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DECONSTRUCTION VS. DEMOLITION
WHY DECONSTRUCTION?
In addition to the countless environmental benefits of deconstruction, it also serves as a crucial asset to you and your local community. When a building or property is demolished, it is exactly that. The utilities are cut and the property gets torn down. Generally there is a total loss of any and all previously salvageable building materials such as: lumber, light fixtures, flooring and appliances.
Deconstruction serves as a way to preserve not only the materials but the historical integrity of the site. Many older homes have been built with extinct or endangered native trees that either can't be found anymore or will catch a high price in any market. Rather than wasting the materials they can easily be incorporated into any home renovations or new building structures which can lead to substantial savings in the long run. If the materials don't suit your current needs, its just as easy to sell them and make a profit towards your building costs or give back to the community by donating them to a non-profit organization for a tax deduction!
ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF DECONSTRUCTION
Beyond doing the "right thing" for your community and the environment, certain financial benefits may be gained by deconstructing your house and donating the salvaged building materials to The ReUse People of America. While only an IRS qualified appraiser can provide you with the fair-market value of your donation, below are some comparisons that may be of interest to you.
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The following example compares a composite of full-house deconstruction projects with a typical "smash and dash" demolition and estimates the after-tax savings at $11,700! The composite assumes a 2,400 square-foot house with a two-car attached garage, composition roofing, wood siding, drywall, raised foundation, single-pane wood windows and tongue and groove hardwood floors. The numbers shown in this example will vary depending upon the location, age, style and condition of the house, the type of construction and materials used, topography of the property, landfill rates and other factors.
* Appraisal costs may be deductible on Schedule A of IRS Form 1040.
** Total materials to be salvaged (lumber, cabinets, plumbing and electrical fixtures, doors, windows, etc) would generally appraise at $87,500 to $120,000 in good reusable condition.
*** Assuming a combined federal and state tax bracket of 35% and an approximate appraisal-estimate average of $100,000, the after-tax cash value is $35,000.
The following chart shows the actual appraised donation values received by six TRP donors.
House Deconstruction Time-Lapse
NOTE: This video does NOT feature New England Deconstruction, LLC, or any of its associates. This video does NOT feature appropriate OSHA safety protocols, and is NOT to be replicated
Deconstruction is an environmentally-friendly alternative to demolition. Trained deconstruction crews carefully deconstruct the building to salvage as many of the reusable materials as possible, diverting them from local landfills. Salvaged items typically include doors, windows, cabinets, lighting and plumbing fixtures, framing lumber, roofing materials, and flooring. For an overview of materials salvaged from actual projects, visit the projects page.
"Exceptional living is the dream of new home owners pursuing green building and remodeling. They want good indoor air quality, super energy efficiency, and finishes made from renewable, sustainable sources. Few, however, pay attention to what happens to the old structure. Whether it's an entire house, or a portion to be remodeled, your old building materials deserve a second look. Ignore the poor lighting, the leaks, the inefficient floor plan, and other qualities that fall short of ideal green building and consider the possibilities." -Ted Reiff