoned property so that property can be redeveloped or otherwise used in ways to "benefit the public."

 

A summary of the CRSI act, prepared by its authors, says, "The Community Regeneration Act would encourage innovation, experimentation, and environmentally sustainable practices through collaborative efforts to reuse land bank properties in ways that will provide long-term benefits to the public, whether it is through the creation of green infrastructure, economic development, or other strategies. Implementation of such strategies would create new and sustainable employment opportunities for residents. The Community Regeneration Act would also strongly encourage multi-jurisdictional or regional approaches to addressing the problem of vacant and abandoned property."

 

Brad Guy, a deconstruction consultant and former president of the Building Materials Reuse Association, was asked to provide input for the language of the bill as it relates to deconstruction and the re-use and recycling of materials.

Allowable Uses for Funds

Funding is for it to go toward the "establishment of recovered building materials reuse and recycling infrastructure, facilities, and technical support."

 

CRSI as currently proposed, is for the "establishment of local government purchasing requirements for deconstruction to make use of existing building materials stock in new and rehabilitation construction."

 

In areas where land banking has created a portfolio of vacant properties, the CRSI also would allow both the "deconstruction and demolition of vacant and abandoned properties" and the "demolition and removal of public infrastructure" to be be funded through the act.

RE Stores are growing organically.  Reused building materials are available as used building materials, salvage, architectural salvage and fill a need in between garage sale stores, Lowes, antique store and definitely eclectic salvaged treasures!

RE Store is an outlet REsources  in Bellingham, WA that pulls reusable materials out of projects and they then set up a store to handle all the materials.  They are now the largest retail store in downtown Bellingham.  The store staff are paid employees, and they use volunteers from community service programs, and interested volunteers as well. 

These people are like minded and concerned about their communities.   Newish items run about half of new prices.  Other items are based on gut feel.  Donations are accepted and sometimes are bought at about 25% of their value. 

Goals for used building materials are to keep things out of the landfill, help low income families, and assist artists.  Lots of used building material treasure hunting goes on here!

Kinds of used materials vary from:  doors, dimensional lumber, cabnitry, hardware, windows, flashing, plumbing, hardware, toilets and sinks, lighting fixtures, and even science room cabinets.  Salvaged materials look for cool and valuable.  Appliances are sometimes usable such as refrigerator and ovens.  

Public donations. Deconstruction crews take houses apart by hand.  Salvage crews reclaim used remodeling parts.  Pickup crews pick up used building materials and appliances from homeowners.   These salvage operations are all safer and more time efficient than mining the landfill.

Employees at Re Store are over educated, environmentally minded and have a very positive energy!  Their dedication shows in the service and sorting skills applied to the used and salvaged materials.

They can presort, restore and make it recyclable.  And can recycle other materials such as asphalt roofing materials to recycle 60-80% of a building. It can take 3 weeks (300-400 hours) vs. 2 days to deconstruct a house...save the homeowner landfill costs and give the homeowner a tax deduction.  Reuse of the materials can help cover costs.  Breakeven is the mission, the goal.  Mission driven vs. profit driven.  But they are sucess driven for the community!

A deconstruction industry is forming, and new tools are being designed for effective work productivity.  Deconstruction provides a lot of jobs, and teams typcally work with crews of 6 people on their deconstruction and recycling projects.

One new tool is a pneumatic nail remover  -- and is seen as the most exciting new tool because it saves time, and can save additional amounts and kinds of wood.

Reality inspires community!  People support and gather around solutions to real needs -- the Re Store is about connections!   

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

Natural building materials already surround us! Think wood, living platns, metal, bricks...

What's a home without plants?  It's just a short hop to understand how remodeling and plants are intertwined for energy efficiency and beauty.  What's a home without trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, even moss and weeds!  They all can be designed "greener" to produce natural texture, cooling shade and a fresh supply of oxygen!

But there are other natural building materials that can be part of your efficiency remodeling projects to make your home or building energy efficient and environmentally sound.

ROCKS

Local, natural rocks can be used -- and have been used for eons -- as a natural building material.  They can be walls, fences, stepping stones, patios, even furniture.  When you use local rocks, you maintain your local charm and flavor.,..and you reduce the high cost of transporting these heavy materials. 

