Saving on costs and debt is a major part of any project for most of us, especially when it comes to our homes. Whether remodeling or building new, substantial savings can be found in salvaged lumber, doors, cabinets, trim, lighting fixtures, the list goes on. Availability was a problem in the past but today the salvage business is expanding everywhere even online. There is also a growing trend toward ‘deconstructing’ buildings to salvage useable building materials.
Deconstruction programs have become a major part of Habitat for Humanity affiliates in many cities now. This way of recycling materials can salvage from the average size home about 6,000 feet of lumber, the equivalent of 33 mature trees. Add to these materials the discontinued, end of the roll, limited quantity products and truckload sales at the large salvage stores and everyone, not just Contractors, can get in on this money saving way to get projects done.
If you are planning to remove an old shed, barn, out buildings or entire house consider having it deconstructed to salvage the useable materials for resale or to use in the building of a new structure. If you would rather let someone else deal with that part, the Habitat for Humanity program is a good place to donate any buildings you need to remove to make way for new construction, you on longer want or just to be rid of a structure that is no longer useful. You will get a nice tax deduction from Habitat, you don’t have to pay to have the building demolished or moved and Habitat will recycle the materials in one of their Restore stores and use the money to build new houses. The recycled materials are not used in the building of Habitat homes, no doubt due to government red tape but for every three feet of salvaged building materials they recover enough revenue for one foot of new construction.