Rocks used as a natural building material choice for indoor sun porch floor that can double as a heat reservoir in winter. Place these heat retaining natural building materials so they absorb sunshine that hits them during the heat of the day.  Heavy curtains can seal in the warmth and release the heat into your living rooms at night.

Small rocks can also be used as gravel on a pathway or laid carefully into concrete for a textured surface.  Really tiny rocks...called sand ... have many natural building material uses as filler, cover, and utilitarian uses. 

The humble rock...so very important in our living infrastructure and such a great value as a natural building material! 

DIRT

Don't forget the building properties of dirt!  In early building techniques, dirt was made into adobe and cob and even mortar between stones.   Then people learned that earthern berms against a wall can insulate the home from cold winter precipitation -- rain, snow, sleet and moist winds.

Today's concrete foundations can benefit from an earthern berm to reduce the infiltration of cold air into the crawl space. 

LIVING PLANTS

Living roofs are an ancient technique that is being revived on commercial buildings, in particular.  By growing a thin layer of plants on a well structured roof, low-water use plants can actually absorb rain and prevent it from turning into urban runoff that carries hardscape pollutants into our ground water. 

WOOD

Not all wood has to be imported from exotic locations.  Local wood can be used as both a natural building material...and a local material to weave into charming garden fences or used to construct grape arbors or display posts for cascading vines.  Fence posts are a very common use of local limbs.  

Cross cut rounds can be used as stepping stones and edgings and even rustic furniture.

Local sawmills also cut siding that provides local charm and lower transportation impact to our environment.  It pays to get to know your local timber management resources such as local lumberyard owners, utility companies that have to trim trees regularly, and even tree farmers.

Wood is a renewable resource...you can even plant your own trees to harvest in  the years to come!  

Savings ALWAYS start with a plan.  Remember the A-Team slogan "I love it when a plan comes together!" ?  You can make that your mantra when you decide to work with used building materials...and you'll come out the winner.

Step ONE
Develop a practical plan for your remodeling project.  If you don't have experience, get help from an experienced friend or professional -- learn from them.  You'll save money and time on this project...and all your projects to come.  Humility is a great investment opportunity! :-)

Step TWO
Make a detailed list of all the tools and buiilding supplies you will need to complete the project.  All the way from the number of nails to the roofing replacements down to the sealant in the basement!  This list will be "practical" if you make distinction between NEEDS and WANTS.   And if you're looking for salvaged materials -- note some options that will work, with attributes that are absolutely necessary -- like size, quality factors. 

Step THREE
Develop  a real world budget. Compare "New Material" costs to "Used" and be sure to fudge Upward on used materials for mistakes and waste that is inevitable. Never use sale prices when budgeting -- you can't count on that windfall.  Sale savings can help offset the deficit that is sure to be part of your budgeting process if you are new at the game!

Step FOUR
Research, research, research. Finding and buying used building materials, recycled materials, architectural salvage or old stuff is an artform.  Learn the terms to use in your search engine searches:  recycled materials, building salvage, restoration, reuse, architectural salvage etc.  And also add your location (city, county, state) to the search to find items close to you.  And don't forget to search for the nationally known resources for used building materials:  Habitat for Humanity, Re-Store, Salvation Army, Re-use stores, CraigsList, Goodwill and local construction companies.

Step FIVE
Don't forget the added costs for used materials -- you might have to drive farther and more often to find the materials -- factor in your gas and your time.  And the time of any assistants you hire.

Step SIX
Do the analysis in the harsh light of economic daylight!  Ask tough questions like...
How much actual savings can you identify between new and used materials?
Is there a local source that's convenient and low cost?
Is it important to you to reduce waste going to your local landfill?
How creative are you with mixing and matching small supplies of any given material?
Which items have a "do not budge" criteria that will be hard to meet with recycled finds?
Do you have extra time to invest in the added creativity and craft required to use recycled materials?
Do you want some great stories to tell?  How much are you willing to invest in the fun side of the equation? 

Architects have known for ages that old buildings are great resources for new building projects.  Even in ancient times, old stones and old timbers were reused after disasters and when materials were needed locally that harkened back to better days.

Sounds like today, doesn't it?

Architectural salvage is an established commercial sector. 

Architectural salvate contacts in your local area are probably quiet ... but you can bet the architects and contractors and even interior designers know where these treasure houses are located.

Your local historic preservation society probably also knows of salvagers who specialize in antique building parts, and sometimes these preservation societies even operate their own nonprofit salvage warehouses to promote and assist with old-house restorations.

Most architectural salvage warehouses are in urban areas -- for obvious supply and demand reasons.  Web sites are a great new addition to this market for unique properties -- instant communications and cheap online cataloging make it possible to shop from your armchair.

You can even make special requests on some websites such as ShoppersPage at About (Shoppers Page).  Recycler's Exchange (Recycler's Exchange) is an information exchange for buying, selling or trading all sorts of materials and equipment, including remodeling supplies.

AntiqueNet ( AntiqueNet.)is a commerce site that sells and auctions antiques and collectibles.

And don't forget eBay, CraigsList and other  consumer sites that connect people for mutual benefit.

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.

Used building materials are a time honored conservation strategy.  My father was an old world carpenter who maintained a shop that was half workspace and half storage of used building materials from previous jobs that could be used in future jobs.  It was part of his work habits to conserve good used materials.  Maybe that was because we didn't have curbside pickup of trash -- we lived in the country and had to haul our own trash to the city dump and pay to dump it.  So the trash was minimized ... and the annual trip was seen as a necessary evil, not a solution.  That meant we learned every trick to use old building materials like wood and brick and even old nuts and bolts.

The solution to conserving materials was to carefully use every bit of material bought for a job, and to save anything left over -- both new materials and used materials.  Recycling used materials is smart. Using "used" saves money.  AND it saves our increasingly precious natural resources.

But what are the tricks to maximizing the value of used building materials?

Pre-planning the job.

During the design phase of your job, when you're sketching possible solutions...revisit your stash of used building materials.  Sort through your used hardware.  And used plywood,.  And used boards.  And used or remnant laminate.  Let your imagination roam among your current resources -- your treasure chest of used building materials and make them an integral part of your design.

Designing with used building materials

Used materials have not only pragmatic value...but aesthetic value.  The patina of old wood is rich and textured with use.  Old paint can be decorative and unique.  Used hardware has character.

Sourcing used building materials

Architectural supply houses deconstruct old buildings and make these used, aesthetic and practical materials available for new projects.  Habitat for Humanity also has a growing chain of reuse materials that are salvaged materials from remodeling jobs and old buildings.  These used and remnant materials are sorted and stored to protect their value and integrity.  And the discounts are amazingly affordable.

The Habitat ReStores of used building materials are found on the Internet by searching for your local region (city, county, or state) and "Habitat Restore". 

Local building tear downs

Many people have old buildings on their property that they want torn down (with a treasure trove of used building matrials!).  Reasons vary.  Often they don't have the tools or the truck available to handle the job of reclaiming or storing the used materials themselves, but would welcome your help in tearing down the building and hauling away the valuable used building material salvage...in exchange for your proud acquisition of the used building materials.  

Sometimes people advertise that they are looking for a deal to exchange labor for the used building materials and salvage.  Sometimes it the "friendship network" that connects you can connect you with used materials.  Sometimes you can find reclamation opportunities at a local resource center such as the local hardware store, lumber yard or restaurant bulletin board.

Salvaging new construction materials

When you see a construction site -- whether it is a new home or a remodeling job, you can stop and ask the owner and construction supervisor if you could have their left over and salvaged, used building materials.  You could work out a deal for a good price...and save them tipping fees at the landfill.  You can also purchase excess materials they purchased because they need a safety factor on large scale jobs -- this excess inventory can often be bought at a savings.

Consider all your costs

Before you scavenge for new or used building materials a long way from home, consider your own costs:  the fuel, the wear and tear on your vehicle and the storage costs.   It pays to save...but it pays more to carefully time your used material purchases to meet your needs. Most people don't have a working shop in which they can store used and salvaged materials for some future possibility.  Storage takes money to heat and cool, to pay taxes on...and to clean. 

But reclaiming used building materials has many benefits ... for you, for your community and for our natural resources.